Bacon Wrapped Baked Asparagus
- Par cook thick bacon by lining a plate with a few layers of paper towels. Line with half of the cut bacon in an even layer, and top with a layer of paper towels. Microwave on high for 3-4 minutes . You want the bacon mostly cooked but still soft and PLIABLE. Dont overcook or it will break when wrapping.
- Season the asparagus and drizzle with olive oil.
- Wrap 1 slice of bacon around 2-4 asparagus stalks depending on their thickness to create a bundle. You want the bacon to go up the asparagus so its in a single layer. Place the bundle on the prepared baking sheet, seam-side down.
- Bake until the bacon is crisp and the asparagus is tender.
Can I Make Oven Baked Parmesan Asparagus Ahead Of Time
ThisBaked Parmesan Asparagus is the perfect dinner side to assemble in advance. Simplytoss the asparagus with olive oil and seasonings and either store in an aright containerin the refrigerator or spread into an even layer on a baking sheet, cover withfoil and refrigerate.
Youcan also prep the panko topping ahead of time and store it in a Ziploc bag orairtight container.
Whenyou are ready to eat, top the asparagus with Parmesan and bake according todirections.
Easy Roasted Asparagus Recipe Variations
This simple and easy roasted asparagus recipe can be changed up in many different ways! Try these seasoning combinations for your next batch of roasted asparagus:
- Italian seasoning + lemon juice
- Garlic powder + onion powder + smoked paprika
- Salt + pepper + red chili flakes
- Minced garlic + lemon zest + lemon juice
- Salt + pepper + fresh thyme
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How To Prep Asparagus For Roasting
There are two ways to trim asparagus:
- Bend and Break . Hold the top of the stem in one hand and grip it near the base with the other. Briskly bend and the asparagus will naturally snap in the right place. Its almost like magic and very satisfying.
- Cut the Bunch . Hold the entire bunch of asparagus in one hand and trim off the ends about 1 1/2 inches or so from the bottom.
While cutting the entire bunch of asparagus at once is fastest, the results do not turn out as well as if you bend and break each spear individually.
Every stalk of asparagus has a slightly different breaking point where the woody end starts. If you cut the whole bunch at once, youll waste edible flesh of some spears, while missing the woody parts of others, resulting in a few stringy bites.
How To Store Asparagus
Pro tip: Place your asparagus in a heavy-bottomed jar or drinking glass when you get home, and add a couple inches of water. You can place a plastic bag over the top to retain maximum freshness.
Then, store the asparagus like this in your refrigerator. It will stay fresh for several days longer this way!
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How To Bake Asparagus
- Preheat oven: Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. We want a very hot oven to produce a very hot pan that caramelizes the natural sugars of the asparagus for that signature nutty roasted flavor.
- Prepare baking sheet: You can bake your asparagus directly on the baking sheet or line it with foil for easy clean up. In either scenario,spray the surface with nonstick cooking spray. I do NOT recommend parchment paper because it does not promote caramelization.
- Trim asparagus: trim as previously discussed, snapping off all of the tough, woody ends no one wants to bite into chewy asparagus that just doesnt chew!
- Dry asparagus: Rinse and dry asparagus. This is the first time you are rinsing your asparagus. You never want to rinse it before storing. Dry the asparagus very well with a kitchen towel or salad spinner so the asparagus will caramelize and not steam.
- Toss ingredients together: Add asparagus, olive oil, lemon juice and seasonings to the baking sheet and toss to evenly combine. I like to toss all the ingredients together on the baking sheet because then you only have one dish to clean up! I like to use my hands because I feel like it combines everything more evenly than a spatula, but feel free to use a spatula if thats more your thing.
- Add Parmesan: Evenly sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan all over the asparagus. I focused the Parmesan more in the center for this recipe, but that was just for aesthetic reasons.
- Bake: Bake asparagus for 7-10 minutes depending on size.
What Temp Do You Bake Asparagus
Roastasparagus at 425 degrees for 7-10 minutes, or until they are crisp tender.
Thereare several factors that affect the roasting time of baked asparagus such as thickness,the actual temperature of your oven, the age of the asparagus and your desiredcrisp-tenderness. I suggest testing yourasparagus at 7 minutes then cooking a few minutes longer if you would like itless crunchy.
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How To Make Oven Roasted Asparagus
Making your own roasted parmesan asparagus is the easiest way to bring the restaurant experience to your own dinner table. With just a few simple steps, and easy to follow instructions this recipe comes together in no time at all!
To begin preheat your oven to the specified temperature. While the oven heats up, prep your asparagus spears by washing and cutting the tough ends off each spear.
Once the ends have been removed, arrange asparagus in a single layer on a prepared baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil, garlic salt, kosher salt, and pepper. Use your hands to toss until evenly coated in oil and seasoning.
Now that everything is coated its time to let the oven work its magic. Roast in the oven until crisp then remove the pan from oven and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and return to oven for a few minutes until the cheese melts.
