Crispy Garlic Parmesan Roasted Asparagus Spears
A quick and easy roasted asparagus recipe featuring crispy, garlicky, cheesy spears with a fresh lemon zest finish. Perfect as a side dish for dinner or to impress guests with minimal effort.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound asparagus spears, trimmed
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (about 50 g)
- Zest of 1 medium lemon
- ½ teaspoon salt (sea salt or kosher salt preferred)
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- Trim the asparagus by snapping off the woody ends, about 1 to 2 inches from the bottom. Peel thicker stalks if desired.
- In a mixing bowl, toss the asparagus with olive oil, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper until evenly coated but not drenched.
- Spread the asparagus in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Use two pans if necessary to avoid crowding.
- Roast in the oven for 12 to 15 minutes, turning once halfway through, until tips are crispy and spears are tender but not mushy.
- Remove from oven and immediately sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan evenly over the hot asparagus to melt slightly.
- Optional: For extra crispiness, broil the asparagus for 1 to 2 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.
- Transfer to a serving plate and zest one medium lemon over the top. Sprinkle red pepper flakes if desired.
Notes
Use freshly grated Parmesan for best texture and flavor. Add lemon zest at the end to keep its brightness. Turn asparagus halfway through roasting to avoid soggy undersides. For a dairy-free version, substitute Parmesan with nutritional yeast and use garlic-infused olive oil.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1/4 of the rec
- Calories: 110
- Fat: 7
- Carbohydrates: 6
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 5
Keywords: asparagus, roasted asparagus, garlic asparagus, parmesan asparagus, lemon zest, easy side dish, quick dinner, healthy side