Sauteed Asparagus with Garlic and Parmesan
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Sauteed Asparagus is a quick, easy, and healthy side dish recipe. The asparagus spears are fresh and flavorful and will be ready to eat in only 10 minutes.
Sauteed asparagus cooked crisp tender and is a little bit garlicky and a little bit cheesy and ridiculously delicious. This is what spring looks like!
This is an asparagus recipe that I've been making for years. It's quick to make and goes well with roast chicken or my favorite Juicy Baked Pork Chops.
Why you need to make this sauteed asparagus recipe
- Garlic and salty parmesan are all things delicious.
- It's fast enough to make for a quick weeknight side but pretty and tasty enough for a special occasion.
- Asparagus is the best in spring when the stalks are small and tender.
- Everyone needs more asparagus in their lives. #truth
- Sauteeing asparagus over high heat creates dark blistered spots. Read: lots of flavor!
Ingredients
This quick and easy recipe is made with just 4 ingredients!
- Olive oil – just enough to saute the asparagus.
- Asparagus – you'll want to snap or cut off the tough, woody ends.
- Garlic – we use 3 cloves to add lots of delicious flavor.
- Parmesan cheese – use your vegetable peeler to shave strips off of a block of parmesan. It's delicious!
How to make sauteed asparagus
We love to saute asparagus when we need to get dinner on the table quickly as it's such an easy vegetable side dish recipe. But even though it's easy to make, it tastes delicious and always feels a little fancy. Here's how we do it:
- Start by cooking the asparagus in a little oil over high heat. We like to use high heat as it cooks it quickly and gives the asparagus little charred spots.
- Now, add the minced garlic and let it cook for no more than 2 minutes.
- Take the pan off the heat and add the parmesan cheese. You can season it with salt and pepper, but we find the parmesan cheese is enough flavor. That's it! You've just made sauteed asparagus!
The full instructions are in the recipe card below.
How to buy asparagus
Springtime is always the best time to buy asparagus. But no matter when you're buying it, make sure to look for smaller stalks. Thick asparagus can be quite woody and hard to chew. Thinner is better.
Also, take a look at the tops of the spears. If they've started to wilt or look slimy, don't buy them.
Recipe Tips
The best way to prepare asparagus is to snap the tough ends off. Doing it this way takes a little more time but ensures that you remove the woody part.
If you're in a hurry, you can pile the asparagus together and cut all the ends off at once.
What to serve with sauteed asparagus
My preference is usually a simply prepared protein and a big green salad. Here are my favorites:
If you're feeling extra hungry, these Smoky Roast Potatoes are delicious!
Should I blanch the asparagus before Sauteing?
Nope! There's no need to blanch the asparagus before you saute it. In fact, blanching the asparagus first will most likely overcook it and you'll be left with mushy asparagus – and nobody wants that!
How do you know when sauteed asparagus is done?
When you saute the asparagus, it will turn a wonderful, bright green color. If you pick one up, it will bend slightly in the middle, but it shouldn't flop right over.
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Favorite asparagus recipes
- Asparagus Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette
- Asparagus Cherry Tomato and Goat Cheese Breakfast Tart
- One Pan Lemony Greek Chicken with Potatoes and Asparagus
- Green Goddess Pizza with Asparagus
Sauteed Asparagus Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 lb asparagus (tough ends cut or snapped off)
- 3 cloves garlic (finely minced)
- 1 ounce Parmesan cheese (shaved with a vegetable peeler)
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over high heat. Once it's hot, add the oil and asparagus. Using tongs, toss the asparagus so that it cooks evenly. (Make sure the asparagus is completely dry before adding it to the pan to avoid any oil splatters)2 lb asparagus, 1 tablespoon olive oil
- After 3 minutes, add the garlic to the pan. Cook for 2 minutes more then remove the pan from the heat.3 cloves garlic
- Add the parmesan to the pan and toss the asparagus so it's coated in the cheese. Serve right away.1 ounce Parmesan cheese
Video
Nutrition
We have thoroughly tested this recipe for accuracy. However, individual results may vary. See our full recipe disclosure here.
This recipe is part of our Best Spring Side Dishes series.
