Welcome to the delightful world of comfort food with our *Million Dollar Ravioli Casserole*. This dish is the epitome of cozy, bringing together layers of cheesy goodness and perfectly seasoned meats all wrapped in soft, golden ravioli. It’s a recipe that’s not just easy to love but also incredibly rewarding to prepare!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ultimate Comfort: This casserole is a cozy blend of cheese and pasta that feels like a warm hug in a bowl.
- Easy to Prepare: With just a few simple steps, you can create a meal that looks and tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen.
- Family Favorite: The Million Dollar Ravioli Casserole is bound to be a hit with both the kids and adults at your table.
- Make-Ahead Magic: Perfect for prepping the night before, so you can spend less time in the kitchen the day of.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe is all about simplicity with a dash of indulgence. Each ingredient, from the creamy cheeses to the savory meats, plays a crucial role in building the layers of flavor in our Million Dollar Ravioli Casserole.
- Nonstick cooking spray: Essential for keeping your casserole from sticking to the dish.
- Fresh cheese ravioli: Use a high-quality brand for the best texture and flavor.
- Marinara sauce: Pick your favorite jar; it brings a rich, tomatoey base to the dish.
- Lean ground beef: Offers a hearty, flavorful complement to the sausage.
- Italian sausage: Adds a spicy, savory note that enriches the taste of the casserole.
- Cream cheese: At room temperature, it blends smoothly for a creamy texture.
- Ricotta cheese: Adds slight sweetness and fluffiness to the cheesy layer.
- Sour cream: Helps to create a rich, creamy consistency in the cheese mixture.
- Garlic powder & Italian seasoning: Introduces aromatic flavors that elevate the dish.
- Mozzarella & Parmesan cheese: Topping with these cheeses creates that irresistible golden, bubbling crust.
Variations
The delightful thing about the Million Dollar Ravioli Casserole is its versatility. Whether you’re catering to specific dietary needs or simply switching things up, this recipe is easily customizable to fit your family’s preferences.
- Vegetarian: Skip the meat and add in a medley of vegetables like spinach, mushrooms, and bell peppers for a lighter take.
- Spicy Twist: Use hot Italian sausage or add red pepper flakes for a spicy kick that heats things up.
- Lower Carb: Use zucchini or eggplant slices in place of some of the ravioli layers for a veggie-packed version.
How to Make Million Dollar Ravioli Casserole
Step 1: Prepare the Ravioli
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to ensure it’s ready to bake this delightful dish. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and combine the fresh cheese ravioli with a cup of marinara sauce in a medium bowl. Toss them gently to evenly coat the ravioli.
Step 2: Create the Meat Sauce
Using a large skillet on medium-high heat, brown the ground beef and Italian sausage, breaking them into small crumbles. Once done, add a couple of cups of marinara sauce, stir well, and set aside to cool slightly.
Step 3: Mix the Cheeses
In another bowl, whip together cream cheese, ricotta, sour cream, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning until it’s mostly smooth with a few delightful lumps. This is where the magic of creaminess happens!
Step 4: Assemble the Casserole
Pour the last bit of marinara sauce into the bottom of your dish. Start layering with a third of the ravioli, cover with some cheese mixture, repeat layers, then top with the meat sauce and cheeses. This layering is what gives it that million-dollar feel!
Step 5: Bake to Perfection
Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the cover, and let it bake until golden and bubbly, about another 10-15 minutes. If you’re after a touch more browning, a few minutes under the broiler will do wonders.
Pro Tips for Making Million Dollar Ravioli Casserole
- Ingredient Selection: Choosing high-quality cheeses makes all the difference in achieving that creamy, indulgent texture.
- Perfect Layering: Ensure even layers in your casserole for balanced flavors in each bite.
- Broiling Finish: A quick broil at the end can add extra crispiness and rich golden color to the cheese topping.
- Freezing Ease: This casserole freezes beautifully—consider making a double batch!
How to Serve Million Dollar Ravioli Casserole
Garnishes
Finish off your Million Dollar Ravioli Casserole with fresh basil leaves or a sprinkle of extra parmesan cheese. These garnishes not only add color but also a fresh pop of flavor that contrasts beautifully with the richness of the dish.
