The BEST Asparagus Casserole Recipe
This easy Asparagus Casserole is a comforting and nutritious dish that’s sure to please everyone at the table. It’s cheesy, creamy goodness, combined with the fresh, tender asparagus, makes it an irresistible dish for any occasion, from a simple family dinner to a special holiday feast. You’ll love how this recipe brings a sophisticated yet homey touch to your meal, packed with flavor and easy to whip up!
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This recipe comes from years of kitchen experiments and my passion for bringing wholesome, vegetarian-friendly meals to the table. My journey in mastering easy-to-make yet flavorful dishes ensures that each recipe, including this asparagus casserole, is not just tried and tested, but also a crowd-pleaser. From a self-taught home chef to your kitchen, these recipes are crafted to add a dash of joy and a whole lot of taste to your cooking adventures!
Why You Will Love Making This Cheesy Asparagus Casserole Recipe
If you’re wondering why this easy asparagus casserole recipe should be your go-to, let me break it down for you. This dish is a game-changer for several reasons:
- Simplicity at its Best: Even if you’re not a seasoned chef, you’ll find this recipe incredibly easy to follow. The steps are straightforward, making your cooking experience stress-free and enjoyable.
- Nutritious and Delicious: Asparagus, the star of this dish, is not only tasty but packed with vitamins, especially Vitamin C. It’s a great way to add some green to your diet in a delicious way.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a casual family dinner or something more festive like Easter or Christmas dinner, this casserole fits right in.
- Cheesy Goodness: The cheddar cheese in this recipe creates a delightful cheesy flavor that’s hard to resist.
- Leftovers Are Great: If you have leftovers, they reheat beautifully, making this dish just as good the next day.
- Gluten-Free Option: For those on a gluten-free diet, this easy side dish recipe can be easily adapted to fit your needs.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll need all the ingredients in the photograph below.
How to Make Asparagus Casserole with Step-By-Step Instructions
A complete printable recipe and the measurements in both US customary and metric are available in the recipe card below.
Ready to whip up this delicious casserole? Here’s how you do it:
Prep the Oven and Veggies
Start by preheating your oven to 355°F/180ºC, and then heat a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Add some olive oil, followed by minced garlic, cooking for about a minute.
Then, toss in the asparagus, stirring well, and cook for 7-8 minutes until it starts to soften and turn bright.
Creating the Cheese Sauce
In a small pot, melt butter and flour together until creamy. This forms the base of your cheese sauce. Gradually add milk to the pot, stirring constantly. Keep the heat on for another 5-10 minutes until the mixture thickens.
Turn off the heat, stir in half of the shredded cheddar cheese, and season with salt and black pepper until the cheese melts and the sauce is smooth.
Assembling and Baking
Place the sautéed asparagus in a baking dish, pouring the cheese sauce over the top. Sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese on top for that extra cheesy layer.
Bake the assembled casserole in the preheated oven for 10-15 minutes or until it’s bubbly and irresistible.
Serve and enjoy!
Serve your asparagus casserole hot, garnished with crispy shallots and minced parsley for that extra flavor and visual appeal.
Recipe Notes and Expert Tips
Before you start cooking, here are some expert tips and notes to make your asparagus casserole experience even better:
- Asparagus: Opt for fresh asparagus spears with firm stalks and closed tips. If you have thick asparagus, it may need more cooking time to reach the perfect tenderness.
- Cheese: Feel free to experiment with different types of cheese. Mozzarella can add a gooey texture, while parmesan cheese adds a nuttier flavor.
- Add More Vegetables: Feel free to add mushrooms, bell peppers, or even broccoli for an extra veggie boost.
- Gluten-Free: For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free flour in the sauce and make our homemade crispy shallots which are naturally gluten-free.
- Spice It Up: Feel free to add some garlic powder, onion powder, or even a pinch of cayenne pepper to the cheese sauce for an extra flavor kick.
- Extra crunch: If you’re a fan of super crunchy toppings, feel free to sprinkle some panko breadcrumbs or Ritz crackers over the top before baking.
- Make-Ahead: This is a perfect recipe for meal prep. Assemble the casserole (apart from the shallots), cover it, and refrigerate. When you’re ready, bake it according to the instructions and then garnish. It’s a great time-saver for busy days and holidays.
- Is this recipe kid-friendly? Definitely! The creamy cheese sauce and tender asparagus are often a hit with kids. Plus, it’s a sneaky way to get them to eat their greens!
How to Store Leftover Easy Asparagus Casserole
Got leftovers? No problem! Here’s how to store them properly so you can enjoy this delicious dish again:
- Cooling & Airtight Containers: Let the casserole cool to room temperature before storing, and then transfer the leftovers to an airtight container.
- Refrigerate or Freeze: Store the casserole in the refrigerator if you plan to eat it within a few days. For longer storage, freeze it. The casserole can last in the fridge for up to 3-4 days and in the freezer for about 2 months.
