If you’ve got an hour to spare and a craving for something richly rewarding, then this Million Dollar Ravioli Casserole is your golden ticket! With layers of pillowy ravioli, savory meats, and creamy cheeses, this dish is one part luxury, one part comfort, and all parts delicious.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ultimate Comfort: With its layers of gooey cheese and robust sauce, it’s the culinary equivalent of a warm hug.
- Weeknight Wonder: Surprisingly easy to assemble, making it perfect for hectic evenings.
- Make-Ahead Magic: Easily prepped ahead, offering flexibility for those busy days.
- Feeds a Crowd: Perfect for family gatherings, this dish satisfies everyone around the table.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering your ingredients is a breeze, and each one plays a unique role in making this Million Dollar Ravioli Casserole simply unforgettable. From the richness of the cheeses to the fresh ravioli, everything harmonizes beautifully.
- Nonstick cooking spray: Ensures your casserole lifts out cleanly, making serving a pleasure.
- Cheese ravioli: Fresh ravioli brings an exquisite tenderness that ordinary pasta simply can’t match.
- Marinara sauce: A robust base of flavor that ties all the layers together.
- Lean ground beef and Italian sausage: These offer a rich, meaty contrast to the mellow cheeses.
- Cream cheese, ricotta, and sour cream: This creamy trio turns the casserole delightfully indulgent.
- Seasoning and mozzarella: Give the dish its irresistible, lingering taste and wonderful gooey top.
- Parmesan cheese: Topping it all off with a savory, golden crust.
Variations
Get creative with the Million Dollar Ravioli Casserole by mixing up ingredients to suit your preferences or dietary needs. This dish is wonderfully adaptable, so have fun experimenting!
- Vegetarian Delight: Swap out the meats for sautéed mushrooms and spinach for a savory, veggie-packed version.
- Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or use spicy Italian sausage to ramp up the heat factor.
- Gluten-Free Twist: Use gluten-free ravioli to make this dish suitable for those with gluten sensitivities.
How to Make Million Dollar Ravioli Casserole
Step 1: Prepare Your Ingredients
Start by preheating your oven to 400°F and spraying a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Combine your ravioli with a cup of marinara sauce to ensure every piece is flavorful and ready to bake.
Step 2: Cook the Meat Sauce
In a hot skillet, brown your ground beef and Italian sausage until perfectly cooked. Mix in the marinara sauce, establishing a hearty, robust layer for your casserole. Set this aside as it cools and flavors meld together.
Step 3: Assemble the Layers
Begin layering with the remaining marinara sauce at the bottom of your dish. Follow with a third of the ravioli, then spread your creamy cheese mixture over the ravioli. Finish with the remaining ravioli and cover with the dense, flavorful meat sauce and sprinkle that delightful cheese duo on top.
Step 4: Bring It All Together
Cover with foil and bake to bubbly perfection, removing the cover towards the end to achieve that golden-brown crust. Let it cool slightly—it’ll be hard to wait—with its scent already promising mouthfuls of joy.
Pro Tips for Making Million Dollar Ravioli Casserole
- Cheese Mix Excellence: Soften your cream cheese before mixing to ensure a smooth, lush texture.
- Sauté Secrets: Cook meats together for enhanced flavor mingling, using medium-high heat for a perfect sear.
- Layer With Love: Be generous with your cheese and meat sauce layers for a decadent, rich experience.
- Golden Topping: Broil briefly at the end for a delightful, crispy cheese layer that seals the deal.
How to Serve Million Dollar Ravioli Casserole
Garnishes
This Million Dollar Ravioli Casserole is only made better with bright, fresh garnishes like freshly chopped parsley or basil. These greens add a welcome burst of color and a fresh aroma that complements the rich casserole.
Side Dishes
Pair this casserole with a crisp Caesar salad or a loaf of warm, crusty garlic bread to balance the hearty richness of the dish. These sides add texture and complete your comfort-food feast.
