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A plate of ravioli casserole with the pan behind it.
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Ravioli Casserole

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
Course Main
Cuisine Italian
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 8 servings
Author Jessy Freimann

Equipment

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.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving