Description
Comfort meets luxury in this million dollar ravioli casserole, where layers of cheesy goodness and hearty pasta create a mouthwatering masterpiece. Rich marinara, creamy ricotta, and melted mozzarella combine to deliver a comforting meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound (1 lb) ground beef
- 1 package (25 ounces) frozen cheese ravioli
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
- 1 jar (24 ounces) marinara sauce
Supporting Ingredients:
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (15 ounces) crushed tomatoes
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
Finishing Ingredients:
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Establish a mise en place by warming the kitchen oven to 350°F and preparing a 9×13 inch baking vessel with a light greasing.
- Render ground beef alongside diced onions and minced garlic in a spacious skillet, cooking until meat achieves a rich brown tone and aromatics soften completely.
- Eliminate excess lipids from the meat mixture through careful draining.
- Introduce marinara and crushed tomatoes into the skillet, allowing the sauce to harmonize and gently simmer for several minutes.
- Create a creamy filling by whisking ricotta, sour cream, and softened cream cheese until achieving a silky, uniform consistency.
- Craft the initial foundation by spreading a delicate layer of meat sauce across the baking dish’s bottom.
- Arrange the first wave of frozen ravioli in a pristine, single-layer configuration atop the initial sauce stratum.
- Distribute the ricotta blend evenly, ensuring complete ravioli coverage.
- Generously cascade the first portion of mozzarella across the creamy landscape.
- Cascade another stratum of robust meat sauce over the cheese layer.
- Position the remaining ravioli in an immaculate, uniform arrangement.
- Crown the casserole with residual meat sauce, additional mozzarella, and a sprinkle of Parmesan.
- Embellish the surface with Italian seasoning, salt, and freshly cracked pepper.
- Shield the creation with aluminum foil and nestle into the preheated oven for a precise 30-minute transformation.
- Unveil the foil for a concluding 15-minute bake, allowing the cheese to melt into a golden, effervescent blanket.
- Permit a brief cooling interlude before serving, optionally garnishing with verdant parsley for visual allure.
Notes
- Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a leaner, healthier version of the casserole.
- Use gluten-free ravioli and ensure marinara sauce is gluten-free to make this dish suitable for those with gluten sensitivities.
- Prep ingredients ahead of time and assemble the casserole quickly for a convenient weeknight dinner option.
- Add extra vegetables like spinach or zucchini between layers to boost nutritional value and add more texture to the dish.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg