Parmesan Baked Asparagus on the Stove

This Parmesan Baked Asparagus is a short and unfussy vegetable side dish made with olive oil, garlic, and parmesan cheese! It’s roasted in the oven until tender and lightly crisp – reliable for weeknights!

Looking for more simple side dishes? You need to try our Sautéed Baby Bella Mushrooms as well as our Dense Bean Salad and our standout Mexican Street Corn!

Why you’ll love this unfussy side dish!

One of my moms all time go-to things to cook has always been a simple asparagus recipe. This dish is exactly how she always made it for me growing up – lightly roasted with a good sprinkle of parmesan to finish it off. It’s simple but seriously DEEPLY GOOD. This is my go-to way to cook asparagus but I also have an air fryer asparagus recipe if you’re interested!

Why You’ll Love This dish

• Ready in about 15 minutes
• Uses simple ingredients
• Dependable after-work side
• Straightforward way to cook asparagus in the oven

Ingredients needed

The handful of ingredients needed for this parmesan asparagus recipe are listed fully down in the recipe card but let’s briefly go over the pantry staples needed including a few substitutions you can make as desired!

• Asparagus – Fresh asparagus spears with the woody ends trimmed.
• Olive Oil – Helps the asparagus roast and develop flavor. Butter or ghee also works!
• Garlic Powder – Adds simple savory flavor. You could also try tossing on freshly minced garlic.
• Salt and Black Pepper – Enhances the natural flavor of the asparagus.
• Parmesan Cheese – Sprinkled on near the end so it melts without burning. You could also leave it off (or try a dairy-free Parmesan) for a vegan version.
• Optional – A regular here sprinkling on a little bit of lemon zest OR lemon juice over top of the asparagus when it’s done. This is entirely optional but highly recommended!

How to Make It

Simply a reminder that you can find the FULL written roasted asparagus recipe down in the recipe card, but I want to quickly go over how to make them with visuals for you:)

1. Prep by cutting the woody ends of the asparagus off at the bottom. Place it on a medium sheet pan and drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle on the salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Toss to coat and bake for 8-12 minutes (roasting time depends on how crispy you want it).

1. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and evenly sprinkle on the parmesan. Roast for an additional 5ish minutes. It’s done when the cheese is melted and the asparagus is only a little crisp around the edges.

Recipe Tips

• Spread asparagus in a single layer for even roasting.
• Add the parmesan during the last few minutes so it melts but doesn’t burn.
• Thicker asparagus spears work go-to for roasting.

Frequently Asked Questions