Roasted Asparagus with Lemon Parmesan (Printable)
Tender asparagus roasted to perfection, brightened with lemon zest and finished with Parmesan—a simple, elegant Mediterranean side.
# What You'll Need:
→ Vegetables
01 - 1 pound fresh asparagus, trimmed
→ Seasonings & Oils
02 - 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
03 - 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
04 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
→ Fresh Flavors
05 - 1 lemon, zested and juiced (1 tablespoon juice)
→ Cheese
06 - 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - Arrange the trimmed asparagus in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
03 - Drizzle asparagus with olive oil, then sprinkle with salt and pepper. Toss to coat evenly.
04 - Roast in the preheated oven for 12 to 15 minutes, or until asparagus is tender and lightly browned at the edges.
05 - Remove from oven. Immediately sprinkle with lemon zest and drizzle with lemon juice. Top with grated Parmesan cheese.
06 - Transfer to a serving platter and serve warm.
# Cooking Tips:
01 -
- The high heat roasting brings out the natural sweetness of asparagus while creating those irresistible crispy tips that everyone fights over.
- Its impossibly quick to prepare but looks like youve spent hours, making it perfect for both weeknights and dinner parties.
02 -
- Asparagus continues cooking from residual heat after being removed from the oven, so take it out just before you think its done.
- Parchment paper isnt just for easy cleanup, it prevents the delicate cheese and lemon flavors from picking up any metallic taste from your baking sheet.
03 -
- When selecting asparagus, check the cut ends, they should look fresh and moist, not dry and woody, which indicates theyre past their prime.
- For the most impressive presentation, use a vegetable peeler to shave the Parmesan directly over the hot asparagus in long, elegant ribbons rather than using pre-grated.