Baked Ravioli

Baked Ravioli is simple and delicious comfort food that is perfect for a weeknight family dinner or for entertaining. With some pantry and refrigerator staples, a few easy steps, you can serve a flavor-packed homemade ravioli casserole that is loved by all. It's hearty, comforting, and kid-friendly.

Nothing is more satisfying than homemade comfort food at home after a long day. This casserole-style ravioli bake is easy to prepare, taking only 20 minutes to get ready for the oven. With layers of hearty meat and tomato sauce, ravioli, and gooey melty cheese, and seasoned with fresh garlic and Italian herbs, this dish will make your mouth water as the flavors come together. Plus, leftovers store well and may even taste better the next day!

Why You'll Love this Baked Ravioli

• An easy comforting family dinner. This easy baked ravioli casserole will take just 20 minutes of prep before popping into the oven to bake until gooey and bubbly perfection. Just make the meat sauce, assemble the casserole layers, and bake. It is a carb-loaded, protein-rich, family-friendly dish that is perfect for sharing.
• Loaded with flavor. This baked ravioli is kind of like a lazy lasagna, with similar same flavors to a traditional lasagna. It's made using pantry staples and fresh ingredients. We do not use ready-made cheese sauce or bottled tomato sauce because it is super easy to make everything from scratch. You’ll enjoy hearty seasoned beef, tomato-based sauce, shredded cheese, and pasta (ravioli) all seasoned with garlic, parsley, and onions.
• Meal prep for easy weeknight dinners. Plus, leftovers can be stored easily for special lunchs and dinners all week. In fact, a ravioli bake can be added to your freezer stash to be saved for a later date when you don’t have the time or energy to make a meal from scratch. You’ll thank yourself when you can skip takeout and serve homemade baked ravioli instead!

Ingredient Notes

To make this delicious Baked Ravioli, you will need the following ingredients (full measurements in recipe card below):

• olive oil - I used olive oil but feel free to use other neutral oils like avocado oil or vegetable oil.
• ground beef - use an 80/20 meat-to-fat ratio for best results. This will give you a meaty and less greasy sauce. If you are looking for a lighter alternative, use ground chicken or ground turkey instead.
• onion + garlic - these aromatics add so much flavor to this baked pasta casserole.
• tomato sauce + tomato paste - this forms the based of the meat sauce.
• parsley - you can also use dried parsley or Italian seasoning. Add in 1 tablespoon of dried herbs instead of the amount of fresh called for.
• salt
• ravioli - you can make your own raviolis and refrigerate them ahead of time or you can use store-bought ravioli. Make sure to use the fresh refrigerator kind (not the canned kind or dried). We used cheese ravioli, but feel free to use your favorite kind.
• mozzarella
• parmesan - asiago or pecorino romano are great substitutes for parmesan if you need to make a swap.

You will also need measuring cups and spoons, a large pot (such as a 4 quart Dutch oven), and a 9x13-inch casserole pan.

How to Make the Best Baked Ravioli

First make the meat sauce.

1. Cook ground beef. Heat oil in a large pot or 4 quart Dutch oven for 2 minutes over medium-high heat until the oil is sizzling hot. Add ground beef and cook for 5-7 minutes until browned.
2. Add aromatics. Add onion and garlic. Stir well to combine and continue cooking for 3-4 minutes until tender.
3. Add sauce. Pour in tomato sauce, tomato paste, parsley, and salt. Stir well to combine. 
4. Simmer. Bring the meat sauce to a simmer. Then, turn the heat down to low and let it simmer for 10 minutes uncovered. Set aside.

Next, assemble the baked ravioli:

In a 9x13-inch casserole pan, layer the baked ravioli in the following way:

1. Sauce: Evenly spread 1 cup of the meat sauce on the bottom of the pan.
2. Ravioli: Place a third (⅓) of the ravioli evenly in a single layer over the meat sauce.
3. Cheese: Spread 1 cup mozzarella cheese evenly over the ravioli.
4. Sauce: Spread another 1 cup of the meat sauce evenly on top. 
5. Ravioli: Place ⅓ of the ravioli evenly in a single layer over the meat sauce.
6. Cheese: Sprinkle 1 cup mozzarella cheese evenly over the ravioli.
7. Sauce: Evenly spread the remaining of the meat sauce on top.
8. Ravioli: Place the remaining ⅓ of ravioli in a single layer over the meat sauce.
9. Cheese: Spread the remaining mozzarella cheese evenly over the ravioli and top with parmesan cheese.

Bake the ravioli.

1. Grease foil. Lightly grease a large piece of aluminum foil and cover the casserole pan with the greased side inside. Greasing the foil prevents the melted cheese from sticking to the foil while baking.
2. Bake covered. In a 350F preheated oven, bake the ravioli covered for 45-50 minutes.
3. Bake uncovered. Then, remove the foil and bake uncovered for another 20 minutes or until the melted cheese turns golden brown and bubbly.
4. Broil (optional). Optionally, turn on broiler on high and broil for 3-4 minutes to get a crispy and brown cheesy crust. But keep a close eye on the broiler as things can burn quickly.
5. Cool. Let the baked ravioli cool for 10 minutes before serving. Sprinkle on some chopped parsley, if desired.

How to Serve

Serve Baked Ravioli on it's own for a filling, kid-friendly meal that the whole family will love. You can also serve it with some delicious sides for a complete meal. Our favorites include:

• Side salads: Serve the baked ravioli with a side of mixed greens or a Caesar salad for a well-rounded meal. Try: Kale Caesar Salad, Garden Salad, or Greek Salad.
• Garlic bread: Garlic bread is a classic pairing with any pasta dish. You can make your own garlic bread by toasting slices of bread and spreading them with a mixture of melted butter and minced garlic. Try: Cheesy Garlic Bread, Garlic Breadsticks, or Garlic Knots.
• Roasted vegetables: Roasted vegetables, such as broccoli, asparagus, or bell peppers, make a tasty and healthy side dish with comfort foods. Try: Oven Roasted Vegetables, Roasted Cauliflower, Microwave Steamed Broccoli, and Pesto Asparagus.
• Soup: A smooth and creamy soup is the perfect compliment to baked ravioli. Try: Tomato Basil Soup, Lemon Asparagus Soup with Parmesan, and Creamy Garlic Cauliflower Soup.

Storing and Freezing Instructions

How to Store

Transfer the baked ravioli to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to five days.

How to Reheat

Reheat in a 350F preheated oven for 10-15 minutes until warm, in the microwave on high power for 60-90 seconds, or on a pan on the stove over medium-low heat until heated through.

How to Freeze

Once cooled to room temperature, place the baked ravioli in a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. Allow the ravioli to thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. You can also reheat straight from frozen in the microwave or oven but you will need to add more time to reheat.

More Baked Pasta Recipes

• 40 Best Pasta Recipes
• Pasta Bake with Sausage (Baked Ziti)
• Lasagna Roll Ups
• Cheesy Tortellini and Sausage Bake
• Ground Turkey Pasta Bake
• Meat Lasagna

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