If you're looking for a fresh, flavorful, and cheesy side dish that's perfect for spring, this Asparagus Gratin is exactly what you need. This easy and elegant asparagus gratin combines tender blanched asparagus with a rich, garlicky béchamel sauce, topped with Parmesan cheese, is a perfect for spring dinner.
Asparagus Gratin is a classic French-inspired baked dish that layers blanched asparagus in a rich white sauce, usually made with butter, garlic, milk, and flour (a béchamel). It's then topped with shredded cheese—like mozzarella, Parmesan, or Gruyère. The result? A bubbling, cheesy, golden-brown casserole that's packed with flavor.
This vegetable gratin is both comforting and seasonal—making it an ideal spring side dish or vegetarian casserole for gatherings and special occasions.
Why You’ll Love This Asparagus Gratin
- ✅ Quick and easy – Ready in just 30 minutes
- ✅ Crowd-pleaser – Perfect for potlucks, holidays, or dinner parties
- ✅ Vegetarian-friendly – No meat, but packed with protein and flavor
- ✅ Customizable – Add mushrooms, switch cheeses, or make it gluten-free
Ingredients You'll Need
Fresh asparagus – Trimmed and blanched. Look for tender fresh green asparagus.
Butter – For the sauce base
Garlic – Grated or finely minced for flavor
Flour – To create a roux and thicken the sauce
Chicken or Veg Bouillon powder - to enhance the taste of the sauce.
Milk – Whole milk works best for a creamy texture
Nutmeg – Adds warmth and depth to the béchamel
Parmesan cheese – For gooey, cheesy goodness
Salt & black pepper – To season the dish
How to Make Asparagus Gratin – Step-by-Step
1. Blanch the Asparagus
Bring a pot of water to a boil. Blanch trimmed asparagus for 1 minute, then transfer to ice water to stop the cooking. Drain and set aside.
2. Make the Béchamel Sauce
In a saucepan, melt butter and sauté grated garlic. Stir in flour and cook for a minute, stir in the Chicken or Veg Bouillon powder then slowly whisk in milk. Simmer until the sauce thickens. Add nutmeg and season with salt and pepper. Simmer until the sauce thickens.
4. Assemble the Gratin
Place half of the sauce on the greased baking dish, top it with the blanched asparagus. Pour the remaining sauce over it. Sprinkle the Parmesan cheese in top.
5. Bake Until Golden
Bake in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for 20 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbly.
Serving Suggestions
This creamy asparagus casserole pairs wonderfully with:
- Roasted chicken or baked salmon
- Garlic bread or dinner rolls
- Spring salads with lemon vinaigrette
- Quinoa, couscous, or rice pilaf
Tips for the Best Baked Asparagus Gratin
- Use fresh, firm asparagus for the best texture.
- Don't overcook the béchamel – it should coat the back of a spoon, but not be too thick.
- For extra flavor, sprinkle in fresh herbs like thyme, parsley, or chives.
- Swap mozzarella with Gruyère, Swiss, or aged cheddar for a richer taste.
- Make it ahead – prep the dish and refrigerate, then bake when ready to serve.
This easy asparagus gratin is a delicious way to enjoy spring’s freshest produce. Whether you're serving it for Easter brunch, a Mother’s Day lunch, or as a weeknight treat, this cheesy baked asparagus dish will become a new favorite.
Try it once, and it just might steal the spotlight from the main course!
Have you tried these dishes:
Asparagus Gratin
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400F/200C.
- Prepare a baking dish by lightly greasing it with butter.
- Bring a big pot of water to boil. Trim the ends of the asparagus and drop it into the pan. Cook for 1 minute and then drain the asparagus. Line the tender asparagus on the prepared baking dish.
- For the béchamel sauce, place a sauce pan on medium heat and drop the butter. Once the butter starts to melt, add grated garlic and stir. Add the all-purpose flour and whisk for a minute. Add the bouillon powder and stir. Then, pour milk and add nutmeg. Keep whisking continuously for 3 minutes, or until the sauce turns thick and coats the spoon when dipped in the sauce.
- To the greased baking tray, pour half of the sauce, layer the asparagus and pour the rest of the sauce. Then add the cheese
- Bake for 20 minutes or until its bubbling and turns mildly brown on top.
- Serve hot with your choice of bread or salad on the side.
Meg | Meg is Well
I've never had asparagus in a gratin like this before! My favorite way to eat them is grilled or oven roasted with olive oil and salt and pepper. But this looks REALLY good and I'm always interested in having more asparagus!
Aparna Somani
Love live live asparagus. And with hollandaise it becomes my go - to for extreme comfort. ?
Anindya Sundar Basu
I liked that part where you say that - neither did I grow up eating asparaghus nor my mom made gratin everyday
angiesrecipes
my favourite spring veggie! The gratin looks so tempting.