Description
Million Dollar Ravioli Casserole is a comforting and hearty baked pasta dish featuring layers of cheesy ravioli, savory ground beef marinara, and a creamy mixture of ricotta and sour cream. Perfect for family dinners, this casserole combines rich flavors with gooey melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheese, all baked to bubbly perfection.
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 & Topping
- 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 later.
- Cook Meat Sauce: In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef until fully cooked. Drain excess fat if necessary. Add the marinara sauce to the beef, stir well, and let it simmer for 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Prepare Cheese Mixture: In a mixing bowl, combine the ricotta (or cottage cheese), sour cream, 1 cup of shredded mozzarella, and Italian seasoning. Mix until the mixture is smooth and well blended.
- Assemble Casserole Layer 1: Spread a thin layer of the meat sauce evenly on the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish. Arrange half of the frozen ravioli in a single layer over the sauce. Then spread the creamy cheese mixture evenly over the ravioli.
- Assemble Casserole Layer 2: Top the cheese mixture with half of the remaining meat sauce. Arrange the rest of the frozen ravioli over the sauce in a single layer, followed by the remaining meat sauce on top.
- Add Cheese Topping: Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded mozzarella and the grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the top of the assembled casserole.
- Bake Covered: Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and ravioli to cook through.
- Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until the cheese topping is melted, golden, and bubbly.
- Rest and Serve: Let the casserole rest for a few minutes to set before garnishing with chopped fresh parsley. Serve warm and enjoy your hearty, cheesy meal.
Notes
- You can substitute ricotta with cottage cheese for a lighter texture.
- Using fresh parsley for garnish adds a burst of color and freshness.
- Make sure to drain excess fat from cooked ground beef for a less greasy casserole.
- Frozen ravioli does not require thawing before assembling the casserole.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
