Oven Roasted Asparagus Recipe

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Whip up a 5-star side dish in less than 20 minutes with my easy Oven Roasted Asparagus Recipe! Complete with crispy prosciutto, a perfect blend of spices and a finishing sprinkle of Parmesan cheese, this luxurious side dish is as simple to make as it is delicious to eat!

Jump to:

• Roasted Asparagus in the Oven
• Reasons to Love My Roasted Asparagus Recipe
• Roasted Asparagus with Parmesan Ingredients
• How to Trim Asparagus: Snip or Snap?
• How to Roast Asparagus in the Oven
• Roasted Vegetable Recipes
• Expert Tips
• Storing and Reheating Leftover Asparagus
• Can I make roasted asparagus in the air fryer?
• Can I make a vegetarian roasted asparagus without prosciutto?
• Roasted Asparagus Recipes FAQ
• Oven Roasted Asparagus Recipe
• Reviews

Roasted Asparagus in the Oven

Honestly, I just can't get enough asparagus recipes in my life. If I'm not cutting up asparagus for a quick stir fry, I'm breading and air frying it for asparagus fries, or making this tasty roasted asparagus recipe!

Out of all of the roasted vegetables I love to make, asparagus might be my favorite. It's perfect with everyday dinners from sous vide salmon to pan fried steak, but elegant enough for the holidays, too.

They're tender, buttery, and sprinkled with flavorful seasonings and Parmesan cheese. You'll be tempted to snack on them right off the pan! (Please tell me I'm not the only one who does this!)

Reasons to Love My Roasted Asparagus Recipe

It's a super fast side dish!

This oven asparagus recipe comes together in a grand total of about fifteen minutes, and is almost completely hands off. That means it's the perfect side dish that feels deluxe even when you're short on time.

Roasted asparagus is just plain delicious.

Roasting vegetables is the key to getting even the pickiest of people to enjoy them, and roasted asparagus is no exception. It's buttery-soft and so flavorful. If you know someone who thinks they don't like asparagus, try making them this roasted asparagus recipe: they will change their mind!

It looks and tastes luxurious.

By pairing it with prosciutto and parmesan, this simple asparagus side dish comes out of the oven looking so fancy, it might as well be straight out of a 5-star restaurant. There's no better feeling than wowing your family, friends, and yourself with a dish that took less then 20 minutes to make!

Roasted Asparagus with Parmesan Ingredients

• Asparagus: I prefer to use fresh, thin asparagus stalks instead of the really thick ones. They crisp up great for a delightful crunch, while thick asparagus tend to get a little soggy when roasted.
• Prosciutto: Prosciutto has a wonderfully salty, savory flavor that's perfect for pairing with asparagus! I like to tear it up into small pieces to scatter over the asparagus so that it doesn't overpower any of the other flavors.
• Parmesan: Freshly shredded or flaked parmesan cheese is best; it melts down into a deliciously cheesy outer crust! I don't recommend shaker bottle parm, as it is too dry to melt.
• Olive oil: Olive oil is just the perfect oil for any roasted vegetables! It has a rich, silky flavor that melts into the asparagus spears, keeping them tender and moist while baking.
• Salt & Pepper: With oven roasted vegetables, it's critical to use a quality salt. I recommend kosher or sea salt.
• Smoked paprika: If you can find it, smoked paprika has an incredible depth of flavor that nothing can compare to! If you don't have any, however, you can use regular or Hungarian paprika.
• Italian seasoning: I like to use my homemade Italian seasoning! However, you can also use a blend of fresh herbs, if you desire. Chop them up finely to ensure they coat the asparagus well. I also love using my Veggie Seasoning.
• Garlic powder: The mellow and sweet flavor of garlic powder is perfect fit for roasting vegetables. It doesn't burn like fresh garlic, but instead gently flavors the vegetables without fighting the other stronger flavors.
• Chili flakes: You can't beat a tiny bit of heat! Red pepper flakes or chili flakes will both work great. That said, you can leave out the chili entirely if you don't want any spice.
• Optional Toppings:
  • Lemon zest + Fresh lemon juice
  • Slivered almonds (Just like green bean almondine!)
  • Basil + Balsamic glaze

How to Trim Asparagus: Snip or Snap?

If you're like me, you were most likely taught that the proper way to trim asparagus is to bend the stalks to snap them, naturally breaking off the inedible woody end of the asparagus spear.

But, after years of cooking asparagus, I can tell you from experience that snapping asparagus is not a foolproof method. Some asparagus spears will snap too high up on the stalk, and you'll miss out on the best flavor of the vegetable.

The best way to trim asparagus is to slice off the woody ends of the stem. Look for where the stem starts to turn white with a hard texture, and cut it off using a sharp kitchen knife. It's faster than bending each stalk to snap, easier, and ensures you aren't wasting any part of the asparagus.

How to Roast Asparagus in the Oven

• Greek Lemon Potatoes
• Garlic Parmesan Roasted Carrots
• Roasted Portobello Mushrooms
• Roasted Artichokes
• Roasted Butternut Squash

Expert Tips

• Make sure to use parchment paper or aluminum foil to line the pan! By doing this, the most cleanup you'll need to do is just tossing the paper at the end.
• If you're using thick asparagus, make sure to trim liberally, and roast for 5 more minutes. How long to roast asparagus at 400 really depends on the thickness of the asparagus you're using, and how crispy or tender you prefer them!
• You can also make this dish in the air fryer! However, if you do, don't add the prosciutto until after it cooks. The convection heating in an air fryer can throw the lightweight meat shreds around and cause them to come in contact with the heating elements.
• This recipe will cook the asparagus to a tender but still firm point. If you like crispy-charred asparagus, leave off the prosciutto for the first 10 minutes of cook time. Then add it, and cook an additional 10 minutes.
• If you don't have prosciutto, don't worry! You can also use bacon, ham, or any other deli meat of choice. I've served this with all sorts of meat, and it's delicious every time. Alternatively, you can leave off the meat entirely for a vegetarian side dish!

Storing and Reheating Leftover Asparagus

• Refrigerator: Asparagus stores great in the fridge! I prefer to place leftovers in a plastic bag or fairly flat airtight container, then store for up to 5 days. It won't return to a crunchy state, but will taste delicious.
• Freezer: Once cooked, asparagus won't be crispy anymore, which makes it safe to freeze without any loss of texture. Freeze in an airtight container or plastic bag with the air pressed out, and store for up to 3 months.
• Thawing: Asparagus can be thawed overnight in the fridge, in the oven at 350 degrees for 10 minutes, or in the microwave.
• Reheating: I prefer to reheat asparagus in the air fryer! Set it to 350 degrees and heat for 5 minutes, until the asparagus is nice and hot. This is the only way I've found that retains any crispness. You can also reheat it in the microwave or in the oven.

Can I make roasted asparagus in the air fryer?

You can, but if you do, make sure to leave off the meat until after the asparagus has cooked. Air fryers work by blowing hot air around the food, and thus it's likely to pick up and throw around small, light pieces of food. This can be a fire risk!

Can I make a vegetarian roasted asparagus without prosciutto?

Yes! To make this vegetarian, leave out the meat. Additionally, check your Parmesan cheese! Many varieties are made with rennet, which is not a vegetarian product. Make sure your parmesan is made with specifically vegetarian rennet to ensure it's completely without meat.

Roasted Asparagus Recipes FAQ

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