Asparagus Casserole

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Creamy asparagus casserole is topped with crispy breadcrumbs and perfect for any occasion.

Southern Living Asparagus Casserole in the dish to serve
Photo:

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Active Time:
20 mins
Total Time:
45 mins
Servings:
8

Asparagus casserole bridges the span between winter's rich, comforting, often heavy casseroles and spring's fresher, brighter food. Just when we're craving lighter fare, asparagus springs up from the ground, tall and proud, and ready to remind us that the gray of winter is nearing its finale.

Grab those fresh asparagus spears, and make this casserole that is super creamy, with rich nutty notes from gruyere cheese. The asparagus is wonderfully crisp-tender and not mushy; the panko topping offers great crunch and salty Parmesan flavor.

Learn how to make asparagus casserole, and thrill everyone with this fresh and lighter casserole side dish.

Ingredients for Asparagus Casserole

Asparagus casserole is simple, as is the ingredient list. Here's what you'll need:

  • Cooking spray: To coat the baking dish so nothing sticks.
  • Panko breadcrumbs: This type of breadcrumb stays extra crispy after baking.
  • Salted butter: For helping the breadcrumbs brown up nicely and adding a small bit of richness to the topping.
  • Grated Parmesan cheese: Lends a salty, savory burst of flavor to the breadcrumb topping.
  • Garlic cloves: Builds a base of flavor for the sauce.
  • Shallot: Adds great savory flavor and depth to the casserole's creamy sauce.
  • All-purpose flour: Thickens up the sauce so it's rich and luscious.
  • Whole milk: Adds the creamy factor to the sauce.
  • Kosher salt: For seasoning. Taste and season to your preferences.
  • Ground red pepper: A tiny bit of heat is great with the green flavors of asparagus and the rich sauce, but you can omit if you want.
  • Gruyere cheese: Nutty and rich, gruyere is a wonderful cheese for this dish, but you could also use more Parmesan or a white Cheddar.
  • Asparagus: You'll need 2 bunches, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces.
Southern Living Asparagus Casserole ingredients

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

How To Make Asparagus Casserole

With just 20 minutes of active cook time, asparagus casserole will be a favorite when you need a fantastic side but don't have a lot of time to dedicate to cooking. Here's a brief outline of the process:

  • Step 1. Ready the topping: Stir together the panko breadcrumbs, butter, and Parmesan cheese. Set aside until ready to use.
  • Step 2. Make sauce: In a large skillet, sauté garlic and shallot until softened. Sprinkle flour over the onions and garlic, and stir to cook the flour. Whisk in the milk, and stir constantly to keep the mixture smooth, without clumps. Continue to cook until bubbly, and remove from the heat. Finally, add the salt, pepper, and cheese, and stir to fully melt the cheese.
  • Step 3. Add asparagus: Stir the chopped and trimmed asparagus into the sauce. Make sure the spears are well coated. Add the asparagus mixture to an 11- x 7-inch baking dish that's coated with cooking spray.
  • Step 4. Bake: Move the baking dish to an oven preheated to 400°F, and bake until the topping is browned and the asparagus is tender. It’s important to let the casserole stand a few minutes before scooping in; if you dig in too soon, the sauce will be too runny.

How Long To Cook Asparagus Casserole in the Oven

This asparagus casserole needs to cook for about 25 to 30 minutes. Medium-thick spears take a little longer than pencil-thin spears to turn tender. If you end up with thicker or thinner asparagus, you may need to adjust cooking time. You'll know the asparagus is ready when it's easily pierced with a knife.

What's the Best Asparagus for Asparagus Casserole?

We prefer medium-thick asparagus for this casserole. Thick spears can be woody and difficult to chew, while very thin spears may overcook and become limp. With the medium-thick spears, you get a nice tender finish after baking that still retains some crispness.

What Goes With Asparagus Casserole?

Asparagus casserole is a fantastic side for any number of dishes, whether you're serving with Easter recipes or holiday mains. We love this casserole especially with Honey-Glazed Ham and Slow-Cooker Salisbury Steak.

For weekday dinners, this casserole would be great with Spatchcock Chicken, Chicken Cordon Bleu, or Crispy Breaded Chicken Breasts. Equally great sides to serve with this casserole include Cheesy Broccoli-and-Riche Casserole, Home-Style Butterbeans, or Twice-Baked Potato Casserole.

How To Store Asparagus Casserole

Wrap leftover asparagus casserole with storage wrap to make the dish airtight, or scoop leftovers into a food storage dish with airtight lid. Store in the fridge up to 4 days, and reheat in a 350°F oven until warmed through. You can also gently reheat in the microwave on half power.

Ingredients

  • Cooking spray

  • 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs

  • 5 Tbsp. salted butter

  • 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese

  • 2 garlic cloves, minced

  • 1 medium shallot, chopped

  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour

  • 2 1/4 cups whole milk

  • 1 tsp. kosher salt

  • 1/8 tsp. ground red pepper

  • 4 oz. Gruyere cheese, shredded

  • 2 1/4 lb. medium-thick asparagus (2 bunches), trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces (1 lb. 5 oz. trimmed)

Directions

  1. Prepare oven and baking dish:

    Preheat oven to 400°F. Coat an 11 x 7–inch baking dish with cooking spray.

    Southern Living Asparagus Casserole preparing the casserole dish

    Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

  2. Make breadcrumb topping:

    Place panko in a medium bowl. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Scoop out 2 tablespoons butter into panko bowl and toss to coat; stir in Parmesan.

    Southern Living Asparagus Casserole preparing the breadcrumb mixture

    Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

  3. Make sauce:

    Add garlic and shallot to butter in pan; cook until softened, about 3 minutes.

    Southern Living Asparagus Casserole cooking the shallot and garlic

    Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

    Sprinkle flour over garlic mixture; cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Gradually add milk, stirring constantly until smooth. Cook until bubbly and thickened, stirring constantly, about 5 minutes.

    Southern Living Asparagus Casserole adding the milk to the sauce

    Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

    Remove pan from heat; add salt, pepper, and Gruyere, stirring until Gruyere melts.

    Southern Living Asparagus Casserole adding the cheese to the sauce

    Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

    Stir in asparagus.

    Southern Living Asparagus Casserole stirring the asparagus into the sauce mixture

    Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

  4. Add asparagus mixture to dish:

    Spoon asparagus mixture into prepared baking dish.

    Southern Living Asparagus Casserole in the dish before baking

    Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

    Sprinkle evenly with panko mixture.

    Southern Living Asparagus Casserole in the dish before baking

    Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

  5. Bake casserole:

    Bake at 400°F until topping is browned and asparagus is crisp-tender when pierced with a knife, 25 to 30 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

    Southern Living Asparagus Casserole in the dish after baking ready to serve

    Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

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