How to roast asparagus in the oven for a simple, elegant side dish

• Depending on the thickness of the stalks, asparagus takes six to 10 minutes to roast in the oven.
• Snap off the woody ends; toss them in olive oil, salt, and pepper; and spread them on a baking sheet.
• For an extra kick, top with Parmesan cheese, olive tapenade, hollandaise sauce, or a poached egg.
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Simple to prepare, and simply delicious, oven-roasted asparagus is a dummy-proof side dish that will make any home cook look like a cooking pro. In less than 15 minutes, the vegetable goes from kitchen sink to elegant meal accompaniment.

In addition to being easy to prepare and making any plate look great, the vibrant green vegetable is packed with nutrients, says Heather Jensvold, spokesperson for the Washington Asparagus Commission.

Asparagus is a good source of folate, vitamin A, vitamin C, and glutathione, a powerful anti-carcinogen and antioxidant. Nutrient levels do not diminish in the roasting process, Jensvold explains - one more good reason to add oven-roasted asparagus to your regular brunch, lunch, or dinner rotation.

Quick tip: Spring (April to June) is the prime time to enjoy fresh, locally grown asparagus. During other times of the year, fresh imports from Mexico, Peru, and other countries keep North American grocery store customers supplied.

How to prep asparagus

1. Wash and dry asparagus. Rinse the asparagus under cool running water. Pat dry with paper towels or use a kitchen towel.

2. Snap or cut the woody end of each spear. To separate the spear from the non-edible, woody end, snap or cut off the white part at the end of each stalk (approximately the bottom ½ inch.) Discard the snapped ends or reserve for stock or another use.

3. For extra-large and jumbo stalks only: If desired, peel the stems. Removing woody outer portions will help to avoid a stringy texture. Use a vegetable peeler to peel the outer stalk. Peel like a carrot, beginning just below the tips and extending to the stalk end. Discard peelings or reserve them for stock or another use.

How long does it take to bake asparagus?

Oven cooking time will range from six to 10 minutes, depending on the thickness of the asparagus you choose. There are five official sizes of asparagus, ranging from small to jumbo, says Jesnsvold. Oven-roasting is not recommended for small asparagus. They will become brittle and stringy. Below is a quick reference chart for how long to bake asparagus at 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

How to roast asparagus in the oven

Oven roasting is a great way to intensify the flavor of asparagus. It's also an excellent preparation method when you're cooking for a crowd. Follow these four easy steps for tender roasted asparagus every time:

1. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Prep your asparagus. Snap or cut off the woody ends. Coat spears with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Allow six to eight standard to medium-size asparagus spears or four to six large to jumbo-size asparagus spears per serving.
3. Spread the spears evenly on a nonstick baking sheet. Allow some space between spears so that hot air can circulate and create beautifully roasted spears.
4. Bake. Set a timer for the minimum amount of time for the size of asparagus you are using based on the chart above. When done, spears should be bright green and tender to the touch. If not yet tender, cook for an additional one or two minutes. If done, remove from the oven.

Quick-tip: Insider Reviews team tested baking and cookie sheets to determine the best one you can buy. The top pick is the Nordic Ware Naturals Half Sheet.

• Best baking sheet overall: Nordic Ware Naturals Half Sheet
• Best cookie sheet: WIlliams Sonoma Goldtouch Cookie Sheet

Tips to amp up your roasted asparagus

• Top with crispy parmesan. Sprinkle grated parmesan on prepped asparagus spears (2 to 3 tablespoons of cheese per bunch) and bake as directed.
• Bacon-wrap them. Season asparagus spears with olive oil and pepper and separate into bundles of two to three spears. Wrap a piece of bacon around the middle of each bundle. Follow baking times for asparagus size.
• Top with hollandaise and a poached egg. This is a classic French preparation. Serve the combination for brunch or with an elegant weeknight dinner.

Take your asparagus to the next delicious level with these enhancement tips from Scott Emerick, executive chef of The Lakehouse in Bellevue, Washington:

• Drizzle with shallot vinaigrette, Parmesan cheese, and grilled pancetta
• Garnish with chopped hard-boiled eggs and a salt-packed anchovy or two
• Top with olive tapenade. In a food processor, pulse 1 cup pitted olives, two cloves minced garlic, 1 tablespoon capers, 2 tablespoons olive oil, and four anchovy fillets.

Insider's takeaway

Oven-roasting is an easy way to transform fresh asparagus into an elegant, delicious side dish. The dry roasting method enhances the intensity of the green vegetable's flavor, maintains nutrients, and is an ideal labor-saver when you're cooking for a crowd. Select standard to jumbo size asparagus stalks for oven roasting. Cooking times will be based on the diameter of the stalks you choose.

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