Ingredients
- 500 g fresh asparagus (trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces)
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1½ cups milk
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 small onion (finely chopped)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- Salt and black pepper (to taste)
- ½ tsp paprika (optional)
- ½ cup breadcrumbs (for topping)
- 1 tbsp olive oil or melted butter (for topping)
👩🍳 Instructions
- Preheat oven
Set your oven to 180°C (350°F). Grease a baking dish. - Cook the asparagus
Bring water to a boil and blanch the asparagus for 3–4 minutes until just tender. Drain and set aside. - Make the cheese sauce
- Melt butter in a pan over medium heat.
- Add chopped onion and cook until soft.
- Stir in garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
- Add flour and stir for 1 minute to form a roux.
- Slowly whisk in milk, stirring constantly until thickened.
- Add cheese & seasoning
Stir in cheddar and Parmesan until melted. Season with salt, pepper, and paprika. - Assemble the casserole
- Place asparagus in the baking dish.
- Pour the cheese sauce over it and mix gently.
- Add topping
Mix breadcrumbs with olive oil or melted butter and sprinkle on top. - Bake
Bake for 20–25 minutes until bubbly and golden on top.
✨ Tips
- Add cooked chicken or mushrooms to make it more filling.
- Swap cheddar for mozzarella or Gruyère for a different flavor.
- For extra crunch, mix chopped nuts into the topping.