Roasted Carrots and Asparagus

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Roasted carrots and asparagus are a tasty side dish that will complement 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 balance of sweet and savory.

Roasting also brings out the natural sugars in the vegetables that creates a beautiful caramelization on their surface, giving the dish a slightly crispy texture that is hard to resist.

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 that can use the addition of fresh vegetables. Try it with my chicken tagine, these pork chops, or maybe this grilled bourbon chicken dish.

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

🥕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 and a bitter flavor and 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 quantities.

🔪Instructions

It doesn't take much prep time to put this recipe together.

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

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. 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

Line a baking sheet with parchment and spread the cut vegetables out into a single layer. Drizzle the balsamic vinegar, 1 tablespoon of olive oil, and ¼ teaspoon of salt.

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.

breadcrumb mixture being sprinkled over the roasted vegetables

After 15 minutes, remove the baking sheet from the oven, toss the vegetables around and sprinkle over the breadcrumbs.

Add in the garlic powder and remaining salt and olive oil. Stir to combine.

an up close look at the breadcrumbs over the vegetables

Return the pan to the oven and continue cooking another 3-6 minutes until cooked to your liking.

Note: 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

Season the roasted vegetables with additional salt and freshly ground black pepper, to your preference. If you have it handy, sprinkle over some chopped parsley.

🥘Substitutions

There are a few ways you could adapt this recipe.

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 similar-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.

🥡Storage

Personally, I don't find cooked asparagus to keep well in the fridge. I recommend eating this up within a couple of days.

👨🏻‍🍳Top tip

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.

💭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 bit of natural sweetness that especially comes out when roasted while asparagus has an earthy, slightly bitter taste. Together, they're the perfect balance of flavors.

Any main dish asparagus recipe ideas?

Definitely. Check out my Orange Tempeh and Asparagus.