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Photo: Jason Donnelly
Prep Time:30 minsTotal Time:45 minsServings:10Yield:1 casseroleJump to Nutrition Facts
Prep Time:30 minsTotal Time:45 minsServings:10Yield:1 casserole
Prep Time:30 mins
Prep Time:
30 mins
Total Time:45 mins
Total Time:
45 mins
Servings:10
Servings:
10
Yield:1 casserole
Yield:
1 casserole
Jump to Nutrition Facts
Jump to recipe
Asparagus Casseroleis a delicious creamy, cheesy side dish that has comfort vibes all over it. Fiber-rich asparagus is gently blanched to maintain its gorgeous vibrant green color and is covered in a rich and velvety sauce with a slight tang from the cream cheese. This casserole is topped with a crunchy whole-wheat panko that is perfectly toasted. Keep reading for our expert tips, including how to blanch your asparagus, upping the protein amount and easy ingredient substitutions.
Tips from the EatingWell Test Kitchen
These are the key tips we learned while developing and testing this recipe in our Test Kitchen to make sure it works, tastes great and is good for you too!
Nutrition Notes
Cook Mode(Keep screen awake)Ingredients3tablespoonsunsalted butter, divided½cuppanko breadcrumbs, preferably whole-wheat3poundsasparagus, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces1tablespoonfinely chopped garlic2tablespoonsall-purpose flour2cupswhole milk5ouncescream cheese½cupshredded part-skim mozzarella cheese1teaspoonsalt
Cook Mode(Keep screen awake)
Ingredients
3tablespoonsunsalted butter, divided
½cuppanko breadcrumbs, preferably whole-wheat
3poundsasparagus, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
1tablespoonfinely chopped garlic
2tablespoonsall-purpose flour
2cupswhole milk
5ouncescream cheese
½cupshredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
1teaspoonsalt
Directions
Preheat oven to 450°F. Put a large pot of water on to boil. Set a large bowl of ice water near the stove.
Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a small bowl in the microwave, about 30 seconds. Stir in 1/2 cup panko; set aside.
Heat the pot over medium-high heat. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons butter and stir until melted. Add 1 tablespoon garlic and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add 2 tablespoons flour and cook, stirring, for 30 seconds. Gradually whisk in 2 cups milk. Bring to a boil, whisking constantly. Continue cooking and whisking until the mixture thickens, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in 5 ounces cream cheese, 1/2 cup mozzarella and 1 teaspoon salt. Pour the cheese sauce over the asparagus and stir to coat.
Sprinkle the reserved panko mixture on top. Bake until the asparagus is tender, 12 to 15 minutes.
To make aheadPrepare through Step 4 and refrigerate for up to 2 days. Let stand at room temperature while the oven preheats.
To make ahead
Prepare through Step 4 and refrigerate for up to 2 days. Let stand at room temperature while the oven preheats.
Equipment
Frequently Asked QuestionsWe used fresh asparagus when testing this recipe, but you can use frozen. Frozen vegetables are typically flash-frozen at their peak freshness, so they are fresh. Additionally, when adding the asparagus to the casserole, be sure to dry them with paper towels first. This step helps prevent introducing excess liquid into the casserole.Store leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate them for up to 3 days. They will reheat quickly in the microwave—just give it a minute or more.This casserole is great for freezing and keeping on hand. Just thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before baking it in the oven at 350°F. If you store it in an airtight, freezer-safe container, it will remain good for about 3 months. Don’t forget to label the container with an expiration date.This simple side dish can be prepared for a holiday meal or a weeknight dinner and pairs well with many main dishes, includingHerb-Roasted Turkey,Garlic-Rosemary Roast Beef with Horseradish Sauce,Lamb Chops with Mint Pan Sauce,Roasted Salmon & Tomatoes with Garlic & OlivesandRoast Chicken with Cider Gravy.Asparagus casserole can also be the main course when paired withKale, Quinoa & Apple Salad.
Frequently Asked Questions
We used fresh asparagus when testing this recipe, but you can use frozen. Frozen vegetables are typically flash-frozen at their peak freshness, so they are fresh. Additionally, when adding the asparagus to the casserole, be sure to dry them with paper towels first. This step helps prevent introducing excess liquid into the casserole.
Store leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate them for up to 3 days. They will reheat quickly in the microwave—just give it a minute or more.
This casserole is great for freezing and keeping on hand. Just thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before baking it in the oven at 350°F. If you store it in an airtight, freezer-safe container, it will remain good for about 3 months. Don’t forget to label the container with an expiration date.
This simple side dish can be prepared for a holiday meal or a weeknight dinner and pairs well with many main dishes, includingHerb-Roasted Turkey,Garlic-Rosemary Roast Beef with Horseradish Sauce,Lamb Chops with Mint Pan Sauce,Roasted Salmon & Tomatoes with Garlic & OlivesandRoast Chicken with Cider Gravy.Asparagus casserole can also be the main course when paired withKale, Quinoa & Apple Salad.
This simple side dish can be prepared for a holiday meal or a weeknight dinner and pairs well with many main dishes, includingHerb-Roasted Turkey,Garlic-Rosemary Roast Beef with Horseradish Sauce,Lamb Chops with Mint Pan Sauce,Roasted Salmon & Tomatoes with Garlic & OlivesandRoast Chicken with Cider Gravy.
Asparagus casserole can also be the main course when paired withKale, Quinoa & Apple Salad.
EatingWell.com, January 2020, EatingWell Magazine, April 2021
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Nutrition Facts(per serving)179Calories11gFat13gCarbs7gProtein
Nutrition Facts(per serving)
- Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)
(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.
Linda Frahm
