Cheese Baked Casserole (Printable)

Golden baked casserole with sharp cheddar, mozzarella, creamy texture, and crispy breadcrumb topping.

# Ingredient List:

→ Dairy

01 - 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
02 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
03 - 1 cup whole milk
04 - 1/2 cup heavy cream
05 - 2 large eggs

→ Pantry

06 - 2 cups fresh breadcrumbs
07 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
08 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
09 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
10 - 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

→ Optional Add-ins

11 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)
12 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (for topping)

# Steps:

01 - Set the oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 2-quart baking dish to prevent sticking.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, whole milk, heavy cream, salt, black pepper, and ground nutmeg until fully blended.
03 - Stir in the shredded sharp cheddar and mozzarella cheeses until evenly distributed.
04 - Fold in 1 cup of the fresh breadcrumbs gently to maintain a uniform mixture.
05 - Pour the prepared cheese and breadcrumb mixture into the greased baking dish and spread evenly.
06 - Combine the remaining 1 cup breadcrumbs with melted unsalted butter, and if desired, grated Parmesan cheese. Sprinkle this topping evenly over the surface.
07 - Bake the casserole for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the custard is fully set and the topping turns golden brown.
08 - Allow to cool for 5 minutes, then garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's a golden, cheesy escape that comes together faster than takeout.
  • The crispy breadcrumb top gives you that textural contrast that makes every bite feel intentional.
  • Works as a vegetarian main or a side that steals the spotlight at any table.
02 -
  • Don't skip the full 5-minute rest—I learned this the hard way when I served it straight from the oven and it fell apart into creamy puddles.
  • The breadcrumb topping is where the magic lives; if it's not golden and crispy, the whole dish loses its textural argument.
  • Fresh breadcrumbs matter more than you'd think—panko stays hard and bitter, but fresh crumbs soak up the butter and turn tender and toasted.
03 -
  • If the top browns too quickly, tent it loosely with foil for the last 10 minutes and then uncover to finish.
  • Use a food thermometer if you're unsure—the center should hit around 160°F for the eggs to be safely set.

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