Ravioli Casserole
Layers of cheese ravioli, a rich meat sauce, and melted mozzarella cheese baked until bubbly and golden. A super easy weeknight dinner that brings all the comfort of lasagna with half the work!
For 6 servings
10 steps. 20 minutes total.
- 1
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C)
- a.Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
- 2
Step 2
- a.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
Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant
- a.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
Step 4
- a.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
Step 5
- a.To assemble the casserole, spread about 1 cup of the meat sauce evenly over the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- 6
Arrange half of the frozen ravioli in a single layer over the sauce
- a.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
Step 7
- a.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
Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil
- a.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
Step 9
- a.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
Step 10
- a.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.
What to keep in mind.
6 tips from the recipe — small details that make a real difference to the final dish.
- 1Do not thaw the frozen ravioli. Using it frozen prevents it from becoming mushy and helps it cook to a perfect al dente texture in the oven.
- 2Letting the casserole rest for 10 minutes is essential. Cutting it too soon will cause the layers to slide and it won't hold its shape.
- 3For a richer flavor, use a combination of half ground beef and half ground Italian sausage.
- 4Grease the underside of the foil with cooking spray before covering the dish to prevent the melted cheese from sticking to it.
- 5For a creamier sauce, stir in 1/4 cup of heavy cream or 2 ounces of softened cream cheese into the meat sauce before layering.
- 6Add extra vegetables like sautéed mushrooms, spinach, or diced bell peppers to the sauce for more nutrients and flavor.
Adapt it for your goals.
Vegetarian
Omit the ground beef. Instead, sauté 16 oz of sliced cremini mushrooms and 1 cup of wilted spinach and add them to the marinara sauce.
Spicy SausageSpicy Sausage
Replace the ground beef with 1 lb of spicy or sweet Italian sausage, with the casings removed.
Three CheeseThree-Cheese
Add 1/2 cup of whole-milk ricotta cheese in dollops over the first layer of ravioli for an extra creamy and decadent texture.
Chicken AlfredoChicken Alfredo
Swap the meat sauce for a jarred or homemade Alfredo sauce and use shredded cooked chicken instead of ground beef for a creamy white casserole.
Why this is on our healthy list.
Rich in Protein
The ground beef and cheese provide a significant amount of high-quality protein, which is essential for muscle repair, growth, and overall body function.
Source of Lycopene
The tomato-based marinara sauce is a great source of lycopene, a powerful antioxidant linked to a reduced risk of certain chronic diseases.
Provides Calcium
With generous amounts of mozzarella and Parmesan cheese, this casserole is a good source of calcium, which is vital for strong bones and teeth.
Frequently asked questions
A typical serving of this Ravioli Casserole contains approximately 550-650 calories, depending on the specific ingredients used, such as the fat content of the beef and the type of cheese.