If you’re searching for a comforting, crowd-pleasing dish that comes together without hassle, you’ve just found it: the Easy Baked Ravioli Recipe is here to become your new weeknight hero. This dish combines tender cheese-filled ravioli, hearty ground beef, and a luscious blend of cheeses baked to bubbly perfection. It’s everything you love about Italian flavors, plus the ease of throwing it all in a casserole dish and letting the oven do the work. Trust me, once you try this recipe, it’s going to be on repeat at your dinner table.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are surprisingly simple but each one plays an essential role in building the rich, layered flavors and textures that make this dish irresistible. From savory meatiness to creamy cheeses and that bright tomato sauce, every component shines.
- Lean ground beef: Provides a hearty base and rich flavor without too much excess fat.
- Pasta sauce (32-oz jar): A good-quality jar adds depth and that classic tomato aroma without extra prep.
- Refrigerated or frozen cheese ravioli (2 pounds): The star of the dish—no need to thaw frozen ravioli, which makes assembly quicker.
- Cream cheese spread or ricotta cheese (8 oz): Adds a luscious creaminess that balances the acidity of the sauce perfectly.
- Shredded mozzarella cheese (8 oz): Melts beautifully, creating that gooey, cheesy topping everyone loves.
- Grated parmesan (optional): A final sprinkle for an extra boost of salty, nutty flavor and golden finish.
How to Make Easy Baked Ravioli Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Dish and Preheat
Start by setting your oven to 400°F and lightly greasing a 9×13 inch casserole dish. This simple step ensures your layers won’t stick and your casserole will slide out smoothly for serving.
Step 2: Cook and Season the Ground Beef
Brown the lean ground beef over medium-high heat in a large skillet until cooked through. Drain any excess fat if you want a leaner meal, then stir in the hearty pasta sauce to blend those comforting Italian flavors perfectly.
Step 3: Begin Layering the Sauce
Spread a thin layer of the meat sauce across the bottom of your prepared baking dish—it’s the flavorful foundation for the layers to come.
Step 4: Build the Layers with Cheese and Ravioli
Now for the fun part: layer 1/3 of the ravioli over the sauce, followed by 1/3 of the meat sauce, then dot with cream cheese and sprinkle mozzarella cheese on top. Repeat this layering sequence twice more until all ingredients are used—this creates a rich, multi-dimensional flavor experience in every bite.
Step 5: Bake Until Golden and Bubbling
Bake the casserole for 40 to 45 minutes. You want the top to be lightly browned and the sauce bubbling around the edges—that’s when you know it’s perfectly cooked. If you feel like indulging a bit, add an extra sprinkle of mozzarella and parmesan cheese in the last 5 minutes for an irresistible golden crust.
How to Serve Easy Baked Ravioli Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh herbs like chopped basil or parsley are wonderful finishing touches that add a burst of color and freshness to the rich baked ravioli. A light drizzle of extra virgin olive oil or a few red pepper flakes can also elevate the dish’s flavor profile.
Side Dishes
This dish pairs beautifully with crisp green salads, such as arugula with lemon vinaigrette or a simple Caesar salad, which provide a refreshing contrast. Garlic bread or warm Italian breadsticks are perfect for mopping up every last bit of that luscious sauce.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve individual portions in small ramekins for an elegant presentation, or bring the casserole straight to the table in the baking dish for cozy family-style dining. You could also top each serving with a fried basil leaf or a shaving of parmesan cheese for added flair.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
After enjoying this Easy Baked Ravioli Recipe, store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for up to 3 days and keeps all those delicious flavors intact.
Freezing
If you want to save some for another time, the baked ravioli freezes wonderfully. Cover the casserole tightly with foil or plastic wrap, then freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers in the oven at 350°F covered with foil until warmed through, usually about 20 minutes. You can also microwave individual portions, but the oven method helps keep the bubbly cheesy top nice and fresh.
FAQs
Can I use frozen ravioli without thawing?
Yes! One of the best things about this Easy Baked Ravioli Recipe is that you can use frozen ravioli straight from the freezer, which saves time and simplifies preparation without sacrificing texture.
What type of ground beef works best?
Lean ground beef is ideal to keep the dish flavorful but not greasy. However, you could use a ground turkey or chicken alternative for a lighter version.
Can I substitute other cheeses?
Absolutely! Ricotta works beautifully in place of cream cheese for a traditional flavor, and you can experiment with provolone or fontina in lieu of mozzarella for different cheesy profiles.
How spicy is this recipe? Can I add heat?
The recipe itself is mild and kid-friendly, but you can easily add red pepper flakes to the sauce or sprinkle some chopped jalapeños to kick it up a notch.
Is this recipe freezer friendly before baking?
You can assemble the casserole ahead of time and freeze it unbaked. Just thaw overnight in the fridge before baking as directed.
Final Thoughts
This Easy Baked Ravioli Recipe is a wonderful blend of comforting flavors and effortless preparation that will quickly find a permanent spot in your recipe box. Whether you’re feeding the family or hosting friends, it’s a satisfying meal that brings everyone to the table with a smile. Give it a try and see how deliciously simple dinner can be!
Print
Easy Baked Ravioli Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Description
This Easy Baked Ravioli casserole combines rich layers of cheese-filled ravioli, savory ground beef, tangy pasta sauce, and creamy cheeses baked to golden perfection. Perfect for a comforting family dinner, this recipe is simple to prepare and satisfying to eat.
Ingredients
Meat Sauce
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 (32-oz) jar pasta sauce
Cheese and Pasta Layers
- 2 pounds refrigerated or frozen cheese ravioli (do not thaw if frozen)
- 1 (8-oz) tub cream cheese spread or ricotta cheese
- 1 (8-oz) bag shredded mozzarella cheese
- Grated parmesan cheese (optional, for topping)
Instructions
- Prepare Oven and Dish: Heat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and lightly grease a 9×13 inch casserole dish to prevent sticking.
- Cook the Beef: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the lean ground beef until fully cooked. Drain excess fat if desired. Stir in the entire jar of pasta sauce and cook until heated through.
- Layer the Sauce: Spread a thin layer of the meat sauce evenly over the bottom of the prepared casserole dish.
- Assemble Layers: Add one-third of the ravioli evenly over the sauce layer. Top with one-third of the meat sauce, then dot with one-third of the cream cheese. Sprinkle one-third of the shredded mozzarella evenly on top. Repeat these layers two more times, finishing with mozzarella on top.
- Bake the Casserole: Place the assembled casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until the top is lightly browned and the casserole is bubbly. During the last 5 minutes, you can add extra mozzarella and sprinkle grated parmesan cheese on top for additional flavor and browning.
Notes
- You can use either cream cheese spread or ricotta cheese depending on your preference for creaminess and texture.
- If using frozen ravioli, do not thaw before assembling the casserole.
- For a richer dish, add extra mozzarella and parmesan cheese during the final minutes of baking.
- This dish pairs well with a fresh green salad or garlic bread for a complete meal.
