18 Quick and Easy Asparagus Side Dishes

Oven-Roasted Asparagus

Easy, classic, and delicious, this asparagus side dish delivers spears of asparagus with a nearly-crisp exterior, due to the time in a high-heat oven. The dish is so simple, you'll surely add it to your roster of regular sides. "I make this all the time," Allrecipes cook Jen confirms. "And it's incredibly good."

Grilled Asparagus

If the weather is behaving, take that asparagus outside! The heat of the grill adds added dimension and texture to this spring vegetable. If it's not already a favorite, it soon will be. "My new way of preparing asparagus," says reviewer chester.

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Sautéed Garlic Asparagus

A little garlic and oil can go a long way, especially when it comes to asparagus. Hot oil keeps these vegetables a beautiful shade of green, while garlic adds a savory pep on the palate. Allrecipes cooks swear by it now. "This is so good! The only way I cook asparagus now!" Virginia says.

Asparagus Wrapped in Crisp Prosciutto

For a salty, snackable asparagus side that can also be used as an appetizer, try this prosciutto-wrapped asparagus. The salty, fatty meat provides a great complement to the vegetables firm texture and spring-sweet flavor. It's also great for a crowd. "I made this for a housewarming and all the guests raved," Noodles says.

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Simply Steamed Asparagus

Steam asparagus correctly and it can be an easy and healthful addition to your vegetable rotation. It may not be the most exciting way to eat asparagus, but it's definitely a reliable one. As RedRobynNAU says, it's "simple, but delicious!"

Grilled Asparagus Salad

Spinach and still-warm asparagus come together in this healthy, tasty salad. Although the spinach is raw, the warm asparagus delicately tenderizes it, taking away some of its natural bite. "The warmth from the asparagus just barely wilted the spinach to perfection," says LINDA MCLEAN.

Easy Delicious Asparagus

If the name doesn't convince you this is the asparagus side dish for you, maybe some of the reviews will. "Great recipe! I followed the recipe & the asparagus turned out perfect. Served with pork chops & everyone loved it. Will make often," wrote Allrecipes cook grandmacookie.

Asparagus Caprese Salad

Ready in just 25 minutes, it's a wonderful option for Summer picnics or barbeques. "I love [Caprese] salad and this is a delicious variation with cooked asparagus, cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, and a simple oil and vinegar dressing," writes Allrecipes cook Julia.

Asparagus and Red Pepper with Balsamic Vinegar

"A bright and flavorful vegetable dish that even vegetable haters will enjoy," writes recipe creator Patrick. "It goes great with roasted meats. For milder flavors, substitute mozzarella cheese and use less vinegar." Most of the ingredients are fridge and pantry staples, too, which makes this even faster and better.

Spring Asparagus Salad

The asparagus is cooked to just tender and then rinsed with cold water so it stays crisp but not overly cooked. You can add other ingredients to this simple marinade, too. Allrecipes cook JanetCanuck suggests tomatoes and onions.

• See more Spring Side Dish Recipes.

Lemon-Sesame Asparagus

Zippy and fresh, this quick asparagus side would go beautifully with salmon, chicken, pork, or pasta. The sesame seeds add a nice hint of crunch, but also a bit of nuttiness to balance the lemon juice

Whole Wheat Rotini Pasta Salad

This pasta salad is a bountiful representation of some of spring's best produce: asparagus, carrots, green onions, and even cherry tomatoes. You can change up the herbs (try basil for the green onions) and cheese (try mozzarella pearls instead of feta) for a quick side that could double as a light dinner.

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Baked Asparagus with Balsamic Butter Sauce

With more than 2,500 reviews, this asparagus side dish recipe still maintains a five-star rating. But if that wasn't enough to convince you, this recipe requires just four ingredients (besides salt, pepper, and cooking spray), which may mean it earns love in your heart for being the best easy recipe you know.

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Roasted Asparagus with Bacon and Feta Cheese

Asparagus is often wrapped in bacon or fried in bacon grease, but in this side dish, bacon is crumbled atop tender asparagus spears and set off with salty, briny feta cheese. "...thank you for the idea of shaking the asparagus and oil together in a bag," writes Allrecipes cook cookinmom. "Genius! It eliminates the problem of "drizzling" the oil and not getting the vegetable evenly coated. Why didn't I ever think of that?!"

Asparagus with Cranberries and Pine Nuts

Tart cranberries and crunchy pine nuts add a variety of texture and flavor to basic sautéed asparagus. A wonderful option as a Thanksgiving side dish, this is ready in just 20 minutes.

Roasted Asparagus with Parmesan

Five ingredients, 20 minutes, and you have a delicious five-star appetizer or side dish. "What isn't to love! Adjust cooking time for the size of your asparagus," writes Allrecipes cook Baking Nana. "About 10 minutes was good for mine. Enjoy!"

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Pan-Fried Asparagus

With loads of garlic and warm butter, this is one asparagus side dish even the kids will love. "Making this recipe was the first time ever tried asparagus. Now, I can't eat it any way but like this," writes recipe reviewer A277387.

Fresh Asparagus Soup

This light asparagus soup is made creamy with soy milk and yogurt. The asparagus flavor gets new life from lemon juice and Parmesan cheese. You can serve it heated, as recipe creator Nanook suggests, but cold soup will be refreshing.

• Browse all of our Asparagus Side Dishes.