Roasted Asparagus Guide: Simple Roasted Asparagus Recipe

Roasted asparagus is asparagus cooked with dry heat in the oven at a temperature above 300°F. Roasting asparagus gives the vegetable a signature light brown coating, so it comes out crispy instead of mushy like baked asparagus. While raw asparagus has a complex sweet and bitter taste, roasting asparagus heightens its sweet flavor.

Asparagus requires minimal prep and cleanup, so it’s a simple vegetable to cook with. It’s also low in calories and packed with nutrients, such as potassium, folic acid, vitamin C, vitamin A, and fiber. Adding roasted asparagus to your diet can help you reach your daily dose of veggies.

Roasted asparagus is a nice side dish that pairs well with an assortment of mains. However, it’s often served with pasta, chicken, fish, steak, or bacon.

• Pasta: Oven-roasted asparagus with linguine, penne, or risotto is a refreshing summer dish. Chop your roasted asparagus into small pieces, and use a light olive oil and lemon sauce to mix everything together. If you’d prefer to add whole pieces of asparagus into the pasta, then use thin asparagus pieces.
• Chicken: There’s a reason roasted chicken and roasted asparagus is a classic dish. The tenderness of a lemon or herb-roasted chicken pairs well with the sweet bite of roasted asparagus. You can roast chicken and asparagus in the same pan with a squeeze of lemon or drizzle of balsamic vinegar, saving time and heightening the flavors.
• Fish: Salmon and roasted asparagus are often served together. A great meal prep dish is rice, salmon, and roasted asparagus. White fish, such as branzino, cod, and haddock, also pair well with roasted asparagus. These lighter fish bring out the strong flavors in asparagus. Like chicken and asparagus, you can cook fish and asparagus in the same pan.
• Steak: Flavor your roasted asparagus with herb butter and rosemary, then serve it as a side to your steak dinner. If you’re cooking teriyaki steak, you can also season your roasted asparagus with sesame seeds.
• Other vegetables: If you have vegetables sitting in your fridge, you can roast them with your asparagus to make a vegetable medley. Roasted broccoli, asparagus, and cauliflower are a popular mix. You can also add roasted brussels sprouts or red peppers to your medley.