Roasted Asparagus with Lemon, Butter, and Parmesan (VIDEO)
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!
![The perfect side dish - Roasted Asparagus with lemon, butter, and parmesan. An easy, baked asparagus recipe that pairs well with everything. Roasted asparagus on baking sheet with lemon and parmesan.](https://natashaskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Baked-Asparagus-728x1092.jpg)
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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.
![The perfect side dish - Roasted Asparagus with lemon, butter, and parmesan. An easy, baked asparagus recipe that pairs well with everything. Ingredients for roasted asparagus spears with lemon and parmesan](https://natashaskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Baked-Asparagus-728x485.jpg)
How to Cook Asparagus in the Oven
- Prep – Rinse, pat dry, and trim asparagus.
- 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.
- 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).
- Bake at 400˚F for 10 minutes or until asparagus is tender. Remove asparagus from the oven and set the oven to Broil.
- Sprinkle parmesan over the center of the asparagus and broil for 2-3 minutes or until cheese is melted and golden.
![The perfect side dish - Roasted Asparagus with lemon, butter, and parmesan. An easy, baked asparagus recipe that pairs well with everything. Asparagus on baking sheet, ready to be baked in the oven](https://natashaskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Baked-Asparagus-3-728x1092.jpg)
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](https://natashaskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Baked-Asparagus-with-Lemon-3-600x400.jpg)
Common Questions
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.
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).
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).
![The perfect side dish - Roasted Asparagus with lemon, butter, and parmesan. An easy, baked asparagus recipe that pairs well with everything. Baked asparagus with slice of lemon and melted parmesan cheese](https://natashaskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Baked-Asparagus-2-728x1092.jpg)
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:
- Creamy Mashed Potatoes
- Lemon Chicken
- Pan-Seared Steak
- Chicken Parmesan
- Baked Salmon with Garlic and Dijon
- Pork Tenderloin
Roasted Asparagus with Lemon, Butter, and Parmesan
![Roasted Asparagus with lemon and parmesan](https://natashaskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Baked-Asparagus-SQ-150x150.jpg)
Ingredients
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
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:
![The perfect side dish - Roasted Asparagus with lemon, butter, and parmesan. An easy, baked asparagus recipe that pairs well with everything. Baked asparagus with lemon, butter and parmesan on a plate garnished with a lemon slice](https://natashaskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Baked-Asparagus-with-Lemon-8-267x400.jpg)
Hi Natasha
This came out great
keep up the great work
Thx❤️
You’re welcome, Sherry! I’m so happy you loved it!
Best asparagus recipe ever! I’ve made it a bazillion times! Even grandkids love it. Thx
That’s wonderful, Debbie! So glad it’s being enjoyed.
Great recipe, as yours are always great.
I love it when you have your pic on options to save. I can quickly see when it is yours.
Hi Sue! I’m so glad you are loving the recipes. Thank you.
An easy recipe but roasted asparagus usually come out shrivelled, limp and unappealing. Best to save for use in risotto, frittatas or simply steamed.
I enjoy following you.
Hi Linda! Thank you, I’m glad you are enjoying my channel.
Made this last night and it was so easy and tasted amazing . Thank you for posting looking forward to more of your recipes .
That’s great, Loretta! I’m glad you enjoyed it.
Could you make this so it will remember so you don’t have to sign on ever time you want to save a recipe? Love your recipes & attitude!
Nataha’s I Love you very much, because you just don’t give a video and and list of Ingredients, Nutrition Facts. you make cooking fun and funny. thank you very much. Have happy day
Hi Robert! That is very kind. Thank you so much for the love and support.
I am making this right now, second time! Absolutely delish! My daughter raved about how good it was and we love the parmesan cheese! Honestly, your recipes are amazing and I tell everyone!
That’s so much, Martha! That means a lot to me.
I just love all you do! I love your bio also!
I made this last night and it was a super hit …… as usual with your recipes! xoxoxoxox
Hi Dawn! I’m glad you love my recipes. Thank you!
Thanks for an easy, quick and delicious recipe! I have made this dish several times l!
Hi Claudia! You’re very welcome. I’m glad you loved it.
What a great idea to add lemon! Thank you for all of your recipes! Of all the chefs and cooks I follow, your recipes speak to me the most!
Hi Kelly! That makes me happy. Thank you so much for sharing. I’m glad you enjoyed this recipe.
I have been using a lot of your recipes Natasha. Just love them!
Wonderful to hear that, Joy. I hope you’ll love all the recipes that you will try!
Natasha: I love, love your recipes. Whenever I see that a recipe is from you, I copy it down because I know it will be delicious. Thank you for taking the time to share with us. Please continue doing it.
You are welcome, it is my pleasure, Renee! I hope you’ll love the recipes that you will try.
I love this recipe, we love asparagus and this is my go to recipe…Thank you 🙂
So glad to hear that. Thanks for sharing.
OKAY! So I made this and it came out sooooooo good!
My husband ate the whole thing. I am not the cook of the house but seriously though, your recipes are the bomb. Everyone of them is a big hit at my house and I am a new CHEF… hehehehe 🙂
Thank you so much Natasha, we love you in my kitchen 🙂
Love that! Thank you so much for sharing that with me, R!
I bought a bunch of asparagus on our beautiful market in Périgueux and tried your recipe. Delicious.
It will now be one of my favourites. Thank you.
Great to hear that! I’m glad you found a new favorite, I hope you’ll love all the recipes that you will try.
I made this tonight with two differences. I added grape tomatoes cut in half, and took the lemons off before I let it rain romano all over the asparagus.
Great recipe.
Hi Gary, sounds great! I’m happy to know that you enjoyed this recipe.
I never use that method of snapping the stalks. Instead, I trim 1/2″ off the bottom and use a potato peeler to shave off the dark outside skin revealing the inside of the asparagus spear which is tender. Plus its very cheffy when presented this way.
Thank you so much for sharing that with me!
I served this asparagus tonight with crab cakes and risotto! Yummy!
Sounds great, Teresa. Good to know that you enjoyed it!
Yum! Literally the best asparagus recipe I have ever made. The lemon adds such a yummy and pretty touch! Thank you Natasha!
You are so welcome, Judy. Great to hear that you loved the recipe!
This was so quick and easy to make. The flavor was great. What a great way to dress up asparagus.
Thanks for your good comments and feedback, Cindy. Glad you enjoyed this recipe!
I love it and so easy my favorite 🙏🙏🎄🎄🎄🎄🌹🌹🥰🥰🥰🥰
That’s just awesome! Thank you for sharing your wonderful review!
I tried the roasted asparagus with olive oil, butter and lemon. Oh my gosh!!! I love asparagus!!! Thank you for this great recipe!!
You’re welcome! I’m so happy you enjoyed it, Anne!
natasha, you are making my life so easier when it comes to food prep.
especially the serving scale, this website is amazing
I’m really to hear that, Juana. Thank you and I hope you’ll love all the recipes that you will try!
I don’t see the video and I don’t see where to turn off the ad blocker.
Hi Sky, the recipe doesn’t have a video yet as some of my recipes only have a written recipe.
Can you pan fry them in a non stick pan? I’m new at cooking these. Thank you.
Hi Sandra, I haven’t tried that version yet. If you do an experiment, please share with us too how it turns out.
Yes I pan fry all the time when I am short on time. Put washed asparagus in skillet, add olive oil and move asparagus to assure Olive oil is on each stalk (About 1-2 TBS) sprinkle with lemon-pepper spice and cook on medium heat till softened, tossing freq, about 5 min Done and delicious
Am I missing something here? Where’s the “VIDEO” that this recipe states it has??
HI Rik, there is a shorter video on this recipe. It’s towards the top after the first image. If you aren’t seeing it, make sure to turn off your ad blocker and refresh the screen. I hope you love the roasted asparagus!
This turned out so crispy. Even my veggie hating kids gobbled it up.
That is the best when kids love what we moms make, Krystle. That’s so great!
We absolutely love this side! It accompanies chicken or pasta so nicely.
That it does! I’m so happy you enjoyed that. Thank you for sharing that with us, Katie!
This is the absolute only way I will make asparagus from now on!
That’s so great, Audra! I’m glad you enjoyed this recipe!
I split the batch of asparagus in 1/2…made one half exactly as described (with lemon halves and parmesan) and the other half with only lemon juice and butter for the kids. A hit with both adults and kids.
That’s just awesome! Thank you for sharing your wonderful review, Bruce! Loving the creativity!
This turned out great. I only baked (10 minutes and then added parm and baked another 10). I was baking other stuff at the same time. So easy and yummy. Looks like my green bean casserole may be retired.
Hi there Chris, great to know that you enjoyed this recipe! I hope this becomes your new favorite. Thanks for your wonderful review and feedback!
I’m not one for asparagus (I avoid it like the plague), but someone gifted us a few pounds last year, so I decided to try this recipe. It was beyond my wildest expectations. I bought some this weekend and made this again tonight. Perfect. Thanks.
Don’t you love nice surprises like that! I’m so happy you enjoyed that. Thank you for sharing that with us!
This was the perfect accompaniment to my Easter ham. So easy and delicious. Thanks!
You’re welcome! I’m so happy you enjoyed it, Steve!
Really enjoy your recipes – my friend in Poland – sends them to me in the uk – I made the chicken mushroom peppers one today it was 😋😋. Will definitely try your lemon asparagus 😋
Thankyou for sharing all your recipes. I hope you keep well.
You also make me smile when you tap the table. 👏👏👍
That’s just awesome! Thank you for sharing your wonderful review, Jan! I’m glad you’re enjoying our recipes!
I made this in the airfryer an left it in longer so it came out a little crunchier on the tips and added more cheese at the end. Couldn’t stop eating them. 👌
That’s just awesome! Thank you for sharing your wonderful review!
Hi Natasha. I love the recipe and, at our local market asparagus( my daughter used to call it aspergrass!) is on special this week for $.97/ lb , which makes it the right time to have an aspergrass week!
Thank you as always for wonderful recipes.
That’s perfect! I hope this becomes your new favorite.
Peter, my mother was Louise Egan from New Orleans, the daughter of my Mère (grand-mother), Louise Egan (1883-1955). Any relation?
Have you ever tried these in an air fryer. It’s my new favorite appliance.
That is a great idea for these. I love our air fryer also.
Can you use frozen asparagus ?
Hi Paulette! I haven’t tested this with frozen to advise. We LOVE it with fresh though!
Looks wonderful! I will give a try!
I hope you love this recipe Meri!
I love this recipe! I ended up keeping them in the over for 30 mins to make sure they were nice and soft inside. The hint of lemon on them was absolutely perfect. It’s going to be a regular in my house from now on. Thank you for posting it!
You’re welcome! I’m so glad you enjoyed this recipe Megan!
I love all your recipes. Do you have a cookbook?
Hi Donna! We do not at this time but one is in the works! If you experiment, please let me know how you like this recipe!
Can you recommend a good air fryer recipe book? I just bought one and I need to know how to air fry different things, including the cooking time. Thanks in advance!
Hi Thomas, I know Gina of Skinny Taste has a great air fryer cookbook out which is the one I own.
This was great.
I am making this tonight with Bqq pork chops!
Now that’s a good dinner, Alfonso! Thank you for sharing that with me!
I made this last night to accompany Shrimp Scampi (A spicier version than normal). It could not have been a more perfect balance! The brightness of the lemon on the asparagus made for a refreshing side! And the addition of the sliced lemons was an eye-pleasing presentation!
Thank you for all you do here!!!
Hi Rick! I’m so happy to hear that! Thank you for sharing your great review!
I love crepes (not sweet). Do you have any recipes I can make. They seem to be out of style these days.
Thank you so much.
Hi Barbara! We have some on our blog here! I hope that helps.
I only have one oven and want to make the lobster tails with the asparagus .Can I make the asparagus first and just cover with foil while I make the lobster tails ? Thanks ! Love your site 🙂
Hi Char! I think that could work!
Thanks for your reply ! 🙂 I just love your site and the asparagus looks delicious ! I love the salmon recipe also .
Delicious! Made as a side to your Chicken Piccata and not a spear was left! Thank you for another delicious recipe!
You’re welcome Ellen! I’m glad you enjoy the recipe! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Best asparagus EVER!
Awesome! I’m glad you love it Dorene!
This was delicious!! Always had issues with making asparagus, this was very easy to make! Thank you for sharing!
I’m so happy you liked the recipe! Thank you for the great review! 🙂
I never liked asparagus until I tried this recipe, and ever since never stopped making it. It delicious!
Ha! That’s awesome!
Natasha this what I lookin for. Thank you so much. Blessings to you !!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you Nina 😁.
Made this tonight. I usually do similar variations to this but this was by far the best. The cooking times WERE perfect as other stated. Love the melted parm and lemon combo!! Bravo!!
I’m so happy you enjoyed the asparagus! And, now I’m craving asparagus! 🙂
Made this tonight for dinner and it was delicious!!! My husband and my kids loved it. I will definitely make this again and share the recipe with others. I also added garlic, it was amazing
Thank you so much for sharing the recipe with others. Good things are meant to be shared; that’s my motto 🙂 I’m so happy you and your family loved the recipe!
I love your web site by the way!!! so many wonderful recipes!!! something that i never used to eat before like asparagus, and looked at this recipe and it looks so delicious and easy, that I just gotta try to make it!!
I hope you loved this recipe! It’s definitely our favorite way to prepare asparagus and it’s fancy enough to serve at a dinner party, but still easy! 🙂
Hi, its a great recipe!! cant wait to try it! but wouldn’t that be easier to just cut off all the ends with a knife all at once?
