Asparagus Casserole in a creamy Alfredo sauce topped with crisp cheesy bread crumbs. This asparagus bake is an easy and impressive side dish.
We love roasted asparagus and asparagus recipes in general like our popular baked asparagus with parmesan or this Shrimp Scampi Pasta.
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Asparagus Casserole Recipe:
Spring is in the air which means asparagus is plentiful in grocery stores! Read on to learn how to select the best quality fresh asparagus for this casserole.
This is a holiday worthy asparagus casserole (think Easter!) and comes together quickly. Watch everyone’s eyes light up when they see you pull this beauty out of the oven. This asparagus bake is irresistibly good served with creamy mashed potatoes and beef tenderloin or prime rib.
Is Asparagus Better Thick or Thin?
Thin Asparagus generally come from a younger asparagus crown (root bed). Skinny asparagus cooks faster so it’s a great option for stir frying.
Thick asparagus comes from an older asparagus crown. Since it takes longer to cook, it tends to be better for high heat cooking (broiling and roasting).
Ultimately, size is not important. Both thin and thick asparagus will work in this recipe. They taste the same and are equally sweet and tender. Be sure to adjust the timing as skinny asparagus will bake faster and big asparagus spears will take longer to reach desired tenderness.
How to Select Asparagus:
Size doesn’t matter when it comes to selecting asparagus, but freshness is importance. The signs of freshly pickled asparagus are:
- Tops that are tightly closed (not open or fraying)
- Bottoms that look moist and plump (not too dry or shriveled)
How to Trim Asparagus:
There are several methods for trimming asparagus. You can either peel the ends with a potato peeler or snap off the ends. For two pounds of asparagus, the easiest way (our preferred method), is to snap off the ends. Hold the bottom third of the spear with both hands and bend. It will naturally snap where the fibrous portion ends and the tender part begins.
Is Asparagus Healthy to Eat?
Asparagus is impressively good for you! It is known for its high folic acid, potassium, fiber, thiamine, B Vitamins, Vitamin A, Vitamin C and Vitamin K content. Adding to the list of asparagus health benefits, it also has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.*
How to Make Asparagus Casserole:
- Butter a 9×13 casserole and arrange trimmed asparagus, packing it so the surface is level.
- Make the Sauce: melt 3 Tbsp butter in a saucepan and add 2 1/2 Tbsp flour, whisking until golden. Add 2 cups half and half, 2 tsp garlic salt and 1/4 tsp pepper and whisk until starting to thicken. Remove from heat and stir in 1/2 cup parmesan.
- Pour sauce over casserole and bake at 400˚F for 15-18 min.
- Meanwhile, make the topping: stir together 1 Tbsp melted butter with 1/2 cup bread crumbs then stir in 1/2 cup parmesan. Halfway through baking, sprinkle on the topping.
- Broil 2-3 minutes at the end until topping is crisp and golden.
Our Best Asparagus Recipes:
- One Pan Salmon and Asparagus – easy, excellent dinner!
- Chicken Pesto Pasta – made perfect with asparagus
- Chicken Madeira with Asparagus – Cheesecake Factory copycat
- Sausage Asparagus Quiche – great for breakfast or brunch
Watch Natasha Make this Asparagus Casserole:
This really is such an easy recipe! I hope this asparagus casserole becomes a new favorite for you.
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Asparagus Casserole

Ingredients
- 2 lbs asparagus, trimmed
- 4 Tbsp unsalted butter, divided, plus more to grease casserole
- 2 1/2 Tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 cups half and half, (or equal parts milk and heavy cream)
- 2 tsp garlic salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 cup parmesan cheese, divided
- 1/2 cup Panko bread crumbs
Instructions
- Preheat Oven to 400˚F with the rack in the center. Butter a 9x13 casserole dish. Arrange trimmed asparagus in prepared casserole dish, packing it down for a fairly flat and even surface.
- Place a saucepan over medium heat. Melt in 3 Tbsp butter then add 2 1/2 Tbsp flour and whisk constantly for 3 minutes or until butter just starts to turn golden in color. Whisk in 2 cups half and half, 2 tsp garlic salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Whisk until sauce just starts to thicken then remove from heat. Sprinkle in 1/2 cup parmesan and whisk until cheese is melted and incorporated.
- Pour sauce evenly over the asparagus, leaving about 1" space on the long sides of the casserole dish. Bake uncovered at 400˚F for 15-18 minutes (depending on thickness of asparagus), or until asparagus reaches desired tenderness.
- While the casserole is baking, make the topping: in a small mixing bowl, melt 1 Tbsp butter. Mix in 1/2 cup bread crumbs, stirring until evenly moistened, then stir in 1/2 cup remaining parmesan cheese. Halfway through baking, sprinkle the bread crumb topping evenly over the casserole then return it to the oven to finish baking.
- When asparagus has reached desired doneness, set oven to broil for 2-3 minutes or until bread crumbs are golden brown. Remove from oven and serve.
Nutrition Per Serving
Filed Under
If you make this recipe, I’d love to see pics of your creations on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter! Hashtag them #natashaskitchen
*Asparagus Nutrition and health benefits sourced from draxe.com
I have ordered the white staub casserole dish twice now from Amazon according to your post. Both times it came shattered in pieces. Any other ideas where I can get it?
Hi Cindy, that is such a bummer – I wonder if it’s being shipped directly from Staub or another supplier who isn’t packaging it well.
I made this alfredo sauce last night for dinner and it was the BEST alfredo sauce I have ever had – better than any restaurant. And super easy to make. It was my 1st time making a rue. You are amazing Natasha!!! Thank you!
