This lemon parmesan asparagus bake is a creamy oven-baked dish made with fresh asparagus, garlic, heavy cream, and parmesan cheese. Crispy bread crumbs on top add the perfect texture to this easy asparagus recipe.
Fresh asparagus is one of my favorite vegetables to cook with, especially when it is in season. In this asparagus recipe, tender asparagus bakes in a creamy lemon parmesan sauce made with garlic, butter, heavy cream, and parmesan cheese, then finishes with crispy bread crumbs on top.
The secret to making this dish taste restaurant-quality is using heavy cream and shallots instead of onions. Heavy cream creates a rich sauce that coats the asparagus, while shallots add a mild sweetness that pairs perfectly with garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Cutting the asparagus into bite-sized pieces also makes the dish easier to serve and ensures every scoop gets some of the creamy sauce and crunchy topping.
Another small detail that makes this recipe work so well is cutting the asparagus into bite-sized pieces before baking. This makes the dish easier to serve and ensures that every scoop includes tender asparagus, creamy lemon parmesan sauce, and crispy bread crumbs.
Ingredients
This recipe uses simple ingredients that come together to create a rich and flavorful asparagus bake.
Asparagus
Butter
One Shallot- diced
Garlic
Heavy cream
Parmesan cheese
Lemon juice
Salt
Black pepper
Nutmeg
Sourdough bread crumbs or another kind of breadcrumb of your choice
Equipment needed
Large skillet
Cutting board
Sharp knife
Mixing bowl
Medium baking dish
Measuring spoons, including a tbsp measure
How to make this asparagus gratin
1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
2. Trim the woody ends from the asparagus and cut the spears into pieces about one and a half to two inches long. Spread the asparagus in a lightly greased baking dish.
3. Make the Cream Sauce. In a skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the diced shallot and cook until softened. Stir in the garlic and cook briefly until fragrant. Pour in the heavy cream and let the sauce simmer for a few minutes, until it thickens slightly. Stir in parmesan cheese, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and a pinch of nutmeg.
4. Pour the cream sauce over the asparagus and gently toss to coat the vegetables evenly.
5. In a bowl, combine the sourdough bread crumbs with melted butter and parmesan cheese. Sprinkle the topping evenly over the asparagus.
6. Bake the dish in the oven until the asparagus is tender, and the bread crumbs are golden and crisp.
7. Before serving, you can choose to add a little lemon zest, extra parmesan cheese, and cracked pepper.
Storage instructions
Leftover asparagus gratin can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. To reheat, place the asparagus back in a baking dish and heat in the oven until heated through, keeping the topping crisp.
More vegetable side dishes to try
If you are looking for more flavorful vegetable side dishes, these recipes are also favorites.
Green Bean Casserole with Onion Rings
Blueberry Lemon Poppyseed Broccoli Salad
Hot Buttered Rum Roasted Carrots
Strawberry Caprese Salad
If you are looking for a new way to cook asparagus for the spring holidays, this creamy lemon parmesan asparagus gratin is easy to make and full of flavor. A memorable side dish!
Did you make this delicious, creamy, roasted Lemon Parmesan Asparagus Gratin? I would love to hear how this recipe turned out for you! Please comment below this blog post or tag me on social media and let me know how this worked out for you! You can find me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter.
