This easy ravioli casserole is packed with cheesy, meaty flavor and goes straight from freezer to oven. No boiling needed, and it's ready in under an hour!
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Why You’ll Love This Baked Ravioli Recipe
Stuffed pasta has always felt extra special to me — like there’s a little surprise tucked inside every bite. Growing up, the Sunday sauce days at my grandma’s house that included ravioli were a big deal for me. So it only made sense to recreate that cozy, Sunday-supper feeling in an easier, more weeknight-friendly way.
This cheesy baked ravioli casserole skips the boiling and goes straight into the oven. Simply layer, bake, and eat! It’s hearty, comforting, and full of rich flavor thanks to a quick homemade meat sauce. Here’s why this recipe is a total win:
- Done in under an hour
- Kid-approved and crowd-friendly
- Pantry-friendly
- All the cozy, none of the effort
Ingredient Information And Substitutions
- Ground beef- Adds heartiness and flavor. Swap with ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option, or Italian sausage if you prefer.
- Onion & garlic- Fresh gives the best flavor, but you can swap in garlic powder or onion powder if needed.
- Olive oil- Used for sautéing.
- Marinara sauce- Use your favorite jarred or homemade version.
- Water- Just a bit to rinse out the sauce jar and thin things slightly. (Skip it if your sauce is already runny.)
- Frozen cheese ravioli- No need to thaw! Cheese-filled is classic, but meat or veggie varieties work great too.
- Romano or Parmesan cheese- Adds salty, cheesy flavor.
- Mozzarella cheese- Melts beautifully on top. A pre-shredded Italian blend works too.
- Salt & pepper- Adjust to your taste.
How To Make Baked Ravioli Casserole
Step 1- Make the meat sauce.
Start by heating olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onions and garlic, cooking them for a few minutes until they’re soft and fragrant.
Add the ground beef to the pan and break it apart as it cooks. Season with salt and pepper. Cook until browned, around 7-10 minutes.
Pour in 2 cups of marinara and stir, then add the remaining ½ cup of sauce to the bottom of your baking dish. Swirl a bit of water in the empty jar to get the rest of the sauce and add that to the skillet. Stir in the grated Romano cheese and let everything simmer for about 6-7 minutes.
Step 2- Prep the oven and layer.
While the sauce simmers, preheat your oven to 375 degrees F. Spread a single layer of frozen ravioli across the bottom of the pan (about 4 rows of 6 for a 9x13 dish). Top with half the meat sauce.
Add another layer of ravioli and cover with the remaining sauce.
Step 6- Bake, add cheese, and serve.
Cover the pan and bake for 30 minutes. Then uncover, sprinkle shredded mozzarella evenly on top, and bake for another 10 minutes until bubbly and melted. Let it rest for a few minutes before serving warm.
Frequently Asked Questions
No problem! Just stir in a tablespoon or two of tomato paste. It’ll help thicken things up and deepen the flavor. If you don't have any tomato paste on hand, cook it uncovered a bit longer to reduce it.
Yep, fresh ravioli works great. Just shave about 10 minutes off the covered baking time since it cooks a bit quicker.
Absolutely. You can assemble the whole casserole, cover it well, and pop it in the fridge for up to a day before baking.
Tips For Making Baked Ravioli Lasagna
- Brown the meat thoroughly for deeper flavor and better sauce texture.
- Drain any excess grease from the ground beef before seasoning with salt and pepper. You can add other spices or dried herb too if you'd like!
- Use high-quality marinara. Since it’s a key ingredient, the better the sauce, the better the flavor.
- Don’t skip the cheese layer. The melted mozzarella on top really brings it all together.
- Let the casserole rest after baking. This helps it set for cleaner slices and easier serving.
- Add fresh herbs like basil or parsley after baking to brighten the dish.
- Ingredients to prep ahead- Dice onions, mince garlic, and pre-grate any cheese for quick assembly.
- Leftovers and storage- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. You can also freeze leftovers for up to 3 months. Reheat gently in the oven or microwave.
What To Serve With Baked Ravioli
Make it a full, cozy meal by pairing this cheesy ravioli bake with a fresh veggie side, something crunchy or crisp for balance, and a simple dessert to finish things off. Oh, and plenty of garlic bread! Here are a few favorites to round out the table:
- Grilled Artichokes
- Asparagus Leek Tart
- Loaded Baked Potato Stacks
- Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Muffins
Other Pasta Recipes To Try
Love this recipe? Please leave a 5 star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating in the recipe card below ⬇️ and/or a review in the comment section further down. Check out my Amazon Store for all my favorite tools, including those used in this recipe. And follow @thelifejolie on Instagram and TikTok!
Ravioli Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- ½ cup diced onions
- 3 garlic cloves chopped or pressed
- 1 pound ground beef
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 ½ cups marinara sauce divided
- ½ cup water
- ¼ cup Romano or Parmesan cheese
- 25 ounce cheese ravioli I use frozen
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a skillet over medium high heat.
- Add the onions and garlic and saute until they've softened about 2-3 minutes.
- Add the ground beef and break it up with a wooden spoon.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Saute until the beef is brown, about 7-10 minutes
- Add 2 cups of the marinara sauce to the pan and stir. Place the other ½ cup of sauce into the bottom of the baking dish.
- Take the water and swirl it around the empty sauce jar (to get any left behind sauce) and then add that to the pan as well.
- Add the Romano cheese to the pan and simmer for 6-7 minutes, stirring periodically.
- While the sauce is simmering, preheat the oven to 375℉.
- Line the raviolis up in a single layer to cover to bottom of the baking pan- the amount it takes to cover it will depend of the size of the raviolis but for me this was 4 rows of 6 ravioli.
- Next spread half of the meat sauce mixture evenly on top of your ravioli.
- Now make another layer with the remaining ravioli (you may have a couple left over) and spread the remaining meat sauce mixture evenly over the top of it.
- Cover and bake for 30 minutes.
- Remove the cover and to with an even layer of shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Return the pan to the oven and bake another 10 minutes or until the cheese is melted.
- Rest for a few minutes and serve immediately.
Video
Notes
- Brown the meat thoroughly for deeper flavor and better sauce texture.
- Drain any excess grease from the ground beef before seasoning with salt and pepper. You can add other spices or dried herb too if you'd like!
- Use high-quality marinara. Since it’s a key ingredient, the better the sauce, the better the flavor.
- Don’t skip the cheese layer. The melted mozzarella on top really brings it all together.
- Let the casserole rest after baking. This helps it set for cleaner slices and easier serving.
- Add fresh herbs like basil or parsley after baking to brighten the dish.
- Ingredients to prep ahead- Dice onions, mince garlic, and pre-grate any cheese for quick assembly.
- Leftovers and storage- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. You can also freeze leftovers for up to 3 months. Reheat gently in the oven or microwave.
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