This cheesy baked asparagus casserole is very simple to make. It's rich and creamy. The perfect vegetable side dish for any special event.

Whenever possible I like to cook with seasonal produce, even though there are many that appear in the grocery store year round. Spring is the perfect time to make an asparagus casserole. A good side dish for Easter, birthdays, and graduation parties.

I'm using fresh asparagus in this dish. It used to be that springtime was the only time you would find asparagus in the store and that's normally when most people would harvest from their garden but these days you can find it throughout the year. However, you could also substitute broccoli or green beans in this recipe.
When purchasing look for thin asparagus spears. Thick asparagus tends to be a little tougher in texture.
This casserole is similar to the spinach casserole, I've made in the past, with a creamy base, cheese, and panko topping. This time, however, I'm using creme fraiche inside of making a cheese sauce with butter, flour, and milk or cream. The creme fraiche is extra rich, but you could substitute sour cream or even yogurt. Personally, I would stick to Greek yogurt and a full-fat sour cream to get a similar taste.
Of course, you could try using canned creamy soups for this recipe. They are quick and easy but I prefer using fresher ingredients for this one if you can.

I used Jarlsberg cheese but any cheese would work. I like the combination of a slightly sharper cheese with a creamy base. Something like mozzarella cheese would, in my opinion, make it too bland. However, Parmesan, Romano, or a nice white cheddar would all be great substitutes and are readily available. This is a great opportunity to experiment with some of the newer cheese options that are showing up in stores more and more.
Finally, I'm a big fan of Panko breadcrumbs but you could substitute regular breadcrumbs, crushed crackers, or dare I say potato chips. I've never tried potato chips as a topping, but know others that use them, and they do seem like an interesting alternative.
A delicious cheesy asparagus casserole that's rich and creamy. What more could you want from a side dish?

More Side Dish Recipes

Cheesy Baked Asparagus Casserole Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 pound fresh asparagus spears
- 1/2 cup onion diced
- 1 large clove of garlic grated
- 7.5 ounces creme fraiche 3/4 c
- 1 cup Jarlsberg cheese grated
- 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
Instructions
- Clean and trim asparagus into 2 inch pieces
- Saute onions and asparagus in olive oil for about 3 minutes.
- Add garlic and continue to stir for another minute on medium heat.
- In a separate bowl combine creme fraiche, Jarlsberg cheese and salt & pepper to taste.
- Add asparagus mixture to the creme and cheese. Mix well
- Transfer to a 8 inch butter casserole baking dish.
- Sprinkle Panko breadcrumbs on top. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 20 minutes.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although attempts have been made to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.
lauren
Ok this looks amazing!
Patti Estep
Thanks Lauren. I hope you get a chance to try it.
Carole West
Yum! This looks tasty -I'm guessing you'll be serving this for Easter dinner? I love asparagus have actually thought about growing my own but the process is so long not sure my attention span could hold on.
Patti Estep
I'm actually serving a mix of roasted veggie on Easter. Would you believe that my husband is not a fan of asparagus. That didn't stop me from eating it. I agree with you on the growing asparagus part. I think it's perennial but I have never grown it.
Denise
That looks delicious! I'm always looking for yummy new side dishes and I love using asparagus this time of year because they are so fresh and tasty.
Patti Estep
Thanks Denise. I agree. This is the best time to make an asparagus dish.