Roasted Asparagus Parmesan Lemon (Printable)

Tender asparagus spears roasted and topped with Parmesan and zesty lemon for a simple, elegant side.

# What You Need:

01 - 1 pound fresh asparagus, trimmed

02 - 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

03 - 2 tablespoons olive oil

04 - 1/2 teaspoon sea salt

05 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

06 - 1 lemon, zested and 1 tablespoon juice

07 - Extra lemon wedges, for serving

01 - Set the oven to 425°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

02 - Place trimmed asparagus in a single layer on the prepared sheet.

03 - Drizzle olive oil over the spears; sprinkle with sea salt and black pepper. Toss gently to coat.

04 - Roast for 12 to 15 minutes, shaking the pan halfway through, until tender and lightly browned.

05 - Remove from heat and immediately sprinkle with grated Parmesan and lemon zest, then drizzle with lemon juice.

06 - Transfer to a platter and serve warm, garnished with optional lemon wedges.

01 -

It comes together in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for weeknight dinners or last-minute dinner parties.
The roasting brings out a natural sweetness in the asparagus that feels indulgent without any fuss.
Parmesan and lemon are a pairing that somehow always feels special, even when you're eating alone at the kitchen counter.

02 -

Don't crowd the pan—asparagus needs space to roast, not steam, so if your spears are piled on top of each other they'll come out limp and pale instead of caramelized.
Timing matters more than temperature because ovens vary wildly, so start checking around the 12-minute mark and trust your eyes and nose rather than just setting a timer and walking away.

03 -

Buy asparagus the day you plan to cook it—the fresher it is, the better it roasts and the less chance of that woody texture creeping in.
If your asparagus spears are very thick, slice them lengthwise so they roast more evenly without the outsides overcooking while the centers stay firm.