Easy Roasted Asparagus with Lemon

Roasted asparagus with lemon zest and two lemon wedges on a plate.

5 from 1 vote

Easy Roasted Asparagus with Lemon

This Roasted Asparagus with Lemon is a quick and easy side dish that pairs well with a variety of main dishes. It requires just a few ingredients and can be made in about 15 minutes. It works perfectly as a simple side for a weeknight dinner or served as part of a fancier holiday meal.

Prep Time5

Cook Time11

Total Time16

Course: Sides

Cuisine: American

Diet: Gluten Free, Vegan

Servings: servings

Calories: 43kcal

Author: Jenn Sebestyen

Equipment

Rimmed Baking Sheet

Ingredients

1 bunch thin asparagus
1-1 ½ teaspoon(s) olive oil
½ teaspoon salt or to taste
¼ teaspoon black pepper or to taste
zest of 1 lemon
juice of ½ lemon or to taste

Instructions

Preheat oven to 425°F.
Snap off the woody ends of the asparagus spears and discard.
Lay out the asparagus on a rimmed baking sheet and drizzle with 1 teaspoon of oil. Toss the asparagus until evenly coated in the oil. If there are some dry spots, use another ½ teaspoon of oil.
Arrange the oiled asparagus in one even layer on the baking sheet. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Roast for 8 to 11 minutes, until crisp-tender and lightly browned. If you have thicker spears, they may take up to 15 minutes.
Sprinkle with lemon zest and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice right before serving.

Notes

~ Snap off (or cut off) the fibrous, woody ends of the asparagus.

~ Use enough oil to lightly coat the spears all over, especially the tips so they don't dry out and burn in the oven. But don't use too much oil, either. A little goes a long way. 1 ½ teaspoons per bunch is plenty.

~ Use a rimmed baking sheet so the asparagus spears don't roll off.

~ Arrange the asparagus in one even layer, with space in between each spear, on the baking sheet. Overlapping the spears or overcrowding the pan could cause them to steam instead of roast which won't result in the crisp-tender texture we're looking for.

~ Don't over cook! Overcooking can cause the roasted asparagus to become soggy.

~ This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled to feed a crowd. Just be sure to use several baking sheets so the vegetables aren't overcrowded on the pan.

Nutrition