Asparagus Casserole

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.

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.