Description
Million Dollar Ravioli Casserole is a hearty and comforting Italian-American baked pasta dish featuring layers of frozen cheese ravioli, rich meat sauce made with ground beef and Italian sausage, creamy cheese mixtures, and gooey melted mozzarella and Parmesan. This easy casserole is perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner or family gathering, delivering a blend of savory flavors and cheesy goodness.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat Sauce
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 pound Italian sausage, casings removed
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (24-ounce) jar marinara or pasta sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Casserole Layers
- 1 (25-ounce) bag frozen cheese ravioli
- 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Garnish
- Fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the baking dish: Preheat the oven to 375°F and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Cook the meat mixture: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef, Italian sausage, and diced onion until browned and cooked through, approximately 7 to 8 minutes. Drain any excess grease to keep the casserole from becoming oily.
- Add aromatics and sauce: Stir in minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute until fragrant. Pour in the marinara sauce and sprinkle Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Let the sauce simmer gently for 5 minutes to blend flavors.
- Mix the creamy layer: In a separate bowl, combine the softened cream cheese and sour cream until smooth and well blended, creating a rich creamy layer for the casserole.
- Assemble the casserole: Spread a thin layer of the meat sauce on the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Arrange half of the frozen ravioli in a single layer over the sauce. Spread half of the cream cheese mixture evenly over the ravioli, and then top with half of the remaining meat sauce. Repeat these layers starting with the remaining ravioli, then cream cheese mixture, and finish with the meat sauce on top.
- Add cheese topping: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the top layer of sauce for a golden, bubbly finish.
- Bake the casserole: Cover the dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking uncovered for an additional 10 to 15 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden brown.
- Rest and serve: Allow the casserole to rest for 10 minutes before slicing to let it set. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired and serve warm.
Notes
- This casserole can be assembled ahead of time and refrigerated for up to 24 hours before baking.
- For a meatless option, omit the ground beef and Italian sausage, and substitute with spinach or sautéed mushrooms.
- Use spicy Italian sausage for an added kick of heat.
- Make sure to drain excess grease after cooking the meat to avoid a greasy casserole.
