Easy Roasted Carrots and Asparagus Recipe With Maple Glaze
Are you looking for a delicious vegetable side dish? This easy roasted carrots and asparagus recipe with maple glaze is finished in 30 minutes with just a handful of ingredients on a sheet pan. It is deliciously sweet and salty and is a great addition to any weeknight meal. Beautiful tri-colored carrots sliced lengthwise and fresh asparagus spears are drizzled in a simple marinade of olive oil, maple syrup, thyme, salt, and black pepper.
Roasted vegetables are a perfect way to enhance the flavor without losing any nutrients (like when boiling). This is also a great carrots recipe – if asparagus isn’t in season. This easy side dish is a great way to have the fresh flavors of spring veggies. Any kind of carrots work well – regular carrots or tri-colored. And let me tell you… oven-roasted asparagus is so good! To save time, prep vegetables beforehand and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Here are some tips:
- For a more flavorful glaze, use maple syrup that is dark and rich in flavor.
- If you don’t have maple syrup, use honey or agave nectar, even a small dab of molasses.
- For a vegan option, omit the honey or agave nectar and use vegetable oil instead.
- You can add other vegetables to the recipe, such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts, or cauliflower.
- Enjoy!
Other Great Roasting Vegetables
Roasting vegetables has to be my favorite way to make them. Just ask my 4-year-old about roasted cauliflower – he loves it! When you roast vegetables in the oven, they tend to show their sweet side and it is one of the easiest ways to prepare them.
Here are some other vegetables that I roast in the same manner:
- Broccoli
- Parsnips
- Cauliflower
- Mushrooms
- Onions
- Brussel Sprouts
- Baby carrots
Seasonings For Easy Roasted Carrots and Asparagus Recipe With Maple Glaze
There are so many seasonings that would be delicious in this easy healthy side dish. Want to add a touch of heat – try a 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne powder. Cinnamon would be a perfect addition, it pairs wonderfully with maple syrup.
Here are some suggestions:
- Cardamom
- Creole seasoning
- Nutmeg
- Cayenne powder
- Cinnamon
- Basil – dried
- Garam masala
- Parmesan cheese
- Lemon juice / Lemon zest
- Lime juice
- Fresh herbs
- Goat cheese
- Sesame seeds
- Onion powder
- Garlic powder / fresh garlic
- Fresh parsley for finishing
Ingredients For Easy Roasted Carrots and Asparagus Recipe With Maple Glaze
The ingredients for this easy recipe are simple and fresh.
- One pound of multi-colored carrots
- One pound of fresh asparagus stalks
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons of maple syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon of dried thyme
- Salt and Pepper to taste
Instructions On How To Make Easy Roasted Carrots and Asparagus Recipe With Maple Glaze
With just a few simple steps and minimal prep work, you can have a delicious roasted vegetable side dish. Line your baking sheet for easy clean-up.
1. Prepare the vegetables. For the carrots, use a vegetable peeler to peel off the outer peels of raw carrots. (Give the peels and carrot tops a second chance in this homemade vegetable broth – no food waste). On a cutting board, slice the carrots lengthwise in half and then in half again if the carrots are thick. Thin carrots will cook faster. Keep the carrots to a similar size as the asparagus.
2. For the asparagus stalks – Remove the woody ends of the asparagus. If you bend the bottom of the asparagus stems, the woody part will snap off about an inch or so from the bottom. This leaves the tender spears for roasting. You can line them all up (ends together) and use the snapped one as a guide to cut the ends off the rest.
3. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper (or aluminum foil) and arrange the carrots in a single layer on one side and the asparagus in a single layer on the other side.
4. Mix up the marinade and drizzle all of it over the vegetables. Mix them around to coat.
5. Place the baking tray in a preheated oven to 400 degrees F. Roast the vegetables for 15-20 minutes and pull them out to check the doneness with a fork. Sometimes the asparagus takes less time so you can take it off the tray if needed. Try a bite to see. Continue cooking if needed. Mine took 25-30 minutes.
For best results keep a close eye on them and continue roasting. My vegetables were perfect in about 30 minutes.
Notes:
– The cooking time will vary depending on the size of the carrot and asparagus spears.
– Other oils or butter work great!
– Save the carrot peels and tops to make easy homemade broth.
– These vegetables can be cooked over medium heat in a cast iron skillet.
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How To Store And Reheat Roasted Vegetables
Store the easy roasted carrots and asparagus recipe with maple glaze in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
To reheat, I prefer the microwave method. Use a microwave-safe dish and reheat in 20-second intervals until hot.
To use the oven method, place the desired amount on a cooking sheet and reheat at 350 degrees until hot – about 10 minutes.
What To Serve Easy Roasted Carrots and Asparagus Recipe With Maple Glaze With
These easy roasted asparagus and sweet carrots are a very simple recipe that pairs well with various main dishes. The good part is these types of side dishes use simple ingredients and can be modified depending on what main course you are serving them with.
Here are some suggestions on how to serve this tasty side dish:
- Best baked chicken breasts
- Baked and broiled pork chops
- Pork roast
- Pumpkin soup
- Hamburger rice casserole
- Fried chicken
- Burgers
- Steak
- Mashed potatoes
Wrapping Up Easy Roasted Carrots and Asparagus Recipe With Maple Glaze
This might become your new favorite way to eat carrots and asparagus! Roasted vegetables especially carrots give a wonderful sweet flavor when cooked. This is the best way to entice your picky eaters and begin a love affair with vegetables.
This is a perfect side dish for a variety of main dishes like chicken breasts, and pork roasts, or to add to soups. Try making a sheet pan meal on a large rimmed baking sheet and add these rosemary butter potatoes to the vegetables with cut smoked sausage. Yum!
I hope you enjoy these easy roasted carrots and asparagus recipe with maple glaze.
Cheers,
Sarah
Recipe Card For Easy Roasted Carrots and Asparagus Recipe With Maple Glaze
Ingredients For Easy Roasted Carrots and Asparagus Recipe With Maple Glaze
Ingredients
- 1 pound Multi-colored carrots
- 1 pound Fresh asparagus stalks
- 2 tablespoons Extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons Maple syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon Dried thyme
- Salt and Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the vegetables. For the carrots, use a vegetable peeler to peel off the outer peels of raw carrots. (Give the peels and carrot tops a second chance in this homemade vegetable broth – no food waste). On a cutting board, slice the carrots lengthwise in half and then in half again if the carrots are thick. Thin carrots will cook faster. Keep the carrots to a similar size as the asparagus.
- For the asparagus stalks – Remove the woody ends of the asparagus. If you bend the bottom of the asparagus stems, the woody part will snap off about an inch or so from the bottom. This leaves the tender spears for roasting. You can line them all up (ends together) and use the snapped one as a guide to cut the ends off the rest.
- Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper (or aluminum foil) and arrange the carrots in a single layer on one side and the asparagus in a single layer on the other side.
- Mix up the marinade and drizzle all of it over the vegetables. Mix them around to coat.
- Place the baking tray in a preheated oven to 400 degrees F. Roast the vegetables for 15-20 minutes and pull them out to check the doneness with a fork. Sometimes the asparagus takes less time so you can take it off the tray if needed. Continue cooking if needed. Mine took 25-30 minutes.