Ravioli Casserole with Garlic Bread

Instructions

1. 1

   Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.

2. 2

   In a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté for 5-7 minutes, until softened and translucent.

3. 3

   Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant. Add the ground beef, breaking it apart with a spoon. Cook for 6-8 minutes until browned and no longer pink. Drain off any excess grease.

4. 4

   Stir in the marinara sauce, water, Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes. Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low and let it cook for 5-10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.

5. 5

   To assemble the casserole, spread about 1 cup of the meat sauce evenly over the bottom of the prepared baking dish.

6. 6

   Arrange half of the frozen ravioli in a single layer over the sauce. Top with half of the remaining meat sauce, spreading it to cover the ravioli. Sprinkle 1 cup of the shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce.

7. 7

   Repeat the layers: arrange the remaining frozen ravioli, top with the rest of the meat sauce, and finish by sprinkling the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella and all of the grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the top.

8. 8

   Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil. To prevent the cheese from sticking, you can lightly spray the underside of the foil with cooking spray. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.

9. 9

   Remove the foil and continue to bake for another 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted, bubbly, and lightly golden brown on top.

10. 10

    Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest on a wire rack for at least 10 minutes before slicing. This step is crucial as it allows the casserole to set. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve warm.