Roasted Carrots and Asparagus

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Roasted carrots and asparagus make a tasty side dish that complements just about any meal. Even better, they're low in calories, high in nutrients, and when roasted, develop a caramelized, slightly crispy, exterior with an amazing flavor and texture.

plate of roasted carrots and asparagus with flowers

Roasted asparagus and carrots make a great flavor combo. The sweetness of the roasted carrots is balanced by the grassy flavor of the asparagus, creating a dish with a fantastic sweet-and-savory balance.

Roasting also brings out the vegetables' natural sugars, creating a beautiful caramelization and giving the dish a slightly crispy texture that is hard to resist.

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🥕Ingredients
🥘Substitutions
🧀Variations
🔪 Instructions
👨🏻‍🍳Top tips
🥡Storage
💭FAQ
🥩 Pairing
📖 Recipe
🥕 Related Recipes
💬 Comments

In this recipe, we'll prep the ingredients, roast the vegetables together on a sheet pan, and then toss them with some garlic and lemon breadcrumbs for an easy side that's ready in no time.

While carrots and asparagus give all the spring vibes, you can't go wrong pairing this side with any main dish such as my chicken tagine, pork chops with herbs, or grilled bourbon chicken dish.

🥕Ingredients

Carrots, perhaps one of the most common vegetables, are known for their orange color and sweet, slightly earthy flavor. They're packed with nutrients, including vitamin A, which is what makes them so good for our eyesight. Though they're also a good source of vitamin C, potassium, and fiber. I grow them in my garden every year without fail.

Asparagus, on the other hand, is a classic spring vegetable with a green, spear-like shape, a bitter flavor, and a tender texture. It is a good source of vitamins K and C, as well as folate. And yes, asparagus likely will make your pee smell funky. But who cares?

asparagus, carrots, lemon and other ingredients for the recipe

carrots
asparagus
olive oil
balsamic vinegar
kosher salt
breadcrumbs
garlic powder
lemon zest
parsley (optional)

See the recipe card below for the complete list of ingredients and quantities.

🥘Substitutions

Leeks - Try adding thinly sliced leeks in place of or in addition to the asparagus and carrots for a fresh, mild onion flavor. Roasted leeks have a fantastic flavor that would work well here.
Breadcrumbs - Of course, you can use gluten-free breadcrumbs, but you could also try using grated Parmesan cheese instead.
Baby carrots - If you only have baby carrots, that's fine. Cut them into halves or quarters, and the asparagus into similarly sized pieces. They probably won't need as long to cook, so start checking on the vegetables at 15 minutes instead of 20.

🧀Variations

Cheesy - Top the dish off with parmesan, feta, or maybe some goat cheese.
Smoky/Spicy- Try adding some extra spices to the breadcrumbs, such as chipotle powder, cumin, or smoked paprika.

If you're looking for sweeter carrot recipes, check out my Maple Glazed Carrots. Or for an actual sweet treat, try the Date Carrot Cake.

🔪 Instructions

asparagus and carrots cut up and spread out on a cutting board

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Trim the ends of the asparagus, peel the carrots, and cut them lengthwise so they're all about the same size.

asparagus and carrots on a baking sheet lined with parchment

Step 2: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spread the cut vegetables in a single layer. Drizzle the balsamic vinegar, 1 tablespoon of olive oil, and ¼ teaspoon of salt.

Step 3: Place the baking sheet on a rack in the middle of the oven and roast for 15 minutes. Meanwhile, put the breadcrumbs in a small bowl and zest the lemon into them.

a bowl of breadcrumbs and a spoon with other ingredients nearby

Step 4: Add in the garlic powder, remaining salt, and olive oil. Stir to combine.

breadcrumb mixture being sprinkled over the roasted vegetables

Step 5: After 15 minutes, remove the baking sheet from the oven, toss the vegetables, and sprinkle the breadcrumbs over them.

an up close look at the breadcrumbs over the vegetables

Step 6: Return the pan to the oven and continue cooking for another 3-6 minutes until cooked to your liking. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to your liking.

👨🏻‍🍳Top tips

Make sure the vegetables are all around the same size for even cooking. If you don't have the time to cut things up, look for asparagus and carrots that are already similar in thickness.
While some browning and crisping on the vegetables is just the way it should be, you don't want the breadcrumbs to burn, so keep an eye on them in those last few minutes. You can always put the pan back in the oven if you want some more browning.

the roasted vegetables on a plate ready to serve with breadcrumbs and parsley on the side

🥡Storage

You can store any leftover vegetables in an airtight container in the fridge. Personally, I don't find that cooked asparagus keeps well, so I recommend eating it within a couple of days.

💭FAQ

Can you roast carrots and asparagus together?

Hopefully, this recipe proves that you absolutely can. Although they may not be a common pairing, as long as you keep them about the same thickness, they should roast well together at an even rate.

Do carrots and asparagus go well together?

Yes! Carrots have a natural sweetness that comes out especially when roasted, while asparagus has an earthy, slightly bitter taste. Together, they're the perfect balance of flavors.

Do you have any main dish asparagus recipes?

Yes. Check out my Orange Tempeh and Asparagus and Asparagus Potato Soup.