It’s the perfect side dish; Roasted Asparagus spears in lightly seasoned lemon butter with parmesan cheese. It’s simple, but hard to beat! Roasted asparagus is our favorite way to prepare this vibrant and healthy vegetable.

I’ve tried several fancy asparagus recipes but I keep coming back to this one. Maybe it’s because I usually have all the ingredients in the pantry? Or maybe it’s just my favorite! 

Roasted asparagus on baking sheet with lemon and parmesan.

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We just love asparagus from Asparagus Casserole to Roasted Salmon and Asparagus and we even love it in our Baked Feta Pasta! It’s such a humble ingredient with so much potential. Thankfully it’s a vegetable my kids love so we get creative with it.

We’ve probably made this a hundred times and it is the most popular asparagus recipe on our site since 2012 because it’s easy and excellent

Ingredients for Baked Asparagus

This recipe makes a large batch, but can easily be cut in half to feed a smaller crowd.

  • Asparagus – you’ll need 2 bunches (about 2 lbs), with the ends trimmed
  • Lemon – we squeeze half of a lemon over the asparagus before baking and slice the other half into rings.
  • Unsalted butter – to dot the top of the asparagus spears and it adds rich flavor.
  • Olive oil – to drizzle the asparagus and keep it moist
  • Salt & Pepper – these simple seasonings are all you need.
  • Parmesan cheese – added at the end of cooking to creating a cheesy crust over the asparagus.
Ingredients for roasted asparagus spears with lemon and parmesan

How to Cook Asparagus in the Oven

  1. Prep – Rinse, pat dry, and trim asparagus.
  2. Arrange asparagus on a large rimmed baking sheet in a single layer. drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Roll asparagus lightly to coat.
  3. Add lemon and butter – Squeeze half a lemon evenly over the asparagus. Arrange lemon slices over the top then place pats of butter over asparagus (don’t worry, most of the butter will end up on the pan and not on your waistline).
  4. Bake at 400˚F for 10 minutes or until asparagus is tender. Remove asparagus from the oven and set the oven to Broil.
  5. Sprinkle parmesan over the center of the asparagus and broil for 2-3 minutes or until cheese is melted and golden.
Asparagus on baking sheet, ready to be baked in the oven

Pro Tip: Break off the fibrous asparagus ends by holding the asparagus with one hand at the base and the other hand in the middle of the stem. Bend until it snaps wherever it snaps. This ensures you remove the tough fibrous base that is very difficult to chew.

how to snap and trim asparagus

Common Questions

How many pounds are in one bunch of asparagus?

There is usually about 1 lb of asparagus in a bunch and it can range from 3/4 lb to 1 1/2 lbs+ per bunch depending on the thickness of your asparagus. For this recipe, you’ll need 2 pounds of asparagus before trimming.

Which is better – thin or thick asparagus?

One is not better than the other and they vary in thickness depending on their variety. Both work great in this recipe but keep in mind, thick asparagus will take slightly longer to bake (10-12 minutes) and thin asparagus will take less time (8-10 minutes).

How to Select Asparagus?

Look for asparagus tips that are compact and closed. They should not be falling off or wet. The stalks should be bright green, firm, and smooth (not wilted or floppy).

Baked asparagus with slice of lemon and melted parmesan cheese

Lemon, butter, and parmesan is a winning combination for Roasted Asparagus. P.S. If you love this flavor profile, definitely try our Shrimp Scampi Pasta with asparagus.

Serve With

We love serving roasted asparagus with just about everything – it’s such a versatile profile. These are our favorite pairings for main courses and sides to complete the meal:

Roasted Asparagus with Lemon, Butter, and Parmesan

5 from 108 votes
Author: Natasha of NatashasKitchen.com
Roasted Asparagus with lemon and parmesan
The perfect side dish – Roasted Asparagus with lemon, butter, and parmesan. An easy, baked asparagus recipe that pairs well with everything.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes

Ingredients 

Servings: 8 people as a side dish
  • 2 lbs asparagus, or about 2 bunches
  • 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

  • Rinse 2 bunches of asparagus and break off the ends by holding the base end and snapping it wherever it snaps.
  • Place asparagus in a large rimmed baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Roll asparagus lightly to coat in oil and seasonings.
  • Squeeze 1/2 of a lemon evenly over the asparagus. Line the top third of the asparagus with lemon slices from the second half of your lemon. Thinly slice 4 tbsp of butter and line the center of the asparagus with butter.
  • Bake at 400°F for 10 minutes or until asparagus is tender. Remove asparagus from the oven and set oven to Broil.
  • Sprinkle the center of the asparagus with Parmesan cheese then return to the center of the oven and broil 2-3 minutes or until cheese is melted and golden.