Side Dishes
This casserole pairs wonderfully with a crisp green salad tossed in a light vinaigrette, or some garlic breadsticks to soak up every last bit of that delicious marinara and cheese sauce.
Creative Ways to Present
For a creative touch, serve this casserole in individual ramekins for a more elegant presentation. It makes for a stunning visual and ensures everyone gets their own perfect portion of cheesy bliss.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover Million Dollar Ravioli Casserole in airtight containers in the refrigerator where it will keep beautifully for up to four days, making for easy, delicious meals throughout the week.
Freezing
This casserole can also be frozen. Simply wrap tightly in foil and place in a freezer bag or container. It can be stored in the freezer for up to three months, perfect for meal prepping or future craving satisfactions.
Reheating
When you’re ready to enjoy it again, reheat in a preheated oven at 375°F until warmed through, about 20-25 minutes. If frozen, let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating for best results.
FAQs
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Can I use frozen ravioli for this casserole?
Yes, you can use frozen ravioli; just adjust the baking time slightly to ensure they cook through completely.
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What type of marinara sauce is best?
Choose a marinara sauce that you love, as its flavors will be prominent in the dish. A robust, well-seasoned sauce works best!
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How can I make this casserole vegetarian?
Simply omit the beef and sausage, and replace them with sautéed vegetables such as zucchini, mushrooms, or spinach for a delicious vegetarian version.
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Can I prepare this casserole in advance?
Definitely! This casserole can be assembled 24 hours in advance, kept covered in the fridge, and baked just before serving.
Final Thoughts
Give this Million Dollar Ravioli Casserole a try, and you’ll see why it’s quickly become a favorite among friends and family. It’s an easy, comforting dish full of rich, satisfying flavors that will have everyone coming back for seconds. Happy cooking!
Print
Million Dollar Ravioli Casserole Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 50 mins
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 8 to 12 servings 1x
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Description
A hearty and comforting Million Dollar Ravioli Casserole combines tender cheese ravioli, savory meat sauce, and creamy cheese layers, baked to perfection. This easy-to-make dish is perfect for family dinners or potlucks, offering rich flavors and gooey cheese in every bite.
Ingredients
For the Ravioli and Sauce
- 1 (20-ounce) package fresh cheese ravioli, such as Buitoni or Rana
- 1 (40-ounce) jar marinara sauce, divided
For the Meat
- 1 pound 90% lean ground beef
- 1/2 pound mild Italian sausage, removed from casings if links
For the Cheese Mixture
- 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, room temperature
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
For Topping
- 2 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish generously with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
- Prepare Ravioli and Marinara: In a medium bowl, combine the uncooked cheese ravioli with 1 cup of marinara sauce and toss to coat evenly.
- Cook Meat: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and Italian sausage, breaking it apart with a spatula or wooden spoon. Cook until browned and no longer pink, about 12 minutes.
- Make Meat Sauce: Remove the skillet from heat. Add 2 cups of marinara sauce, stir well, and set aside to cool slightly.
- Make 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 marinara sauce into the bottom of the prepared dish. Spread about one-third of the sauced ravioli in a single layer. Spread half of the cheese mixture over the ravioli evenly.
- Add Final Layers: Place another layer of ravioli over the cheese layer, then top with the meat and sauce mixture. Pour any leftover sauce over this layer. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan evenly over the top.
- Bake: Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 10-15 minutes until bubbly and browned. For extra browning, broil for 2-3 minutes if needed.
- Serve: Let cool slightly before serving. Slice and enjoy the cheesy, meat-filled casserole.
Notes
- Use fresh or frozen ravioli for best results; fresh ravioli cook quickly, so adjust cooking times if using frozen.
- Feel free to add chopped spinach or other vegetables into the cheese mixture for extra nutrition.
- If you prefer a spicier dish, add red pepper flakes to the meat sauce or cheese mixture.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days and reheated in the microwave or oven.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (about 1/8 of casserole)
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 1200 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 60 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 105 mg
