If you’re looking for a dish that’s a true crowd-pleaser, then Million Dollar Ravioli Casserole is the recipe you’ve been waiting for. Imagine layers of melty cheese, savory marinara sauce, and tender ravioli all baked together into a bubbling, golden masterpiece. Every bite feels like a big, cozy hug, making this casserole perfect for family dinners, special occasions, or anytime you need a dish that’ll wow the crowd. Trust me, once you try it, you’ll be hooked!
Why You’ll Love Million Dollar Ravioli Casserole
- Ultimate Comfort Food: This casserole combines the best parts of lasagna and ravioli for the ultimate cheesy, saucy comfort food experience. It’s rich, indulgent, and downright satisfying.
- Simple Ingredients, Big Flavor: With just a handful of ingredients—ravioli, cheese, marinara, and seasonings—you’ll be amazed at how something so easy can taste so decadent.
- Make-Ahead Magic: This dish is perfect for meal prep or a make-ahead dinner. Assemble it in advance, then bake when you’re ready. Perfect for busy nights when you want to serve something impressive without any last-minute stress.
- Crowd-Pleaser: Whether you’re feeding a family, hosting friends, or bringing a dish to a potluck, this casserole is a guaranteed hit. The layers of cheese and pasta make it a universally loved dish.
- Customizable: You can make this casserole your own by switching up the ravioli filling—try cheese, spinach, or even a meat-filled variety for a twist.
Ingredients
Here’s everything you need to make Million Dollar Ravioli Casserole:
For the Casserole:
- Frozen Cheese Ravioli: The star of the dish! You can use any variety of ravioli—cheese, spinach, or even meat-filled ravioli work perfectly.
- Marinara Sauce: A rich, flavorful tomato sauce ties everything together. You can use homemade marinara or your favorite store-bought variety.
- Cream Cheese: This gives the casserole its creamy, dreamy texture. It blends perfectly with the marinara to create a luscious base.
- Sour Cream: Adds tanginess and richness to the casserole, enhancing the overall flavor.
- Shredded Mozzarella Cheese: Gooey, melty mozzarella is the key to that irresistible cheesy topping.
- Parmesan Cheese: A sprinkle of parmesan adds a touch of sharpness and helps create that golden crust on top.
- Italian Seasoning: A blend of herbs that brings all the classic Italian flavors to the dish.
- Garlic Powder: For an extra pop of flavor.
(Note: Full ingredient list with measurements can be found in the recipe card below.)
Instructions
Let’s get to cooking this easy and cheesy Million Dollar Ravioli Casserole:
1. Preheat the Oven:
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). This will ensure the casserole cooks evenly and becomes perfectly golden on top.
2. Prepare the Creamy Sauce:
In a large mixing bowl, combine the marinara sauce, cream cheese, sour cream, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder. Stir until everything is smooth and well blended. The cream cheese and sour cream give the sauce a creamy, rich texture that’ll melt into the ravioli as it bakes.
3. Layer the Casserole:
In a greased 9×13 baking dish, spread a thin layer of the creamy marinara sauce on the bottom. Next, layer half of the frozen ravioli over the sauce. Pour half of the remaining sauce over the ravioli, making sure each one is covered. Sprinkle half of the mozzarella cheese and parmesan on top.
4. Repeat the Layers:
Add another layer of ravioli on top of the cheese, then cover with the remaining sauce and cheese. You’ll end up with two delicious layers of ravioli and sauce. The more cheese, the better, right?
5. Bake:
Cover the casserole with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes. This helps the ravioli cook through and keeps everything nice and moist. After 30 minutes, remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes or until the cheese is golden and bubbly.
6. Let it Rest:
Once the casserole is out of the oven, let it sit for a few minutes to set up. This will make it easier to slice and serve.
7. Serve and Enjoy:
Scoop up generous portions of this cheesy goodness and serve hot. Whether you enjoy it on its own or with a side salad or garlic bread, this casserole is sure to impress.
Nutrition Facts
Servings: [Number of servings]
Calories per serving: [Calorie count per serving]
Preparation Time
Prep Time: [Time to prepare ingredients]
Cook Time: [Time to cook or bake]
Total Time: [Total time needed]
How to Serve Million Dollar Ravioli Casserole
This casserole is versatile and can be paired with a variety of side dishes to round out your meal. Here are some ideas:
- Green Salad: A fresh, crisp salad with a tangy vinaigrette complements the richness of the casserole. It provides a nice balance to all the cheese and pasta.
- Garlic Bread: Serve this dish with some warm, buttery garlic bread for a perfect Italian-inspired meal.
- Roasted Vegetables: Pair it with roasted vegetables like broccoli, zucchini, or carrots for a pop of color and added nutrients.
- A Side of Crusty Bread: If you’re craving something hearty, serve it with some crusty bread for dipping in that luscious marinara sauce.
Additional Tips
- Make Ahead: You can assemble this casserole the day before, cover it tightly with foil, and store it in the fridge. When you’re ready to bake it, just pop it in the oven. You may need to add an extra 5-10 minutes to the baking time if it’s coming straight from the fridge.
- Swap the Ravioli: While cheese ravioli is a classic choice, you can get creative with the fillings. Try spinach and cheese ravioli, or even a meat-filled ravioli for a heartier casserole.
- Vegetarian Option: Keep it meat-free with veggie-filled ravioli and add extra veggies like mushrooms, bell peppers, or spinach to the layers.
- Freezing: If you have leftovers (though I doubt it!), you can freeze the casserole before baking. Just wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, and it will stay fresh in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw it in the fridge overnight before baking.
FAQ Section
Q1: Can I use fresh ravioli instead of frozen?
A1: Yes! Fresh ravioli will work just fine. You may want to reduce the cooking time slightly, as fresh ravioli cooks quicker than frozen.
Q2: Can I use a different type of cheese?
A2: Absolutely! You can use provolone, gouda, or even a blend of Italian cheeses for a twist. Mozzarella is key for its meltiness, but feel free to mix it up!
Q3: Can I make this ahead of time?
A3: Yes! You can assemble it the night before, refrigerate, and bake it the next day. This makes it perfect for meal prepping or serving at a dinner party.
Q4: How do I store leftovers?
A4: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in the oven to maintain its texture.
Q5: Can I freeze Million Dollar Ravioli Casserole?
A5: Yes! Assemble the casserole, cover it tightly, and freeze before baking. It will stay good for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and bake as usual.
Q6: Can I add meat to this dish?
A6: Yes! You can add cooked ground beef, sausage, or turkey to the layers for a meatier version of this casserole.
Q7: What side dishes go well with this casserole?
A7: A crisp green salad, garlic bread, and roasted vegetables make excellent companions to this cheesy, hearty dish.
Now you’re ready to make Million Dollar Ravioli Casserole, and trust me, it’s about to become your new favorite recipe. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or just your family, it’s bound to be a hit every time. Happy cooking!
PrintMillion Dollar Ravioli Casserole
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
Description
This indulgent casserole layers tender cheese ravioli with a rich meat sauce and a creamy blend of cheeses, creating a comforting meal that’s sure to please the whole family.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
- 1 can (15 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 1 package (25 oz) frozen cheese ravioli
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- In a large skillet, cook the ground beef, chopped onion, and minced garlic over medium heat until the beef is browned and the onion is soft. Drain any excess fat.
- Add the marinara sauce and crushed tomatoes to the skillet. Stir to combine and let simmer for 5 minutes.
- In a medium bowl, mix together the ricotta cheese, sour cream, and softened cream cheese until smooth.
- Spread a thin layer of the meat sauce on the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- Place half of the frozen ravioli in a single layer over the meat sauce.
- Spread the ricotta mixture evenly over the ravioli.
- Sprinkle 1 cup of the shredded mozzarella cheese over the ricotta mixture.
- Add another layer of meat sauce over the mozzarella cheese.
- Place the remaining ravioli in a single layer over the meat sauce.
- Top with the remaining meat sauce, shredded mozzarella cheese, and grated Parmesan cheese.
- Sprinkle Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper over the top.
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Let the casserole cool for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired. Enjoy!
Notes
- For a spicier kick, add red pepper flakes to the meat sauce.
- Substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
- Incorporate sautéed vegetables like mushrooms or spinach for added nutrition.
- Use fresh ravioli instead of frozen for a different texture.
- Prepare the casserole ahead of time and refrigerate; bake when ready to serve.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8 of the casserole
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 1,200mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 100mg