Easy Cheesy Baked Ravioli Recipe: Golden Crisp Family Favorite

Comfort and classic Italian pasta merge beautifully in this delightful baked ravioli dish that promises warm, cheesy goodness.

Layers of tender pasta pockets nestle beneath a golden, bubbling surface of melted cheese and rich tomato sauce.

Weeknight dinners rarely feel this special without complicated preparation techniques.

Minimal ingredients and straightforward steps make this recipe accessible for home cooks of all skill levels.

Crispy edges and soft, pillowy centers create a delectable contrast that surprises and satisfies hungry diners.

Hearty and filling, this meal brings everyone around the table with its irresistible aroma and inviting presentation.

Let’s turn an ordinary evening into a memorable culinary experience that celebrates simple, delicious cooking.

Baked Ravioli That’s Quick But Feels Fancy

• Quickly Devour: Perfect Weeknight Comfort Meal
• Minimal Prep Magic: Whip up this dish with minimal chopping and just a few simple steps, making it ideal for busy home cooks who want delicious results without complex techniques.
• Family-Friendly Feast: Combines kid-friendly ravioli with hearty ground beef and melty cheese, creating a crowd-pleasing meal that satisfies both picky eaters and hungry adults.
• One-Pan Wonder: Simplifies cooking by using a single baking dish, reducing cleanup time and making this recipe a stress-free dinner solution for exhausted parents and professionals.
• Budget-Friendly Brilliance: Utilizes affordable ingredients like frozen ravioli and ground beef, delivering a restaurant-quality meal at a fraction of the cost while filling hungry bellies.

What Layers Into Baked Ravioli

Main Ingredients:

• Frozen Ravioli: Convenient and quick base for the baked dish, pre-made to save cooking time.
• Mozzarella Cheese: Creamy topping that melts beautifully and adds rich flavor.

• Ground Beef: Hearty protein that adds substance and meaty texture to the dish.

• Crushed Tomatoes: Rich and tangy base for the sauce, provides moisture and classic Italian flavor.
• Garlic: Aromatic seasoning that enhances overall taste, choose fresh for best flavor.
• Olive Oil: Helps sauté garlic and adds smooth cooking base.
• Basil: Adds fresh herb note, can use dried or fresh from the garden.
• Black Pepper: Provides subtle spicy undertone and enhances other flavors.

• Foil: Covers dish during initial baking to prevent excessive browning.

Baking Guide for Baked Ravioli

Step 1: Fire Up The Oven

Crank the oven to a toasty 425°F and get ready for some serious cooking action.

Step 2: Prepare The Cooking Vessel

Grab an 8×8-inch baking dish and give it a quick spray or butter rub to prevent sticking.

Step 3: Brown The Beef

Cook ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat until it transforms into a gorgeous golden brown.

Drain away any extra fat to keep things light.

Step 4: Craft The Sauce Magic

In a saucepan, warm up some olive oil and toss in minced garlic.

Let it dance and become fragrant for about a minute.

• Crushed tomatoes
• Fresh basil
• Black pepper

Stir these together and let the sauce simmer gently before removing from heat.

Step 5: Layer The Ravioli Base

Spread a thin layer of sauce across the bottom of your prepared baking dish.

Step 6: Build The First Layer

Arrange a single layer of frozen ravioli across the sauce.

• Ground beef
• Mozzarella cheese
• Additional sauce

Step 7: Repeat The Layering

Continue building delicious layers, ensuring each ravioli gets cozy with sauce and meat.

Step 8: Crown With Cheese

Top the final layer with remaining mozzarella cheese, making sure everything is beautifully covered.

Step 9: Bake To Perfection

Cover the dish with foil and bake for 25 minutes.

Step 10: Final Crisp

Remove the foil and bake for another 10 minutes until the cheese turns golden and bubbly.

Step 11: Rest And Serve

Let the dish sit for 5 minutes, allowing flavors to mingle before serving up this mouthwatering creation.

Ravioli Layering & Baking Notes

• Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a lighter protein option.
• Pat frozen ravioli slightly dry before layering to reduce excess moisture and maintain a firmer texture.
• Mix different cheeses like parmesan or ricotta with mozzarella for deeper flavor complexity.
• Simmer tomato sauce longer to thicken and concentrate flavors, preventing watery final dish.
• Sprinkle chopped fresh basil or parsley just before serving to add bright, fresh notes and enhance overall taste.

Reheat Baked Ravioli Without Overcooking

• Store leftover baked ravioli in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Properly sealed, it will stay fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Wrap tightly in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty aluminum foil. Frozen ravioli casserole maintains great quality for up to 2 months.
• Warm individual portions in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even heating. Add a splash of water to prevent dryness.
• Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then bake at 350°F covered with foil for 20-25 minutes. Remove foil for the last 5 minutes to restore cheese's crispy texture.

