Description
Comfort meets luxury in this million dollar ravioli casserole, blending Italian-inspired flavors with hearty American home cooking. Cheesy layers and rich marinara create a soul-warming dish that invites you to savor each indulgent bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta:
- 1 box pasta shells or large ravioli
- 16 oz ricotta cheese
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
Meat:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 lb italian sausage
- 1/4 cup chopped onions
- 2 cloves garlic
Sauce and Seasonings:
- 24 oz marinara sauce
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley (chopped)
- 2 large eggs (for binding)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and generously grease a 9×13 inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat and sauté chopped onions until translucent, then add minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds.
- Add ground beef and Italian sausage to the skillet, breaking the meat into small crumbles and cooking until completely browned and no pink remains.
- Drain excess fat from the meat mixture, then stir in marinara sauce, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, dried basil, oregano, salt, and black pepper, simmering the sauce for 10 minutes.
- Meanwhile, cook pasta shells or ravioli according to package instructions, ensuring they are slightly undercooked to prevent mushiness during baking.
- In a separate mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, beaten eggs, and chopped parsley, whisking until smooth and well-incorporated.
- Layer the partially cooked pasta in the prepared baking dish, then spread the ricotta mixture evenly over the pasta.
- Pour the seasoned meat sauce over the ricotta layer, ensuring complete coverage.
- Sprinkle mozzarella and parmesan cheeses over the top, creating a generous cheese blanket.
- Cover the casserole with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes, then remove foil and continue baking for an additional 10-15 minutes until cheese is golden and bubbly.
- Remove from oven and let the casserole rest for 10 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld and set.
- Garnish with additional fresh parsley if desired and serve hot.
Notes
- Adjust pasta cooking time carefully to prevent overcooking, as shells or ravioli will continue cooking in the oven’s heat.
- Drain meat thoroughly to reduce excess grease and prevent a soggy casserole bottom.
- Experiment with ground turkey or plant-based meat alternatives for a lighter, health-conscious version of the dish.
- Allow casserole to rest before serving, which helps ingredients set and makes cutting and serving easier.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45-50 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 685
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 38 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 52 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 40 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg