Description
Asparagus Bake brings spring’s freshest flavors straight to your dinner table with minimal effort and maximum taste. Crisp, tender spears roasted to perfection make this simple side dish a total winner for any meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1.5 lbs fresh asparagus
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup shredded Gruyere cheese
Supporting Ingredients:
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup milk
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons butter
- ¼ cup chopped fresh chives
- 1 clove garlic
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- Salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- ¼ cup cooked and crumbled bacon (optional)
- Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Rinse your 1.5 lbs fresh asparagus under cool water. Snap each spear at its natural breaking point to remove woody ends. Cut trimmed asparagus into 1-2 inch segments.
- Submerge asparagus pieces in boiling, salted water for exactly 2 minutes. Immediately transfer to an ice water bath to halt cooking. Drain thoroughly and pat dry with paper towels.
- Crack 4 large eggs into a mixing bowl. Whisk vigorously until light and aerated. Pour in 1 cup heavy cream and ½ cup whole milk, blending smoothly.
- Add 1 cup shredded Gruyere and ½ cup Parmesan cheese to the liquid mixture. Incorporate 2 tablespoons melted butter, 1 minced garlic clove, ¼ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg, salt, and pepper.
- Preheat your oven to 375°F. Generously grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray.
- Arrange asparagus pieces in an even layer across the baking dish. Pour your prepared custard mixture over the asparagus, ensuring complete coverage.
- Sprinkle additional cheese on top if desired. Slide the dish into the preheated 375°F oven for 35-40 minutes.
- Check doneness by inserting a knife near the center – it should emerge clean. The top should appear golden and slightly puffy.
- Remove from oven and allow the bake to rest for 15 minutes. Garnish with chopped chives and optional crumbled bacon before serving.
Notes
- Always blanch asparagus for the best texture and vibrant green color, which helps maintain its crispness and prevents overcooking.
- Choose fresh, firm asparagus spears with tight, compact tips to ensure the highest quality and most delicious result in your bake.
- When preparing the custard, whisk thoroughly to create a smooth, well-combined mixture that will bake evenly and create a creamy texture.
- For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream and use reduced-fat cheeses to lower the calorie content without sacrificing flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-40 minutes
- Category: Baked
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 258 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 376 mg
- Fat: 21 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 5 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 14 g
- Cholesterol: 143 mg