Name: Parmesan Roasted Asparagus
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 1 1/2 pounds fresh asparagus (ends cut off); 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese (finely grated); Salt and pepper (to taste)

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Parmesan roasted asparagus makes the perfect low-carb side dish to go with your main dish and it could not be simpler to make in the oven in less than 15 minutes.

» You may like these Keto Grilled Radishes with Garlic & Dill Butter or find your perfect side dish here.

I have a bit of an obsession with roasting vegetables. Roasting brings out the natural sugars in a veggie, plus adds that special charred flavor that, combined with Parmesan cheese, is especially tasty. I do this with broccoli, cauliflower and brussels sprouts too.

Asparagus is no different. When roasted, it has a sweet, nutty flavor that’s perfect paired with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese, some salt and pepper. You really can’t get any easier than that.

Are There Carbs in Asparagus?

Asparagus is actually one of the best vegetables for a low-carb diet because it’s very low in carbs – in fact, one of the lowest of any veggie.

There are just 1.7 net grams of carbs in 100 grams of asparagus (about 5 spears). So you can feel free to add it to any meal or just eat it for a snack. Since it’s really good when eaten cold, you can roast some spears to keep in the fridge for when you get the munchies.

Ingredients You Need for Roasted Asparagus

There are just 4 simple ingredients in this veggie side dish.

Fresh asparagus – The fatter pieces of asparagus are better for roasting, if you have a choice. Be sure to cut the hard ends off before roasting.
Olive oil – Use a high-quality olive oil because it’s more for taste in this recipe than for cooking. If you don’t have olive oil, the next best thing is butter.
Parmesan cheese – I also suggest a high-quality Parmesan cheese – preferable in a block that you can grate freshly over the asparagus. It has the best flavor.
Salt and pepper – to taste

How to Cook Asparagus

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a baking mat.

Cut the hard ends off the asparagus, then wash them and pat them dry. Place the spears in a row on the baking sheet, without stacking them. Drizzle on the olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Roll the spears around to coat all sides with the olive oil and seasonings.

Place the baking sheet in the oven. Cook for 6-7 minutes, then roll the spears over and continue cooking for another 6-7 minutes. If you have thinner asparagus, they likely won’t take this long. Check them at 4 minutes and if they look as though they’re starting to shrivel slightly, turn them and cut the remaining cook time to 4 minutes.

When the asparagus is done, remove it from the oven and sprinkle the Parmesan directly over it. I like to use a micro-planer for this because the light dusting of cheese melts best.

What to Serve Roasted Asparagus With

There’s no protein that asparagus doesn’t go well with. I serve it with chicken, steak, pork chops and fish.

Here are a few of our favorites:

»You should also check out these 16 Keto Low-Carb BBQ Sides & Salads.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if the asparagus is fresh?

You want to look for bunches that are a rich green color. The stalks should be firm and crisp and the ends should be tight. When asparagus is old you will notice that the tip is mushy to the touch.

How do I trim asparagus so it isn’t woody at the end?

Asparagus can be woody and stringy at the base end. There is a simple way to trim them to avoid this unpleasant texture. If you bend a piece of asparagus it will naturally break where the tough part ends. You can also try to cut into it with a knife. The tough parts won’t cut as easily. Just keep cutting bits off until your knife goes in easily, you know you got all of the woody tough part off.

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