Asparagus Gratin with Luscious Béchamel-Style Sauce
The first sight of asparagus at the farmers market is enough to send us into states of elation. Because the arrival of asparagus is a sure sign that we’ve survived winter and longer, warmer days are on their way. We’ll spend all summer tossing asparagus on a hot grill, treating it lightly and enjoying it as a healthy veggie side dish, the first asparagus of the year calls for the royal treatment. Creamy and rich with Gruyère cheese and butter, this asparagus gratin recipe is our favorite way to celebrate the arrival of one of spring’s most iconic vegetables.
💌 Let's Stay Together
There are so many great ways to receive all of our latest recipes, meal tips, and inspiration.
Ingredients to Make the Best Asparagus Recipe on Earth
Although this stunner of a side dish recipe comes across as very dressed-up, it’s not hard to make and you won’t need any special ingredients. You might need to make a trip to the grocery store, unless you’re the kind of person who keeps Gruyère in the house at all times (and if you are, good for you—let’s be friends!). Here’s all you’ll need to make it:
- Asparagus
- Butter
- Flour
- Whole milk
- Whole grain mustard
- Nutmeg
- Parmesan cheese
- Gruyère cheese
- Panko
How To Make Our Asparagus Gratin Recipe
We’re going to use some culinary words here—stuff like ‘béchamel’ and ‘blanch’—but trust us, this is really basic stuff. Plus, once you’ve got the hang of how to make a gratin, you’ll be gratin-ing any vegetable you get your hands on!
- Blanch the asparagus just until it’s slightly tender, with some crispness remaining.
- Make the béchamel. All that béchamel is is butter + flour + milk to make a thick cream sauce, then season with mustard, salt, pepper, nutmeg and parmesan cheese. Easy peasy!
- Pour the cream sauce over the asparagus, and top with Gruyère.
- Bake for 15 minutes.
- Toast the panko in a bit of butter, and finish the gratin with a sprinkling of those light, airy breadcrumbs.
Tools You’ll Need
More Vegetable Side Dish Recipes to Try
Did You Win Everyone Over?
For more recipe inspiration, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Pinterest or order our cookbook. We love when you share your meals. Tag us on Instagram using #themodernproper. Happy cooking!