- Reheating Tips: When you’re ready to eat, reheat the casserole in the oven or microwave. If it’s frozen, let it thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
- Reviving the shallots: For that just-baked crispiness, add some fresh crispy shallots on top after reheating. It’ll taste even better than before!
What to Serve with Easy Asparagus Casserole
Wondering what to pair with your asparagus casserole to make a complete meal? Here are some delightful ideas:
Simple Sides
A light, fresh salad like our Seven Layer Salad is the perfect companion to the rich flavors of the asparagus casserole. For something a little heartier, try Roasted Sweet Potatoes, Air Fryer Glazed Carrots, or Crispy Smashed Potatoes for extra crunch.
Hearty Grains or Bread
To soak up all that cheesy goodness, serve your casserole with a side of hearty grains like quinoa or rustic French bread. They add a satisfying texture and make the meal more filling.
More Easy Casserole Recipes You Will Love
- Cheesy Green Bean Casserole
- Best Potato Casserole
- Easy Corn Casserole
- Yellow Squash Casserole Recipe
- Cheesy Southern Pineapple Casserole
The BEST Asparagus Casserole Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 20-25 asparagus cleaned and hard parts removed
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1½ cups milk
- 1 cup cheddar cheese shredded (divided)
- salt and pepper
- crispy shallots to serve
- parsley minced
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 355℉/180ºC.
- Heat a non-stick skillet to medium-high and add the olive oil, once it’s hot add the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add the asparagus, toss well, and cook for 7-8 minutes, just until they are bright and start to soften.2 tablespoons olive oil, 2 garlic cloves, 20-25 asparagus
- In a small pot, melt the flour and butter together until creamy. Add the milk and mix well; continue cooking for 5-10 minutes more until it starts to thicken. Turn off the heat and add half of the cheese, season with salt and pepper, and stir until the cheese melts.2 tablespoons flour, 2 tablespoons butter, 1½ cups milk, salt and pepper, 1 cup cheddar cheese
- Transfer the asparagus to a casserole dish and top with the cheese sauce. Top with the rest of the cheese and bake for 10-15 minutes or until bubbly.
- Serve with crispy shallots and parsley.crispy shallots to serve, parsley
Notes
- Asparagus: Opt for fresh asparagus with firm stalks and closed tips. If the asparagus is too thick, it may need more cooking time to reach the perfect tenderness.
- Cheese: Feel free to experiment with different types of cheese. Mozzarella can add a gooey texture, while parmesan adds a nuttier flavor.
- Add More Veggies: Feel free to add mushrooms, bell peppers, or even broccoli for an extra veggie boost.
- Gluten-Free: For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free flour in the sauce and make our homemade crispy shallots which are naturally gluten-free.
- Spice It Up: Feel free to add some garlic powder, onion powder, or even a pinch of cayenne pepper to the cheese sauce for an extra flavor kick.
- Make-Ahead: This is a perfect recipe for meal prep. Assemble the casserole (apart from the shallots), cover it, and refrigerate. When you’re ready, bake it according to the instructions and then garnish. It’s a great time-saver for busy days and holidays.
- Is this recipe kid-friendly? Definitely! The creamy cheese sauce and tender asparagus are often a hit with kids. Plus, it’s a sneaky way to get them to eat their greens!
How to Store Leftover Easy Asparagus Casserole
- Cooling & Airtight Containers: Let the casserole cool to room temperature before storing and then transfer the leftovers to an airtight container.
- Refrigerate or Freeze: Store the casserole in the refrigerator if you plan to eat it within a few days. For longer storage, freeze it. The casserole can last in the fridge for up to 3-4 days and in the freezer for about 2 months.
- Reheating Tips: When you’re ready to eat, reheat the casserole in the oven or microwave. If it’s frozen, let it thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
- Reviving the shallots: For that just-baked crispiness, add some fresh crispy shallots on top after reheating. It’ll taste even better than before!
Nutrition
Disclaimer
Please note that nutrient values are estimates only. Variations can occur due to product availability and manner of food preparation. Nutrition may vary based on methods of origin, preparation, freshness of ingredients, and other factors.
For the most part, I’ve only had asparagus in soup and roasted as a side dish. I never even imagined asparagus casserole, but oh WOW, is this dish great! The crispy shallots are over the top!
Crispy shallots are a nice touch! I’m glad you loved it, Sage!
Delicious!!
I made this for the family last night and it was such a hit. I did half cheddar and half mozzarella for the stretchy hit and it was so good.
The kids loved it and said they would definitely eat it again. That is a winner of a vegetable dish as I nearly always have one of the five that won’t eat one of the side dishes!
Making it again for sure and I am loving the idea of adding some broccoli……wonder if the ids will love it as much though 🤷🏻♀️
Thanks for a great recipe ☺️
That sounds like a cheesy and yummy combination! I’m glad you and your family enjoyed it, Donna!