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Cheesy Ravioli Bake

Category: Evening Meal Excellence

Layer marinara, ravioli, and a cheesy mixture. Bake 45 minutes until golden and bubbly. Great for prepping ahead and serves six.
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Ranah
Updated on Sun, 04 May 2025 11:54:59 GMT
Cheesy Ravioli Bake Dinner Pin
Cheesy Ravioli Bake Dinner | chefemmakitchen.com

This decadent Cash Cow Ravioli Casserole turns basic ingredients into a fancy, stacked treat. Mixing cheese-stuffed ravioli with flavorful meat sauce and a trio of cheeses makes a dish you can't resist that truly earns its lavish name. Each mouthful gives you just the right mix of pasta, sauce, and melty cheese.

During the last cold season, I whipped this up for a family get-together and my Italian grandma actually wanted my recipe - I'll always treasure that moment. The trick is how you stack everything just so, letting each part really stand out.

Key Components

  • Cheese ravioli: Go for good fresh or frozen ones for the nicest bite
  • Ground beef: Grab 80/20 for the juiciest, tastiest results
  • Marinara sauce: Splurge on fancy sauce for that wow factor
  • Ricotta cheese: Brings that classic Italian smoothness
  • Cottage cheese: Makes everything perfectly balanced
  • Three shredded cheeses: Gives you rich, layered flavors

Building Your Bake

Making The Meat Sauce:
Warm olive oil in big pan. Cook onions till see-through. Get beef good and brown. Mix in marinara and spices.
Cheese Blend:
Whip ricotta till fluffy. Fold in cottage cheese gently. Stir in sour cream for extra richness. Add salt and pepper just right.
Stacking Layers:
Spread thin sauce on bottom. Place ravioli in neat rows. Smear cheese mix across top. Add remaining stuff.
Finishing Touches:
Put foil on tight. Watch cooking time closely. Let cheese get golden nicely. Cool before cutting.
Million Dollar Ravioli Casserole Pin
Million Dollar Ravioli Casserole | chefemmakitchen.com

My mom always added a tiny bit of nutmeg to her cheese mix - it makes all the dairy taste better without anyone noticing what your secret is.

Fancy Serving Suggestions

Top this dish with some fresh basil and a little drizzle of good olive oil. Enjoy it with some toasty garlic bread and a simple Caesar salad for a complete Italian meal.

Tasty Twists

Switch things up by using Italian sausage instead of beef, tucking spinach between the layers, or trying different stuffed ravioli. Make it hot with chili flakes and spicy sausage.

Keeping It Fresh

Keep leftovers in a sealed container for up to three days in your fridge. It freezes really well for up to three months when wrapped properly. Warm it up covered until hot through the middle.

This Cash Cow Ravioli Casserole has become what I cook when there's something to celebrate. The way it combines simple stuff to make something amazing reminds me why cooking brings me joy - it's all about turning everyday things into something special.

Close-up Million Dollar Ravioli Casserole Recipe Pin
Close-up Million Dollar Ravioli Casserole Recipe | chefemmakitchen.com

Recipe Questions & Answers

→ Can I prep this in advance?
Absolutely! Prepare and cover the dish, refrigerate, and bake later. Add 10-15 extra minutes to the cooking time.
→ Is this freezer-friendly?
Yep, you can freeze it unbaked for up to 3 months. Let it thaw in the fridge before baking.
→ How can I make it vegetarian?
Swap the beef with sautéed spinach or mushrooms for a tasty meatless version.
→ What sides work well?
Pair it with some garlic bread and a crisp salad for a complete meal.
→ Can fresh ravioli be used?
Fresh ravioli works well. Shorten the baking time by roughly 5-10 minutes when covered.

Cheesy Ravioli Bake

Frozen ravioli, beef, and marinara with four cheeses make a warm, filling pasta bake perfect for the whole family.

Preparation Time
20 mins
Cook Time
40 mins
Total Time
60 mins
By: emma

Category: Dinner

Difficulty Level: Intermediate

Cuisine Type: Fusion of American and Italian

Yield: 6 Servings (1 large dish (9x13 size))

Dietary Preferences: ~

What You'll Need

→ Meat and Pasta

01 1 pound of ground beef
02 1 pack (25 oz) of frozen cheese-filled ravioli

→ Cheeses and Sauce

03 1 cup of ricotta cheese
04 1 cup of cottage cheese
05 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
06 2 cups of mozzarella, shredded
07 1/2 a cup of sour cream
08 1/2 a cup of grated Parmesan

→ Spices and Fresh Ingredients

09 Salt and pepper for seasoning
10 1 tsp of dry oregano
11 Chopped parsley for topping
12 1 tbsp olive oil
13 1 tsp of dry basil
14 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped

Steps to Follow

Step 01

Start by preheating the oven to 350°F (175°C). Warm olive oil in a big pan and cook minced garlic until you smell it

Step 02

Cook the ground beef until it's no longer pink, drain the fat, and mix in marinara, salt, pepper, oregano, and basil. Let it simmer for 5 minutes

Step 03

In a bowl, stir together ricotta, cottage cheese, sour cream, and 1 cup of the mozzarella

Step 04

Grease a 9x13-inch pan, then add layers: meat sauce, half the ravioli, the cheese blend, the rest of the ravioli, meat sauce, and finish with mozzarella and Parmesan

Step 05

Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes, then bake uncovered for another 10-15 minutes until the cheese has melted and is golden. Sprinkle parsley on top before serving

Additional Notes

  1. You can prepare it in advance and store it in the fridge. Swap ground beef with mushrooms or sautéed spinach for a vegetarian option

Tools You'll Need

  • Large oven-safe dish (9x13)
  • A big frying pan
  • Bowl for mixing
  • Foil to cover the dish

Allergy Information

Check every ingredient for potential allergens. Consult a healthcare professional for concerns.
  • Includes wheat
  • Contains milk products

Nutrition Info (Per Serving)

These details are for informational purposes and don’t replace medical advice.
  • Calories: 450
  • Fats: 25 g
  • Carbohydrates: 30 g
  • Proteins: 26 g