I like to break them because they are fibrous at different levels on the stem. Snapping them seems to result in a lower incidence of chewy stems. I’ve also seen the technique of peeling the stem bottoms with a potato peeler, but that would take considerably longer 🙂
Hi there, great recipe but I was perplexed by the quantity of asparagus. A bushel is an imperial measurement equivalent to 8 gallons in both Canada and the US. Do you mean bunches?
Karen, you are absolutely right, I will have that changed right away.
This was so good! I halved the recipe since it was just me and added grated parmesan since I didnt have fresh. Oh this was such an easy, fun, and delicious recipe! I paired it with honey chipotle encrusted salmon. Excellente! Thank you 😀
You are welcome Nikki, I hope you will find some favorites on the site :).
Hi Natasha, do you think this will be good with Mozzarella cheese instead of Parmesan? Have you tried any other cheeses?
I think it would be fine. Mozarella might brown a little faster than parmesan, but I still think it would work well.
Hey Natasha! How are you? I think a great addition to this already amazing recipe would be some garlic 🙂 I love garlic in pretty much everything (other than desert of course 😉 ). But I think that garlic with asparagus adds a little something special. Thanks for your blog, I love how you do this and inspire the rest of use to make scrumptious food 🙂 (Now I see I’m not the only one mentioning garlic hehe)
Yep! Yep! I’m definitely adding garlic to the mix next time. Have you tried garlic with lemon?
No, honestly I dont make really make asparagus. I was skeptical to try it al first but when I did I loved it but haven’t ventured out to make it yet. Was looking for the perfect recipe, which I think yours will be it! The pictures are amazing and it all looks so good 🙂
Oh Tanya it’s so simple and tasty! 🙂 let me know what you think.
K, I’ll try to make it for dinner tonight or tomorrow. I’m thinking making your asparagus and chicken Kiev with Olga’s scalloped potatoes 🙂
I too just recently discovered asparagus 😉 This was my first time cooking asparagus, and I’m Glad I used your recipe Because I Love asparagus Now!
Loved this Recipe and Defiantly going to use it over and over!
That’s awesome! So glad you enjoyed it. Now I’m off to the store to buy more asparagus!
I have just recently discovered asparagus. I always thought it was nasty as a kid (probably because it always came out of a can) I have tried roasting it in the oven wrapped in bacon and drizzled with a butter/brown sugar mixture but I was looking for something a little healthier. I will definitely try this one! It sounds wonderful!
Oh that does sound unhealthy, but tasty! I love the taste and crisp of browned bacon. But yes, this recipe enhances the natural yumminess of asparagus. I hope you love it!
Asparagus! Yummy! I love it. I always broil or roast it in the oven too and serve it with lemon and butter. I add garlic, though. Beautiful pictures. I need to take advantage of asparagus season, while it’s still here. Gotta love easy recipes that taste terrific.
You’re not the first person to mention garlic. I’ll have to add that next time and see compare. I love garlic in everything (except cake!). 🙂
Wow it looks really good. Always wanted a recipe for asparagus…
Oh and it’s so easy! 🙂
I made this and it was super easy and super quick. It was beyond amazing!!!! My husband who hates veggies actually asked for seconds! This is now a family favorite. Thanks Natasha for great recipes. 🙂 Have a great weekend!!!
Awesome!! You won your hubby over! 🙂 thank you so much Inessa!
I had asparagus waiting in my fridge so I made this recipe for dinner tonight…absolutely perfect. I often make mine with garlic but honestly I preferred this recipe. It will be my new favorite as I always have these ingredients on hand. Your recipes are so easy to follow and even the cooking time was exactly right. Thank you and please keep the wonderful recipes coming!!
Jenny thank you so much! I really appreciate your comment. It’s the best kind of motivation for me! 🙂 . That was quick! You’ve already tried the recipe? I’m excited that you enjoyed it!!
This is awesome. I will give this a try. I usually boil asparagus for 5 min. Then butter and veggeta on top. I like your recipe better.
Thanks Lea! I hope you love it! If anything, you’ll save a step by not having to pre-boil.
Could you also put some green beans along with the asparagus? Thanks!
Hi Ned, green beans would take 20-25 minutes to roast at the same temperature. If you want the green beans to be tender and done at the same time, I would suggest putting them on the sheet pan first for 10 minutes then adding asparagus and roasting together for the last 10-12 minutes. You could also blanch/halfway pre-cook the green beans then bake everything together.
Asparagus in lemon butter – yes please! I love asparagus, it’s one of the first vegetables I buy in spring.
Same here, my son loves it too (but only when it’s a little overcooked!) 🙂
I just made roasted asparagus yesterday 🙂 mine had garlic/butter but I will definitely try your recipe, maybe tonight 🙂
Garlic? Now why didn’t I think of that? There are so many different ways to prepare asparagus. Let me know how it turns out.