• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Millennial Kitchen
  • Home
  • About Me
  • Recipes
    • Breakfast + Brunch
    • Appetizers
    • Entertaining
    • Dips, Dressings + Sauces
    • Soups + Salads
    • Sandwiches
    • Weeknight Meals
    • Comfort Foods
    • Mains
    • Vegetarian + Vegan Dishes
    • Side Dishes
    • Drinks
    • Sweet Treats
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Shop
  • Let’s Work Together!

Roasted Parmesan Asparagus

May 25, 2021 by Ashley 1 Comment

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

Easy roasted asparagus with a bright hit of lemon and finished with a heavy sprinkling of parmesan cheese.

lemon parmesan asparagus on a pink ceramic plate resting on a wooden cutting board with a fork in the background & a wedge of Parmesan Cheese

Vegetables were not something I had any interest in growing up, but every time my grandmother made her parmesan asparagus, I couldn’t get enough of it. It was just simple roasted asparagus, but she would finish it with Parmesan Cheese right out of the oven. The cheese got melty and gooey, which was absolutely delicious. For this recipe, I added some fresh lemon for a nice bright contrast to the warm asparagus and salty parmesan. This is the most simple side dish that can be used in so many ways but only takes 30 minutes to whip up!

What you need to make Roasted Parmesan Asparagus

The ingredient list for this recipe is incredibly simple, to allow those flavors to really shine. However, you could easily dress this up with some fresh or dried chilis, a remoulade, or even a breadcrumb topping!

  • asparagus
  • olive oil
  • kosher salt
  • black pepper
  • lemon zest
  • lemon juice
  • Parmesan Cheese (Parmigiano Reggiano is the real deal)
ingredients measured out for roasted parmesan asparagus: asparagus, olive oil, lemon zest & juice and parmesan cheese

How to make Roasted Parmesan Asparagus

Preheat your oven to 425° then begin prepping the asparagus. There are two ways to remove the woody ends of asparagus. You can snap them off, as shown below, or simply cut them off. The bottom inch or so of each piece of asparagus is really tough and not great for consumption, so you want to make sure to remove it before cooking.

photo of asparagus being 'snapped' in half to remove the woody end
photo of asparagus being 'snapped' in half to remove the woody end

The snap method allows you to remove the woody end in its entirety because that part naturally breaks off when you snap the asparagus. However, cutting them with a knife is much faster. Either method works just fine!

asparagus after their woody ends have been removed

Once the asparagus are all trimmed up, transfer them to sheet pan and drizzle with olive oil.

unseasoned asparagus on a sheet pan
asparagus on a sheet pan being drizzled with olive oil

Next, season the asparagus with salt and pepper. Then add lemon zest and lemon juice. Toss to ensure all of the asparagus is coated in seasoning and lemon.

close up shot of roasted parmesan asparagus with all of the seasoning mixed in

Place seasoned asparagus in your preheated oven and roast for 20-25 minutes. Thinner asparagus will only take 20 minutes, but larger asparagus will take closer to 25 minutes to become tender. Keep an eye on them and pull them from the oven when they reach your desired doneness.

roasted parmesan asparagus after coming out of the oven

Once the asparagus comes out of the oven, immediately top with remaining lemon zest and juice, then top with parmesan cheese while still on the sheet pan. Let the cheese melt for just a minute then transfer to a serving platter and sprinkle on more cheese if desired.

lemon parmesan asparagus on a pink ceramic plate resting on a wooden cutting board with a fork in the background & a wedge of Parmesan Cheese

What to serve with Roasted Asparagus

This recipe is great as a simple side to grilled chicken or fish. I have used this as a pizza topping for a springy pizza which was divine! You could also add these to a veggie sandwich or wrap. These asparagus are just as delicious chilled as they are hot from the oven, so the possibilities are endless! Adding a drizzle of my Creamy Balsamic Dressing would also take this dish to the next level.

Other ways to cook the asparagus

If you don’t want to turn on your oven this recipe can be altered to cook in the airfryer or even grilled on the barbecue. Follow the recipe exactly, just substitute the air fryer or grill for the oven and they will be just as delicious!

lemon parmesan asparagus on a pink ceramic plate resting on a wooden cutting board with a fork in the background & a wedge of Parmesan Cheese

Questions about this recipe

Can this recipe be made ahead of time?