These Methods For How To Cook Asparagus Come Straight From Our Test Kitchen From Roasting And Grilling To Sauteeing And Air
When spring rolls around, theres nothing better than spears of fresh asparagus to accompany a weekend brunch or weeknight dinner. And with dozens of asparagus recipes that call for different cooking methods, its worth learning how to cook asparagus using various techniques.
From oven and stovetop methods to grilling to Instant Pot cooking, this guide will help you master multiple ways to cook asparagus.
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Tips For The Roasted Asparagus Recipe
- To make your asparagus more tender: You can pre-cook asparagus in the microwave with 1 cup water for 5 minutes, then soak it into ice-cold water before using them.
- Thin asparagus should be done in as little as 10 minutes. Thicker asparagus will need between 15 to 20 minutes.
- We find that parmesan is already salty, so go easy on salt at first, then taste and adjust seasoning to your taste.
- You can use olive oil instead of melted butter.
Tips For Storing Oven Roasted Asparagus
Once asparagus is baked in the oven, you can easily store it for later. Simply place the baked asparagus in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Its great to eat right out of the refrigerator as a snack, or reheated in the oven, or microwave for leftovers dinner night.
You could also cut up the oven-roasted asparagus and add it to your favorite salad for a flavor-packed lunch.
Can I freeze oven-roasted asparagus?
I know we all love to make extras of our favorite recipes to freeze for a rainy day, but unfortunately, I wouldnt recommend freezing this baked asparagus recipe! The results will likely turn out soggy and overall disappointing.
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Other Seasonings For Oven
Ginger, soy, and sesame seeds are delicious ingredients to season the roasted asparagus with, or you could try wrapping the asparagus in bacon before it hits the oven. A touch of lemon juice or a sprinkle of any tender herbs after the asparagus comes out of the oven is another delicious way to finish the dish instead of adding almonds.
How Do I Store Fresh Asparagus
Once you select fresh asparagus, you will want to keep it fresh. Its a sad day when youre giddy to bake asparagus and your asparagus are bad.
The best way to store asparagus is to trim the base, just a half-inch or so, and place them upright in a container with about an inch of water at the bottom. You can use a tall measuring glass, jar, vase or a couple glasses to do this. I like a large glass jar because then I can see when the water is getting low.
Youwant the asparagus stems to stay in water while storing, but you want the restof the asparagus to stay dry, so never rinse your asparagus before storing. Now,cover your asparagus with a plastic bag, preferable in the crisper drawer, andstore for up to 5 days.
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Health Benefits Of Asparagus
Asparagus is a nutrient powerhouse that is also low in saturatedfat and cholesterol but high in dietary fiber and essential vitamins andminerals.
Asparagus is an excellent source of: vitamins A, C, E & K, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, folate, iron, phosphorus, potassium, copper, manganese and selenium and a good source of vitamin B6, calcium, magnesium and zinc.
Asparagus is an excellent source of antioxidants which may reduce your risk of chronic disease and potassium which can help lower high blood pressure.
Asparagus is also a goodsource of fiber which promotes digestive health, fights bloating, makes youfeel fuller longer and may help reduce your risk of heart disease, high bloodpressure and diabetes.
So dont feel bad when you eat the entire pan of Parmesan Baked Asparagus!
LOOKING FOR MORE OVEN ROASTED VEGETABLE RECIPES?
The Best Oven Roasted Asparagus
Oven Roasted Asparagus is the best way to prepare perfectly gorgeous green asparagus every time. Its never soggy or mushy, just tender and crispy every time. The secret is cooking it for a short time over high heat. Just toss the asparagus in oil and spices, bake at 400 degrees on a rimmed baking sheet, and boom! Youve got a delicious side dish. If youve never tried oven roasted asparagus, try this recipe! Itll change the way you prepare veggies forever.
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Grilled Corn and Zucchini Salad A fresh summer side that pairs well with anything off the grill. Full of flavor and lots of crunch make this summer salad a nice change from the classics
Grilled Carrots with Chipotle Lime Dip a surprisingly easy and healthy way to serve carrots, and boy are they full of flavor.
Cheesy Baked Tomatoes The perfect way to take advantage of all the juicy summer tomatoes with melt-in-your-mouth mozzarella and parmesan cheese.
Roasted Cauliflower with Feta and Garlic Crumbs Roasted cauliflower goes to a whole new level when you add sweet Italian dressing, feta cheese, and brown butter and garlic crumbs!
How Do I Make Oven Roasted Asparagus
To roast vegetables, make sure to start with a preheated, hot oven. I use 425 degrees, but if you are cooking other parts of your meal at the same time, this temperature can be adjusted a little up or down either way and you will still get a great result.
In addition to the preheated, hot oven, make sure your vegetables are not crowded on the pan. Overcrowding can cause the vegetables to steam, as opposed to roasting.
To prepare Oven Roasted Asparagus, snap the bottom ends off the spears about an inch from the bottom. You can also choose to cut off the bottoms with a knife if you prefer. Often this is where the whitish end turns green. The whitish bottoms can be tough and slightly stringy.
