Description
Delightful lemon parmesan roasted asparagus brings Mediterranean flavors to your table with elegant simplicity. Crisp asparagus spears complement zesty lemon and salty parmesan, creating a quick side dish perfect for spring gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 bunch fresh asparagus
- 2 tbsps olive oil
- 1 medium lemon (zest and juice)
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes
- 2 tbsps fresh mint or parsley, finely chopped
- Lemon wedges for serving
Instructions
- Preparation: Position oven rack in middle position and preheat to 425°F (218°C). Line rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Asparagus Preparation: Snap woody ends from asparagus spears at natural breaking point, creating uniform, tender stalks.
- Seasoning: Arrange asparagus in single layer on prepared baking sheet, leaving space between stalks. Drizzle extra virgin olive oil evenly, then generously season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Gently roll stalks to ensure complete oil and seasoning coverage.
- Roasting: Bake in preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, monitoring asparagus thickness. Remove when edges become crisp and tips turn golden brown, indicating perfect roasting.
- Finishing: Immediately transfer roasted asparagus to serving platter. Grate fresh Parmesan cheese over hot vegetables, allowing residual heat to slightly melt cheese. Sprinkle finely chopped lemon zest and squeeze fresh lemon juice across asparagus for vibrant citrus notes.
- Garnishing: Optional enhancement includes sprinkling chopped fresh mint or parsley and red pepper flakes for added complexity and visual appeal. Serve with additional lemon wedges to allow personalized flavor adjustment.
Notes
- Snap Perfectly: Break asparagus stalks at natural point to remove tough, woody ends without wasting tender portions.
- Space Matters: Avoid crowding asparagus on baking sheet to guarantee even roasting and crispy, golden edges.
- Cheese Melting Technique: Grate Parmesan directly over hot asparagus so residual heat creates a delicate, slightly melted cheese coating.
- Zest Enhancement: Add lemon zest and juice immediately after roasting to preserve bright, fresh citrus flavors and prevent bitterness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 50
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fat: 3g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 5g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 5mg