Food and Recipes Dish Casserole Asparagus Gratin 5.0 (2) 1 Review Spring's favorite veggie just got a decadent makeover. By Southern Living Test Kitchen Southern Living Test Kitchen The Southern Living Test Kitchen has been publishing recipes since 1970, four years after the first issue of Southern Living Magazine appeared on newsstands. The Southern Living Test Kitchen team includes a team of professionals with deep expertise in recipe development, from pastry chefs and grilling experts to nutritionists and dietitians. Together, the team tests and retests, produces, styles, and photographs thousands of recipes each year in the state-of-the-art test kitchen facility located in Birmingham, Alabama. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on November 8, 2022 Print Rate It Share Share Tweet Pin Email Photo: Photography and Styling: Karen Rankin Active Time: 5 mins Total Time: 20 mins Servings: 4 Spring's favorite veggie just got a decadent makeover. This Asparagus Gratin has all the flavors you love in a gratin but with half of the effort. The ingredient list for this gorgeous side dish is surprisingly simple, and it's extremely easy to make (we're talking five minutes of hands-on time easy). This dish is a delicious and fuss-free way to showcase fresh farmers' market asparagus. The asparagus still retains its texture and flavor, but it's swaddled in a cheesy, creamy sauce that is given nice depth by shallot, garlic, and mustard. The sliced shallots standout nicely, adding a wonderful texture and flavor. A tip from the Test Kitchen to keep in mind: Adjust your baking time according to the thickness of your asparagus. Medium or large asparagus work best, because they become crisp-tender within the 15 minutes. That time allows for the sauce to come together and thicken. This delicious asparagus side is the ideal companion to steak and potatoes for at-home date night, and it will be a lasting addition to your Easter sideboard lineup. Ingredients 1 pound medium-size fresh asparagus, trimmed (1 bunch) 1 large (2 oz.) shallot, thinly sliced (1/2 cup) 1/3 cup heavy whipping cream 1 teaspoon whole-grain mustard 1 teaspoon all-purpose flour 2 garlic cloves, minced (2 tsp.) 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 4 ounces fontina cheese, shredded (about 1 cup), divided 1 ounce Parmesan cheese, grated (about 1/4 cup) Directions Preheat oven to 400°F with oven rack about 6 inches from heat. Toss together asparagus and shallot in a 10-inch broiler-safe skillet or 8-inch square broiler-safe baking dish. Stir together cream, mustard, flour, garlic, salt, pepper, and 1/2 cup of the fontina. Pour over asparagus, and using tongs, gently toss to coat asparagus. Top with Parmesan and remaining 1/2 cup fontina, and bake in preheated oven until asparagus is almost tender-crisp and cheese is melted, 10 to 12 minutes. Increase oven temperature to broil, and broil until golden brown, about 2 to 3 minutes more. Rate it Print