Whether or not you’re an asparagus fan, get ready to fall in love with these little bundles. Alfredo sauce brings all the flavor; the mix of cream, butter, and Parmesan cheese reveals its rich taste when baked inside flaky puffs. Whip these up for a dinner party, Valentine’s Day treat, or just because they’re irresistibly cheesy! And once you’ve tried them, you’ll be searching for more asparagus and puff pastry recipes… remember those brie, asparagus, and prosciutto bundles?
While traditional Alfredo sauce doesn’t usually include flour or starch, it’s essential in this recipe. Cornstarch helps the sauce stay put inside the puff pastry without leaking out while baking.
You can also prep these ahead of time. Make the asparagus bundles and freeze them on a parchment-lined baking sheet until solid. Store them in a zip-top bag and bake when you’re ready to indulge. They’ll stay good for about 1 month. Alternatively, you can bake them and keep them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat at 350°F in the oven to crisp them up.
Alfredo Asparagus Bundles
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 clove garlic grated or finely chopped
- 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1/3 cup finely grated Parmesan
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 sheet puff pastry from a 17.3-ounce box
- 27 stalks asparagus ends trimmed
- 3 ounces mozzarella shredded
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon flaky sea salt
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh parsley
- 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest optional
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add garlic and nutmeg, cooking until softened and fragrant, about 1 to 2 minutes. Pour in the cream and bring it to a simmer.
- In a small bowl, whisk together cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of water. Add this mixture to the cream and cook until thickened, stirring constantly. Reduce the heat to medium-low and whisk in Parmesan until melted, about 3 minutes. Season with kosher salt and let it cool for 10 minutes.
- On a clean surface, roll out the puff pastry to a 12-by-12-inch square. Cut the pastry into 9 squares, each 4-by-4 inches.
- In a small bowl, beat the egg with a splash of water. Brush the outer edges of the pastry squares with the egg wash. Spoon the cooled sauce into the center of each square. Arrange 3 asparagus stalks diagonally across each square. Sprinkle with mozzarella.
- Fold the right side of the pastry over onto the left. Brush the flap with egg wash, then fold the left side over onto the right to create a bundle. Brush each bundle with more egg wash and season with sea salt and pepper.
- Bake the bundles until they’re golden brown, about 30 to 32 minutes. Let them cool slightly, then sprinkle with parsley and lemon zest (if using). Enjoy your savory bundles of joy!