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This Parmesan Baked Asparagus is a quick and easy vegetable side dish made with olive oil, garlic, and parmesan cheese! It’s roasted in the oven until tender and lightly crisp – perfect for weeknights!
Looking for more simple side dishes? You need to try our Sautéed Baby Bella Mushrooms as well as our Dense Bean Salad and our amazing Mexican Street Corn!
Why you’ll love this easy side dish!
One of my moms all time favorite things to cook has always been a simple asparagus recipe. This recipe is exactly how she always made it for me growing up – lightly roasted with a good sprinkle of parmesan to finish it off. It’s simple but seriously SO GOOD. This is my favorite way to cook asparagus but I also have an air fryer asparagus recipe if you’re interested!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ready in about 15 minutes
- Uses simple ingredients
- Perfect weeknight side
- Easy way to cook asparagus in the oven
In this post…
Ingredients needed
The handful of ingredients needed for this parmesan asparagus recipe are listed fully down in the recipe card but let’s briefly go over the pantry staples needed including a few substitutions you can make as desired!
- Asparagus – Fresh asparagus spears with the woody ends trimmed.
- Olive Oil – Helps the asparagus roast and develop flavor. Butter or ghee also works!
- Garlic Powder – Adds simple savory flavor. You could also try tossing on freshly minced garlic.
- Salt and Black Pepper – Enhances the natural flavor of the asparagus.
- Parmesan Cheese – Sprinkled on near the end so it melts without burning. You could also leave it off (or try a dairy-free Parmesan) for a vegan version.
- Optional – I love sprinkling on a little bit of lemon zest OR lemon juice over top of the asparagus when it’s done. This is totally optional but highly recommended!
How to Make It
Just a reminder that you can find the FULL written roasted asparagus recipe down in the recipe card, but I want to quickly go over how to make them with visuals for you :)
- Prep by cutting the woody ends of the asparagus off at the bottom. Place it on a medium sheet pan and drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle on the salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Toss to coat and bake for 8-12 minutes (roasting time depends on how crispy you want it).
- Remove the baking sheet from the oven and evenly sprinkle on the parmesan. Roast for an additional 5ish minutes. It’s done when the cheese is melted and the asparagus is just a little crisp around the edges.
Recipe Tips
- Spread asparagus in a single layer for even roasting.
- Add the parmesan during the last few minutes so it melts but doesn’t burn.
- Thicker asparagus spears work best for roasting.
Frequently Asked Questions
About 10–15 minutes at 400°F, depending on thickness.
No – asparagus roasts perfectly straight in the oven.
It should be fork-tender with lightly crisp edges.
Parmesan Baked Asparagus
Video
Ingredients
- 1 bunch of asparagus, ends trimmed
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, melted ghee or butter also works great!
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder, can sub the garlic powder and salt for garlic salt
- Salt and pepper to taste
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F.
- On a baking tray, line up your asparagus. Pour the oil/ butter over top and sprinkle on the garlic powder, salt and pepper. Toss to coat and rearrange the asparagus so it is in a single layer.1 bunch of asparagus, 2 tablespoons olive oil, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, Salt and pepper to taste
- Bake for 10 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and sprinkle on the parmesan cheese. Bake an additional 5 minutes or until tender.¼ cup parmesan cheese
- Let cool slightly and ENJOY!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This has turned into my second favorite way to eat asparagus! LOVE IT!!!!
Loved your comments on internet survey of baking temperatures and timing. Some also cover with aluminum foil then uncover to melt the parmesan.
Delish! We always have asparagus with our fish. Thank you for the recipe. I tried my lemon pepper with minced garlic. I loved it & so did hubby. Much better than the usual steamed.
I am on a low/no sodium diet so will have to find low sodium cheese. I love asparagus.
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