Million Dollar Ravioli Casserole is a rich, cheesy, and comforting dish that tastes like a million bucks! This easy-to-make casserole features layers of cheese-filled ravioli, creamy ricotta, savory marinara sauce, and plenty of melty cheese. It’s perfect for a family dinner, meal prep, or even a potluck.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy to Make: Uses frozen or refrigerated ravioli for a quick assembly.
- Ultra Cheesy & Creamy: A blend of ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan makes this casserole extra indulgent.
- Family-Friendly: A guaranteed crowd-pleaser that both kids and adults will love.
- Great for Leftovers: Tastes even better the next day and reheats beautifully.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- 1 lb frozen or refrigerated cheese ravioli
- 1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage
- 1 jar (24 oz) marinara or spaghetti sauce
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 egg
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Fresh basil or parsley (for garnish, optional)
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray.
- Cook the meat: In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef or Italian sausage until fully cooked. Drain excess grease. Stir in the marinara sauce and let simmer for 2-3 minutes.
- Prepare the cheese mixture: In a bowl, mix the ricotta cheese, sour cream, egg, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper until smooth.
- Assemble the casserole:
- Spread a thin layer of the meat sauce on the bottom of the baking dish.
- Add a layer of ravioli (uncooked).
- Spread half of the ricotta mixture over the ravioli.
- Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese.
- Repeat layers until all ingredients are used, ending with a layer of meat sauce and mozzarella cheese on top.
- Bake: Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish & Serve: Let the casserole sit for 5-10 minutes before serving. Sprinkle with Parmesan and fresh basil or parsley if desired.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 6-8
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
Variations
- Vegetarian Version: Use spinach and mushrooms instead of ground meat.
- Spicy Kick: Add red pepper flakes or spicy Italian sausage.
- Extra Creamy: Add a layer of cream cheese for extra richness.
- Low-Carb: Use zucchini slices or cooked spaghetti squash instead of ravioli.
- Different Cheese Options: Try provolone, fontina, or gouda for a unique flavor twist.
Storage/Reheating
- Refrigeration: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Freezing: Freeze before or after baking. Wrap tightly and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight before reheating.
- Reheating: Warm in the oven at 350°F for 15-20 minutes or microwave individual servings for 1-2 minutes.
FAQs
Do I need to cook the ravioli before baking?
No, the ravioli cooks in the sauce while baking, making this recipe even easier!
Can I use fresh ravioli instead of frozen?
Yes! Fresh ravioli will cook a bit faster, so reduce baking time by about 5 minutes.
Can I make this casserole ahead of time?
Yes! Assemble the casserole, cover, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking.
Can I use a different type of pasta?
You can, but ravioli adds extra cheese and flavor. If using regular pasta, cook it first.
How do I prevent the casserole from being too watery?
Drain any excess grease from the meat and avoid using too much sauce. Let the casserole rest after baking to help it set.
Can I add vegetables to this casserole?
Yes! Spinach, mushrooms, or zucchini make great additions for extra flavor and nutrition.
What can I serve with this casserole?
Serve with garlic bread, a fresh salad, or roasted vegetables for a complete meal.
How do I make this casserole extra cheesy?
Add an extra layer of shredded cheese between the layers and on top before baking.
Can I use cottage cheese instead of ricotta?
Yes! Cottage cheese works as a substitute, though it has a slightly different texture.
What’s the best way to freeze this casserole?
Assemble the casserole but don’t bake it. Wrap tightly and freeze. When ready to eat, bake from frozen at 375°F for about 50-60 minutes.
Conclusion
Million Dollar Ravioli Casserole is a delicious, cheesy, and easy-to-make dish that’s perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re feeding a family, making a meal ahead, or looking for a comforting dinner, this recipe delivers every time. Try it out and enjoy a rich, flavorful casserole that tastes like a million bucks!
PrintMillion Dollar Ravioli Casserole
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6–8 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Description
This Million Dollar Ravioli Casserole is a rich, cheesy, and comforting dish that tastes like a million bucks! Made with layers of cheese-filled ravioli, creamy ricotta mixture, savory marinara sauce, and melted mozzarella, this baked pasta casserole is an easy crowd-pleaser for busy weeknights or family dinners.
Ingredients
- 1 (25 oz) bag frozen cheese ravioli
- 1 lb ground beef (or Italian sausage)
- 1 (24 oz) jar marinara sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup ricotta cheese (or cottage cheese)
- 1 cup sour cream
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Step 1: Prepare the Meat Sauce
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned, breaking it apart as it cooks. Drain excess grease.
- Stir in the marinara sauce, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Let it simmer for 5 minutes, then remove from heat.
- Step 2: Make the Creamy Cheese Layer
- In a bowl, mix together the cream cheese, ricotta cheese, and sour cream until smooth.
- Step 3: Assemble the Casserole
- Spread ⅓ of the meat sauce at the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- Arrange half of the frozen ravioli in a single layer over the sauce.
- Spread half of the creamy cheese mixture over the ravioli.
- Sprinkle with ½ cup mozzarella cheese.
- Repeat the layers: 1/3 meat sauce → remaining ravioli → remaining cheese mixture → ½ cup mozzarella.
- Spread the remaining ⅓ meat sauce over the top and sprinkle with Parmesan and remaining mozzarella.
- Step 4: Bake the Casserole
- Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
- Remove foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes, until cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
- Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes, then sprinkle with fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
- Use different ravioli: Try beef, spinach, or mushroom ravioli for variety.
- Make it spicy: Use hot Italian sausage instead of ground beef for extra kick.
- Vegetarian option: Skip the meat and use extra veggies like mushrooms, zucchini, or spinach.
- Storage & Freezing: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
- Calories: ~450
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
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