Oven-Roasted Asparagus with Lemon Garlic Butter
Tender oven-roasted asparagus spears glazed with a bright lemon garlic butter sauce, perfect for a fresh and simple Memorial Day side. This mediterranean-inspired quick meals (vegetarian) ready in about 25 minutes pairs trimmed fresh asparagus spears, unsalted butter, minced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 120 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 lb, trimmed fresh asparagus spears
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 minced garlic cloves
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp grated (optional) parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 425°F. Arrange 1 lb trimmed fresh asparagus spears in a single layer on a baking sheet.
- Step 2: In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt 3 tbsp unsalted butter. Add 2 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned. Remove from heat and stir in 1 tsp lemon zest and 1 tbsp lemon juice.
- Step 3: Drizzle the lemon garlic butter evenly over the asparagus, then sprinkle with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Toss gently to coat all spears.
- Step 4: Roast in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes until asparagus is tender and slightly caramelized at the edges.
- Step 5: (Optional) Sprinkle 2 tbsp grated parmesan cheese over the asparagus immediately after roasting while still hot, then serve.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Oven-Roasted Asparagus with Lemon Garlic Butter take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (10 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Oven-Roasted Asparagus with Lemon Garlic Butter?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep unsalted butter from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Oven-Roasted Asparagus with Lemon Garlic Butter?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Oven-Roasted Asparagus with Lemon Garlic Butter for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Oven-Roasted Asparagus with Lemon Garlic Butter vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
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