Garlic Butter Casserole 🧄🧈🧀🔥 Buttery, Cheesy, and Golden-Baked With Layers of Garlic Flavor and Cozy Comfort in Every Bite

This casserole is pure comfort — buttery garlic layered through pasta or potatoes, cheese, and herbs, baked until bubbling and crisp around the edges. It’s endlessly flexible: turn it into a side dish, a full vegetarian bake, or a base for shrimp, chicken, or sausage.

Whether you’re using leftover pasta or building it from scratch, it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients (Serves 4–6)

Base (choose one)

• 8 oz cooked pasta (penne, shells, or fusilli)
  or
• 3 cups thinly sliced cooked potatoes

Garlic butter mixture

• 4 tbsp unsalted butter
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp chopped parsley
• Optional: pinch of red pepper flakes or smoked paprika

Binding & cheese

• 1 cup shredded mozzarella
• ½ cup grated Parmesan
• 1 cup milk or half-and-half
• 1 egg, lightly beaten

Topping

• ½ cup breadcrumbs or crushed crackers
• 2 tbsp melted butter
• Extra Parmesan or herbs (optional)

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat oven
Preheat to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a baking dish (8×8 or similar).

Step 2: Make garlic butter
Melt butter in a pan over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté 1–2 minutes until fragrant. Stir in salt, pepper, parsley, and any optional spice. Set aside.

Step 3: Combine base and mix-ins
In a large bowl, combine cooked pasta or potatoes, garlic butter, shredded cheese, milk, and beaten egg. Mix well to coat.

Step 4: Assemble the casserole
Pour mixture into prepared baking dish. Top evenly with breadcrumbs mixed with melted butter and sprinkle with extra Parmesan.

Step 5: Bake
Bake uncovered for 25–30 minutes until golden on top and bubbling around the edges. Broil for 1–2 minutes at the end if needed for extra crispness.

Step 6: Cool slightly and serve
Let rest 5–10 minutes before serving so it sets slightly. Garnish with herbs or chili flakes if desired.

Flavor Variations

• Add sautéed spinach, mushrooms, or roasted broccoli
• Stir in cooked chicken, sausage, or shrimp for a protein boost
• Use smoked Gouda or cheddar for a bolder cheese layer
• Sub heavy cream for milk for extra richness
• Add lemon zest or Dijon for brightness

Pro Tips

• Use slightly undercooked pasta — it finishes in the oven
• Garlic flavor too strong? Roast it first for sweetness
• Breadcrumbs = texture. Use panko for extra crunch
• Mix garlic butter with the topping for double garlic power
• Make ahead and bake right before serving

Final Thoughts

Garlic Butter Casserole is cheesy, crispy, and soaked in rich garlic flavor — perfect for feeding a crowd or leveling up leftovers. It’s cozy, flexible, and dangerously scoopable.

Melt it. Mix it. Bake it golden. 🧄🧈🧀🔥