Creamy Lemon-Dill Asparagus Bake

Vibrant flavors of our Creamy Lemon-Dill Asparagus Bake, a vegetarian masterpiece that combines tender asparagus with a rich Havarti cheese sauce, brightened by zesty lemon and fresh dill. This American cuisine dish is perfect for special occasions and pairs beautifully with steaks or roasted chicken.

With its creamy texture and crunchy cracker-almond topping, this casserole is not only a feast for the eyes but also a nutritious option for those avoiding gluten, dairy, and nuts.

Easily accessible through EasyChef Pro, this recipe comes with a convenient shopping list feature, ensuring you get the best ingredients at the lowest cost per serving.

Get ready to impress your guests with this elegant dish—try it today!

Recipe Collection: Dinner

Serving Size: 6

Cooking Time: 50 minutes

Overview

This asparagus casserole is a delightful side dish featuring tender asparagus enveloped in a creamy Havarti sauce, accented with fresh lemon and dill. Topped with a buttery cracker-almond mixture, it offers a pleasing texture and is perfect for pairing with steaks, roasted chicken, or ham. Ideal for special occasions like Easter dinner, it’s both elegant and easy to prepare.

Diet Type

Vegetarian

Allergies

Dairy, Nuts, Gluten

Cuisine

American

Ingredients

• Spray cooking spray
• 2 Pounds (lb) fresh asparagus, trimmed
• 4 Tablespoons (tbsp) unsalted butter, divided
• 2 Tablespoons (tbsp) shallot, minced
• 2.5 Tablespoons (tbsp) all-purpose flour
• 2 Cups half and half
• 1 Cup Havarti cheese, shredded
• 2 Teaspoons (tsp) lemon zest, zested
• 1.25 Teaspoons (tsp) kosher salt, divided
• 0.5 Cup butter crackers, crushed
• 0.5 Cup almonds, sliced
• 1 Teaspoon (tsp) fresh dill, minced

Steps

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly spray a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Arrange the trimmed asparagus in an even layer in the dish and set aside.
2. In a saucepan over medium-high heat, melt 3 tablespoons of butter. Add the minced shallots and cook, stirring often, until softened, about 3 minutes.
3. Stir in the flour and cook, stirring constantly, until it smells slightly nutty, about 2 minutes.
4. Gradually whisk in the half and half, cooking and whisking constantly until the mixture thickens, about 3 minutes.
5. Remove the saucepan from heat and whisk in the Havarti cheese, lemon zest, and 1 teaspoon of salt.
6. Pour the sauce evenly over the center of the asparagus in the baking dish, leaving the tips and ends exposed. Bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes.
7. Meanwhile, melt the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter in a small microwave-safe bowl. Add the crushed crackers, sliced almonds, dill, and remaining 0.25 teaspoon of salt, tossing to coat evenly.
8. After the asparagus has baked for 10 minutes, sprinkle the cracker mixture over the center.
9. Return the dish to the oven and bake until the asparagus is tender and the topping is golden brown, about 10 more minutes. Serve hot, garnished with additional lemon zest and dill if desired.

Enjoy this elegant and flavorful asparagus bake with your loved ones!