Are you always looking for easy, healthy dinner sides like me? Enter this step-by-step guide for how to cook asparagus in the oven. My method for this oven roasted asparagus recipe is both super simple and super delicious! And that is always a good thing when it comes to dinner, right? I think this oven baked asparagus recipe is one of the best ways to cook asparagus, because the cooking method is really easy (roasting is so simple) and the seasonings are very basic (with some variations included below). If you want to try other methods, you can also make sauteed asparagus, grilled asparagus, or air fryer asparagus.
Can You Roast Asparagus In The Oven?
Yes, you can roast asparagus in the oven, and you definitely should! The process is hands-off, easy, fast, and so delicious.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This section explains how to choose the basic ingredients for baked asparagus, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card below.
Fresh Asparagus – Choose firm asparagus spears, with tightly closed tips. Asparagus is available any time of year, but you’ll find the highest quality in the spring when it’s in season. Any thickness is fine; you’ll just need to adjust the cook time based on that (see below for roasted asparagus cook times). This recipe calls for a pound, which is a common amount for one bunch of asparagus, but keep in mind the weight will be less after trimming.Olive Oil – Oil is a must for roasted vegetables; it helps with browning and flavor. You can use regular olive oil or avocado oil for a mild taste, or extra virgin olive oil for a richer taste.Garlic Powder – This is optional, but adds great flavor. I don’t recommend using fresh minced garlic because it tends to burn, but if you want to use that, add it in the last few minutes of cooking.Sea Salt & Black Pepper – Kosher salt is also fine to use if that’s what you have.
See the section below for variations and what else you can add!
How To Cook Asparagus In The Oven
This section shows how to roast asparagus, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique, to help you visualize it. For full instructions, including amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card below. The process for how to roast asparagus in the oven is super easy!
What Temp To Cook Asparagus In The Oven?
I recommend roasting asparagus at 400 degrees F. The asparagus cook times above assume this temperature. The simplest way is to just line up the stalks parallel to each other and cut off the woody ends using a knife. But, if you want each stalk trimmed at the optimal spot, simply bend each asparagus stalk gently until the end snaps off. This will help your roasted asparagus brown a little and cook evenly.
Do You Have To Peel Asparagus?
You don’t have to peel asparagus. But, you do want to trim the end off of the asparagus stalk, as it’s very tough, woody, and inedible. You can either snap it off with your hands, cut it with a chef’s knife or peel it with a vegetable peeler. Some recipes call for peeling the asparagus if it’s part of a shaved salad or a topping of for pizza. It’s a great option to switch up the cooking technique, but in this baked asparagus recipe, we’re not peeling it.
Storage Instructions
Store: If you make the roasted asparagus ahead of time, simply store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.Reheat: You can eat it straight from the fridge, let it warm up to room temperature, or quickly reheat the roasted asparagus in the oven, the microwave, or a hot pan.
Can You Freeze Roasted Asparagus?
I would not recommend freezing roasted asparagus recipes. Frozen asparagus tends to get mushy, though it could be okay to use in a soup or casserole.
Lemon – I usually just add a squeeze of lemon after cooking, but you can also toss the asparagus in fresh lemon juice, add lemon zest, or do both, before cooking. Balsamic Vinegar – Toss the asparagus spears in balsamic vinegar in addition to the olive oil. Parmesan Cheese – Sprinkle on a few tablespoons of parmesan before or after cooking. For thick stalks that take longer to cook, this is best to do halfway through cooking. If you want a more cheesy version, try my cheesy asparagus instead. Herbs & Seasonings – Add Italian seasoning or red pepper flakes before roasting. Fresh herbs, such as basil or parsley, are also delicious sprinkled on at the end.
What To Serve With Roasted Asparagus
This asparagus recipe makes a great veggie side dish for chicken or fish, and is especially tasty as a side to an egg dish for a spring brunch. But I’ve also been known to snack on it directly from the pan — it’s that good! You can even add a drizzle of hollandaise sauce if you like. Here are some simple meals to pair with easy asparagus recipes like this one: These dinners also go well with cauliflower rice (or regular rice) if you want a heartier side to add to the asparagus.
More Easy Asparagus Recipes
Roasting is one of my favorite ways to cook asparagus, but you can also make it in other ways:
More Roasted Vegetable Recipes
The oven brings out rich flavor in all these veggie dishes! Share your recipe picture by tagging @wholesomeyum and hashtag it #wholesomeyum on Instagram, or in our Facebook support group, too – I’d love to see it!
