Cooking asparagus in the oven delivers a quick and healthy side dish that is easily customizable. Plus, I think it is the easiest way to cook it. Once you learn all there is to know about prepping, storing and cooking, the fun part comes in the seasoning and serving. Add this baked asparagus to your recipe book. I promise you that it’ll be one you’ll turn to over and over again. If you’d rather cook asparagus on the stove, be sure to check out my Sauteed Asparagus Recipe, and if you want to try your hand at cooking it in the air fryer, be sure to try my Air Fryer Asparagus recipe as well. Both of these cooking methods provide you with a shorter cooking time and just as delicious asparagus.
Ingredient List:
All it takes is 5 simple ingredients for perfectly roasted asparagus every time – 7 ingredients if you include the optional seasonings. Gather together:
Fresh asparagus stalksOlive oilGarlicKosher salt & black pepperOptional (but highly recommended): Parmesan cheese and fresh lemon juice.
Note: Thin vs thick asparagus, or the thickness of the asparagus, is more about personal preference. Pencil thin asparagus is sweeter whereas thicker asparagus has a stronger aroma and flavor. While you can find thick asparagus all year long, the thinner asparagus is usually available at grocery stores during the asparagus season. We will discuss variance in cooking times below!
How to prepare it for roasting?
Start by cleaning it. To do so, Gently rinse under cool running water to remove any dirt or debris. Then, thoroughly dry the spears with a clean kitchen towel. The dry surface and hot oven ensure maximum crispness every time. The best way to prepare asparagus is to snap off the ends one-by-one. This is the natural break between tender asparagus and the woody stem. The woodsy part should snap off easily, leaving you with bright green stalks ready for cooking. If this task seems too tedious, simply snap one spear. Then, bunch the asparagus spears together, line up the ends and cut at the point where the one asparagus spear was broken. You can toss the ends or save them for later to use next time you make vegetable or chicken stock.
How to bake asparagus in the oven?
Baked asparagus is such a simple cooking technique. It’s an incredibly easy and healthy side to have in your cooking repertoire. Simply:
What temperature to bake?
I found the ideal temperature to roast asparagus to be 425 degrees F. This is the fastest and most efficient. I have read other recipes that bake the asparagus at 350 or 375 degrees F, but that just means you have to wait longer. If you’d rather bake asparagus in a lower temperature oven below are the baking time for various temps:
350 Degrees F: 25-30 minutes375 Degrees F: 22-25 minutes400 Degrees F: 15-17 minutes
How long to bake asparagus?
The asparagus cook time will vary depending on the thickness of the asparagus and the temperature you are using. The thicker spears will cook longer than the thinner ones. Use the table below for a quick guide for the baking time in a 425-degree F. (218 C˚) oven:
How to store it?
Leftover asparagus can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Do not overcrowd the baking sheet: According to Cook’s Illustrated, make sure to roast the asparagus spears in a single layer for even cooking. Roast, without moving the asparagus or opening the oven, until the underside of the spears are brown, and the tops are vibrant green.Don’t overcook: Be aware that there is a direct correlation between the time it takes to roast asparagus and the thickness of your asparagus. Keep in mind that the thick spears will take longer time to bake, while the thinner ones will be shorter. Trim and clean your asparagus: Take the time to properly prepare it by cleaning it under cold water and then trimming the woodsy ends. And if you are unable to use it right away, simply place the bunch of asparagus in a jar filled with an inch of water and cover it loosely with a plastic bag. If you need more information, check out my post on storing asparagus.
During the week, I enjoy them chilled from the fridge for lunch or slightly rewarmed when it comes to dinner time. I do not recommend freezing the roasted asparagus. Upon reheating, the spears become waterlogged and mushy.
What to serve it with?
Roasted asparagus is the perfect side dish to serve with any main meal, protein, or full spread of veggies. And if you were wondering what protein goes well with asparagus, you are in the right place. Some of my other favorites include below. Use the variations below to season asparagus to tailor it according to your tastebuds:
Adding ¼ cup panko breadcrumbs before cookingSprinkling on ½ teaspoon garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, or Herbs de ProvenceAdding 1-2 pinches red pepper flakesFinishing with balsamic vinegar or balsamic glazeSqueezing on any citrus fruit – lemon, lime, orange or grapefruitAdding roughly chopped fresh parsley, mint or basil leaves after cookingReplacing the olive oil with nutty and aromatic gheeFinishing the spears with a tab of butter (the warm asparagus will melt it easily)My absolute favorite is garlic parmesan asparagus. Savory, cheesy and somewhat nutty.A few other additions can include toasted slivered almonds, lemon zest, or any hard, grated cheese!
I serve it with Pressure Cooker Pot Roast Recipe when the weather is chillier throughout the fall and winter. But it pairs particularly well with Simple Roast Chicken, Baked Panko Chicken Parmesan, and Chicken Fricasse. I love it alongside Roasted Carrots and Vegan Stuffed Acorn Squash for a full, plant-based meal. Or if you have leftovers, make my Roasted Asparagus Salad recipe. It’s a wonderful addition to those long weekend mornings and brunch gatherings alongside Spinach Feta Frittata and Goat Cheese Quiche, too.
Here are a few more healthy and easy asparagus recipes:
It is no secret that baked asparagus make an easy side dish recipe. However, by using this simple recipe as a base, you can create other dishes to wow your family. Here are a few to get you started:
Mushroom Asparagus TartSauteed Asparagus and MushroomsTruffled Asparagus Eggs
If you try this Baked Asparagus recipe or any other recipe on Foolproof Living, please take a minute to rate the recipe and leave a comment below. It helps others who are thinking of making the recipe. And if you took some pictures, be sure to share them on Instagram using #foolproofeats so I can share them on my stories.
