Cheese sauce for asparagus is an easy recipe that transforms asparagus into a rich, cheesy side dish that even the kids will enjoy! I use both Parmesan cheese and cheddar cheese for the best flavor, mixed with butter, milk, flour, and seasonings to create a perfectly creamy and savory sauce. It only takes about 15 minutes altogether!
Easy Cheese Sauce For Asparagus
If you're getting tired of plain vegetables, why not try making them a little more enticing by topping them with a smooth and creamy cheese sauce? This is my go-to recipe that is perfect for asparagus, as well as anything else that could use some melted cheese!
It's seriously so simple to prepare. You start with a basic roux, add in some milk a little at a time, then mix in the cheese and seasonings, and voila! A velvety smooth cheese sauce for all your favorite vegetables.
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🥘 Cheese Sauce For Asparagus Ingredients
It's hard to believe how flavorful this sauce is when it requires such simple ingredients! I love the flavor combination of cheddar and Parmesan, though you could certainly play around with your favorite types of cheese.
- Butter - 2 tablespoons of butter. I use salted butter for just about everything, though you could use unsalted and add a pinch more salt.
- All-Purpose Flour 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour for making a roux.
- Milk - 1 cup of whole milk (whole milk will have the creamiest flavor).
- Cheddar Cheese - 1 ¼ cups of grated cheddar cheese.
- Parmesan Cheese - ½ cup of grated Parmesan cheese.
- Onion Powder - ¼ teaspoon of onion powder.
- Garlic Powder - ¼ teaspoon of garlic powder.
- Salt & Pepper (optional) - Salt & pepper to taste.
*Be sure to see the free printable recipe card below for ingredients, exact amounts & instructions with tips!*
🔪 How To Make Cheese Sauce For Asparagus
As long as you don't walk away from the stove, this recipe is pretty simple. Grab your measuring utensils, a saucepan, and a whisk to get started.
1 batch of this recipe makes 2 cups of cheese sauce, though you can always double it for more!
- Make a roux. Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Once melted, whisk in 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour (this is called a roux and will start to become thick).
- Add the milk. Whisk in the milk a little bit at a time. Alternate pouring and whisking until the full 1 cup of milk has been used and the mixture is smooth without any lumps.
- Add remaining ingredients. Reduce the heat to low and add in ¼ teaspoon of onion powder, ¼ teaspoon of garlic powder, ½ cup of Parmesan cheese, and 1 ¼ cups of cheddar cheese.
- Whisk. Whisk to combine and continue whisking until all the cheese has melted. Remove your sauce from the heat and stir in salt & pepper to taste.
- Serve. Spoon cheese sauce over asparagus and enjoy right away.
This sauce is perfect for my easy air fryer asparagus! It would be tasty on pan-seared brussel sprouts or sauteed green beans, too. Enjoy!
💭 Angela's Pro Tips & Recipe Notes
- This recipe makes 2 cups, or 8 servings, of cheese sauce.
- Adding cold cheese to a hot pan will take longer to melt. Letting your cheese sit out at room temperature for a little while before making your sauce will help it to melt more quickly and evenly.
- To give your cheese sauce a kick, try whisking in a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- You could easily swap the cheddar cheese for your favorite white cheese. Sharp white cheddar, white American, or Swiss cheese would all be delicious.
🥡 Storing & Reheating
Let your sauce cool completely, then place it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week.
Alternatively, you can place it in a heavy-duty freezer bag and freeze it for up to 3 months. Let the sauce thaw fully in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating Cheese Sauce
Reheat leftover cheese sauce in a saucepan over low heat. Stir frequently until it is warmed and melted to your liking.
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❓ Recipe FAQs
The best cheese really comes down to your personal flavor preferences. Any cheese that melts well could be used to make a cheese sauce. My favorite flavor combination is cheddar and Parmesan, though Monterey Jack, American, Gruyere, Swiss, and even Velveeta could all be used as well!
If you added too much liquid and need to thicken the sauce, you will need to use a slurry to thicken it. Combine equal parts of flour or cornstarch and cool water. Whisk the slurry into your cheese sauce over medium heat and let the sauce simmer to thicken. Keep stirring frequently so the cheese doesn't burn!
Yes, you can. That's why once the cheese has melted and been incorporated into the sauce, it's time to remove it from the heat. There is a lot of dairy in this sauce which means it could split if cooked for too long or at too high of a temperature.
😋 More Tasty Sauces
- Blue Cheese Sauce - This creamy blue cheese sauce is perfect for steaks or for dipping chicken wings!
- Garlic Butter Sauce - A quick and easy garlic butter recipe for steaks, vegetables, and more!
- Big Mac Sauce - Now you can make your favorite fast-food condiment at home!
- Cajun Dipping Sauce - A creamy sauce filled with zesty Cajun flavor that makes a fantastic dip for shrimp, chicken, french fries, and so much more!
- Lemon Butter Sauce -An easy lemon butter sauce for all of your favorite seafood recipes!
- Tzatziki Sauce - This creamy yogurt and cucumber sauce is perfect for all of your favorite Mediterranean and Greek recipes!
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📖 Recipe Card
Cheese Sauce For Asparagus
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon butter
- 2 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 ¼ cup cheddar cheese (grated)
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ⅛ teaspoon each, salt & pepper (optional, to taste)
(Note: 2x or 3x only changes the ingredient list)
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Once melted, whisk in the flour (this is called a roux and will start to become thick).
- Whisk in the milk a little bit at a time. Alternate pouring and whisking until all of the milk has been used and the mixture is smooth without any lumps.
- Reduce the heat to low and add in the onion powder, garlic powder, Parmesan cheese, and cheddar cheese.
- Whisk to combine and continue whisking until all the cheese has melted. Remove your sauce from heat and stir in salt & pepper to taste.
- Spoon cheese sauce over asparagus and enjoy right away.
Notes
- This recipe makes 2 cups, or 8 servings, of cheese sauce.
- Adding cold cheese to a hot pan will take longer to melt. Letting your cheese sit out at room temperature for a little while before making your sauce will help it to melt more quickly and evenly.
- To give your cheese sauce a kick, try whisking in a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- You could easily swap the cheddar cheese for your favorite white cheese. Sharp white cheddar, white American, or Swiss cheese would all be delicious.
- To store: Let your sauce cool completely, then place it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week. Alternatively, you can place it in a heavy-duty freezer bag and freeze it for up to 3 months. Let the sauce thaw fully in the fridge before reheating.
- To reheat: Reheat leftover cheese sauce in a saucepan over low heat. Stir frequently until it is warmed and melted to your liking.
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