Asparagus with Brie Sauce is a French vegetarian starter that sets the style of any dinner. The softly boiled Asparagus served with the milk and melted brie sauce creates a stylish dish. It will be a talking point. Also, I have served this in larger quantity as a brunch which went down a treat. The brie is an excellent choice for its natural flavour and mild aroma and it melts into a lovely mess. This mess creates the Brie Sauce. A touch of nutmeg adds an additional hit for a typically divine dish. If you wanted to go for a stronger flavour, then camembert works well as well.
There are few dishes that strike such a perfect balance between simplicity and indulgence as Asparagus with Brie Sauce. The combination of crisp, tender asparagus and the creamy richness of melted brie creates a harmony that feels both elegant and comforting. It’s a dish that speaks of springtime freshness yet offers the decadent warmth of a fine French-inspired sauce — the kind of side that can easily steal the spotlight from the main course.
At its heart, this dish is all about contrasts and balance. You have the vibrant green spears of asparagus, their flavour grassy and slightly sweet, meeting a velvety sauce made from one of France’s most beloved cheeses. The brie brings a mild, buttery decadence, with just a hint of earthiness that complements rather than overwhelms the vegetable. Together, they form a duo that’s as much about texture as it is about taste — the tender snap of perfectly cooked asparagus against the smooth, creamy coating of cheese sauce.
The preparation begins with something quite humble: gently steaming or boiling the asparagus until it reaches that sweet spot between tender and crisp. The key is to preserve its bright green colour — a sign not just of freshness but also of properly cooked asparagus. Overcooked asparagus loses both its structure and flavour, becoming limp and dull. Getting it just right makes all the difference, providing the perfect base for the rich sauce to cling to.
While the asparagus cooks, attention turns to the sauce — a simple yet luxurious blend that transforms everyday ingredients into something extraordinary. It starts with a classic roux: butter melted in a saucepan and thickened with a little flour. This forms the base of countless French sauces and provides the creamy stability needed to support the melted cheese. Slowly whisking in milk turns it into a smooth, glossy white sauce, ready to receive its star ingredient — ripe, rindless brie.
As the chunks of brie melt into the warm sauce, the transformation is almost magical. The result is a silky, slightly tangy mixture that carries the unmistakable richness of the cheese without being overpowering. A touch of seasoning — a pinch of salt, a whisper of white pepper, and a gentle grating of nutmeg — enhances the sauce’s depth, adding just enough spice and warmth to round out the flavours. The nutmeg, in particular, gives the dish a subtle aromatic lift, bridging the freshness of the asparagus and the creaminess of the brie.
When spooned generously over the freshly cooked asparagus, the sauce coats each spear in a creamy glaze that feels indulgent yet refined. The contrast of textures is delightful: the firmness of the vegetable against the melting smoothness of the sauce. It’s the kind of dish that feels luxurious without needing a long list of ingredients or hours in the kitchen — proof that sometimes, simplicity truly is sophistication.
Asparagus with Brie Sauce can stand proudly on its own as a light lunch or be served as a side dish to roasted chicken, grilled salmon, or a tender cut of beef. It pairs beautifully with a glass of chilled white wine — something crisp like a Sauvignon Blanc or a lightly oaked Chardonnay, which balances the creamy richness of the cheese.
What makes this dish particularly charming is its versatility. It can appear on the table as part of an elegant dinner party or a quiet midweek meal, looking equally at home in both settings. The sauce can even be adapted — a touch of lemon zest for brightness, or a few sautéed mushrooms stirred in for a richer texture.
In the end, Asparagus with Brie Sauce is a celebration of balance — earthy freshness meets creamy luxury, all brought together with just a handful of ingredients and a little patience. It’s a reminder that fine cooking doesn’t need to be complex; it simply needs care and an appreciation for the harmony of good flavours.
Serve Asparagus with brie sauce immediately, while the sauce is still warm and silky, this dish offers a moment of pure comfort and sophistication — the taste of spring dressed in elegance.
Asparagus with Brie Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 lb asparagus
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp flour
- 1 cup milk
- 6 oz brie cheese ripe, rindless
- 1 pinch salt to taste
- 2 grate nutmeg grated
- 1 pinch white pepper to taste
Instructions
- Boil or steam the asparagus until just tender and bright green.1 lb asparagus
- Meanwhile, melt the butter in a saucepan over moderate heat and stir in the flour.2 tbsp butter, 2 tbsp flour
- Cook for 2 minutes, then stir in the milk.1 cup milk
- Bring to a boil, stirring frequently.
- Cut the rindless cheese into pieces and add to the sauce, stirring until melted.6 oz brie cheese
- Season with salt, white pepper, and nutmeg.1 pinch salt, 2 grate nutmeg, 1 pinch white pepper
- Spoon the sauce over the cooked asparagus.
- Serve immediately.
30 comments
What an amazing starter.
Delicious and creamy, loved every bite.
Sauce was smooth and flavorful, asparagus cooked just right.
Quick to prepare but tastes like a fancy restaurant dish.
Creamy, cheesy goodness with fresh, tender asparagus — divine.
Worth making again, such a comforting and elegant dish.
Easy to make but looks impressive on the plate.
Bright, tender asparagus complemented by rich, creamy brie.
I made this for dinner and it disappeared instantly!
Elegant enough for guests but easy enough for a weeknight.
Simple ingredients, yet incredibly satisfying and tasty.
The sauce clings beautifully, making every bite enjoyable.
Tender asparagus with a luxurious, silky cheese sauce.
Absolutely delicious, would make this for every dinner party.
I added a sprinkle of lemon zest and it was perfect.
Loved the creamy texture of the sauce on crisp asparagus.
Mild brie with just enough seasoning, very enjoyable.
Rich, creamy, and comforting — a true treat.
Even picky eaters couldn’t resist this creamy delight.
A simple yet elegant side dish that impressed everyone.
A delicious side that pairs well with chicken or fish.
The nutmeg added a lovely subtle warmth to the dish.
Perfect balance of freshness and indulgence, highly recommend.
This is my new favourite way to serve asparagus.
A bit indulgent but totally worth it for a special occasion.
Melt-in-your-mouth brie makes the sauce absolutely decadent.
The brie sauce was rich and perfectly coated the asparagus.
Smooth, cheesy, and perfectly seasoned, everyone loved it.
Nutmeg really enhances the flavour, subtle but effective.
Asparagus never tasted this luxurious before, amazing!