Mrs Bice's Asparagus Casserole

Total Time: 1 hr 25 mins Preparation Time: 45 mins Cook Time: 40 mins

Ingredients

• 1 -2 lb fresh asparagus
• 2 cups ritz cracker crumbs, divided
• 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided (i like sharp cheddar)
• 3 -4 hard-boiled eggs, chopped fine
• 1 (4 ounce) jar pimentos, drained
• 1/3 cup butter
• 1/3 cup flour
• 2 1/2-3 cups milk (or you can use half milk and half chicken broth)

Recipe

• 1 steam or cook asparagus as desired. i always leave the spears whole, but it may be easier for serving to cut them in half.
• 2 sprinkle 1 cup ritz cracker crumbs in bottom of prepared 13"x9" casserole.
• 3 sprinkle 1 1/2 cups cheese over crumbs.
• 4 layer all asparagus over cheese.
• 5 sprinkle chopped eggs over asparagus.
• 6 prepare cream sauce:.
• 7 blend flour and butter over medium heat until it makes a paste.
• 8 add liquid, seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
• 9 cook, stirring constantly, until bubbly and thick, adding more liquid as needed.
• 10 spread cream sauce over eggs.
• 11 on top of sauce, sprinkle pimento, remainder of cheese, topping with remaining ritz cracker crumbs.
• 12 bake at 350 about 40 minutes until bubbly and cheese is turning light brown.