Description
Million Dollar Ravioli Casserole is a comforting, cheesy baked dish featuring layers of frozen cheese ravioli, seasoned ground beef marinara sauce, and a creamy ricotta mixture, topped with melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Perfect for a family-friendly dinner, this hearty casserole combines rich flavors and simple ingredients for an easy, crowd-pleasing meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat Sauce
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 jar (24 oz) marinara or pasta sauce
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cheese Mixture
- 1 cup ricotta or cottage cheese
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
Casserole Layers and Toppings
- 1 package (25 oz) frozen cheese ravioli
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Cook ground beef and sauce: In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef until fully cooked. Drain any excess fat, then add the marinara sauce. Stir well and let it simmer for 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Prepare cheese mixture: In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta or cottage cheese, sour cream, 1 cup mozzarella cheese, and Italian seasoning. Stir until the mixture is smooth and well blended.
- Assemble the casserole: Spread a thin layer of meat sauce on the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish. Arrange half of the frozen ravioli in a single layer over the sauce. Spread the creamy cheese mixture over the ravioli, then top with half of the remaining meat sauce. Layer the rest of the frozen ravioli on top, followed by the remaining meat sauce.
- Add cheese topping: Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup shredded mozzarella and ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the top of the assembled casserole.
- Bake covered: Cover the dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes in the preheated oven. This allows the ravioli to cook and flavors to meld.
- Bake uncovered: Remove the foil and continue baking for another 10-15 minutes until the cheese on top is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden.
- Rest and garnish: Let the casserole sit for a few minutes out of the oven to set. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and serve warm.
Notes
- You can substitute ricotta with cottage cheese for a lighter texture.
- If marinara sauce is too thick, thin it with a bit of water or broth before adding to the beef.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for more flavor.
- To make the casserole spicier, add red pepper flakes to the meat sauce.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- For a gluten-free version, ensure the frozen ravioli is labeled gluten-free.
