Easy Million Dollar Ravioli Casserole Recipe That Wows Everyone

When hunger strikes, this million dollar ravioli casserole becomes your ultimate comfort companion on chilly evenings.

Cheesy layers promise a delightful culinary adventure waiting to unfold.

Pasta enthusiasts will absolutely adore the rich, creamy textures melding together.

Weeknight dinners demand something special, and this recipe delivers pure magic.

Incredibly simple ingredients combine to create an extraordinary meal that looks like you spent hours in the kitchen.

Every forkful promises a delectable journey through melted cheese and perfectly seasoned pasta.

You won’t believe how quickly this crowd-pleaser comes together with minimal effort.

Dive into this irresistible dish and watch everyone ask for seconds!

Why Ravioli Casserole Feels Like a Rich Treat

• Crush Comfort Food Cravings: Discover a hearty dish that wraps you in pure deliciousness with minimal kitchen effort.
• Simplify Weeknight Dinners: Create a crowd-pleasing meal using convenient frozen ravioli and basic ingredients that come together in a snap.
• Layer Like a Pro: Build mouthwatering flavor profiles by strategically stacking meat sauce, creamy cheese mixture, and perfectly cooked ravioli for a restaurant-quality experience at home.
• Customize Your Feast: Swap ground beef for turkey, experiment with different cheese blends, or add extra vegetables to make this recipe uniquely yours while keeping the core magic intact.

What You’ll Need for This Cheesy Casserole

• Ground Beef: A hearty protein that forms the base of the meaty sauce and adds rich flavor to the casserole.
• Frozen Ravioli: Convenient pasta pockets that create layers of deliciousness in this comforting dish.
• Marinara Sauce: A classic tomato sauce that provides a tangy and robust foundation for the meat mixture.

• Ricotta Cheese, Cottage Cheese: Creates a creamy and smooth filling that adds richness and texture to the casserole.
• Mozzarella Cheese: Provides a classic melty and stretchy cheese layer that gives the dish its gooey appeal.
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds a sharp and salty finish to the top of the casserole, creating a golden brown crust.

• Sour Cream: Brings a subtle tanginess and helps create a creamy cheese mixture.
• Italian Seasoning: A blend of herbs that enhances the overall flavor profile of the dish.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that balance and highlight the other ingredients.
• Fresh Parsley: A fresh garnish that adds a pop of color and a bright, herbal note to the finished casserole.

How to Make Million Dollar Ravioli Casserole

Step 1: Brown Meaty Magic

Heat a large skillet over medium flame. Drop ground beef into the pan and cook until it transforms into delicious golden-brown crumbles.

Drain away any extra fat. Pour marinara sauce over the beef and let it bubble gently.

Season with a sprinkle of salt and pepper for extra flavor.

Step 2: Create Creamy Cheese Blend

• Ricotta cheese
• Sour cream
• Shredded mozzarella
• Italian seasoning

Whisk everything together until the mixture looks smooth and inviting.

Step 3: Build Delicious Layers

Grab a 9×13 inch baking dish. Start by spreading a thin layer of meat sauce across the bottom.

Arrange a single layer of frozen ravioli over the sauce. Generously spread the creamy cheese mixture across the ravioli.

Pour half the remaining meat sauce on top. Add another layer of ravioli and finish with the rest of the meat sauce.

Step 4: Cheese Crown

Scatter remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese over the top, creating a beautiful cheesy blanket.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Cover the dish with aluminum foil.

Slide into a preheated oven at 350F (175C). Bake for 30 minutes.

Remove the foil and continue baking for 10-15 minutes until the cheese turns golden and bubbly.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Let the casserole rest for a few minutes.

Sprinkle fresh parsley on top. Serve hot and watch everyone’s eyes light up with excitement.

Handy Tips for the Creamiest Ravioli Casserole

• Swap cottage cheese for ricotta to boost protein and reduce fat content.
• Enhance flavor by adding minced garlic or Italian herbs to the meat sauce for deeper taste complexity.
• Prevent soggy bottom by draining excess moisture from ground beef thoroughly before mixing with marinara.
• Make ahead and freeze the entire casserole unbaked for convenient meal prep, storing up to 3 months in an airtight container.
• Use gluten-free ravioli to create a celiac-friendly version without compromising the delicious layered texture.

Creative Layers to Add to This Pasta Bake

• Vegetarian Ravioli Bake: Replace ground beef with plant-based crumbles or sautéed mushrooms for a meat-free version. Use vegetable marinara sauce and follow the same layering technique.
• Gluten-Free Option: Swap regular ravioli with gluten-free cheese or spinach ravioli. Ensure all sauce ingredients are certified gluten-free for celiac-friendly preparation.
• Low-Carb Cauliflower Swap: Substitute ravioli with roasted cauliflower florets. Layer cauliflower instead of pasta, maintaining the cheese and meat sauce components for a lighter meal.
• Spicy Southwest Remix: Add diced green chiles, swap Italian seasoning for taco seasoning, and include pepper jack cheese to create a zesty southwestern-style casserole.

What Complements This Ravioli Casserole Best

• Perfectly Paired Wine Selections: Select a medium-bodied red wine like Chianti or Sangiovese to complement the rich, meaty flavors of the ravioli casserole, balancing its robust tomato sauce and creamy cheese layers.
• Crisp Salad Companion: Toss together a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette and shaved Parmesan to cut through the casserole's richness, adding a fresh, zesty contrast to the hearty dish.
• Garlic Bread Sidekick: Prepare crusty garlic bread with herb-infused butter to soak up the delicious meat sauce, providing a crunchy texture that enhances the overall dining experience.

How to Store Million Dollar Ravioli Casserole

• Store leftovers in an airtight container and keep in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Cool the casserole completely before sealing to prevent moisture buildup.
• Wrap tightly in freezer-safe plastic wrap or aluminum foil, then place in a freezer bag. Freeze for up to 2-3 months without losing flavor or texture.
• Place individual portions on a microwave-safe plate. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval, until warmed through. Add a splash of water to prevent drying out.

FAQs

• Can I use different types of ravioli?

Yes, you can swap frozen ravioli with cheese, meat, or spinach varieties. Choose your favorite filling that complements the meat sauce.

• Is this recipe kid-friendly?

Absolutely! The cheesy layers and familiar flavors make this casserole a hit with children. Most kids love the combination of pasta, cheese, and meat sauce.

• Can I make this dish ahead of time?

Definitely. Prepare the casserole up to the baking stage, cover, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When ready to serve, bake directly from the refrigerator, adding 10-15 extra minutes to the cooking time.

Million Dollar Ravioli Casserole Recipe

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4.9 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Comfort meets luxury in this Million Dollar Ravioli Casserole, where layers of cheese-stuffed pasta mingle with rich marinara and melted cheese. Hearty Italian-American flavors promise a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat and Protein:

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 package (25 ounces) frozen cheese ravioli

Dairy and Cheese:

• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 1 cup sour cream
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Sauce and Seasonings:

• 1 jar (24 ounces) marinara sauce
• 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
• Salt to taste
• Black pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley (for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Prepare the cooking environment by heating the oven to 350F (175C), ensuring precise temperature for optimal cooking results.
2. In a large skillet, transform ground beef into a rich, flavorful base by browning thoroughly over medium heat. Eliminate excess grease, then infuse with marinara sauce. Allow the mixture to simmer for 5 minutes, seasoning with salt and pepper to enhance depth of flavor.
3. Create a luxurious cheese blend by whisking ricotta, sour cream, mozzarella, and Italian seasoning until smooth and creamy, ensuring a consistent texture throughout.
4. Construct the casserole foundation by spreading a thin meat sauce layer in a 9×13-inch baking dish. Strategically arrange the first half of frozen ravioli as a uniform base. Generously spread the cheese mixture, covering every pasta pocket. Distribute the remaining meat sauce, followed by a second ravioli layer and final meat sauce coating.
5. Crown the casserole with a decadent cheese topping, sprinkling mozzarella and Parmesan to create a golden, melty surface.
6. Shield the dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Uncover and continue baking 10-15 minutes until cheese transforms into a bubbling, appetizing golden crust.
7. Allow the casserole to rest briefly, allowing flavors to meld. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve while warm, presenting a comforting, restaurant-quality meal.

Notes

• Customize meat by using ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a lighter, leaner version that maintains rich flavor profiles.
• Enhance cheese mixture with fresh herbs like basil or oregano to elevate the overall taste and add vibrant aromatics.
• Prevent soggy texture by using slightly thawed ravioli and ensuring excess moisture is drained from meat sauce before layering.
• Make ahead by assembling casserole up to 24 hours in advance, storing covered in refrigerator, and baking when ready to serve for convenient meal planning.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian-American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 630 kcal
• Sugar: 7 g
• Sodium: 710 mg
• Fat: 38 g
• Saturated Fat: 18 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 39 g
• Cholesterol: 110 mg