Creative Ways to Present
For a refined touch, serve in single-serve ramekins for each guest, or create a buffet-style spread where everyone can dig into a large, bubbling dish. Both styles highlight the cozy charm of this meal.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They’ll stay fresh and tasty for up to four days, making this a convenient meal to enjoy throughout the week.
Freezing
This casserole freezes beautifully. Simply wrap it tightly, and it will hold up in the freezer for up to two months. Perfect for those busy nights when quick, delicious meals are a must!
Reheating
When you’re ready to enjoy your casserole again, reheat it at 350°F directly from the fridge, or allow it to thaw from the freezer before reheating to preserve its delightful texture and flavors.
FAQs
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Can I use frozen ravioli for the Million Dollar Ravioli Casserole?
Yes, you can use frozen ravioli. Allow it to thaw slightly before mixing it with the sauce to ensure even cooking throughout.
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What can I substitute if I don’t have Italian sausage?
Ground turkey or pork seasoned with fennel seeds, oregano, and a dash of red pepper can mimic the flavors of Italian sausage effectively.
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How can I make this dish more kid-friendly?
Opt for mild sausage and omit any spicy seasonings. Consider also using a smooth marinara sauce to avoid chunks, which some kids may prefer.
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Is there a way to make this casserole dairy-free?
Try substituting dairy products with their plant-based alternatives such as cashew cream cheese, almond ricotta, and nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor.
Final Thoughts
This Million Dollar Ravioli Casserole is a surefire favorite, ready to win hearts and fill stomachs at any table. I encourage you to try it out, mix it up with your own variations, and watch as it becomes a beloved fixture in your meal rotation. Happy cooking!
Print
Million Dollar Ravioli Casserole Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 50 mins
- Total Time: 60 mins
- Yield: 8 to 12 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: None
Description
This Million Dollar Ravioli Casserole is a hearty and cheesy baked pasta dish combining tender cheese ravioli, rich meat sauce, and creamy cheese layers topped with melted mozzarella and Parmesan. Perfect for feeding a crowd or family dinner, it offers comforting flavors in every bite, with easy assemble and baking process.
Ingredients
Cheese Ravioli and Marinara
- 1 (20-ounce) package fresh cheese ravioli, such as Buitoni or Rana
- 2 (40-ounce) jars marinara sauce, divided
Meat
- 1 pound 90% lean ground beef
- 1/2 pound mild Italian sausage, removed from casings if links
Cheese and Dairy
- 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, room temperature
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 2 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Spices and Additions
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
Others
- Nonstick cooking spray
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F and generously grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
- Prepare ravioli and sauce: In a medium bowl, toss the uncooked ravioli with 1 cup of marinara sauce until coated; set aside.
- Make meat sauce: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and Italian sausage, breaking them apart with a spatula. Cook until browned and no pink remains, about 12 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in 2 cups of marinara sauce. Set aside to cool slightly.
- Prepare cheese mixture: In another bowl, combine cream cheese, ricotta, sour cream, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and salt. Mix until mostly smooth with small lumps remaining.
- Layer the casserole: Pour remaining 1 cup marinara sauce into the prepared dish. Spread about one-third of the sauced ravioli evenly over the sauce. Dollop half of the cheese mixture over the ravioli and spread evenly. Add another layer of ravioli, then top with the meat sauce, spreading it evenly. If desired, pour any leftover sauce over the top and sprinkle with mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses.
- Bake: Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake uncovered for an additional 10-15 minutes until bubbly and browned. For extra browning, broil for 2-3 minutes if needed.
- Serve: Allow the casserole to cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Notes
- For a spicier version, add red pepper flakes to the meat sauce.
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days and reheated in the microwave.
- Feel free to add chopped fresh basil or parsley on top before serving for extra flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (about 1/8 of casserole)
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 950 mg
- Fat: 21 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 44 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 23 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg
