This extremely easy Baked Ravioli Casserole recipe is like a lasagna but with half the work. It takes an easy meat sauce made with a jarred tomato sauce to a new level with store-bought ravioli. It is a hearty, nourishing dish that the whole family will love on any weeknight!!
Do you want other easy casserole meals? Then try our Stuffed Pasta Shells, Stuffed Pepper Casserole, Homemade Pierogi Casserole, or Tater Tot Sloppy Joe Casserole. Or if you love homemade pasta then try our Cheese Ravioli.
This baked ravioli is one delicious meal that you can have on the table super fast! There is very little prep involved for something that tastes so good. This is much like a lasagna but without all the work.
It is made with a meat-based sauce, although the meat can easily be left out to make this a meat-free dinner.
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What Ingredients are in Ravioli Casserole?
The ingredients for this Baked Ravioli Casserole are super easy to come by at any grocery store. They are also fairly inexpensive and feed a big family of four or more if you serve them along with a side dish. Ravioli recipes are the best for ease and simplicity.
Ingredients
Olive oil – Olive oil is used for browning ground beef. This can be replaced with your preferred oil.
Ground beef – I like to use lean or extra lean beef. Substitute the beef with any other variety of ground meat, like Italian sausage, or omit it altogether.
Marinara sauce – Use either homemade or store-bought marinara sauce or your favorite pasta sauce.
Ravioli – Use fresh ravioli from the refrigerator section of your grocery store. This recipe was made using beef ravioli, but any variety will do. A cheese ravioli really works nicely in this dish, too; find your favorite. If you only have frozen cheese ravioli available, that works well too. See below for more instructions on using frozen ravioli.
Mozzarella cheese – Use shredded mozzarella; I would recommend shredding it yourself as it melts better than the pre-shredded.
Parmesan cheese – Use shredded parmesan cheese, or grate some yourself. I always have a large chunk of Parmesan in the fridge; we use the rind also in recipes like soup.
Fresh basil – The basil is used as a garnish and is completely optional, but it gives a great freshness to the dish.
How to Make Ravioli Casserole
Preheat the oven to 350°F/180°c.
Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Cook the beef, breaking up any lumps with the back of a wooden spoon until browned. Drain any excess grease if wanted. Add the marinara sauce and stir until heated through. Remove from the heat.
Spread 1/3 of the sauce mixture over the base of a 9 x 13-inch baking dish. Top with 1/2 of the ravioli, followed by 1/2 of the mozzarella. Repeat layers, and layer again with 1/3 sauce, the remaining ravioli, and the final 1/3 of the sauce. Sprinkle over the remaining 1/2 of the mozzarella and the parmesan cheese.
Place the ravioli in the preheated oven and bake for around 20 to 30 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbling, the cheese is melted and golden, and the ravioli is cooked through. Top with the chopped basil and serve.
Recipe Pro Tips!
Notes:
- Make this a vegetarian dish by omitting ground beef.
- The ravioli does not need to be cooked prior to assembling the dish, as it will cook in the oven.
How to Store Leftover Ravioli Casserole
Storage
Store any leftover baked ravioli in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat either using the oven or microwave until piping hot.
This baked ravioli is suitable for freezing. Freeze in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Defrost overnight in the fridge before reheating using either the oven or microwave until piping hot.
Do you Have to Thaw Frozen Ravioli Before Cooking?
The answer is no! Cooking ravioli frozen will give you a much better result, and it is one less step for you. Whether you made ravioli from scratch and froze it or bought frozen ravioli from the grocery store, you should not thaw it before boiling and cooking.
You can put your frozen ravioli directly into this recipe; just give it a bit more time to thaw and heat through in the oven.
What do you Serve with Ravioli?
This is a big hearty meal, but you will want something to go with this recipe. Here are a few suggestions that we like to have with our baked ravioli casserole.
Air Fryer Easy Garlic Bread – Ooey-gooey cheesy garlic bread goes great with so many dinner entrees. It pulls together fast to create an unforgettable side dish that your family will love.
Butter Swim Biscuits – These Butter Swim Biscuits exceed any other quick mix bun around. They are fast and easy to make and absolutely perfectly buttery and fluffy.
Classic Caesar Salad Recipe – We all love Caesar Salad in our house, and this Caesar dressing recipe is just about perfect! This recipe is adapted from my friend Joan’s and is quite possibly the best-tasting homemade dressing you will find anywhere!
Easy Caprese Salad Recipe – This easy Caprese Salad Recipe has just a slight twist from the classic, using instead cherry tomatoes and mozzarella pearls for a great fast, and delicious recipe that can be enjoyed any time.
Baked Ravioli Casserole
Ingredients
- 1/2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef
- 3 cups marinara sauce
- 16 ounce ravioli
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh basil chopped
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F/180°c.Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Cook the beef, breaking up any lumps with the back of a wooden spoon until browned. Add the marinara sauce and stir until heated through. Remove from the heat.
- Spread 1/3 of the sauce mixture over the base of a 9 x 13-inch baking dish. Top with 1/2 of the ravioli, followed by 1/2 of the mozzarella. Layer again with 1/3 sauce, the remaining ravioli, and the final 1/3 of the sauce. Sprinkle over the remaining 1/2 of the mozzarella and the parmesan cheese.
- Place the ravioli in the preheated oven and bake for around 20 to 30 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbling, the cheese is golden, and the ravioli is cooked through. Top with the chopped basil and serve.
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