Place the Asparagus spears on a cookie sheet and drizzle with olive oil. Turn to coat them and then sprinkle kosher or sea salt and fresh cracked pepper.
Roast them in the preheated oven for 10 minutes and your result will be a juicy, tender but still slightly crisp Asparagus Spear.
When making Oven Roasted Asparagus, I usually choose a thicker stalk. Sometimes only pencil thin Asparagus is available. This is fine, but slightly less time in the oven may be necessary if a tender, crisp result is desired.
Oven Roasted Asparagus is the perfect accompaniment to so many dishes. I really love it with seafood dishes like my Pan Seared Salmon with Cream Sauce or Baked FRESH Salmon Cakes. These Sticky Asian Barbecue Ribs and Spatchcock Roasted Chicken are a few other great ideas!
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What To Serve It With
Roasted asparagus is the perfect side dish to serve with any main meal, protein, or full spread of veggies. And if you were wondering what protein goes well with asparagus, you are in the right place.
I love it alongside Roasted Carrots and Vegan Stuffed Acorn Squash for a full, plant-based meal. Or if you have leftovers, make my Roasted Asparagus Salad recipe.
Its a wonderful addition to those long weekend mornings and brunch gatherings alongside Spinach Feta Frittata and Goat Cheese Quiche, too.
How To Roast Asparagus
Roasting asparagus is super easy and quick! Simply toss your prepared asparagus with a light drizzle of olive oil, and a sprinkle of salt and pepper. I like to do this on a large, rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment paper for easy clean-up.
Bake until the asparagus is easily pierced through by a fork, which will vary depending on the thickness of your asparagus. Pencil-thin asparagus, like the kind shown here, will be done in as little as 10 minutes. Thicker asparagus will need between 15 to 20 minutes. Youll find all of these details in the recipe below.
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How To Prep Asparagus To Roast
When I say prepping asparagus is easy, I really mean easy! Simply hold up one of the asparagus spears and snap off the end. This gives you an estimate of where to cut the rest of your asparagus. Line them up on a cutting board and cut off the ends.
Alternatively, if you have some time and want to get your kids involved, you can have them snap off each of the asparagus ends individually.
You want to remove the ends of the asparagus as they are tough and woody. Its not very pleasant to eat so it has to be removed.
Recipes To Add Asparagus To
The methods listed above are great when it comes to cooking asparagus on its own for a side dish. But there are more ways to use asparagusyou can also incorporate it into dishes like salads, pastas and stir-fries.
We love this Fontina Asparagus Tart, Radish Asparagus Salad and Feta Asparagus Frittata. For something creamy, try these asparagus soup recipes!
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How To Trim Asparagus
The ends of asparagus need to be trimmed before cooking because they are tough and woody. The ‘snapping’ method you’ve probably been taught isn’t really the best way to go about it. Instead, try lining up all of the spears on a cutting board and slicing off the ends all at once, cutting where the stalks turn from white into green. It’s not always necessary to trim asparagus, for example super fresh, pencil-thin stalks are fairly tender throughout, but generally it’s a good step to do in order to avoid chewing on inedible ends.
Other Ways To Season Roasted Asparagus
There are several ways to season this delicious spring vegetable. Sprinkle Parmesan and mozzarella over it, or add a little sugar to caramelize. Additionally, you can use your favorite brand of seasoning salt, fresh lemon juice or even seasoned bread crumbs. You can also add bacon, garlic or onions to the top as well. Basically, anything goes! But check out the recipe card below to see how we season our basic recipe. Its so delicious!
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What Do I Serve It With
This side dish is super easy to make and it is a delicious complement to our favorite meals. From pork roast to grilled steak to regular baked chicken, it complements everything! We love serving roasted asparagus for Easter dinner. Not only does it add a beautiful color to the table, but it also has such a delicious and fresh spring flavor. Asparagus can be seasoned a million different ways. However, it always tastes scrumptious with whatever meal youre serving.
Do You Have To Peel Asparagus
You dont have to peel asparagus. But, you do want to trim the end off of the asparagus stalk, as its very tough, woody, and inedible. You can either snap it off with your hands, cut it with a chefs knife or peel it with a vegetable peeler.
Some recipes call for peeling the asparagus if its part of a shaved salad or a topping of for pizza. Its a great option to switch up the cooking technique, but in this baked asparagus recipe, were not peeling it.
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The Best Baked Asparagus On Your Table In 15 Minutes
Parmesan Baked Asparagus boasts all the nutty, caramelized flavors of roasted asparagus plus the nutty, salty goodness of Parmesan and tantalizing buttery, crispy panko! You are going to want to make this easy, addictive dinner side your entire meal! This Baked Asparagus recipe takes just minutes of prep or it can be prepped ahead of time and just popped in the oven when ready . It is a quick, easy dinner side, extremely versatile and healthy too, loaded with fiber, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals!