Savor the Ultimate Asparagus Bake: Gluten and Dairy-Free Delight

Ingredients

• Spray for cooking
• 2 lbs of fresh asparagus, cut
• ⅔ cup of gluten-free breadcrumbs
• 2 tbsp of nutritional yeast
• Salt and black pepper to add flavor
• 1 cup of raw cashews
• 1 cup of chicken broth
• ¼ cup of nutritional yeast
• ¾ tsp of garlic powder
• ⅛ tsp of ground nutmeg
• Whites of 1 egg
• 2 tbsp of bacon bits
• 2 tbsp of sliced almonds
• 2 tsp of melted dairy-free margarine

Step 1

Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) and generously grease a 7 x 11-inch baking dish with cooking spray.

Step 2

To prepare the asparagus, place it in a steamer insert set over a saucepan with water. Steam until tender when pierced with a fork, which usually takes around 5 minutes. Once done, carefully drain the asparagus.

Step 3

Now, it's time to create the flavorful layers for your dish. In a mixing bowl, combine breadcrumbs and 2 tablespoons of nutritional yeast. Sprinkle half of this mixture at the bottom of the baking dish. Arrange the steamed asparagus on top and season lightly with salt. Save the rest of the breadcrumb mix for later use.

Step 4

For the creamy sauce, blend raw cashews, chicken broth, 1/4 cup of nutritional yeast, garlic, nutmeg, salt, and pepper in a small food processor or blender until smooth, which typically takes about 3 minutes. Add an egg white and continue blending for an additional minute.

Step 5

Evenly spread the creamy mixture over the asparagus, then layer bacon, sliced almonds, and the reserved breadcrumbs on top. Drizzle melted margarine over everything before placing the dish in the preheated oven.

Step 6

Bake the casserole on the center rack for approximately 30 minutes or until the top is nicely browned and the casserole is fully set. Enjoy this delicious and nutritious dish straight from the oven!