This parmesan asparagus recipe is nutty, garlicky, and just right. In under 15 minutes, it is sure to become a regular side dish in your weekly rotation.
When you combine asparagus and parmesan in the oven, magic happens. It’s like these two ingredients were made for each other – much like peanut butter and jelly. This foolproof asparagus spears recipe is so easy, it will surely become a regular at your dinner table. A truly universal side dish that never gets old!
Did you know? Asparagus is packed with potassium, calcium, and fiber. It’s also super low in calories and cholesterol!
The Proper Way to Trim Asparagus
Before we get to cooking, let’s first cover off on the proper way to trim asparagus before cooking it.
- Rinse the Asparagus – Wash the asparagus stalks under cold water in the sink to remove any dirt or grime.
- Trim the Asparagus – Next, use a sharp knife to cut off the light colored, tough ends. Or, simply snap the stalk and it will break off naturally.
- Dry the Asparagus – Finally, use a kitchen towel or paper towel to remove any excess moisture. This will allow the seasoning stick, while also helping the asparagus crisp up nicely.
How to Prepare Parmesan Asparagus from Scratch
Preparing parmesan asparagus only requires 4 simple ingredients. Find an overview of the instructions below.
- Trim the Asparagus: First, trim the tough ends from the asparagus stalks by slicing or snapping them off.
- Load the Baking Sheet: Next, arrange asparagus on a baking sheet. Season the stalks with olive oil and garlic parsley salt and finish them with a sprinkle of grated parmesan cheese.
- Bake the Asparagus: Finally, roast them in the oven at 415°F for 8-10 minutes, or until parmesan turns a slight golden brown color and the asparagus is fork tender. Enjoy!
A Couple Handy Tips for Parmesan Asparagus
This recipe is not rocket science, but a few handy tips will help you nail it.
- Assemble the asparagus in a single layer. To avoid uneven cooking, lay the asparagus out in a single layer on your sheet pan before baking.
- Play around with different seasonings. Feel free to tweak the seasoning as you see fit. Add a couple of cracks of black pepper or a squeeze of lemon juice after you take the spears out of the oven. You could even bake them topped with a bit of breadcrumbs or panko if you’d like.
- Avoid boiling the asparagus before cooking it. There’s no need to boil the vegetable before baking it. It will only make it mushy and soggy. For best results, bake straight from raw!
What Parmesan Asparagus Pairs Well With
Pair the parmesan asparagus with your favorite protein. Spatchcock chicken or beef tenderloin immediately come to mind. You could also toss it directly into your favorite pasta dish or on top of salad.
Storing & Reheating Best Practices
Whether you are batch cooking asparagus for the week or have some leftovers to stow away, find all the storing and reheating tips you need here.
- Storing: To keep asparagus on hand for up to 3 days, store the spears in an airtight container in the fridge.
- Reheating: The best way to reheat asparagus is back in the oven or in the air fryer. Just be careful not to overcook it, or it will dry out and turn chewy.
FAQ
How do you keep asparagus from getting soggy?
The key to keeping asparagus from turning soggy is to not overcook it. It only needs about 13-15 minutes in the oven to yield that perfect slightly firm texture.
What spice goes well with asparagus?
Pretty much anything! You can consider asparagus a blank slate to play around with.
What can you add to asparagus for flavor?
If your asparagus tastes a bit bland, add a couple more shakes of salt or the juice from a couple of lemon wedges. A drizzle of balsamic vinegar is also a welcome addition!
Why is your leftover asparagus stringy?
The longer asparagus sits, the more stringy it gets. Typically, leftovers will last about 3 days.
Other Tasty Asparagus Recipes to Try
- How to Steam Asparagus – Guide on perfectly steamed stalks
- Chicken & Mushrooms with Asparagus – Simple chicken stir-fry
- Asparagus with Bacon (So Easy) – Chopped asparagus with bacon bits
- The BEST Sautéed Asparagus Recipe – Perfectly tender skillet asparagus
Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 lbs asparagus
- 1 tsp garlic parsley salt adjust to taste
- 2 tbsp oil olive or avocado
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese grated
Instructions
- Trim the tough ends from the asparagus stalks by slicing or snapping them off.
- Arrange asparagus on a baking dish. Season with olive oil and garlic parsley salt.
- Top the asparagus with grated parmesan cheese.
- Bake at 415°F for 8-10 minutes, or until parmesan is golden and asparagus is tender. Enjoy!
Never heard of garlicky salt?
Hi Janice, if you click on the garlic salt (in the ingredients list) it will take you to amazon to show exactly what I am talking about. This salt is sold in just about every grocery store. I hope this helps clear things up!
I've heard of garlic salt but not garlic parsley salt??!!
It's called garlic salt or garlic parsley salt. Basically garlic salt with parsley in it. If you click on the ingredient it will take you to amazon link and you can compare it to what you use.
How many ounces in a serving?
Hi Jery- About 8oz or so, since its 2 lbs of asparagus total!
I loved parmesan paired with vegetables and this asparagus didn't disappoint! It's the perfect side.
Hi Katie- thank you for commenting! I love cheese on any veggies too.
The best asparagus recipe! Came out so good!
Thank you, Jennifer! So glad you loved it.
Yum! This is my new favorite way to make asparagus! Everyone, including the kids, loved this recipe.
Hi Dana- it's such a win when the kiddos love it too! Thank you for sharing.