This Oven Roasted Asparagus Recipe is made with 5 simple ingredients in 20 minutes. Learn how to cook asparagus in the oven perfectly every time. Plus we share tips how to trim, season and store this vegetable.
If you love asparagus in a simple yet flavorful dish, check out broiled asparagus, bacon wrapped asparagus and this air fryer asparagus recipe.
Table of Contents
- Ingredients for Roasted Asparagus Recipe
- How to Prepare Asparagus for Roasting
- How to Cook Asparagus in the Oven
- What Temperature to Roast Asparagus in the Oven?
- How Long to Roast Asparagus?
- Tips for Best Results
- Seasoning Variations
- What to Serve Roasted Asparagus With?
- How to Store It
- FAQs
- More Asparagus Recipes to Try
- More Roasted Vegetable Recipes
- Roasted Asparagus Recipe Recipe
I think this oven roasted asparagus recipe is the best way to cook asparagus! Just a few simple seasonings and 12 minutes in the oven, and you have the perfect healthy side dish!
Once you learn how to cook asparagus in the oven, I guarantee you will be making it almost weekly. My method for baked asparagus recipe is not only simple but so delicious!
Deliciously seasoned roasted asparagus is perfect to serve next to almost any healthy dinner main. It’s so versatile!
Ingredients for Roasted Asparagus Recipe
To make perfectly roasted asparagus recipe every time you need just 5 simple ingredients. Then we include more optional seasonings below.
- Fresh asparagus: Asparagus is available year round with highest quality asparagus in the spring. Choose firm asparagus stalks with closed tips. Thickness of asparagus spears is a personal preference and requires different cooking time, which we cover below in the post.
- Oil: I think extra virgin olive oil truly shines its flavors when used for roasting asparagus in the oven. But you can use avocado oil, grapeseed oil or any other oil you like.
- Fresh garlic: I prefer freshly minced garlic because those little bits taste delicious with baked asparagus and do not get a chance to burn. In a pinch, you can use 1 teaspoon of garlic powder.
- Seasonings: Salt and pepper.
Storage Tip
Prolong the life of fresh asparagus. Remove asparagus from the package or take off rubber band. Trim off 1 inch at the end and stand it up in a jar with cold water. Cover loosely with beeswax wrap or linen towel (if you want) and refrigerate for up to 8 days.
How to Prepare Asparagus for Roasting
Before we show you how to roast asparagus in the oven, you need to learn how to clean and trim asparagus.
- Clean asparagus: Wash asparagus with cold water from any debris and dirt. Dry completely with kitchen towel. Drying asparagus ensures oil and seasonings stick to it and guarantees crispy roasted asparagus.
- Snap one woodsy end: Snap off about 1.5-2 inches end of one asparagus spear. Where it breaks easily, is where tender asparagus begins that’s ready for cooking.
- Trim the rest: Line a few more asparagus spears with one trimmed asparagus spear on a cutting board and using a chef’s knife cut all of them the same length. You can also snap each asparagus spear one by one.
- Place on baking sheet: Transfer trimmed asparagus on large rimmed baking sheet (I love this OXO sheet pan). Now we are ready to season and roast asparagus in the oven.
How to Cook Asparagus in the Oven
The process of how to bake asparagus in the oven is so simple and quick! There is a full recipe card below.
- Season asparagus: Drizzle asparagus with oil, then sprinkle with minced garlic, salt and pepper. Using your hands or tongs, toss asparagus to coat in seasonings evenly.
- Spread it in a single layer: Move asparagus around the baking sheet so they don’t overlap and touch minimally. It’s OK if majority of asparagus is touching, just spread as much as possible for maximum crispness.
- Bake asparagus: Roast asparagus in the preheated to 425 degrees F oven for 12 minutes. The trick is to cook asparagus at the right oven temperature for the right amount of time.
