Cheesy Asparagus Casserole Recipe

This creamy, cheesy asparagus casserole is the best way to use fresh springtime asparagus! You’ll love it as an Easter side dish, but it’s just as good for a Sunday dinner.

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There is one thing I always look forward to in the spring – asparagus season!

Okay, maybe that’s not what spring means to you. But anyone who enjoys asparagus can’t help but get excited when fresh local asparagus starts showing up in the produce section at the grocery store. And if you are lucky enough, it will start popping up in your garden, too!

While asparagus is one of those veggies you can buy year-round, it’s just so much better when it’s fresh from a local farm or from your very own yard. This easy asparagus casserole is a delicious way to use it!

asparagus casserole served in a large casserole dish with a scoop taken out of it.

Easy Asparagus Casserole Recipe

Asparagus casserole is a creamy, cheesy side dish that is sure to please the whole family. (If there’s any way to win over asparagus skeptics, it’s definitely smothering it in creamy sauce and cheese and baking it with crispy panko breadcrumbs on top!). I actually never thought to use asparagus in casserole. Yet, once I did, I was completely hooked! It is a whole new way to enjoy a healthy vegetable.

This asparagus casserole is a delicious dish for any night of the week. However, it’s especially great on a weekend when you’re making a spatchcock chicken or crockpot ham. It’s also versatile enough to serve as a side dish or as a vegetarian entree. As a result, it’s ideal for holiday get-togethers when you’re feeding people with mixed diets. You can also make it ahead of time and keep it in the refrigerator until you’re ready to bake and serve. Casserole with asparagus is simply always a good idea!

Ingredients for Asparagus Casserole

See recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions.

Fresh asparagus – Whether you prefer thin asparagus or thick asparagus, look for stalks that are plump and firm with tightly closed tips.
Unsalted butter
Minced garlic
Onion – Yellow or white is best for this recipe.
All-purpose flour
Kosher salt
Black pepper
White pepper – White peppercorns are picked when fully ripe and then fermented. This gives them a nuanced flavor that just can’t be replaced with black pepper.
Whole milk – Whole milk will give you a rich, creamy sauce.
Shredded Swiss cheese – Gruyère can be used for a more assertive flavor.
Panko bread crumbs
Nonstick cooking spray

Variations

Swap the chopped onion for shallots.
Add sautéed sliced mushrooms to the asparagus casserole for even more vegetable goodness.
Stir crumbled cooked bacon into the sauce to make a bacon asparagus casserole.
Crumble Ritz crackers over the top instead of using panko. You can also use Italian seasoned breadcrumbs in place of panko breadcrumbs.
Use gluten-free bread crumbs in place of Panko. Panko actually makes a fantastic gluten-free version that you can also use.
Or, top your asparagus casserole with French-fried onions!

How to Make Asparagus Casserole

Prepare: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil on the stove. Wash the asparagus, snap off the tough ends, and cut them into 2-inch pieces. Preheat an oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit, and coat a 9×13 inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
Blanch the asparagus: Add the asparagus to the pot of boiling water, and blanch for 1 minute. Transfer the veggies to an ice bath to stop the cooking process, and drain the water.
Cook the aromatics: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt the butter. Add the garlic and onion, and cook for 6 to 8 minutes, or until translucent.
Make the sauce: Sprinkle the flour, salt, and pepper over the onions. Then, stir, and cook for 1 to 2 minutes. Lower the heat to medium, and slowly pour in the milk, whisking continuosly. Continue to cook for 4 to 5 minutes or until the sauce thickens.
Assemble: Remove the skillet from the heat, and fold in the cheese and asparagus. Transfer the mixture to the prepared dish, and sprinkle the panko over the top.
Bake: Bake the asparagus casserole in the preheated oven until the top is golden brown and the sauce starts to bubble up around the edges of the pan. Cool for 5 minutes before serving.

serving of asparagus casserole served in a white round bowl.

Quick Tip

If the asparagus casserole starts to brown too quickly, you can tent the top with aluminum foil. This will allow the casserole to continue to bake while keeping the panko from burning!

How to Store Asparagus Casserole

Store leftover asparagus casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For best results, reheat in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit until warmed through. The microwave works too, but it’s not quite as good that way!

I do not recommend freezing asparagus casserole as the cheesy sauce tends to separate when it is reheated. If you really need to, you can freeze it if you toss everything together well, mixing it up again to make the sauce smooth once more.

Serving Suggestions

Asparagus casserole is great as a side dish with Juicy Broiled Chicken Breast, Honey Baked Ham, or Garlic Butter Steak Bites. If you’re serving it for Easter, pair it with other holiday side dishes like Hard Boiled Eggs, Cauliflower Au Gratin, and Scalloped Potatoes.

FAQs

Can you put asparagus in a casserole?

Yes, you can put asparagus in a casserole! Although asparagus isn’t as common as potatoes or green beans in casseroles, it’s definitely possible to make a casserole with asparagus. It turns out surprisingly delicious!

Can you use canned asparagus instead of fresh?

Yes, you can use canned asparagus instead of fresh. However, the flavor will not be as good, and the texture will not be as crisp. We recommend using fresh asparagus for the best results.

How do you cook asparagus for a casserole?

It’s best to blanch asparagus for a casserole. This means quickly boiling it and then cooling it so it doesn’t become mushy.

Can asparagus casserole be frozen?

I don’t recommend it as the taste and texture will change. However, if needed, you can freeze asparagus casserole. Allow the casserole to cool before transferring it to a freezer-safe container and storing it in the freezer for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw overnight in the refrigerator, and bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit until warmed through.