Hello Johanna, that is so heartwarming. Thank you so much for your nice words and good feedback!
Hi. Could I possibly remake the sauce ahead of time and then add it to asparagus before baking?
Hi Inessa, I haven’t tried it that way but the sauce might get a little thick. You might warm up the sauce so it pours over the asparagus easier before putting it into the oven.
Hi Natasha! I love watching all your videos on Facebook and learning your quick and easy cooking techniques. Can you tell me the brand of this 9×13 casserole dish? It’s not the Staub one listed on your Amazon link. The handles are different, which is what I love about this one. It has arched and wide handles.
Hi, the white casserole dish that I have photographed above is only available at Fred Meyer as far as I have found. I am not able to find it online to link to it.
Just love your receipes and the white casserole dish with handles Can you provide the Fred Meyer website as I can find it. Thank you..
Hi Gladys, I haven’t been able to locate it online on their site. It was only in-store. I have a similar one in our Amazon shop.
This is the best asparagus I have ever eaten! Didn’t change a thing. I will be using this recipe for the holidays.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Can we use regular bread crumbs if we don’t have Panko?
Hi Tristan, we love this with panko crumbs but have not tried it with regular bread crumbs to advise.
Can you use Brussel sprouts instead of asparagus in this recipe?
Hi Patricia, I haven’t tried that yet to advise. If you do an experiment, please share it with us if you liked it with Brussel sprouts!
I use this on cauliflower but I steam my cauliflower first until slightly then do the same thing
I am thinking of making this for Christmas dinner, but will travel. Would this hold up well if I put it together- not cooking it- then put it in my daughter’s oven later on?
Love your videos and recipes btw.
Hi Priscilla, I haven’t tested this ahead of time, but I would probably keep the asparagus and sauce separate until ready to combine and bake. You might need to rewarm the sauce a little bit or it may get a little too thick in the fridge.
Great recipe !! We made it keto-friendly by subbing pork rinds for the panko and almond flour instead of regular flour. Should get it under 5 carbs per serving.
That’s just awesome! Thank you so much for sharing that with me! I love that you made this keto-friendly!
Absolutely delicious Natasha! I so appreciate you.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Does almond flour thicken sauces? Just wondering because I use it more like breading for chicken and fish. My first thought would be to skip the alond flour as a thickener and just use heavy cream instead of whole milk and adjust the cheese. Ymmv.
Hi Susan, almond flour can be used as a thickener, so just add a small amount at a time.
add sausage and mushrooms to the casserole boy what a meal and good for breakfast with eggs
That sounds delicious! Thanks for sharing that with us.
Made this for Father’s Day dinner. I took it to my sister’s house, refrigerated it and baked it later that day after it came back to room temperature. I saved out the crumb topping to add half way thru the baking. It was pretty on the buffet table, super yummy and everyone asked for the recipe. Thank you!
You’re welcome! I’m so glad you enjoyed this recipe Dawne!
I loved this recipe as did everyone who ate it! Enjoy your presentation and wit in your videos. Looking forward to making more of your delicious recipes.
That is so great! I am so glad that everyone loved this recipe.
The texture of the sauce was creamy, the topping crunchy, and an appealing presentation. I did not like the garlic flavor however, and even reduced the garlic salt to 1/2 tsp. I would prefer a lemon and subtle nutmeg flavor in the sauce. Can you recommend an amount and method of adding lemon and nutmeg to the sauce to substitute for the garlic salt. Thank you!
Thank you for sharing your review. I haven’t tried with nutmeg but that sounds great.
This looks amazing, I’m going to be making it this weekend for a family dinner and I have no doubt that all will love it.
Thank you for taking the time to do the videos and bring us wonderfully tasty recipes. We do appreciate it.
You’re welcome, Laurie! I hope you love this recipe! We look forward to your feedback!
Wow this was amazing! We dont do a lot of asparagus and omg! My family couldn’t get enough! Thanks for this delicious recipe
That’s just awesome!! Thank you for sharing your wonderful review, Mariana!
WOW! This was amazing alongside your chicken fritters. The panko breadcrumbs make it extra delicious! We will be making this again.
What a great review Sarah. I am so glad that you loved my recipes!
Looks and sounds Fabulous!!
I would love to make this for Christmas, but wondering how it would do reheating. We have over an hour drive and whatever I take I will need to reheated.
Merry Christmas!!
Hi Beverly, we have enjoyed this fresh only and haven’t tested reheating that. If you experiment, let me know how you liked the recipe
Looks like it cooks in about 20 minutes. Maybe you can cook it in oven when you arrive
I loved the asparagus casserole. Easy and tasty. Served it at Thanksgiving day dinner.
I’m so glad to hear that! Thank you for sharing that with me. I hope you had an amazing Thanksgiving!
Can you cut up the asparagus into smaller pieces instead of the whole strand? I figured it might be good for thanksgiving so everyone can take a little bit if they want to try it.
Hi Chris, I think that would still work great.
Hi can I use just whole milk. Thank you.
Hi Tracey, I haven’t tried with only whole milk so I can’t say for sure, but I suspect you will have best results with something that has a little more fat (half and half or equal parts heavy cream and milk)
I made this last night! It was good, but I should’ve used the ‘garlic salt’ as listed instead of powdered garlic. I was trying to avoid too much salt as I am more of a ‘pepper’ person. However, it really does need the little bit of salt to it. I will definitely be making this again!
Yes! We love it with the garlic salt. Thank you for sharing that with us, Diana!
Natasha thanks for another great recipe will make this more often. Wishing you and your family a Happy holiday season
I’m so happy you enjoyed this recipe Linda!!