Description
Pasta paradise unfolds with Million Dollar Ravioli Casserole, blending Italian-inspired comfort and cheesy indulgence. Layers of rich flavors and creamy textures promise a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta:
- 16 oz package of ravioli
- 1 box of lasagna noodles
Meat and Cheese:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 lb italian sausage
- 2 cups ricotta cheese
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
Sauce and Seasonings:
- 24 oz marinara sauce
- 1 can tomato sauce
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large egg
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F and grease a 9×13 inch baking dish thoroughly.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil and sauté minced garlic until fragrant over medium heat.
- Add ground beef and italian sausage, breaking meat into small crumbles and cooking until completely browned and no pink remains.
- Drain excess fat from the meat mixture and return to skillet.
- Pour marinara sauce and tomato sauce into meat, stirring in dried basil, oregano, salt, and pepper.
- Simmer meat sauce for 10 minutes, allowing flavors to meld together.
- In a separate mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, beaten egg, and half of the mozzarella and parmesan cheeses.
- Layer lasagna noodles across the bottom of the prepared baking dish, creating a complete base.
- Spread a thin layer of meat sauce over the lasagna noodles.
- Arrange uncooked ravioli in a single layer on top of the meat sauce.
- Spread the ricotta cheese mixture evenly over the ravioli.
- Pour remaining meat sauce over the cheese layer.
- Sprinkle remaining mozzarella and parmesan cheeses on top.
- Cover baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 35 minutes.
- Remove foil and continue baking for additional 15 minutes until cheese is golden and bubbly.
- Let casserole rest for 10 minutes before serving to allow layers to set.
Notes
- Choose high-quality ground beef and Italian sausage with balanced fat content for maximum flavor depth and tender texture.
- Drain meat thoroughly after browning to prevent excess grease and ensure a cleaner, more concentrated sauce.
- Opt for fresh ricotta cheese and grate your own mozzarella and parmesan for superior melting and richer taste compared to pre-shredded varieties.
- For gluten-free adaptation, replace lasagna noodles and regular ravioli with gluten-free alternatives, ensuring all ingredient brands are certified gluten-free.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 568
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 1020 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 48 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 140 mg