Name: Creamy Asparagus Mushroom Potato Casserole
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 55 min
Ingredients: 1.65 pounds potatoes (peeled, halved or quartered); 7.05 ounces asparagus (chopped); 12.35 ounces mushrooms (wiped, roughly chopped); 3 tablespoons chives and parsley (each, finely chopped (more for serving)); 2 tablespoons butter; 2⅓ tablespoons corn flour/cornstarch; 1 cup+2tsp semi-skimmed milk/low fat milk; ⅓ cup mature cheddar cheese (coarsely grated); 3 tablespoons fromage frais/fromage blanc (or low fat sour cream); Sea salt and white pepper to taste; 1 bay leaf; Olive oil for drizzling

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Vegetarians and omnivores alike will enjoy this easy to make, hearty and nutritious asparagus mushroom potato casserole. It is low in fat, easy to throw together and comes with a rich and creamy herb sauce.

This creamy asparagus mushroom potato casserole is a delicious vegetarian dinner idea, great as a family meal or party food. This nutritious dish is easy to prepare, cooks in less than 30 minutes and is perfect for sharing.

Creamy casseroles tend to be associated with lots of calories and generally pretty unhealthy food. Like most people I love comfort food but I don't believe it has to be unhealthy. All you have to do is make a few healthy swaps.

I used my basic 3-ingredient white sauce recipe in this dish, which takes minutes to put together. I adapted this sauce by adding a bit of naturally low in fat, tangy fromage frais as well as fresh herbs for added flavour. This rich and creamy sauce contains only about 2 tablespoons of butter and is made using low fat milk.

Asparagus and mushrooms

Both of these ingredients are super nutritious and make a delicious trio with the potatoes. They add texture, flavour as well colour into the simple casserole. The mushrooms are quickly browned to release more flavour before adding into the casserole. I have used this method of preparing mushrooms in several other recipes including healthy mushroom pasta, mushroom sour cream sauce as well as turkey wellington.

The asparagus, on the other hand, can be added into the casserole uncooked. It will cook to perfection with the rest of the ingredients in the oven. You might also like salmon leek pasta bake with asparagus where I used a similar method of preparing asparagus.

How to make asparagus mushroom casserole: step-by-step

1. Boil the potatoes in salted water with the bay leaf. Strain and place in your casserole dish.

2. Fry the mushrooms for a few minutes over a high heat until lightly browned.

3. Scatter the mushrooms over the potatoes.

4. Place the asparagus over the top and season well. Set aside.

5. To make the sauce melt the butter in a saucepan. Add the flour and whisk until smooth. Pour in some of the milk, increase the heat and whisk until the sauce thickens.

Add the rest of the milk and continue whisking until the sauce starts bubbling up.

Add the fromage frais and remove from the heat. Stir in the chopped herbs and season to taste.

6. Pour the sauce over the casserole, scatter the grated cheese and drizzle with a little oil.

7. Bake for 20-25 minutes in the centre of the oven. Remove from the oven and serve.

Top tips and FAQs

The asparagus tips shouldn't be too thin or too thick so go for something in the middle. This is to ensure that after 25 minutes in the oven they are cooked but still crunchy (very thin asparagus might be too tender and very thick tips might still be tough).
As the potatoes don't get mashed in this casserole I recommend choosing potatoes that hold their shape well in cooking. Such as salad potatoes. Waxy potatoes, such as Charlotte or Anya are good options, while Maris Piper, Marabel or Rooster work better in mashed potato dishes. If you live in North America Yukon Gold would be a good choice (Russet or Idaho wouldn't).
I used chives and parsley but you could just go with one or the other, or omit herbs altogether.
Best served immediately.

Check out also this collection of over 12 healthy vegetarian pasta meals.

Keep in touch!

Have you made this vegetarian casserole? I'd love to know how it turned out for you. Let me know in the comments below, thanks!

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