Garlic Parmesan Asparagus is a simple oven-roasted side dish that turns fresh asparagus into a savory, cheesy veggie plate. The spears roast in olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper until tender with lightly crisp tips, then get showered with grated Parmesan that melts over the hot asparagus. The result is a bold, garlicky, salty side that fits with almost any main course, from roasted chicken to steak or salmon.
Garlic Parmesan Asparagus Recipe
Garlic Parmesan Asparagus is an easy American side dish where asparagus spears roast with olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper, then get finished with Parmesan for a tender, cheesy, roasted veggie side.
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
Prep the asparagus
- Lay the asparagus on a large cutting board and line up the ends with your hands, then use a chef’s knife to cut about 1 to 2 inches off the tough, woody bottoms so only tender stalks remain.
- Rinse the trimmed asparagus under cool running water in the sink, then dry the spears completely with a clean kitchen towel or paper towels so they roast instead of steaming.
Season on the pan
- Place the dry asparagus on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and spread the spears into one single layer with your hands or tongs.
- Use a measuring spoon to drizzle 2 tbsp olive oil over the asparagus, then sprinkle 1 tsp kosher salt and ½ tsp black pepper on top and toss directly on the pan with your hands or tongs until every spear looks lightly shiny and evenly coated.
Roast in the oven
- Set an oven rack in the middle position using oven mitts if you need to move it, then preheat the oven to 425°F.
- Slide the baking sheet onto the middle rack with oven mitts and roast for 14 minutes until the asparagus stalks feel tender when you poke them with a fork and the tips look lightly browned and crisp at the edges.
Make the garlic Parmesan mix
- While the asparagus roasts, place the minced garlic in a small mixing bowl, pour in 1 tbsp olive oil with a measuring spoon, and stir with a spoon until the garlic looks coated and glossy.
- Add the grated Parmesan and crushed red pepper flakes to the same bowl and stir again with the spoon so the cheese and garlic form a loose, crumbly mixture.
Finish under the heat
- Take the baking sheet out of the oven with oven mitts and set it on a heat-safe surface, then use tongs to pull the asparagus spears into a tight, even row in the center of the pan.
- Spoon the garlic Parmesan mixture evenly over the hot asparagus, then place the baking sheet back on the middle rack with oven mitts and roast for 2 more minutes so the Parmesan softens and starts to melt around the spears.
Serve
- Remove the baking sheet from the oven with oven mitts and let the asparagus sit for 1 minute, then use tongs to move the spears to a serving plate, keeping the melted garlic Parmesan on top.
- Serve the Garlic Parmesan Asparagus hot as a side dish with chicken, steak, fish, or pasta, and add a light extra sprinkle of grated Parmesan from the Microplane at the table for more cheesy flavor.
Notes
- Use firm, bright green asparagus spears on the cutting board so the roasted texture stays tender with a light snap instead of turning limp.
- Spread the asparagus in a single layer on the baking sheet so the spears roast and get a bit of browning instead of steaming.
- Grate the Parmesan with a Microplane just before using it so the cheese melts quickly and sticks nicely to the hot asparagus.
