Asparagus is baked in a dreamy and rich gruyere, and cream cheese sauce. The sauce has a touch of Dijon mustard elevating the flavor of the gruyere cheese
1 1/2 lbs Asparagus, freshtrimmed, washed, dried and cut into 2 inch pieces
1clovegarlicminced
1tbspflour
1 1/4cupmilk, whole
1/2 cupGruyère cheeseshredded
2 1/2ozcream cheeseblock style
1tspDijonmustard
1/2tsppaprikasweet
1/2tspsaltKosher
1/4tspblack pepper
Prevent your screen from going dark
Instructions
Preheat oven to 450°F.
In a small bowl, add 2 tbsp of melted butter and add panko breadcrumbs. Toss well so they are completely covered in butter. Set aside.
Blanching (optional)
In a medium sized pot, bring 3 quarts of water to boil.
Prepare a medium sized bowl with water and ice. This ice water bath will stop asparagus from cooking once they have been blanched.
Add fresh asparagus pieces to boiling water and allow to boil for about 1 minute. With a slotted spoon, remove asparagus pieces and place in ice water bath. Allow to fully cool, about 2 minutes.
Assembling the Asparagus with cheese sauce
Once completely cool, drain asparagus pieces and place them 3qt baking dish. *If you didn't blanch asparagus, just proceed in placing asparagus in baking dish and follow the recipe.
Now for the cheese sauce. In the same pot you used for the asparagus, melt 1 tbsp of butter. Add minced garlic. Stir for 1 minute. Add flour, stir for 30 seconds. Whisk milk gradually into flour mixture and it comes to a boil.
Continue to whisk for about 5 minutes until thickened. Add Gruyère cheese, cream cheese, Dijon mustard, paprika, salt, pepper. Whisk until fully combined and melted. Remove from heat immediately.
Pour on top of asapargus evenly. Toss if needed to ensure the asparagus is coated with the cheese sauce. Sprinkle with buttered Panko breadcrumbs.
Bake for about 15 minutes. Until bubbly and Panko bread crumbs are golden brown.
Remove from oven and serve. This side dish is best served hot.
Notes
Nutrition
Serving: 1cupCalories: 220kcal
Nutritional information is calculated online and should be used as a guide.
Keyword Asparagus casserole, asparagus with cheese sauce, baked asparagus, Easter recipes, Thanksgiving, Vegetable side dish