Lemon Butter Roasted Asparagus with Parmesan Recipe
This Roasted Asparagus recipe is a simple and elegant side dish featuring tender asparagus spears roasted to perfection with olive oil, lemon, butter, and a sprinkling of golden, melted Parmesan cheese. It’s a quick, flavorful addition to any meal, delivering a perfect balance of tangy citrus and cheesy richness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings as a side dish
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
Asparagus
- 2 lbs asparagus, or about 2 bunches, trimmed
Seasonings & Toppings
- 1 lemon, half juiced and half sliced into rings
- 4 Tbsp unsalted butter, cut into pats
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp sea salt, or added to taste
- 1/2 tsp black pepper, freshly ground, or added to taste
- 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese, or to taste
Instructions
- Prepare Asparagus: Preheat your oven to 400°F. Place the trimmed asparagus in a large rimmed baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil, then season with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. Roll the asparagus lightly to ensure each stalk is evenly coated with oil and seasoning.
- Add Lemon and Butter: Squeeze the juice from half a lemon evenly over the asparagus. Arrange the lemon slices from the other half of the lemon along the top third of the asparagus. Thinly slice the 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter and distribute it along the center of the asparagus to enhance richness during roasting.
- Roast Asparagus: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and roast the asparagus for 8-10 minutes, or until the spears are tender but still have a slight bite, checking for doneness as thinner spears will take less time and thicker ones slightly more.
- Broil with Parmesan: Remove the baking sheet from the oven and adjust the oven setting to Broil. Sprinkle the shredded Parmesan cheese down the center of the roasted asparagus. Return the baking sheet to the oven’s center rack and broil for 2-3 minutes until the cheese melts and achieves a golden, bubbly finish. Watch carefully to avoid burning.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and let the asparagus cool slightly. Serve warm as a delicious, flavorful side dish.
Notes
- Trim the woody ends of the asparagus before cooking for the best texture.
- Adjust salt and pepper according to your taste preference.
- Use fresh lemon for a bright, tangy flavor that complements the richness of the butter and Parmesan.
- Watch the parmesan carefully while broiling as it can burn quickly.
- For thicker asparagus, increase roasting time slightly; for thinner spears, reduce roasting time.