- Check if it’s ready: Your roasted asparagus recipe is ready when you touch it with a fork and it pierces easily and yet is firm. Do not overcook. Remove from the oven immediately.
What Temperature to Roast Asparagus in the Oven?
I find the ideal cooking time for baked asparagus in the oven to be 425 degrees F. I have seen other recipes call for 400 degrees F and 375 degrees F but I think it just means you have to wait longer.
If you would rather cook asparagus at a lower oven temperature, here is a handy time table to use:
- 350 F – roast asparagus for 25 minutes
- 375 F – roast asparagus for 20 minutes
- 400 F – roast asparagus for 15 minutes
How Long to Roast Asparagus?
How long to roast asparagus in the oven depends on its thickness and your oven temperature. Use this handy cook time table for cooking asparagus at 425 degrees F.
| Asparagus stalk thickness | Cooking time |
|---|---|
| Thin | 8-10 minutes |
| Medium | 10-12 minutes |
| Thick | 12-14 minutes |
Tips for Best Results
While this is an easy roasted asparagus recipe, be sure to follow these simple tips for best crispy asparagus results!
- Choose the right size baking sheet: Make sure you use a large enough baking sheet so you can spread it in a single layer. If you pile asparagus on top of each other, the asparagus will steam instead of roasting.
- Take time to prep asparagus well: Make sure to wash and dry it well for maximum crispy results. Oil doesn’t stick well to wet asparagus resulting in under seasoned and limpy roasted asparagus. Trim the woodsy ends properly to avoid tough chewy asparagus meal.
- Be patient during baking: Do not disturb asparagus in the oven during roasting process. Do not open the oven and do not move asparagus around. If you are curious, turn the oven light on.
- Do not overcook asparagus: Pay attention to whether you have thin, medium or thick asparagus spears. Choose cook time accordingly as there is a direct correlation between the time it takes to roast asparagus and its thickness.
Seasoning Variations
There are so many flavor combinations that will result in the most delicious oven roasted asparagus recipe. Here are just a few:
- Parmesan cheese: Sprinkle oven baked asparagus with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and put it back in the oven until melted. Or enjoy as is.
- Mozzarella cheese: Top roasted asparagus with grated mozzarella cheese and broil until cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Lemon: Once you are done baking asparagus, squeeze fresh lemon juice on top.
- Garlic butter: Drizzle with melted garlic butter.
- Balsamic glaze: Drizzle with store-bought balsamic glaze and sprinkle with fresh basil.
- Almonds: Lightly toast slivered or sliced almonds and sprinkle on top of baked asparagus.
What to Serve Roasted Asparagus With?
Roasted asparagus recipe is one of my favorite side dishes! It’s light, crispy and screams spring. Here are my favorite ways to pair it:
- With lamb: No Easter meal is complete without lamb dish like a leg of lamb, lamb roast or lamb loin chops and a side of baked asparagus.
- Meat roast: For a holiday table or Sunday dinner, serve with sirloin tip roast or eye of round roast.
- With seafood: Buttery and flaky lemon baked cod or grilled shrimp skewers will complete oven baked asparagus for a light and fresh meal.
- Leftovers: Chop up cold leftovers and throw in healthy pasta salad or chicken vegetable soup (at the end). Best part is it all tastes delicious when cold.
- Egg salad: A dollop of healthy egg salad on rye bread or sourdough toast alongside this easy asparagus recipe, just screams “Spring has arrived”.
How to Store It
Store: Refrigerate asparagus leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days. My personal preference is maximum 2 days because roasted asparagus becomes more limpy as time goes by.
Enjoy asparagus cold straight from the fridge or quickly warmed up in microwave, in the oven or hot skillet.
Do not freeze cooked asparagus. It becomes mushy and stringy upon thawing.
FAQs
No, there is no need to peel asparagus for this roasted asparagus recipe. Just wash, dry and trim the woody ends.
It is just because of type asparagus you buy. Older asparagus and the way it was harvested can contribute to stringy asparagus. Try to purchase asparagus of different brand or at another store next time.
