Toss Dry Pasta with Melted Butter and Three Simple Ingredients in a Glass Casserole Dish for an Easy Baked Dinner I Make Without Even Thinking
Some recipes don’t require a cookbook, a timer, or even much thought. They live in your muscle memory. This easy baked pasta dinner is one of those meals — the kind you can assemble in minutes by tossing dry pasta with melted butter and just three simple ingredients in a glass casserole dish. No pre-boiling. No complicated sauces. No multiple pans. Just mix, bake, and enjoy.
This is comfort food at its most practical: creamy, cheesy, golden on top, and deeply satisfying. It’s perfect for busy weeknights, lazy Sundays, or whenever you want something warm and filling without fuss.
Below is a complete, detailed guide to making this effortless baked pasta dish, including ingredient explanations, variations, tips for perfect texture, and ways to elevate it when you’re feeling creative.
Why This Recipe Works
The magic of this dish comes from baking dry pasta directly in liquid. As the pasta cooks in the oven, it absorbs moisture from milk or broth while the butter and cheese melt into a creamy sauce. The glass casserole dish helps distribute heat evenly and allows you to see when the pasta is bubbling and ready.
With just:
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Dry pasta
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Melted butter
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Milk
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Shredded cheese
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Seasoning
You create a complete meal with almost no prep work.
Core Ingredients
Base Recipe (Serves 4–6)
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2 cups dry pasta (penne, rotini, or shells work best)
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4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
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2 cups whole milk
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1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
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½ teaspoon salt
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½ teaspoon black pepper
That’s it. Three simple additions to butter and pasta: milk, cheese, and seasoning.
Optional Enhancements (Still Simple)
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½ teaspoon garlic powder
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½ teaspoon onion powder
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½ cup grated Parmesan
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½ cup cooked chicken or ham
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½ cup frozen peas or broccoli florets
But the base version is beautifully simple on its own.
Equipment Needed
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9x13-inch glass casserole dish
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Measuring cups
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Mixing spoon
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Aluminum foil
No stovetop required.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
This temperature allows the pasta to cook through while preventing the top from burning too quickly.
Step 2: Add Dry Pasta to the Dish
Pour 2 cups of dry pasta directly into your glass casserole dish. Spread it evenly.
There is no need to pre-cook the pasta — it will soften as it bakes.
Step 3: Add Melted Butter
Drizzle melted butter evenly over the dry pasta.
Using a spoon, gently toss the pasta so the butter lightly coats each piece. This helps prevent sticking and adds rich flavor.
Step 4: Add the Liquid
Pour 2 cups of whole milk over the pasta. The liquid should mostly cover the pasta. If needed, add ¼ cup more milk.
Milk serves as both cooking liquid and creamy sauce base.
Step 5: Add Cheese and Seasoning
Sprinkle shredded cheddar evenly over the pasta and milk. Add salt and pepper.
Stir gently to distribute cheese slightly, but don’t fully mix — you want cheese pockets throughout.
Step 6: Cover and Bake
Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil.
Bake for 35 minutes.
Covering traps steam, allowing pasta to cook evenly.
Step 7: Uncover and Finish Baking
Remove foil and bake an additional 10–15 minutes.
The top should become lightly golden and bubbling. If you prefer a deeper crust, broil for 2–3 minutes at the end.
Step 8: Rest Before Serving
Let casserole rest 5–10 minutes before serving.
The sauce thickens as it cools slightly.
Texture and Flavor
When done correctly, this dish has:
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Tender pasta
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Creamy, lightly thickened sauce
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Melted cheese throughout
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Golden top layer
It’s similar to a simplified baked mac and cheese — but easier.
Why a Glass Casserole Dish?
Glass allows:
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Even heat distribution
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Visible browning
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Slower temperature changes
This reduces the risk of scorching.
Tips for Perfect Results
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Use small pasta shapes for even cooking.
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Ensure pasta is mostly submerged in milk.
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Stir halfway through baking if desired for even texture.
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Use freshly shredded cheese for better melting.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Pasta Too Firm
Add ¼ cup more milk and bake 5–10 minutes longer.
Sauce Too Thin
Let rest longer before serving.
Top Burning
Lower rack position or cover loosely with foil.
Flavor Variations
Garlic Butter Version
Add 1 teaspoon minced garlic to melted butter before pouring.
Three-Cheese Bake
Use cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan.
Creamier Version
Replace ½ cup milk with heavy cream.
Protein Boost
Add cooked shredded chicken before baking.
Veggie Add-In
Stir in broccoli or spinach.
Turning It Into a Complete Meal
Serve with:
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Green salad
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Roasted vegetables
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Garlic bread
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Steamed green beans
It pairs well with light sides to balance richness.
Make-Ahead Instructions
Assemble fully, cover, and refrigerate up to 24 hours.
Add 10 extra minutes baking time if starting cold.
Freezing Instructions
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Assemble in freezer-safe dish.
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Wrap tightly.
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Freeze up to 2 months.
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Thaw overnight before baking.
Scaling the Recipe
For larger groups:
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Double ingredients.
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Use larger casserole dish.
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Increase baking time by 10–15 minutes.
Budget-Friendly Meal
This dish is economical because:
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Uses pantry staples
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Requires no specialty ingredients
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Feeds multiple people
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Provides leftovers
Nutritional Estimate (Per Serving)
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Calories: 420–500
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Protein: 14g
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Carbohydrates: 45g
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Fat: 22g
Why This Becomes a “No-Thinking” Dinner
Once you’ve made it a few times, you remember:
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2 cups pasta
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2 cups milk
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1 ½ cups cheese
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Butter
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Bake
It becomes instinctive — a fallback dinner for busy days.
Elevating the Dish (When You Feel Fancy)
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Add crispy bacon on top.
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Mix in caramelized onions.
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Top with breadcrumbs tossed in butter.
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Add a pinch of smoked paprika.
Turning It Into a Creamy Baked Alfredo Style
Swap milk for 1 cup milk + 1 cup chicken broth.
Add ½ cup grated Parmesan and ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning.
Kid-Friendly Appeal
Kids love:
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Mild cheese flavor
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Creamy texture
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Familiar pasta shape
It’s a reliable family favorite.
Comfort Food Simplicity
This recipe proves you don’t need complicated techniques for satisfying meals. It relies on:
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Heat
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Moisture
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Fat
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Cheese
The oven does most of the work.
Final Thoughts
Tossing dry pasta with melted butter and three simple ingredients in a glass casserole dish might not sound revolutionary — but it’s the kind of practical kitchen trick that makes life easier. No boiling water. No draining pasta. No separate sauce pan.
Just layer, bake, and serve.
It’s creamy, golden, and dependable. It’s the kind of dinner you can make without even thinking — and sometimes, those are the best recipes of all.
Keep it simple. Keep it warm. And enjoy every easy, comforting bite.
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