Roasted Garlic & Asparagus Pasta (Printable)

Vibrant spring pasta featuring sweet mellow roasted garlic and tender asparagus with spaghetti and Parmesan.

# What You'll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 1 large head garlic
02 - 1 bunch fresh asparagus, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces (about 1 pound)

→ Pasta

03 - 12 ounces spaghetti

→ Other

04 - 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for roasting
05 - 1/2 teaspoon sea salt, plus more for pasta water
06 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
07 - 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
08 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving
09 - Zest of 1 lemon
10 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Slice the top off the garlic head to expose the cloves, drizzle with olive oil, wrap in aluminum foil, and roast for 30 minutes until soft and golden.
02 - After 15 minutes of garlic roasting, spread asparagus on a baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and roast in the same oven for 12 to 15 minutes until tender.
03 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook spaghetti until al dente according to package instructions. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain pasta in a colander.
04 - Squeeze the roasted garlic cloves from their skins and mash lightly with a fork.
05 - In a large skillet over medium heat, add 1/4 cup olive oil. Add the mashed garlic and sauté for 1 to 2 minutes until fragrant.
06 - Add roasted asparagus and cooked spaghetti to the skillet. Toss to combine, adding reserved pasta water as needed to create a silky sauce.
07 - Stir in Parmesan cheese, lemon zest, parsley, and red pepper flakes if using. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
08 - Transfer to serving bowls immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Roasted garlic turns into a creamy, spreadable treasure that coats every strand of pasta
  • The asparagus gets just tender enough while keeping that satisfying bright green snap
  • Twenty minutes of hands-off time while the oven does all the heavy lifting
02 -
  • Dont rush the garlic roasting step or it will taste bitter instead of sweet
  • The pasta water is crucial for creating that restaurant-quality silky sauce
  • Asparagus can go from perfect to mushy fast, so check it after 12 minutes
03 -
  • Buy garlic heads with tight, papery skins for the best roasting results
  • Trim asparagus ends by snapping them naturally where they want to break
  • Grate your Parmesan fresh for better melting and flavor
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