Roasted Asparagus Lemon Zest (Printable)

Asparagus roasted to tender perfection, brightened by fresh lemon zest and a touch of olive oil.

# What You'll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 1 pound fresh asparagus, trimmed

→ Oils & Seasonings

02 - 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
03 - 0.5 teaspoon sea salt
04 - 0.25 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

→ Citrus

05 - 1 lemon, zested and juiced

→ Garnish (optional)

06 - 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

# Directions:

01 - Set the oven temperature to 425°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - Arrange the trimmed asparagus spears in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
03 - Drizzle olive oil over the asparagus, then sprinkle with sea salt and black pepper. Toss gently to coat evenly.
04 - Roast for 12 to 15 minutes until tender and lightly caramelized, shaking the pan halfway through cooking.
05 - Remove from oven, immediately sprinkle with lemon zest, and squeeze fresh lemon juice over the asparagus.
06 - If desired, sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese on top before serving.

# Cooking Tips:

01 -
  • It comes together in under 30 minutes, perfect for when you need an impressive side dish without the fuss
  • The caramelization brings out a natural sweetness in the asparagus that rivals any complicated preparation
  • It's the kind of recipe that tastes fancy but feels completely effortless, like you've been a culinary genius all along
02 -
  • Don't crowd the baking sheet—if your asparagus is piled on top of each other, they'll steam instead of roast, and you'll lose that precious caramelization. Use two baking sheets if needed.
  • Timing varies based on the thickness of your spears—thinner ones might be done in 12 minutes, while thicker ones could need the full 15. The key is watching for that color change and testing one spear's tenderness by piercing it gently with a fork.
  • Adding the lemon at the very end, while the asparagus is still hot, makes all the difference between a side dish and something transcendent.
03 -
  • Use parchment paper instead of greasing your baking sheet—it prevents sticking and makes cleanup effortless, plus the asparagus browns more evenly without the distraction of residual oil from washing the sheet
  • Buy asparagus from the farmers market when it's in peak season (spring through early summer)—it tastes notably fresher and more vibrant than what's been shipped across the country

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