Cook thin asparagus spears for less time, about 8 minutes. Follow the time chart above.
Yes. Here is a quick tutorial how to broil asparagus.
Your roasted asparagus is ready when it turns bright green, is tender but still has a bite to it. If asparagus is hard to chew, it is undercooked. If it is mushy, it is overcooked.
More Asparagus Recipes to Try
More Roasted Vegetable Recipes
Roasted Asparagus Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 pounds asparagus
- 2 tablespoons olive oil extra virgin
- 3 large garlic cloves minced
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- Parmesan cheese for serving, optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. wash asparagus with cold water and dry thoroughly with a towel.
- To trim asparagus, snap the end of one spear and cut remaining asparagus same length with a knife. Usually you remove 1.5-2 inches of chewy stringy part.
- Arrange asparagus on a large rimmed baking sheet in a single layer.
- Drizzle with olive oil, then sprinkle with minced garlic, salt and pepper. Using tongs, toss to coat evenly. Spread asparagus spears in a single layer with minimum touching each other.
- Bake asparagus for 12 minutes. Asparagus is ready when it turns bright green, is tender but still has a bite to it. If asparagus is hard to chew, it is undercooked. If it is mushy, it is overcooked.
- Remove from the oven, sprinkle with Parmesan cheese if you wish and serve warm.
Notes
- Store: Refrigerate leftovers covered for up to 2 days. Do not freeze.
- Choose the right sized baking sheet: Make sure you use a large enough baking sheet so the pan is not overcrowded. If you pile asparagus on top of each other, the asparagus will steam instead of roasting.
Thank you again for all your fantastic recipes. I found asparagus bland until I tried your recipes and it is full of flavour. Love it as I do all your recipes😋🤗
I’m so happy to hear I made you fall in love with asparagus! Thank you for your kind words!
I love roasted veggies!! I made roasted asparagus with Feta cheese and it was fantastic!!
What a fantastic pairing with feta! yum!
Oh so delicious! Perfect side dish for any meal. I really never knew how to cook asparagus to make it taste delicious. But I must say this recipe did the trick! I grow my own so I was looking for new recipes and I highly recommend trying to grow your own. It does taste better than the shop bought plants.
Thanks for sharing. Fresh garden grown veggies always taste better 🙂
I live in Manteca Ca… its very hot then very cold. Will it grow easily in our little valley? When do you plant asparagus and in what season? I love this recipe and adding Feta is a great Idea.
I loved this quick and delicious recipe, thank you for sharing it!! I made it with olive oil and creole seasoning. Yummy!!
You’re welcome Natalia 🙂
This recipe is awesome.
Yay! So happy to hear! Thanks for taking time from your busy schedule to let me know you enjoyed my recipe.
I can’t wait to try this today! I’ve tried so many ways and it always comes out soggy or just the florets are crunch and the rest is floppy. I’ll follow up to let you know how it went!
The key is not to overcook it and remove from the oven even while it’s a bit too firm. Asparagus cooks super fast.
it’s ok
I adore roasted asparagus! I do the snap but then I cut each one first below the floret part. and the stem I cut in halves and sometimes quarters, depending on how thick. My marinade is avocado oil with a no-salt seasoning blend that I brush onto the veggies. No parchment or mat. I scrub my rimmed baking sheets with a steel brillo and hot water and they come out just fine. No soap. Today is asparagus, mushrooms, broccoli, and potatoes, which will take 3-4 pans and be fabulous leftovers tomorrow that I’ll eat with brown rice and chick peas, both cooked in IP and ready. Sooo good! Lately I’ve been doing 410. Will try 425 today. Great recipe and great stuff from you all the time!
Sounds so good and so many veggies! I use mats so my food doesn’t cook directly on the aluminum as it is leaching chemicals in to food when heated. Thank you so much for your kind words. I try.:)