Creamy Asparagus Gratin

A short, simple recipe for a cheesy, creamy asparagus gratin — ready in about 35 minutes.

Ingredients

• 1 lb (450 g) fresh asparagus, trimmed
• 2 tbsp butter
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 2 cups (480 ml) heavy cream
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella or Gruyère
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• Salt & pepper to taste
• Fresh thyme (optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Blanch asparagus: steam or boil 3 minutes, then drain and set aside.
3. Make sauce: melt butter in a saucepan, whisk in flour and cook 1 minute. Gradually whisk in cream and simmer until slightly thickened.
4. Season sauce with garlic powder, salt and pepper.
5. Pour sauce into a baking dish, arrange asparagus on top, and sprinkle cheese over everything.
6. Bake 20–25 minutes until cheese is golden and bubbly. Garnish with thyme and serve warm.

Tip: For a lighter version use half-and-half instead of heavy cream and reduce baking time slightly.