Nothing hits the spot quite like a bunch of perfectly roasted asparagus. We love adding some extra veggie power to any meal with our tried-and-true recipe. We'll walk you through the simple yet delicious instructions, some cool variations, then discuss some classic food pairings for this woodsy veg. This recipe is sure to become a household favorite.
What You'll Need
- baking sheet
- measuring cups
- aluminum foil or parchment paper
- cutting board
- Chef's knife
- tongs
- paper towel
- Fruit & Veggie Wash
Ingredients
- one bunch of fresh asparagus (fat is best for roasting)
- 1 1/2 tablespoons of olive oil
- 2 teaspoons pink salt
- 2 teaspoons black pepper
Instructions
Now that all the ingredients and kitchen items have been collected, it's time to dive right into our roasted asparagus recipe!
Step #1: Prep Step
Preheat oven to 400-425 degrees, dependent on your oven. While it's warming, line baking sheet with either aluminum foil or parchment paper. Rinse the asparagus with vegetable wash, then pat dry with paper towel. Using knife, cut off the ends (not the spear tip), about an inch on each spear.
Step #2: Seasoning Success
Place prepped asparagus onto lined baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and season liberally with salt and pepper. Lay evenly on the baking sheet so the vegetable cooks evenly.
Step #3: Radiant Roasting
Roast for about fifteen minutes, flipping halfway through. Once completed, let cool for a couple minutes before enjoying.
Variations
Now that you know the base recipe for heavenly roasted spears, it's time to elevate this dish even further. There are so many twists and turns you can make with this fare, so we have broken down our favorites for you.
- Infused olive oil can help to impart a deeper flavor to your roasted asparagus with ease. Our favorite blend for this use is garlic confit-infused oil. Simply substitute that for the plain olive oil for a flash of garlicky goodness and pleasantly pungent aroma.
- Another way to ramp up roasted asparagus is in the garnish category. We like to drizzle some freshly-squeezed lemon juice or balsamic vinegar glaze right before serving. For a punchier twist, consider this infused balsamic vinegar; we love how the sweetness of the blackberries marries well with the woodsy base vegetable.
- Cheese is an easy way to make vegetables more palatable for little ones and even picky adults. We especially enjoy the use of parmesan with asparagus and recommend adding grated parmesan before roasting so it gets nice and melty.
Food Pairings
There are lots of foods that would work well with asparagus, but we have focused on just a few of the best options.
- Salty foods are an excellent way to ramp up the earthy tone of fresh roasted asparagus. Some inventive ingredients that would work in this vein are bacon, blue cheese, or prosciutto.
- Another great option for food that plays well with asparagus is sweet seafood, especially shrimp and scallops. They work well with the woodsy vegetable.
- We also like salmon, with its meaty strong finish, as a pairing partner with the green goodness of asparagus.
Overall, we love our simple method of preparing divine roasted asparagus, plus some great ways to change up the base recipe to your tastes. We hope you've enjoyed our asparagus guide, complete with tips for picking appropriate food pairings for the ultimate dinner party.
