Roasted Asparagus with Garlic Parmesan Sauce

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius). To prevent sticking, cover a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Arrange the asparagus spears on the prepared baking sheet and sprinkle with a pinch of salt and a few grinds of black pepper. Drizzle the asparagus with olive oil, gently tossing to coat each spear evenly.

Place the prepared asparagus in a preheated oven and roast until it reaches your desired level of tenderness, typically taking around 10 minutes for thinner spears and 14 minutes for thicker ones.

Simultaneously, melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add minced garlic and stir for 1 to 2 minutes, taking care not to allow the garlic to burn. Sprinkle a small amount of flour onto the melted butter and cook, whisking constantly until the mixture reaches a golden hue and thickens, approximately 1 to 2 minutes.

Slowly whisk in milk, stirring until the sauce starts to boil and thicken, about 2 to 3 minutes. Add a generous amount of grated Parmesan cheese and continue whisking until the sauce is smooth and creamy. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper to taste.

Remove the saucepan from heat, allowing it to further thicken before serving. Arrange the roasted asparagus on a serving platter and drizzle with the cheese sauce. Finish by sprinkling some lemon zest over the top for a pop of color and serve immediately.