The Million Dollar Ravioli Casserole is a cheesy, comforting dish that combines ravioli, marinara sauce, ground beef, and three types of cheese to create a hearty meal your whole family will love. It’s loaded with flavor, easy to make, and perfect for feeding a crowd. Whether you’re hosting a dinner party, planning a weeknight family meal, or need a dish to bring to a potluck, this casserole is sure to be a hit.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This casserole is packed with all the flavors you crave—rich marinara sauce, cheesy goodness, and savory ground beef—making it the ultimate comfort food. The layers of ravioli, meat sauce, and cheeses create a melty, bubbly dish that’s perfect for a cozy meal. It’s an easy, no-fuss recipe that requires minimal prep time, and it’s a great make-ahead dish that can be enjoyed by the whole family. Plus, it’s versatile enough to adjust to your tastes by adding different ingredients like vegetables or more cheese.
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)
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Directions
- 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, stirring to combine. Let it 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, then sprinkle 1 cup of 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.
- Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving.
- Garnish with fresh parsley, if desired, and serve!
Servings and Timing
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cooking Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Servings: 6 servings
Variations
- Vegetable variation: Add sautéed spinach, zucchini, or mushrooms to the layers for extra flavor and nutrition.
- Cheese options: Mix up the cheeses by adding some provolone, cheddar, or gouda for a unique twist.
- Meat-free: Make this casserole vegetarian by using a plant-based meat substitute or adding more veggies in place of the ground beef.
- Spicy kick: For a bit of heat, add red pepper flakes to the sauce or layer in some sliced jalapeños.
- Pasta swap: While ravioli works perfectly, you can use other types of pasta like lasagna noodles or rigatoni.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freezing: This casserole freezes well. Once it’s baked and cooled, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and foil. Freeze for up to 2 months.
- Reheating: To reheat, cover the casserole with foil and bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 20 minutes, or until heated through. If frozen, thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
FAQs
1. Can I use homemade marinara sauce?
Yes, homemade marinara sauce will work perfectly in this recipe. Just be sure to adjust the seasonings to match your preferences.
2. Can I make this casserole ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the casserole ahead of time, refrigerate it, and bake it the day you plan to serve it. Just be sure to add an extra 5-10 minutes to the baking time if you’re baking it cold.
3. Can I use fresh ravioli instead of frozen?
Yes, you can use fresh ravioli, but frozen ravioli holds up better in the casserole and doesn’t require pre-cooking. If using fresh ravioli, you may want to slightly reduce the baking time.
4. How can I make this casserole spicier?
Add some red pepper flakes, hot sauce, or sliced jalapeños to the meat sauce for a spicy kick.
5. Can I use a different kind of meat?
Yes, you can substitute the ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or even Italian sausage for different flavors.
6. Can I add more cheese?
Of course! You can never have too much cheese. Feel free to add extra mozzarella or Parmesan between the layers for more cheesy goodness.
7. Can I use low-fat cheese or sour cream?
Yes, you can use low-fat versions of cheese and sour cream to reduce the calories, but it may slightly affect the creaminess of the casserole.
8. Can I use a smaller baking dish?
If you’re using a smaller baking dish, be sure to adjust the amount of ingredients accordingly, and check the casserole a little earlier to ensure it’s baked through.
9. Can I make this dish gluten-free?
You can make this dish gluten-free by using gluten-free ravioli and ensuring the marinara and other ingredients are gluten-free.
10. Can I make this casserole vegetarian?
Yes, you can make this casserole vegetarian by replacing the ground beef with veggies like bell peppers, mushrooms, or zucchini, or by using a plant-based ground meat alternative.
Conclusion
The Million Dollar Ravioli Casserole is the ultimate comfort food—a cheesy, hearty dish that will please even the pickiest eaters. With its layers of ravioli, meat sauce, and three kinds of cheese, it’s the perfect combination of flavors and textures. Whether you’re feeding a crowd, prepping a meal for the week, or simply craving a delicious dinner, this casserole is sure to become a family favorite. It’s easy to make, incredibly satisfying, and full of flavor—just like a million-dollar meal!
Print
Million Dollar Ravioli Casserole
Million Dollar Ravioli Casserole is a cheesy, comforting dish made with layers of ravioli, savory meat sauce, and three types of cheese. This hearty casserole is perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or special occasions. With its rich flavors and easy preparation, it’s sure to become a family favorite that’s both satisfying and delicious.
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 6 servings
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 (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Cook the Meat Sauce: 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 Sauces: Add marinara sauce and crushed tomatoes to the skillet. Stir and let it simmer for 5 minutes.
- Prepare Cheese Mixture: In a medium bowl, mix together the ricotta cheese, sour cream, and softened cream cheese until smooth.
- Layer the Casserole:
- Spread a thin layer of meat sauce in the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- Place half of the frozen ravioli in a single layer over the sauce.
- Spread the ricotta mixture evenly over the ravioli, then sprinkle 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese on top.
- Add another layer of meat sauce over the mozzarella, followed by the remaining ravioli.
- Top with the remaining meat sauce, mozzarella cheese, and grated Parmesan cheese.
- Sprinkle Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper over the top.
- Bake: Cover with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.
- Final Bake: Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Cool and Serve: Let the casserole cool for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.
Notes
- Vegetable Add-ins: For extra nutrition, add sautéed spinach, zucchini, or mushrooms to the layers.
- Cheese Variations: Add provolone, cheddar, or gouda to change up the flavor profile.
- Meat-Free Option: Use a plant-based meat substitute or more veggies in place of ground beef.
- Spicy Option: Add red pepper flakes, jalapeños, or hot sauce to spice it up.
- Pasta Swap: While ravioli is ideal, you can use lasagna noodles or rigatoni.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Comfort Food
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
