Optional- blanch asparagus in boiling water for 1 minute. Immediately place in cold water to cool. Then pat dry and place in a greased pan.
Melt 1 tbsp of butter in a bowl. Add bread crumbs to bowl and stir. Then set aside for later. Preheat oven to 400 F
On medium heat, melt 1 tbsp of butter. Add garlic. Let simmer for about 1 minute. Then add the lemon juice. Next add flour and mix well. Then, slowly add the milk to form a thickened sauce. Bring to a boil and then remove from heat.
Add diced up cream cheese, Parmesan cheese and salt/pepper. Stir until cream cheese is melted into the sauce. Can add more milk if too thick.
Pour the sauce over the asparagus in the baking dish. Combine well. Top with bread crumbs. Bake, uncovered, for about 12-15 minutes until top begins to brown & bubble. Enjoy!
Notes
Freezer Friendly: can freeze this un-baked. I highly recommend blanching asparagus first if planning to freeze. It will be a little more ‘mushy’ vs fresh asparagus but still great. Nutrition information is an estimate.