Vegan Asparagus Tart with Cheese Sauce

 An easy vegan asparagus tart that celebrates summer. Made with puff pastry and a cheese sauce base with herbs for extra flavour. Serve hot or cold.

Vegan Asparagus Tart

Asparagus season is here and my first recipe is this gorgeous vegan asparagus tart.

It's a real winner and is good served hot or cold.

It's made with golden puff pastry and filled with a cheesy sauce topped with vegetables and herbs.

Totally delicious!

2024 UPDATE 

Shrinkflation has hit. Ready rolled puff pastry used to be a standard 375g across big brands and supermarket own brands.

It's now shrunk to 320g (Jusrol, Tesco & Asda, maybe other supermarkets too) which can make a big difference (you end up with too much filling).

So be aware you may need extra pastry.

 

When is asparagus in season?

Here in the UK asparagus is in season from the end of April to the end of June.

Just two glorious months to eat this gorgeous vegetable.

Of course, you can buy it out of season, but it's never as good as it is when you buy it locally and in season.

How do you trim asparagus?

If you have full stalks of asparagus and not the shorter asparagus tips, you will want to trim it.

The end of the stalks can be quite woody.

So how do you trim it?

There's a handy wee trick to trimming asparagus. Let me share it with you.

Gently hold each end of the asparagus (hold the tip with the fingers of one hand and the end of the stalk with the fingers of your other hand).

Now gently bend it and it will snap at exactly the right point, where the stalk starts to get more woody.

It's quick and it's easy.

Do you need to trim asparagus tips?

If you buy asparagus tips, they are already trimmed.

However, I would still take a little off the stalk end, just so they are fresh.

Do you cook asparagus before adding it to a tart?

There's no need to cook the asparagus before adding it to a tart.

It needs very little cooking, so it will cook beautifully while the pastry cooks.

The same is true if you are adding it to a pizza or a quiche. Just let it cook with the rest of the dish.

What you need to make this puff pastry pie?

This simple, but tasty asparagus pie or tart (what would you call it?) only needs a few simple ingredients.

Puff Pastry

• Ready rolled puff pastry - or a block of puff pastry
• Olive oil - or other mild oil

Cheese Sauce

• Oat milk - or your regular milk
• Vegan butter - or spread
• English mustard powder - or whatever mustard you have
• Plain flour - also known as all-purpose flour
• Nutritional yeast - also known as nooch (optional)
• Grated vegan cheddar - or smoked vegan cheddar
• Salt and pepper - to season

Toppings

• Asparagus - tips or full stalks (see tips above for trimming asparagus)
• Cherry tomatoes - or any other mini tomatoes
• Sweetcorn - canned or frozen corn
• Dried parsley
• Fresh parsley - to serve
• Salt & pepper

Variations

Here are a few ideas to tweak this summer tart.

Cheese sauce

• Vegan style parmesan - to add more cheesy flavour 
• Paprika - for a stronger flavour
• Chilli flakes - for a bit of heat
• Chives - to add flavour

Toppings

• Mushrooms - they are always good
• Bell pepper - adds colour
• Sugar snap peas - or mangetout
• Petit pois - sweeter than garden peas
• Fresh basil - to serve
• Vegan feta - crumbled over the tart before serving (not cooked as it turns to oil)

Drizzle

• Sriracha hot sauce - for a bit of heat
• Sweet chilli sauce - for a pop of sweetness
• Balsamic glaze - just mmmmm!

Is puff pastry suitable for vegans?

Most shop-bought puff pastry from supermarket own brands to big well-known big brands like Jus-Rol are suitable for vegans here in the UK.

If you are unsure of a brand, then do have a wee look at the ingredient list.

Do avoid any that say 'all butter' as they are always dairy-based and not suitable for vegans.

What's better, block puff pastry or ready-rolled?

They both have good points and bad points.

Ready rolled puff pastry is very convenient and quick to use.

