The Parmesan Roasted Asparagus from The Pioneer Woman has all the nutty, caramelized tastes of roasted asparagus, plus the nutty, salty richness of Parmesan and enticing buttery, crunchy panko! You’ll want to fill up on this simple, addicting side dish for supper.

Preparing this roasted asparagus takes only a few minutes, but it can be done in advance and thrown in the oven as needed (LOVE this for entertaining). It can be prepared in a matter of minutes and serves as a nutritious addition to any supper because of its high fiber, antioxidant, and mineral content.

How Do I Choose Asparagus?

Fresh asparagus is excellent for roasting! Asparagus should be straight and firm, not limp.

Asparagus should be brilliant green with some white at the root. Instead of sprouting, the tops should be compressed. Asparagus tips will turn dark green and become mushy when spoiled.

For this Oven Roasted Asparagus Recipe, you may use any size of asparagus spear—just adjust the cooking time. Size doesn’t always indicate flavor.

I like medium-sized spears over little ones since they caramelize better when lined up.

How Do I Store Fresh Asparagus?

It’s important to maintain the asparagus’s freshness after making a new purchase. When you’ve been looking forward to baking asparagus and they turn out to be awful, it’s a sad day.

When storing asparagus, it is best to cut off the bottom half an inch or so and stand the spears upright in a container with about an inch of water at the bottom. A tall glass, jar, vase, or even just two glasses can do the trick here. It’s easier to tell when the water level in a big glass jar is becoming low, which is why I like to use one.

Never clean your asparagus before keeping it in water, since you’ll want the stems to remain submerged in water but the remainder of the asparagus to remain dry. Keep your asparagus for up to 5 days by placing it in a plastic bag and placing it in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator.

Pioneer Woman Roasted Asparagus Ingredients

• Asparagus. One pound, or one bunch, of asparagus is called for in this parmesan asparagus dish. Simply use a bigger jelly roll pan and increase the ingredients by a factor of two.
• Olive Oil. If you want to add additional flavor, you can use extra virgin olive oil or any other kind of oil you want to use in baking, such as avocado oil or grape seed oil.
• Lemon Juice. Use freshly squeezed or bottled lemon juice. Not only does this not make your asparagus taste excessively lemony, but it also brings out the whole range of tastes. Grated lemon zest is a great garnish if you’re looking to amp up the lemon taste. You may also use balsamic vinegar in place of the lemon juice, as I do in my recipe for roasted asparagus.
• Garlic Powder. Though raw garlic has its place, I find that garlic powder works better to coat and stick to the asparagus as it roasts in the oven. When using fresh garlic, there’s always a chance that some of it could catch fire and spoil your meal.
• Salt And Pepper. Seasonings are essential for giving veggies their distinctive flavor. Add more or less to your liking.
• Herbs. For an amazing, herbaceous flavor, I like to sprinkle a little dried thyme, dried oregano, and dried basil over my parmesan asparagus before serving.
• Nutmeg. Improves the asparagus’s inherent taste without adding any discernible flavor.
• Parmesan Cheese. I like to use a whole half cup of freshly grated parmesan cheese, but you may always use less or more if you want. For the best flavor and melting properties, use only freshly grated parmesan cheese while making parmesan asparagus. I find the best deal and longest shelf life on parmesan cheese at Costco.
• Panko. Is a type of Japanese breadcrumb that can be found in the baking aisle of most supermarkets and even Walmart. Panko breadcrumbs are substantially bigger and drier than standard breadcrumbs, allowing them to absorb much less moisture and become much crispier. Do not try to improvise by using Italian breadcrumbs instead of panko; you won’t get the same beautiful crunch.

How To Trim Asparagus?

When preparing Parmesan Roasted Asparagus, it is imperative that you give the spears a thorough trimming. Asparagus ends are tough and woody, so cutting them off is a must before roasting.

Simply holding a stalk of asparagus and bending it will cause it to break at its tough end. When preparing asparagus, I just break off the woody end of one stalk at a time, then line up the stalks on a chopping board and chop off the ends at the same position. So, all the asparagus may be clipped with a single snap and a single long slice!

How To Make Pioneer Woman Roasted Asparagus

• Preheat the oven to 425°F. Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with foil and gently spraying it with cooking spray.
• Place the asparagus on a baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil, lemon juice, and spices. Toss asparagus to coat evenly, then arrange it in a single layer. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese evenly.
• Bake for 7-10 minutes at 425°F or until tender but still crisp.
• Make the Panko coating while the asparagus is baking. In a pan over medium heat, melt 1 tablespoon of butter. Stir in the panko and continue to heat and stir until the panko is golden.
• Season the Roasted Asparagus with toasted panko. Serve right away.

What To Serve With Roasted Asparagus?

• Pairs Well With Just About Any Protein Source. Meat, seafood, and other savory dishes.
• Pairs Well With Italian Dishes. Spaghetti, chicken parmesan, baked penne, million-dollar mac and cheese, and shrimp fettuccine are all great options.
• Cozy With Classic Comfort Food. French dips, chicken cordon bleu, oven-fried chicken, pot roast, bbq pork, and smoked beef brisket are all on the menu.
• Fantastic With Company Favorites. Thanksgiving turkey, honey baked ham, maple glazed ham, and brown sugar ham, as well as spice-rubbed steaks, beef tips, and gravy, garlic herb butter pork tenderloin, and slow cooker honey balsamic roast beef.

Recipe variations

• Balsamic Roasted Asparagus. After the asparagus has done roasting, toss it with 1 1/2 teaspoons of balsamic vinegar (more or less to taste, depending on the strength of the vinegar).
• Pesto-Roasted Asparagus.  If you don’t have lemon juice or parmesan, you may still follow the recipe exactly. Mix in 1–2 tablespoons of pesto, or to taste, to the hot roasted asparagus.
• Roasted Asparagus With Garlic. If you want to make roasted asparagus, just follow the instructions as written, only in place of the garlic powder, use 2 cloves of garlic that have been finely chopped.
• Asparagus Roasted With Bacon. Prepare asparagus according to a roasted asparagus method, but before placing it in the oven, sprinkle with the crumbled bacon from 8 thick-cut bacon slices. The baking time will depend on how the recipe is written.
• Roasted Asparagus In A Dijon Maple Butter Sauce. Blend 2 teaspoons of dijon mustard and 1 teaspoon of pure maple syrup into 1 tablespoon of melted butter. Immediately after roasting asparagus, toss them in a dijon maple sauce.
• Roasted Asparagus With Cheese. Roast the asparagus according to the recipe, reducing the cooking time by a few minutes. Combine 1 1/2 cups of mozzarella cheese with the pressed-together spears (more or less). Return to the oven for another three to five minutes or until the cheese has melted.
• Roasted Asparagus With Ginger Soy Sauce. The asparagus just needs 5 minutes in the oven. In the meantime, combine 1 tablespoon of soy sauce with 1 teaspoon of toasted sesame oil and 1 teaspoon of freshly grated ginger (or 1/4 teaspoon of crushed ginger, if using). Take the asparagus out of the oven and coat it in the ginger soy sauce. Then, sprinkle with 2 tablespoons of toasted sesame seeds and return to the oven until the asparagus is crisp-tender

How To Store Roasted Asparagus?

• In The Fridge. The best way to preserve the flavor of this Roasted Asparagus with Parmesan is to keep it in the fridge for up to four days.
• In The Freezer. Put the spears in freezer bags and squeeze out as much air as you can before placing them in the freezer. Don’t overpack bags, but aim to keep spears in a single layer for the fastest freezing. Flatten bags as much as possible in the freezer. Once bags are frozen, store them in your freezer to maximize space consumption. For optimal flavor, use frozen asparagus within eight to twelve months of purchase.
• To Make Ahead. Simply mix the asparagus with olive oil and spices and either keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator or put it in an equal layer on a baking sheet, cover it with foil, and chill until ready to serve as a side dish for supper. The panko topping may be made in advance and stored in an airtight container or Ziploc bag. Sprinkle some Parmesan cheese over the asparagus and bake it as directed when you’re ready to eat.
• To Reheat. If you want to reheat any Parmesan Asparagus, you can do it in the microwave at 30-second intervals, but keep in mind that this will make the asparagus and panko soggy. Spread asparagus out in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake at 400 degrees for about 4 minutes or until heated through and tender-crisp. The panko will be crunchier and more satisfying as a consequence.

Recipe Tips

• Is It Better To Use Thin Or Thick Asparagus Spears? Feel free to use whatever you like. While thinner spears have more taste when eaten raw, both thick and thin spears yield delicious results when cooked.
• Does Panko Have To Be Used? I highly recommend using panko because it produces an irresistible buttery, crunchy crunch. Personally, I think the dish would be very different without the panko, but feel free to eliminate it if you wish. In place of panko, you may try adding toasted pine nuts, sesame seeds, bacon, etc. for crunch.
• How Should I Grate My Parmesan? A huge improvement in flavor may be achieved by using freshly grated Parmesan in this dish. Rather than using a micro planer, grate it on the finest holes of a standard grater.
• Should Parmesan Cheese Be Included? No! Olive oil, salt, and pepper are all you need to prepare delicious roasted asparagus. At this point, you may give it your own spin by adding your favorite herbs and condiments, such as balsamic vinegar or lemon juice.
• Can I Substitute A Different Sort Of Cheese? Pairing asparagus with salty, nutty Parmesan is one of my favorite combinations, but feel free to experiment! After baking the asparagus, top it with feta or goat cheese, or other high-quality melting cheese.
• How Do I Know Which Pan To Use? Using a standard baking sheet is OK for this Roasted Asparagus recipe, but you’ll need two pans if you’re making a double batch.
• When Will My Asparagus Be Ready? Asparagus is done roasting when it is crisp-tender but still has a slight bite. If you try chewing a bit before baking and find it to be too tough, bake some more. When food becomes mushy, it has been overdone. If you want to avoid this situation, you should check your asparagus around the 7-minute mark.

Try More Recipes:

• Slow-Roasted Cherry Tomatoes Jamie Oliver
• Ina Garten Sausage And Peppers

Pioneer Woman Roasted Asparagus Nutrition Facts

Amount Per Serving

• Calories 45
• Total Fat 3g
• Saturated Fat 0.4g
• Cholesterol 0mg
• Sodium 74mg
• Potassium 209mg
• Total Carbohydrate 3.9g
• Dietary Fiber 1.9g
• Sugars 1.2g
• Protein 2.2g
• Vitamin A 19%
• Vitamin C 12%
• Calcium 1.7%
• Iron 4.8%

Nutrition Facts Source: Source