The "Ridiculously Delicious" 3-Ingredient Side Dish I Make Every Single Week
If you’re tired of bland, soggy green beans, why not try roasting them instead? With a little love (thanks to lemon zest and juice, Parmesan cheese, and toasted almonds), these easy roasted green beans will be your new favorite side dish. The best part: They only take about 10 minutes to cook.
While developing this recipe, I learned that the secret to the best roasted greens is to pat them down with a paper towel until nice and dry before tossing in olive oil. The green beans get a beautiful spotted brown color while also retaining a nice crisp texture. With flavorful bits of lemon zest, salty hints of Parm, and crunchy toasted almonds, it creates the perfect bite that my family can’t stop raving about.
Why You’ll Love It
It’s an easy hands-off method. All you have to do is toss trimmed green beans with seasonings before sliding it into the oven. Roasting keeps them vibrantly green with a crisp texture to boot.
Perfectly seasoned! Lemon juice and zest brighten up the green beans, Parmesan cheese adds salinity and a rich flavor, and the toasted almonds bring a nutty crunch that ties this easy side dish together.
Key Ingredients in Roasted Green Beans
Green beans: You’ll need 1 pound of green beans. To save time, you can use bagged green beans that are already trimmed and washed.
Parmesan cheese: Brings a delicious nutty flavor to the green beans while also adding texture and saltiness.
Lemon zest: Adds a hint of brightness that contrasts the Parm and peppery green beans.
How to Make Roasted Green Beans
Prep and season the green beans.Trim the stem ends, then pat dry. Toss green beans with olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.
Roast. Place green beans on a foil- or parchment-lined baking sheet and roast for 5 minutes. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, return to the oven, and roast again until browned in spots.
Serve. Sprinkle with more grated Parm, lemon zest, black pepper, and toasted sliced almonds if using.
Helpful Swaps
You can substitute the toasted sliced almonds for toasted slivered or chopped almonds instead.
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips
Leftover green beans can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
What to Serve with Roasted Green Beans
Roasted Green Beans Recipe
Cheesy, crispy, lemony roasted green beans.
Prep time 10 minutes
Cook time 10 minutes
Serves 4
Ingredients
1 pound green beans
2 teaspoons olive oil
2 teaspoons finely grated lemon zest (from 1 medium lemon), plus more for serving
1 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice (from 1/2 medium lemon)
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more for serving
1 ounce grated Parmesan cheese (1/2 cup firmly packed freshly grated or 1/3 cup store-bought grated), plus more for serving
1/2 cup toasted, sliced almonds (optional)
Instructions
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Heat the oven to 425ºF. Meanwhile, line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Trim the stems ends from 1 pound green beans, then pat very dry.
Place the green beans, 2 teaspoons olive oil, 2 teaspoons finely grated lemon zest, 1 teaspoon lemon juice, 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper on the baking sheet. Toss with your hands until evenly coated, then spread into an even layer.
Roast for 5 minutes. Stir and arrange the green beans back into an even layer. Evenly sprinkle with 1 ounce grated Parmesan cheese.
Return to the oven and roast until the cheese and green beans are browned in spots, 5 to 6 minutes more. Transfer to a serving dish. Sprinkle with more grated Parmesan cheese, lemon zest, black pepper, and 1/2 cup toasted, sliced almonds if using.
Recipe Notes
Storage: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
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