12 Fresh Ways to Cook Asparagus

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Asparagus starts showing up in markets as early as February but really peaks in April and May. It’s packed with good-for-you nutrients like vitamins K and B1, as well as calcium, protein and fiber. In fact, its cancer-fighting antioxidants are easier for our bodies to absorb when it’s cooked, so steam it, boil it, sauté it, roast it, grill it — and refer to one of these 12 recipes to further fine tune your meal.

1. ASPARAGUS PEA PASTA BOWL | MYFITNESSPAL’S RECIPES

Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 359; Total Fat: 9g; Saturated Fat: 5g; Monounsaturated Fat: 1g; Cholesterol: 22mg; Sodium: 251mg; Carbohydrate: 59g; Dietary Fiber: 6g; Sugar: 5g; Protein: 13g

2. SHRIMP & ASPARAGUS ZOODLE PASTA | EATING BIRD FOOD

Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 352; Total Fat: 10g; Saturated Fat: 1g; Monounsaturated Fat: 5g; Cholesterol: 361mg; Sodium: 727mg; Carbohydrate: 21g; Dietary Fiber: 7g; Sugar: 10g; Protein: 48g

3. ASPARAGUS RICE BOWL WITH ALMOND PESTO | MYFITNESSPAL’S RECIPES

Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 478; Total Fat: 23g; Saturated Fat: 3g; Monounsaturated Fat: 11g; Cholesterol: 0mg; Sodium: 294mg; Carbohydrate: 57g; Dietary Fiber: 9g; Sugar: 5g; Protein: 12g

4. ASPARAGUS & MUSHROOM FRITTATAS | FIT FOODIE FINDS

Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 114; Total Fat: 8g; Saturated Fat: 2g; Monounsaturated Fat: 2g; Cholesterol: 180mg; Sodium: 142mg; Carbohydrate: 1g; Dietary Fiber: 0g; Sugar: 1g; Protein: 8g

5. ASPARAGUS SALAD WITH LEMONY DRESSING | THE ROASTED ROOT

Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 258; Total Fat: 20g; Saturated Fat: 4g; Monounsaturated Fat: 6g; Cholesterol: 10mg; Sodium: 435mg; Carbohydrate: 17g; Dietary Fiber: 7g; Sugar: 5g; Protein: 10g

6. HOT AND SOUR SOUP WITH ASPARAGUS AND TOFU | MYFITNESSPAL’S RECIPES

Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 126; Total Fat: 4g; Saturated Fat: 1g; Monounsaturated Fat: 1g; Cholesterol: 0g; Sodium: 332g; Carbohydrate: 14g; Dietary Fiber: 4g; Sugar: 7g; Protein: 8g

7. LEMON CHICKEN & ASPARAGUS STIR-FRY | CLEAN EATING

Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 260; Total Fat: 8g; Saturated Fat: 2g; Monounsaturated Fat: 5g; Cholesterol: 65mg; Sodium: 540mg; Carbohydrate: 14g; Dietary Fiber: 4g; Sugar: 5g; Protein: 32g

8. PENNE WITH SPRING VEGETABLES | MYFITNESSPAL’S RECIPES

Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 330; Total Fat: 9g; Saturated Fat: 1g; Monounsaturated Fat: 6g; Cholesterol: 0mg; Sodium: 16mg; Carbohydrate: 54g; Dietary Fiber: 5g; Sugar: 5g; Protein: 11g

9. GORGEOUSLY GREEN SPRING PASTA | MYFITNESSPAL’S RECIPES

Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 430; Total Fat: 17g; Saturated Fat: 2g; Monounsaturated Fat: 6g; Cholesterol: 0mg; Sodium: 250mg; Carbohydrate: 55g; Dietary Fiber: 8g; Sugar: 5g; Protein: 18g

10. HAM & ASPARAGUS MINI QUICHES | MAEBELLS

Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 250; Total Fat: 13g; Saturated Fat: 6g; Monounsaturated Fat: 3g; Cholesterol: 215mg; Sodium: 179mg; Carbohydrate: 19g; Dietary Fiber: 1g; Sugar: 1g; Protein: 15g

11. POACHED EGG AND ASPARAGUS SALAD | EAT SPIN RUN REPEAT

Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 208; Total Fat: 12g; Saturated Fat: 3g; Monounsaturated Fat: 7g; Cholesterol: 212mg; Sodium: 92mg; Carbohydrate: 15g; Dietary Fiber: 6g; Sugar: 8g; Protein: 13g

12. ANGEL HAIR WITH SHRIMP AND ASPARAGUS | SKINNYTASTE

Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 384; Total Fat: 6g; Saturated Fat: 0g; Monounsaturated Fat: 3g; Cholesterol: 165mg; Sodium: 864mg; Carbohydrate: 51g; Dietary Fiber: 9g; Sugar: 4g; Protein: 28g

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MyFitnessPal’s Recipes

Healthy, delicious and simple: That’s what we’re about at MyFitnessPal! We make our recipes in our own test kitchen or our registered dietitian hand-selects them personally. Look for nutrition information at the bottom of the recipe or log it directly to MyFitnessPal through the “Log-It” button. Check out our entire collection or explore: low-carb, high-protein • high-fiber • gluten-free • dairy-free • vegetarian • vegan • low sodium