Asparagus Casserole with Ritz Crackers

0 Preheat oven to 350°F.
1 Cut asparagus in bite sized pieces and separate the tips from the stalks.
2 Add the stalks to salted, boiling water and cook for about 2 minutes.
3 Add the tips and cook for a minute or so more - or until the stalks are crisp-tender.
4 Drain.
5 Cook the bacon until crisp. Reserve 2 tablespoons of the bacon grease.
6 Crumble the bacon and set aside.
7 Crumble the crackers and set aside.
8 Grease a 2 quart casserole dish and add half the cooked asparagus.
9 Top with half the cream of mushroom soup.
10 Add half the cheese and repeat the layers.
11 Mix the reserved bacon grease with the cracker crumbs. You may substitute 2 tablespoons of melted butter if you like.
12 Sprinkle over the top of the casserole.
13 Top with the crumbled bacon.
14 Bake, uncovered, until heated through and bubbly, 25 - 30 minutes.