Cheesy Asparagus Casserole Keto Recipe
This Asparagus Casserole Keto Recipe is easy to make and delicious. Made with fresh asparagus, a creamy cheese sauce, and crunchy bacon, everyone will love this keto-friendly comfort food side dish.
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Cheesy Baked Asparagus Casserole Keto Recipe
Cheesy baked asparagus casserole is easy to make and delicious. With a delicious creamy alfredo sauce and bacon crumbles, this hearty low carb casserole pairs perfectly with steak, a bunless burger, or grilled pork chops for a few ideas. The keto diet doesn’t have to be boring. There are so many ways you can change meals for variety.
Below you’ll find a step-by-step tutorial with pictures and tips. The complete recipe with the full list of ingredients and instructions is at the bottom of the post in the printable recipe card.
Step 1: Preheat oven to 400 degrees, wash and trim asparagus spears. Then place them in a 9 X 13 baking dish.
Is it important to trim fresh asparagus for this keto casserole?
Yes, the hard pale end of the asparagus lacks the moisture that the rest of the asparagus has, making it dry and wood-like. If you do not trim the asparagus, the whole stalk will become chewy, stringy, and hard to eat, but don’t worry, trimming asparagus is super easy!
How do I trim asparagus?
There are multiple ways to trim fresh asparagus. You can peel the bottom until the tough woody outside is removed, leaving the more tender juicy part of the asparagus. You can pinch the end part and bend until it snaps, or line all of your asparagus up on a cutting board and chop the ends off. Here are detailed steps if a visual is more helpful.
Step 2: Add cream cheese, heavy cream, chicken broth, butter, garlic powder, and other seasonings to a saucepan. Turn stovetop onto medium heat, and stir until it’s combined.
Tip: If you do not have garlic powder on hand, 1/4 tsp is equivalent to 2 garlic cloves, similarily you can use 1 tsp of minced garlic.
Step 3: Simmer the cream sauce until the heavy whipping cream begins to reduce and thicken. Continue to whisk so that the sauce does not stick to the bottom of the pan.
Step 4: Add parmesan and Monterrey Jack cheese. Stir until the cheeses are melted, and the sauce is completely smooth.
Step Six: Pour the cheese sauce over the asparagus, then top with mozzarella cheese and crushed red pepper. This will add a slight kick to this asparagus casserole. Feel free to leave it out if you are serving little ones or are sensitive to spicy foods.
Step 7: Bake the casserole for approx 15 minutes then cover with bacon crumbles. If you prefer your asparagus to be crunchier, you may want to adjust the cooking time down.
Tip: When cooking bacon for this recipe, line a baking sheet with parchment paper before putting bacon on the sheet. Then place in the oven at 400 degrees for 15-20 minutes or until it reaches the desired amount of doneness. By placing parchment paper over the baking sheet, you significantly reduce the amount of cleaning needed.
You can also follow this quick and easy recipe to cook bacon in the microwave if you do not have time or want to bake it!
Step 8: Finally, bake the cheesy asparagus casserole recipe for an additional 3 minutes. Salt and pepper to taste if needed, and enjoy.
Is asparagus keto?
Yes! One cup asparagus contains 7 grams of carbs and 3 grams of fiber, making it only 4 grams of net carbs per cup.
If I have thinner asparagus is the bake time affected?
It comes down to preference and how crunchy or tender you like asparagus. However, thinner asparagus is going to cook faster than thicker asparagus, so you may need to reduce the baking time by a couple of minutes.
What do I eat with this?
This keto asparagus casserole pairs great with the following:
- Steak
- Grilled Chicken Wings
- Brisket
- Keto Pulled Pork
- Bunless Burgers
- Mississippi Chicken
Can I use other vegetables instead of asparagus in this recipe?
Yes, you can use whatever type of keto-friendly veggie you’d like! Perhaps try fresh green beans, zucchini, cauliflower, or Brussel sprouts for a nice change of pace.
Can I make this ahead?
This asparagus side is easy to make. You can also make it in advance by following all of the steps in the recipe card except baking it in the oven. When you are ready to bake it, warm it slowly by putting it in the oven while the oven is preheating then following the remaining steps in the recipe card below. Warming it slowly is very important to keep the sauce from separating. It may take a few extra minutes to bake since it has been refrigerated.
More Keto Side Dishes
- Keto Air Fryer Roasted Green Bean Recipe
- Cheesy Keto Brussels Sprouts and Bacon
- Keto Green Bean Casserole Recipe
- 10 Easy Keto Side Dishes
- 37 Keto & Low Carb Casserole Recipes You Must Try
- Easy Crack Green Beans with Bacon
Cheesy Asparagus Casserole Keto Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 bunches asparagus
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1/2 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 tbsp chicken broth
- 1/4 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp paprika
- 1/8 tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp pepper
- 1/3 cup parmesan cheese, grated
- 1/8 cup pepper jack cheese, grated
- 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, grated
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1/3 cup bacon, cooked and crumbled
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Wash and trim the asparagus, then grease the 9 X 13 baking pan and lay them in it. See how to trim asparagus in the notes below.
