🥦 Mediterranean Creamy Baked Asparagus & Cheese Casserole

This dish looks like a creamy baked asparagus gratin — tender asparagus spears baked in a rich, cheesy béchamel-style sauce until golden and bubbly. It’s elegant, comforting, and very Mediterranean in flavor thanks to olive oil, fresh herbs, and simple wholesome ingredients.

Perfect as a side dish for dinner parties, holiday meals, or a cozy family dinner.

🌿 Why You’ll Love This Recipe

✅ Creamy & cheesy with a golden top
✅ Simple ingredients
✅ Great vegetarian side dish
✅ Elegant presentation
✅ Ready in about 40 minutes

🧾 Ingredients (Serves 4–6)

1½ lbs (700g) fresh asparagus, trimmed
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons flour (or whole wheat flour)
2 cups warm milk
1 cup shredded mozzarella or Gruyère
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 cloves garlic, minced
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
½ teaspoon dried thyme (or fresh thyme sprigs)
Pinch of nutmeg (optional)

Optional: lemon zest for freshness

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1️⃣ Prepare the Asparagus

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
Lightly steam asparagus for 3–4 minutes until slightly tender but still firm. Drain and set aside.

2️⃣ Make the Creamy Sauce

In a saucepan over medium heat:

Melt butter and olive oil.
Add garlic and sauté for 30 seconds.
Stir in flour and cook for 1 minute.
Gradually whisk in warm milk until smooth.
Simmer until thickened (3–5 minutes).
Stir in half the mozzarella and half the Parmesan.
Add salt, pepper, thyme, and nutmeg.

3️⃣ Assemble

Place asparagus in a greased baking dish.
Pour creamy sauce evenly over the top.
Sprinkle remaining mozzarella and Parmesan.

4️⃣ Bake

Bake for 20–25 minutes until bubbly and golden on top.
Broil 2 minutes for extra crisp finish (optional).

5️⃣ Garnish & Serve

Sprinkle fresh thyme or parsley before serving.

🥗 Serving Ideas (Mediterranean Style)

Serve with grilled chicken or fish
Pair with roasted lamb
Add alongside quinoa or couscous
Serve with fresh tomato-cucumber salad

🌱 Nutritional Benefits

Asparagus is rich in fiber & antioxidants
Olive oil supports heart health
Cheese provides calcium & protein
Garlic boosts immune support

❓ Q & A

❓ Can I make this ahead of time?

Yes! Assemble and refrigerate, then bake before serving.

❓ Can I make it low-carb?

Yes, replace flour with almond flour or use heavy cream instead of making roux.

❓ Can I use other vegetables?

Absolutely! Try broccoli, zucchini, or green beans.

❓ How long does it keep?

Refrigerate up to 3 days.

❓ Can I freeze it?

Yes, but creamy sauces may slightly change texture after thawing.

❓ How do I prevent watery casserole?

Lightly pre-cook and dry asparagus well before baking.