Roasted Asparagus with Parmesan (Printable)
Tender asparagus roasted with Parmesan and lemon zest, perfect as a fresh elegant side for meals.
# Ingredient List:
→ Vegetables
01 - 1 lb fresh asparagus, trimmed
→ Oils & Seasonings
02 - 2 tbsp olive oil
03 - 1/4 tsp kosher salt
04 - 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
→ Cheese
05 - 1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
→ Citrus
06 - Zest of 1 lemon
07 - 2 tsp fresh lemon juice
# Steps:
01 - Preheat the oven to 425°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil.
02 - Arrange the asparagus in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil, then sprinkle with salt and black pepper. Toss gently to coat evenly.
03 - Roast in the oven for 12 to 15 minutes, until the asparagus is tender and lightly browned. Shake the pan halfway through roasting for even cooking.
04 - Remove from the oven. Immediately sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and lemon zest, then drizzle with fresh lemon juice.
05 - Serve warm, optionally garnished with extra Parmesan or lemon wedges.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- It takes less time than setting the table and tastes like you spent an hour on it.
- The Parmesan gets crispy in spots and melts into the asparagus in others, creating little pockets of flavor you'll want to chase with your fork.
02 -
- Don't overcrowd the pan or the asparagus will steam and turn mushy instead of getting those caramelized edges.
- Add the Parmesan right when the asparagus comes out of the oven so it melts into the spears and doesn't just sit on top like a garnish.
03 -
- Use a microplane to zest the lemon directly over the hot asparagus so the oils from the zest hit the surface and release their fragrance.
- If you want a little heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes with the salt and pepper before roasting.