It's cut in a rectangle which is ideal for tarts or to cut smaller shapes from and it's rolled super evenly, which is something I can never do by hand.

Block puff pastry needs to be rolled out, which takes time and a bit of practice to get it even in a good shape for a tart.

However, you can roll it a little thicker and I always find you get a better rise from a block of puff pastry.

Looking for another special puff pastry dish for a family dinner? Try my Shallot Puff Pastry Crown. It's lush!

For more delicious puff pastry recipes, check out 50 BEST Plant-Based Puff Pastry Recipes for Vegans.

How do you get a golden finish on puff pastry without using an egg wash?

If you pop pastry in the oven without taking the time to coat it, it can come out quite pale, or peely wally as we say in Scotland.

To get that golden finish without egg you can brush with plant-based milk.

Personally, I prefer to brush it with olive oil, which I think gives it a better finish.

Can I use the whole puff pastry instead of cutting it square?

I quite like to cut a tart square, it's just visually appealing.

The excess is used to make a couple of mini-tarts.

Either for packed lunches or if the boy doesn't like the toppings I am using, I can make a smaller tart with toppings he likes.

Luckily I got it spot on for him this time, although he may have picked some cherry tomatoes off.

You can of course use the whole rectangle of puff pastry. 

There will be enough toppings and cheese sauce, it just won't be as thick.

Top tip for spare puff pastry

You could use the excess pastry (if you cut the tart into a square) to make two or more small dessert tarts.

Score a border and brush it with oil, the spread the centre of each with chocolate spread or biscoff spread and top with slices of banana and a sprinkle of brown sugar.

Serve warm as they are or topped with cream or vanilla ice cream.

How to make the raised border for a puff pie or tart

Usually, when I make a pie or tart with puff pastry, I just score a border (not cut all the way through) with a knife and keep the fillings inside the border.

It raises beautifully as it bakes.

As there is a thick layer of cheese sauce in this vegan pie, I decided it needed a raised border to contain it before baking it.

Easy to do, just fold a raised edge over all the way around your square or rectangle of pastry.

How to serve an asparagus tart

Here are a few serving ideas for this cheese and asparagus tart.

Serve hot with:

1. Baby potatoes, tenderstem broccoli and fine beans.
2. Mashed potato, carrots, broccoli and extra cheese sauce
3. Baked potato and salad

Serve cold with:

1. A dressed salad
2. On its own in lunch boxes
3. Couscous salad and beetroot

Make extra cheese sauce

Believe me, you will thank me.

Just thin it down a little  with more milk and sprinkle some paprika over it when it is served.

If you are serving this hot with potatoes and a selection of vegetables, you can pour the extra cheese sauce over them.

Mmmmm! Such a treat!

How long will a puff pastry tart keep?

Store this puff pastry tart in the fridge for 3-4 days.

You can serve cold or reheat briefly wrapped in foil.

Can you freeze this tart?

Freeze this tart before you bake it.

Flash freeze it on a lined baking tray, then move to a freezer bag.

Bake from frozen.

Reader's Photos

I love when readers share photos and comments when they have made and enjoyed one of my recipes. 

More vegan puff pastry tarts and pies

Here are a few more vegan puff pastry tarts and pies for you to try next.

1. Easy Mediterranean Tarts
2. Garlic Mushroom & Spinach Puff Tart
3. Harissa Vegetable Tarts
4. Mini Falafel Tarts
5. Pesto Cheese Swirls
6. Pizza Pastry Swirls
7. Scottish Carrot & Chive Tart
8. Spinach & Onion Puff Tart

Also, check out 25 Awesome Puff Pastry recipes for vegans.

The latest recipe from The Vegan Lunchbox - Tofu Grinder Salad Sandwich

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How to Make Vegan Asparagus Tart

Scroll down for step-by-step photos followed by a full printable recipe. If you don't have a printer, hit print then save as a PDF.

