Italian Style Asparagus
Elevate your side dishes with this vibrant and flavorful Italian Style Asparagus, a quick and easy recipe that’s perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions. Fresh asparagus spears are sautéed in fragrant extra virgin olive oil with minced garlic, then seasoned with zesty lemon juice, a touch of red pepper flakes for subtle heat, and a generous sprinkle of salty Parmesan cheese. This dish is fast and fuss-free, coming together in just 20 minutes, and offers a perfect balance of crisp-tender texture and Mediterranean-inspired flavors. Garnish with fresh parsley for a pop of color and serve warm for a crowd-pleasing side that pairs beautifully with pasta, grilled fish, or roasted chicken. Keywords: Italian asparagus recipe, sautéed asparagus, quick side dishes, lemon garlic asparagus, Parmesan asparagus.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 pound fresh asparagus
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic cloves
- 1 whole lemon
- 0.25 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
- 0.125 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
Wash the asparagus thoroughly and trim the tough ends, typically the bottom 1-2 inches.
Peel and mince the garlic cloves. Zest the lemon and then cut it in half to squeeze the juice from one half.
Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the olive oil.
Once the oil is shimmering, add the minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds to 1 minute or until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
Add the asparagus to the skillet and toss to coat evenly with the garlic and oil.
Season the asparagus with salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Stir well.
Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the asparagus is tender but still crisp. Cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of the asparagus.
Remove the skillet from the heat and squeeze the juice of half a lemon over the asparagus. Sprinkle with lemon zest for added brightness.
Transfer the asparagus to a serving platter and top with grated Parmesan cheese and optional fresh parsley for garnish.
Serve warm as a side dish and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
444 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 34.9 g | 45% | |
| Saturated Fat | 8.0 g | 40% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.1 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 20 mg | 7% | |
| Sodium | 1533 mg | 67% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 26.6 g | 10% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 11.6 g | 41% | |
| Total Sugars | 7.9 g | ||
| Protein | 19.5 g | 39% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 363 mg | 28% | |
| Iron | 10.5 mg | 58% | |
| Potassium | 1049 mg | 22% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
