Roasted Asparagus and Tomatoes

Tuscan-style dishes often feature fresh ingredients and light, simple sauces. But just because they’re on the easier end to make doesn’t mean that they lack flavor. They’re usually filled with delicious aromatics and spices, like this roasted asparagus and tomato recipe, which covers the stalky vegetables in olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt, pepper and Parmesan cheese to create a bright side. It’s also topped with pine nuts to add irresistible crunchy bites. Plus, it takes less than 30 minutes to pull together, making it ideal for those busy weeknights or if you decide to host a last-minute dinner.

Roasted Asparagus with Tomato Ingredients

• Asparagus: This recipe relies on asparagus because it’s a delicious vegetable with a delicate and earthy flavor.
• Tomatoes: We prefer grape tomatoes because they’re juicy and hold up well when roasting with the asparagus.
• Pine nuts: We top this vegetable side dish with pine nuts before roasting them to give it a delicious crunch.
• Garlic sauce: To create a light sauce, drizzle olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt, pepper and Parmesan cheese over the asparagus before baking.

Directions

Step 1: Assemble the ingredients on a sheet pan

Preheat the oven to 400°F. Place the asparagus, tomatoes and pine nuts on a foil-lined baking pan. Then mix 2 tablespoons of olive oil, garlic, salt and the pepper; add this sauce to the asparagus and toss to coat.

Step 2: Bake the asparagus

Bake the asparagus for 15 to 20 minutes or just until the asparagus is tender. Remove it from the oven and drizzle it with the remaining one tablespoon of olive oil and lemon juice. Then, sprinkle it with cheese and lemon zest. Toss to combine.

Roasted Asparagus with Tomato Recipe Variations

• Swap the asparagus: Substitute another hearty vegetable like broccoli, cauliflower or string beans instead of using asparagus.
• Make it spicy: Toss in some red pepper flakes or Calabrian chili paste to kick up the heat in this recipe.
• Use a different cheese: Instead of topping this with Parmesan, try crumbling some feta.

How to Store Roasted Asparagus and Tomatoes

You can store this asparagus with tomatoes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. If you have a vacuum sealer, you can keep it packed in the refrigerator for up to five days.

Can you make asparagus with tomatoes ahead of time?

Prepare this asparagus with tomato dish beforehand if you’re hosting a dinner or meal prepping for the week. First, follow the recipe, store it in the fridge for up to four days and take it out when ready to reheat and dig in.

Can I freeze asparagus with tomatoes?

We don’t recommend freezing this asparagus with tomato dish because the recipe is saucy and will not thaw properly.

Roasted Asparagus and Tomatoes Tips

What’s the best olive oil to use?

Regular olive oil works better for cooking at high heat than virgin or extra-virgin oil. The higher grades are ideal for drizzling onto cold dishes and they smoke at higher temperatures.

How do I prepare asparagus?

To prepare asparagus, pay attention to the woody ends and cut those off with a sharp knife.

Can I use another vegetable in this recipe?

Yes, you can, but we recommend using seasonal produce for the ultimate flavor. In spring, that means asparagus, peas, artichokes or fennel. In the summer, eggplant, arugula, summer squash and tomatoes shine. Fall’s finest? Butternut squash, Brussels sprouts and carrots, to name a few.