- In a skillet melt butter on medium heat, then add softened cream cheese, heavy whipping cream, chicken broth, garlic powder, paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Continuously whisk until the ingredients are thoroughly combined.
- Reduce to a medium/low heat and allow the sauce to simmer gently boiling until the heavy whipping cream has reduced and thickened. Keep whisking so that it doesn't stick to the bottom of the pan. It will take a few minutes for the sauce to reduce and thicken.
- Once it has thickened, add the parmesan and pepper jack cheese then continue to stir until the cheeses melt and the sauce is smooth.
- Pour the cheese sauce over the asparagus down the middle of the casserole dish, avoiding the tops of the asparagus. Next, sprinkle the mozzarella cheese and crushed red pepper flakes on top of the cheese sauce. (Make sure to check out the process pics above the recipe card.)
- Bake for 15 minutes. If you prefer crunchier asparagus, you can reduce the baking time for 2-3 minutes.
- Remove from oven and add bacon crumbles to the top.
- Bake for another 3 minutes and enjoy!
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Notes
How do I trim asparagus?
There are multiple ways to trim fresh asparagus. You can peel the bottom until the tough woody outside is removed, leaving the more tender juicy part of the asparagus. You can pinch the end part and bend until it snaps, or line all of your asparagus up on a cutting board and chop the ends off. Here are detailed steps if a visual is more helpful.If I have thinner asparagus is the bake time affected?
It comes down to preference and how crunchy or tender you like asparagus. However, thinner asparagus is going to cook faster than thicker asparagus, so you may need to reduce the baking time by a couple of minutes.Can I use other vegetables instead of asparagus in this recipe?
Yes, you can use whatever type of keto-friendly veggie you'd like! Perhaps try fresh green beans, zucchini, cauliflower, or Brussel sprouts for a nice change of pace.Can I make this ahead?
This asparagus side is easy to make. You can also make it in advance by following all of the steps in the recipe card except baking it in the oven. When you are ready to bake it, warm it slowly by putting it in the oven while the oven is preheating then following the remaining steps in the recipe card below. Warming it slowly is very important to keep the sauce from separating. It may take a few extra minutes to bake since it has been refrigerated.Nutrition
This was a delicious addition to my dinner of peppercorn crusted steaks, salad and crusty bread! I left the bacon off because I was basically too lazy but even without the bacon the recipe turned out fantastic. It complimented the rest of the meal perfectly. I will make this again….. perhaps next time I’ll rustle up more energy and add in the bacon.
SO glad you enjoyed it Barbara, the bacon is a really nice addition for sure.
This is amazing!
We didn’t have bacon…I used regular link sausage cut up! Yum!!
Fantastic. So glad you loved it.
Too salty for my liking!
Do you think all ingingrediencould.be added.to a crockpot for a.coue of hours?
I don’t think it wold work.
Made this several times! Only way to eat asparagus.
Yay! I’m so glad you love it.
Seriously…so good. Even better the next day. I’m actually on Day 3 in a row and I’m still thinking about it. The first time, I made it as directed and couldn’t wait to make it again. The second time, I forgot bacon and used used leftover ham and it was also very good. I also think this would be great with chicken, maybe doubling the sauce. I’m looking for more Kasey recipes as we speak š
Awe so glad yall loved it!!
Can you put this together the day before? Then bake before serving?
Yes! The instructions for making it ahead are in the post. š
Is this 1/2 ounce cream cheese or 1/2 package?
Hey Heidi, the recipe card shows the measurement. It is 1/2 ounce. Hope you enjoy it!!
I just made this yesterday for lent and it was amazing. That sauce is insanely good and pulls the whole dish together. I will be making this again.
Thanks, Kathy! So glad you loved this recipe!
Made last night and got rave reviews. I had 2 very large bunches of asparagus so I did double the sauce recipe but did not use double the salt. Due to the amount of asparagus should have cooked it a little bit longer as some was still a little crunchier than Iād like but will do that next time. Great recipe and looking forward to left overs for lunch.
Mmmm, sounds so good!! As a super busy mom of 4, I LOVE leftovers. lol!! Glad you enjoyed this recipe!
Excellent dish!
Awe, so glad you loved it, Jolanda! Thanks for visiting and leaving a review!
Hi. I’m making roasted cornish game hens for Xmas. Do you think this would pair well with a roasted chicken. It looks fabulous and would love to have it as one of my Xmas side dishes. Thank you.
I don’t have experience with cooking Cornish game hens but from what I have heard the taste difference between it a chicken is minute possibly non-existent. Take that for what it is worth. I may not understand your question about having the Cornish game hen as a side dish though. I think it would be considered a protein just like your roasted chicken.
Creamy and flavourful. We went all out this Christmas with gourmet dishes and this was a nice accompiment. Will definitely make again. Thank you!
So glad you enjoyed it!!