Step 1

• Preheat the oven and then make the cheese sauce.
• If you are using a pot, add all the ingredients into the pot, but if you are using the microwave, put the ingredients into a large jug or bowl.
• Melt the vegan butter and milk , then add the flour and spice.

Step 2

• Whisk until smooth, then add the cheese and nooch.

Step 3

• Whisk to combine, if it needs it you can reheat and taste to check the seasoning.
• Line a baking tray or use the baking paper the pastry comes wrapped in.
• Cut it to a square or leave as a rectangle and fold the edges in to make a raised border to keep the cheese sauce contained.
• Pour the cheese sauce and spread in an even layer (inside the raised border)

Step 4

• Add the asparagus and drained tinned corn (or frozen corn), then add the tomatoes.
• Add the dried herbs and season.
• Bake until golden.

Step 5

• Add chopped fresh herbs and serve. (full recipe below)
• Enjoy!

vegan pie, vegan tart, vegan puff pastry tart, vegan puff pie, vegan asparagus pie, vegan asparagus tart, asparagus recipe

dinner

British, vegan

Yield: 4-6

Author: Jacqueline Meldrum

Vegan Asparagus Tart

An easy vegan asparagus tart that celebrates summer. Made with puff pastry and a cheese sauce base with herbs for extra flavour. Serve hot or cold.

Prep time: 5 MinCook time: 25 MinTotal time: 30 Min

Ingredients

Puff Pastry

• 375g )13 oz) ready-rolled puff pastry
• 2 teaspoons olive oil

Vegan Cheese Sauce

• 200ml (3/4 cup, more if you need it) oat milk (or your regular milk)
• 1 tablespoon vegan butter (or spread)
• 1/2 teaspoon English mustard powder (or mustard)
• 2 tablespoons plain flour (all-purpose flour)
• 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast (nooch)
• 3 tablespoons grated vegan cheddar
• salt and pepper

Toppings

• 10 asparagus tips
• 5 cherry tomatoes (or other mini tomatoes), halved
• 2 tablespoons corn (tinned or frozen)
• 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
• salt and pepper

To serve

• 1 handful fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 200c/180c fan/400f/gas mark 4.
2. Make the cheese sauce. It's super quick in the microwave but can be made in a pot. Heat the milk, melting the butter in it, then add the mustard and flour and whisk until smooth. Now add the nutritional yeast and grated cheese and whisk again. You can heat again if you think it needs it. It should be a thick sauce.
3. Season the sauce with salt and pepper.
4. Let it cool for a couple of minutes, then take the pastry out of the fridge, unroll it and either cut into a square or leave in a rectangle, then fold in the edges to create a raised border.
5. Brush the raised border with oil.
6. Pour in the sauce and spread to the inside of the raised border in an even layer.
7. Add the asparagus, tomatoes and corn in a pleasing pattern.
8. Season with the dried herbs, salt and pepper then bake for 20-25 minutes until golden.
9. Remove from the oven and sprinkle over the fresh herbs before serving.
10. Enjoy!

Notes

• The nooch can be left out but it adds extra flavour and vitamin B12.
• You can serve this tart hot or cold.
• Why not make extra cheese sauce to pour over your potatoes and veg if you are serving it hot. I sprinkled the extra cheese sauce with paprika.
• This tart will keep in the fridge for 3-4 days.
• You can freeze this tart before baking on a tray, them move to a freezer bag and bake from frozen.

Calories in full size rectangular tart

4 slices = 665 calories each slice

5 slices = 535 calories each slice

6 slices = 446 calories each slice

If you cut it into a square there will be less calories.

Nutrition Facts

Calories

446.03

Fat (grams)

29.2

Sat. Fat (grams)

7.96

Carbs (grams)

39

Fiber (grams)

2.98

Net carbs

36.04

Sugar (grams)

4.18

Protein (grams)

7.82

Sodium (milligrams)

327.76

Cholesterol (grams)

5.02

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