Tasty Picks For Baked Ravioli

• Pair with Robust Red Wine: Choose a medium-bodied Italian red like Chianti or Sangiovese to complement the rich, meaty tomato sauce and enhance the savory beef flavors.
• Create a Fresh Herb Salad: Prepare a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to balance the hearty baked ravioli and cut through the dish's richness with crisp, tangy notes.
• Serve Garlic Bread on the Side: Prepare warm, crusty garlic bread to soak up extra sauce and provide a delicious textural contrast with its crispy exterior and soft, buttery interior.
• Pour Sparkling Water with Lemon: Add a refreshing beverage to cleanse the palate between bites, offering a light, citrusy complement that helps refresh your taste buds during the meal.

Ravioli Bake Cheese Combos

• Vegetarian Deconstructed Casserole: Replace ground beef with sautéed mushrooms or plant-based crumbles for a meat-free version that maintains rich, hearty flavors.
• Gluten-Free Comfort Bake: Swap traditional wheat ravioli with gluten-free cheese or spinach ravioli, ensuring those with wheat sensitivities can enjoy this comforting dish.
• Low-Carb Zucchini Swap: Use zucchini rounds or low-carb vegetable noodles instead of ravioli, creating a lighter alternative for keto and carbohydrate-conscious eaters.
• Dairy-Free Mediterranean Adaptation: Substitute mozzarella with nutritional yeast or dairy-free cheese alternative, and add kalamata olives and fresh herbs for a Mediterranean-inspired flavor profile.

FAQs

• Is it okay to use fresh ravioli instead of frozen?

Yes, fresh ravioli works perfectly. Just reduce the baking time by 5-10 minutes to prevent overcooking.

• Can I make this dish vegetarian?

Absolutely! Simply skip the ground beef and add sautéed vegetables like zucchini, spinach, or mushrooms as a replacement.

• What type of cheese works best for this recipe?

Mozzarella is ideal, but you can also use a blend of mozzarella and parmesan for extra flavor. Provolone is another great alternative.

• How can I prevent the ravioli from becoming soggy?

Use a minimal amount of sauce and ensure the ravioli are not completely submerged. The layering technique in this recipe helps maintain the right texture.

Baked Ravioli Recipe

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4.8 from 16 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Cheesy, golden-brown Baked Ravioli provides a comforting Italian-inspired feast that melts hearts and delights palates. Crisp edges, rich fillings, and a luxurious sauce create an irresistible dinner perfect for sharing with friends and family.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 25 ounces (708 grams) frozen cheese ravioli
• 3/4 pound (340 grams) ground beef
• 1 (28 ounces) (794 grams) can crushed tomatoes
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Herbs and Seasonings:

• 1 tablespoon dried basil
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 clove garlic, minced

Cooking Liquid:

• 1 teaspoon olive oil

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Instructions

1. Warm the culinary workspace oven to a robust 425°F, preparing for a delectable transformation.
2. Delicately coat an 8×8-inch ceramic vessel with protective cooking spray, reserving it for the upcoming layered masterpiece.
3. Navigate a large skillet over medium thermal intensity, coaxing ground beef into a rich, caramelized state. Eliminate surplus lipids through careful drainage.
4. Activate a petite saucepan, introducing olive oil and allowing gentle heat to embrace fragrant garlic, creating an aromatic foundation in approximately one minute.
5. Cascade crushed tomatoes into the garlic-infused oil, complementing with verdant basil and a whisper of black pepper. Guide the mixture to a gentle simmer, then gracefully retire from heat.
6. Distribute a foundational layer of tomato essence across the prepared ceramic canvas, establishing a robust base.
7. Arrange the first stratum of frozen ravioli with meticulous precision, ensuring complete coverage.
8. Generously scatter ground beef fragments and sprinkle a constellation of mozzarella cheese across the pasta landscape.
9. Lavish the layer with a cascading river of tomato sauce, ensuring thorough saturation.
10. Replicate the architectural process: alternate ravioli, seasoned beef, cheese, and sauce layers with rhythmic consistency.
11. Culminate the stratification with a final tier, guaranteeing complete sauce submersion of the pasta pillows.
12. Crown the creation with remaining mozzarella, promising a golden, molten summit.
13. Drape the ceramic vessel with aluminum armor, protecting the developing flavors.
14. Orchestrate a 25-minute thermal journey within the preheated oven.
15. Unveil the protective foil, allowing direct heat to transform the cheese into a gloriously bronzed landscape.
16. After an additional 10-minute thermal embrace, remove and permit a brief 5-minute restoration period before serving.

Notes

• Customize the meat by using ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a leaner or vegetarian version.
• Enhance flavor depth by adding a pinch of red pepper flakes or Italian seasoning to the tomato sauce.
• Prevent sauce burning by ensuring ravioli is completely covered and using a tight-fitting foil during initial baking.
• Choose fresh or frozen ravioli based on convenience, but avoid overcrowding the baking dish for even heating.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 420
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 42 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 22 g
• Cholesterol: 50 mg