Cheesy Asparagus Casserole

Cheesy Asparagus Casserole is the perfect dish for brunch or dinner! Tender green asparagus is topped with a creamy cream cheese sauce and oven-baked to perfection. This simple side dish will be the star of your Easter or Thanksgiving table.

Do you love asparagus? Also, try my Garlic Parmesan Roasted Asparagus, Asparagus Salad, and Grilled Asparagus in Foil.

Cheesy Asparagus Casserole

Cheesy Asparagus Casserole is one of the most memorable and delicious dishes I've made in a while.  This simple dish lets fresh spring asparagus shine under a bed of alfredo-like creamy cheese sauce that's made with cream cheese and mozzarella. The cheese sauce is then topped with panko bread crumbs, parmesan, and a nice sprinkle of Italian Spice Mix.  Simple ingredients are the star of the show here... with nothing too fussy.  The result is a casserole that not only looks gorgeous but also tastes like a dream.

Sure, you could just make oven-roasted asparagus, but why not elevate it a bit for your holiday (Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas) table?  Plus, this dish looks fancy, but it's surprisingly simple to make, AND you could actually pull this off for a weekday dinner too... if you were feeling fancy.  For the holidays, serve it with ham and Sweet Potato Casserole.  For a weekday dinner, serve it with Pistachio Crusted Salmon and Roasted Potatoes.  You could even make this as part of a festive brunch with a Cottage Cheese Egg Bake and Honey Lime Fruit Salad.

This dish is also low-carb, gluten-free, vegetarian, and keto!  This is a great way to eat your veggies.

Why You'll Love This Cheesy Asparagus Casserole...

• This Cheesy Asparagus Casserole looks fancy, but you can make it in less than 30 minutes.
• It's easy enough for a weekday dinner but will easily impress at the holiday table.
• Could be served at a brunch or dinner dish!
• Asparagus is naturally low in calories and high in vitamins like vitamin C, vitamin A, and vitamin K.  It's also full of folate!
• Is a great way to get folks who may not like asparagus to enjoy it... Hello CHEESY sauce!
• It goes great with so many other dishes.

How to select asparagus?

Wondering how to select asparagus for this Asparagus Casserole?  Look for stalks that are plump and firm with the ends closed.  The best ones will also be bright green and not faded.  Stalks should not be limp or wilted.

Asparagus is best in season in the spring, but can usually be found in grocery stores year-round.

Is asparagus better thick or thin?

If you are out shopping for this Cheesy Asparagus Casserole recipe and wondering whether thick or thin asparagus is better, the answer is both! Thin asparagus is more visually appealing for recipes like this, but thick asparagus is actually more tender.  The fibers in thin stalks are more tightly packed, making them a bit tougher.

This recipe can be made with both thick and thin asparagus, so feel free to get whichever type you like more, or whatever the grocery store happens to have in stock.

Ingredients:

Here's an overview of what you'll need to make this Cheesy Asparagus Casserole recipe, but keep scrolling for the full recipe amounts.

• Asparagus: Fresh asparagus spears are the stars of this Cheesy Asparagus Casserole.  You'll need one pound of those delicious green spears.  I would not try to use canned or frozen asparagus for this.
• Onion: I like to add a bit of sweet or yellow onion to my casserole to boost the flavor.  Be sure to dice it up small so the flavor and texture don't overwhelm the casserole.  You can also use shallots.
• Cream Cheese: I use some cream cheese, melted into milk, as the base for the simple, no-fail cheese sauce.  You can use reduced or low-fat depending on your dietary preferences.  The cream cheese allows the cheese sauce to combine without messing with butter and flour.
• Parmesan Cheese: Grated Parmesan adds rich flavor to my cheese sauce.  Use more of it in the cheese sauce, but set aside a small amount to sprinkle on top.
• Mozzarella Cheese: Mozzarella Cheese rounds out this three-cheese sauce.  It's creamy and delicious.  Once again, use reduced or full-fat depending on your preference.
• Milk: Use whichever type of milk you have on hand - whole or even 2%.  I melt the cream cheese into the warm milk to create this simple cheese sauce.
• Italian Seasoning: I like to add a blend of basil, oregano, and thyme to this dish.  Use store-bought or make your own Homemade Italian Spice Mix with my recipe.
• Panko Breadcrumbs: Panko adds some extra color and texture to the top of this dish.
• Salt & Black Pepper

Instructions:

This is an overview of the instructions for making this Cheesy Asparagus Casserole; the full, detailed, printable recipe is below in the recipe card.

1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees and spray a square baking dish with cooking spray.
2. Trim the woody ends off the asparagus and line the spears up in a casserole dish.  I like using this one for this recipe. You can find the best place to trim the asparagus by bending it at that end.  It should snap at the point where the woody part ends.  That should guide you on where to trim the rest of the asparagus.
3. Sprinkle the diced onion over the top.  Sprinkle the asparagus and onion with salt and pepper.
4.  Now it's time to make the cheese sauce.  In a large saucepan or skillet over medium heat, add the milk and heat until warm. Add the cream cheese and allow it to melt into the milk.
5. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the mozzarella and all but ½ tablespoon of the parmesan. Season with half of the Italian Seasoning, salt, and pepper to taste.
6. Pour the cheese mixture sauce over the asparagus.
7. Sprinkle the panko, the remaining parmesan, and the remaining Italian seasoning on top.
8. Bake for 10-15 minutes until the asparagus is tender and the cheese is browned.  If you want a more browned top, put the broiler on for the last minute of cooking.  Just be sure to watch your dish, as it can burn quickly.  You should have tender asparagus when it's done, not soggy.  You should get the perfect tenderness in 10-15 minutes.
9. Serve immediately for melty cheese!

