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.

Nutriscore Rating: 79/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:10 mins

Total Time:20 mins

Servings: 4

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)

Directions

Step 1

Wash the asparagus thoroughly and trim the tough ends, typically the bottom 1-2 inches.

Step 2

Peel and mince the garlic cloves. Zest the lemon and then cut it in half to squeeze the juice from one half.

Step 3

Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the olive oil.

Step 4

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.

Step 5

Add the asparagus to the skillet and toss to coat evenly with the garlic and oil.

Step 6

Season the asparagus with salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Stir well.

Step 7

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.

Step 8

Remove the skillet from the heat and squeeze the juice of half a lemon over the asparagus. Sprinkle with lemon zest for added brightness.

Step 9

Transfer the asparagus to a serving platter and top with grated Parmesan cheese and optional fresh parsley for garnish.

Step 10

Serve warm as a side dish and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	575.1 grams (575.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	444

Total Fat 34.90g	45%
Saturated Fat 8.00g	40%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.10g
Cholesterol 20mg	7%
Sodium 1533mg	67%
Total Carbohydrate 26.60g	10%
Dietary Fiber 11.60g	41%
Total Sugars 7.90g
Protein 19.50g	39%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 363mg	28%
Iron 11mg	58%
Potassium 1049mg	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.

Source of Calories

Fat: 63.0%

Protein: 15.6%

Carbs: 21.3%