Nutrition Per Serving

109kcal Calories6g Carbs4g Protein9g Fat5g Saturated Fat1g Polyunsaturated Fat3g Monounsaturated Fat1g Trans Fat21mg Cholesterol390mg Sodium259mg Potassium3g Fiber2g Sugar1074IU Vitamin A14mg Vitamin C102mg Calcium3mg Iron
Nutrition Facts
Roasted Asparagus with Lemon, Butter, and Parmesan
Amount per Serving
Calories
109
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
9
g
14
%
Saturated Fat
 
5
g
31
%
Trans Fat
 
1
g
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
1
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
3
g
Cholesterol
 
21
mg
7
%
Sodium
 
390
mg
17
%
Potassium
 
259
mg
7
%
Carbohydrates
 
6
g
2
%
Fiber
 
3
g
13
%
Sugar
 
2
g
2
%
Protein
 
4
g
8
%
Vitamin A
 
1074
IU
21
%
Vitamin C
 
14
mg
17
%
Calcium
 
102
mg
10
%
Iron
 
3
mg
17
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: baked asparagus, roasted asparagus
Skill Level: Easy
Cost to Make: $
Calories: 109
Natasha's Kitchen Cookbook

We first published this baked asparagus recipe in 2012. I updated the recipe with new photos and a video tutorial. Here is one of the original photos:

Baked asparagus with lemon, butter and parmesan on a plate garnished with a lemon slice
5 from 108 votes (63 ratings without comment)

Leave a Comment

Recipe Rating




Comments

  • Barbara
    June 3, 2025

    This is really delicious recipe. Thank you.

    Reply

  • Regina McVey
    May 31, 2025

    Awesome! First time I ever cooked asparagus and it was a big hit with my family.

    Reply

  • Kim
    May 9, 2025

    My favorite recipe for baked asparagus. Quick, easy and delicious.

    Reply

  • Sheila Ackland
    April 24, 2025

    I made this for Easter and they came out perfect 😍 Thank you.

    Reply

  • Michelle B.
    April 18, 2025

    We’ve never made asparagus before and have only tried it at restaurants and wanted to try to make it at home. We stumbled upon this recipe which is so easy to make (no extra dishes or chopping) and tastes like restaurant quality! So, so good! I’ve served this with everything, chicken, steak, pork chops, etc. Definitely give it a try!

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      April 18, 2025

      Thank you for the wonderful feedback, Michelle!

      Reply

  • oliver
    April 16, 2025

    hi Natasha, is this a good dish to make ahead of time? This looks delicious and i would love to bring this for easter but have about an hour drive to relatives

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      April 16, 2025

      Yes that should be fine. You can fully bake it at home, cover in a baking dish or foil tray, reheat and warm it up nicely when you’re ready.

      Reply

  • Michelle
    March 24, 2025

    This was the best tasting asparagus that I have ever had!! Thank you so much!!

    Reply

  • Patty
    February 26, 2025

    Tried this last night and my husband and I both thought it was awesome. I can’t believe I’ve been eating mushy asparagus so long
    A must try, you will not be disappointed.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      February 26, 2025

      That’s wonderful, Patty! I’m so happy to hear you both loved it!

      Reply

  • Big Horse
    June 9, 2024

    We have a very large asparagus patch and are always looking for ways to fix it. Well, I am. My wife won’t cook. I made this and she actually complimented me, an occasion more rare than a super blue moon. This one? She actually asked for it again! This pairs beautifully with everything from reverse-seared venison steaks to Chicken Cordon Bleu. Thanks, Natasha.

    Reply

  • Deborah H.
    May 31, 2024

    Made everyone love asparagus! Elegant and full of taste. I followed your recipe and all the flavors were so yummy!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      June 1, 2024

      I’m so happy you enjoyed that. Thank you for sharing that with us, Deborah!

      Reply

  • Sue Spratt
    May 29, 2024

    My favourite too but I omit the parmesan and apply lemon rind instead. So good with baked lemon chicken thighs!

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      May 29, 2024

      Sounds good, I bet it’s still delicious!

      Reply

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