If you are in need of a simple and delicious side dish to go with dinner, this lemon caesar asparagus is just what you need! This easy side dish combines the simplicity of charred lemons with a deliciousness of a caesar salad!
With only 4 main ingredients, asparagus, lemon, caesar dressing, and parmesan, you had a weeknight side dish ready to go in just 20 minutes.
Easy Oven Baked Asparagus
Summer is all about grilling, and grilled asparagus is amazing! But if you don’t have access to a grill, oven-baked asparagus is just as delicious and so simple!
Start by trimming the asparagus. Don’t know where to cut? Take one stalk, pinch both ends, and bend. The point where the stalk snaps is the sweet spot for where the asparagus is tender. Cut the rest of the bunch at that same spot.
Next, preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Coat your asparagus with a little olive oil and a sprinkle of salt and pepper, and roast for 10-12 minutes or until tender. And that’s it!
Lemon Caesar Topping
This lemon caesar topping is so simple, it only takes 3 ingredients!
- Charred Lemons
- Caesar Salad Dressing– I like Primal Kitchen dressings- Whole30 and Paleo approved
- Parmesan Cheese
I love lemon with my asparagus, but why not take it up a notch! Charring the lemons ads a smokey note to the dish, and when cooked down enough, the entire lemon becomes edible and not bitter. The added sour note cuts through the rich caesar and parmesan.
And you can definitely make your own caesar salad dressing, but for the sake of simplicity, why would you? There are so many delicious bottled salad dressings out there, just grab your favorite and get to cooking!
Pair this simple side with grilled chicken breast, simply seasoned pork chops, or even a nice hearty steak. Just pop it in the oven to roast and dress it table side. Simple asparagus is fine, but why not dress it up a little bit!
Want More Easy Sides?
Try these low prep side dishes for your next dinner.
Lemon Caesar Asparagus
Ingredients
- 1 lb asparagus trimmed
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tsp lemon zest
- salt and pepper
- 1 lemon
- ½ cup caesar salad dressing
- ⅓ cup shaved parmesan
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°
- Trim the asparagus and drizzle with olive oil and lemon zest. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Place asparagus on a sheet tray and bake in the oven for 10-13 minutes, or until tender.
- Meanwhile, heat a cast iron skillet to medium high heat. Slice the lemons to about ¼ in and char them in the skillet, about 2-3 minutes per side.
- Remove asparagus from oven, and drizzle caesar dressing over the top and top with half of the parmesan. Place back in the oven for 1-2 minutes to heat through.
- Remove from oven and top with charred lemons and remaining parmesan. Serve immediately.