This recipe can be made in advance, just leave off the Parmesan Cheese, lemon juice and zest from the topping and reheat just before serving. Once reheated, add cheese, lemon juice and zest to the top.

How long will the asparagus last in the fridge?

Once cooked, the asparagus are best when eaten within 4 days of roasting.

lemon parmesan asparagus on a pink ceramic plate resting on a wooden cutting board with a fork in the background & a wedge of Parmesan Cheese

Roasted Parmesan Asparagus

Easy roasted asparagus with a bright hit of lemon and finished with a heavy sprinkling of parmesan cheese.
5 from 2 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Appetizer, Salad, Side Dish, Snack
Cuisine: American
Keyword: 30 minute recipe, asparagus, roasted vegetables, side dish, vegetable side
Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 144kcal
Author: Ashley Pelaez Walker

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ lbs Asparagus washed
  • 3 tablespoons Olive Oil
  • ¾ teaspoon Kosher Salt
  • ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper
  • 2 teaspoons Lemon Zest divided
  • 2 tablespoons Lemon Juice divided
  • 3 tablespoons Parmesan Cheese plus more for serving

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 425°.
  • Begin by prepping the asparagus. Trim off the woody end of each piece of asparagus. This can be done with a knife or by snapping the bottom of the asparagus off.
  • Add trimmed asparagus to a baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil. Season with salt & pepper and toss to coat.
  • Sprinkle 1 teaspoon of lemon zest over top, then add 1 tablespoon of lemon juice. Toss to coat one more time then roast in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes. Thinner asparagus will only take 20 minutes, but larger asparagus will take closer to 25 minutes to become tender. Keep an eye on them and pull them from the oven when they reach your desired doneness.
  • Once asparagus comes out of the oven, immediately top with remaining lemon zest and juice, then top with parmesan cheese while still on the sheet pan. Let the cheese melt for just a minute then transfer to a serving platter and sprinkle on more cheese if desired.
  • Serve immediately.

Nutrition

Calories: 144kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 3mg | Sodium: 500mg | Potassium: 358mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 1317IU | Vitamin C: 14mg | Calcium: 88mg | Iron: 4mg
« Easy Steak Salad with Roasted Potatoes
Pesto Tortellini Pasta Salad – A Summer Side Dish »

Filed Under: Appetizers, Entertaining, Recipes, Side Dishes, Vegetarian + Vegan Dishes Tagged With: 30 minute, 30 minute recipe, asparagus, healthy recipes, roasted asparagus, side dish, summer recipe, vegetable, vegetable side, vegetables

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Anna

    June 4, 2021 at 10:51 am

    5 stars
    So simple yet SO flavorful! A major *chefs kiss* kinda dish.

    Reply
5 from 2 votes (1 rating without comment)

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Welcome!

Hi, I’m Ashley!

I am the Recipe Developer & Food Photographer behind Millennial Kitchen. I have always had a love for cooking & grew up watching endless hours of the Food Network. This love, paired with my teaching background, gives me the tools to help others gain the confidence they need to feel like a pro in the kitchen! My recipes are simple, but delicious & very approachable for people of any skill level!

 

Let’s Get Social!

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

Subscribe to get your FREE copy of my Ebook “10 Super Simple Recipes”

I promise, I'll only send you delicious emails!

Privacy Policy

Easy Weeknight Meals

Flaky Cheesesteak Pie

Flaky Cheesesteak Pie is a golden and flaky crust stuffed with juicy shaved ribeye, melty cheese, sautéed peppers and thinly sliced onions for a twist on a classic.

Italian chopped salad with ingredients unmixed on serving plate. Extra ingredients are in the background

Italian Chopped Salad with Parmesan Vinaigrette

A classic Italian Chopped Salad with marinated chickpeas for an extra boost of flavor. The salad is tossed in a Parmesan vinaigrette for a creamy and tangy bite!

seafood pasta with tomato cream sauce

Seafood Pasta with Tomato Cream Sauce

Scallops and shrimp gently poached in a creamy tomato sauce, tossed with pasta, fresh parsley and parmesan cheese for a simple but decadent dish.

Footer

Let’s Get Social!

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2025 Millennial Kitchen on the Foodie Pro Theme

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required

Recipe Ratings without Comment

Something went wrong. Please try again.