Lemon Asparagus Casserole

Brighten up your dinner table with this irresistible Lemon Asparagus Casserole, a creamy, zesty, and utterly comforting dish that's perfect for any occasion. Crisp-tender asparagus is coated in a luscious Parmesan-infused lemon cream sauce and topped with a golden, crunchy breadcrumb crust for added texture and flavor. This easy-to-make baked casserole comes together in under 40 minutes, combining fresh, vibrant ingredients like lemon zest and juice to elevate the natural flavors of the asparagus. Whether served as a holiday side dish or a weeknight vegetarian main, this recipe adds a burst of sunshine to your meal with its perfect balance of tangy, cheesy, and savory notes.

Nutriscore Rating: 64/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 pound asparagus
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 cups milk
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 0.25 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 cup breadcrumbs
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish and set it aside.

Step 2

Wash the asparagus, trim the woody ends, and cut the spears into 2-inch pieces.

Step 3

Bring a large pot of water to a boil, and blanch the asparagus for 2-3 minutes until crisp-tender. Drain and immediately transfer to an ice bath to stop the cooking process. Drain and set aside.

Step 4

In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes until the mixture is lightly golden.

Step 5

Gradually whisk in the milk, ensuring no lumps remain. Cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens.

Step 6

Stir in the Parmesan cheese, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. Mix until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth. Remove from heat.

Step 7

Spread the blanched asparagus evenly in the prepared baking dish. Pour the cheese sauce over the asparagus, ensuring it is evenly coated.

Step 8

In a small bowl, mix the breadcrumbs with olive oil until evenly coated. Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture over the top of the casserole.

Step 9

Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden and the casserole is bubbly.

Step 10

Remove from the oven, let it rest for 5 minutes, and serve warm. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1255.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1736.6

Total Fat 103.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 47.0g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.3g
Cholesterol 222.6mg	0%
Sodium 4653.2mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 144.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 14.6g	0%
Total Sugars 41.0g
Protein 76.3g	0%

Vitamin D 221.4IU	0%
Calcium 1674.2mg	0%
Iron 16.0mg	0%
Potassium 1762.5mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 51.3%

Protein: 16.8%

Carbs: 31.9%