Cheesy Asparagus Casserole Variations

I love this Cheesy Asparagus Casserole recipe as written, but here are some fun ways to mix it up.

• Mix Up the Spices: You could use Herbs de Provence, Everything Bagel Seasoning, or just one spice like basil or rosemary.  Fresh basil would also be delicious on top!
• Add Garlic: You can either add garlic powder or minced garlic cloves to the cheese sauce.
• Mix Up the Cheese: You can make this with cheddar cheese, Colby Jack, or any cheese blend you have on hand.  Smoked Gouda would be DREAMY!
• Make it Keto and Low Carb: Leave off the panko breadcrumbs and use more parmesan.
• Double It: For a crowd, make this in a larger rectangle 9x13 casserole dish and simply double the entire recipe, starting with two pounds of asparagus.

FAQ

Storage & Leftovers

Store any leftovers of the easy asparagus casserole recipe in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.  Reheat in the microwave.

Can you make this ahead?

Yes, you can, although I think my Cheese Asparagus Casserole tastes best made fresh.  If you want to make it ahead, make it until the point you pour the cheese sauce over the asparagus.  Store in the fridge, and when you are ready to enjoy, put it in the oven at 425 for 10-15 minutes or until the asparagus is tender.

Can you freeze this asparagus casserole?

Due to the nature of the cheese sauce, this would not do well in the freezer.

What are some common mistakes when making asparagus casserole?

This Cheesy Asparagus Casserole recipe is pretty foolproof. A few mistakes you can make include overheating the cheese sauce, which can cause it to burn and separate.  You could also overbake the asparagus, making it soggy.  Asparagus cooks quickly; it should be fork-tender, not soggy, in 10-15 minutes.  Also, make sure you put it in a preheated oven so that the asparagus doesn't cook unevenly.

Cheesy Asparagus Casserole is the Perfect Holiday Side Dish!

This Cheesy Asparagus Casserole is perfect for a holiday meal like Easter, Christmas, or Thanksgiving!  I love how it comes together easily and how guests rave about the delicious taste and creamy sauce.  It will be our little secret that it's actually easy to make.  Make it for dinner or take it to a potluck!  Try it with some of these dishes below to make a complete meal.

Serve it with:

• Easy Baked Salmon with Rosemary
• Crock Pot Mashed Potatoes
• Everything Bagel Deviled Eggs
• Herb and Garlic Roasted Baby Red Potatoes
• The Best Sweet Potato Casserole
• Sheet Pan Frittata with Spring Vegetables
• Portobello Mushroom Steak
• Spinach and Four Cheese Stuffed Mushroom

More Healthy Asparagus Recipes:

• Grilled Asparagus in Foil
• Garlic Parmesan Oven Roasted Asparagus
• Rosemary Lemon Asparagus
• Chilled Asparagus Salad with Feta
• Asparagus and Tomato Salad with Feta
• Asparagus Pasta with Tomato and Pine Nuts
• Easy Pesto Tortellini Salad with Asparagus

If you make this Cheesy Asparagus Casserole recipe, I’d love to hear what you think! Leave a comment and a star rating ★ below. Make sure to follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook, too!

Cheesy Asparagus Casserole recipe

Julie Wunder

Cheesy Asparagus Casserole is the perfect dish for brunch or dinner! Tender green asparagus is topped with a creamy cream cheese sauce and oven baked to perfection. This simple side dish will be the star of your Easter or Thanksgiving table.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Course Brunch, Dinner, Lunch

Cuisine American

Servings 4

Calories 247 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 1 pound asparagus, ends trimmed
• ½ cup onion, diced
• 4 ounces cream cheese
• ½ cup grated parmesan, divided
• ¼ cup mozzarella
• 1 cup milk
• 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning, divided
• 2 tablespoons panko breadcrumbs
• salt and pepper

Instructions

 

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees and spray a square baking dish with cooking spray.
• Trim the woody ends off the asparagus and line the spears up in a casserole dish. Sprinkle the diced onion over the top. Sprinkle the asparagus and onion with salt and pepper.
  
• In a large saucepan over medium heat, add the milk and heat until warm. Add the cream cheese and allow it to melt into the milk.
  
• Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the mozzarella and all but ½ tablespoon of the parmesan. Season with half of the Italian Seasoning and salt and pepper to taste.
• Pour the cheese sauce over the asparagus. Sprinkle the panko, the rest of the parmesan and the rest of the Italian seasoning on top.
  
• Bake for 10-15 minutes until the asparagus is tender and the cheese is browned.
• Serve immediately for melty cheese!

Notes

If you want more of a browned cheese, you can put the broiler on for a few minutes at the end of cooking.  Just watch it carefully to prevent it from burning.

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. 

Nutrition

Calories: 247kcalCarbohydrates: 17gProtein: 13gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 47mgSodium: 417mgPotassium: 449mgFiber: 3gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 1536IUVitamin C: 8mgCalcium: 311mgIron: 3mg

Keyword Asparagus Casserole, Cheesy Asparagus Casserole

Tried this recipe?Mention @Julie_Wunder or tag #RunninginaSkirt!

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