Description
Million Dollar Ravioli Casserole is a hearty and cheesy baked pasta dish featuring frozen cheese ravioli layered with a savory meat sauce, creamy cheese mixture, and melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. This comforting casserole is easy to prepare, perfect for family dinners, and can be customized with Italian sausage or vegetarian substitutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat Sauce
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 (24-ounce) jar marinara or spaghetti sauce
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cheese Mixture
- 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup cottage cheese
Other Ingredients
- 1 (25-ounce) bag frozen cheese ravioli
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Chopped fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Cook Ground Beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned and fully cooked. Drain any excess fat for a leaner sauce.
- Make Meat Sauce: Stir in the marinara or spaghetti sauce and Italian seasoning to the cooked beef. Allow the mixture to simmer for 5 minutes so the flavors meld together.
- Prepare Cheese Mixture: In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, sour cream, and cottage cheese. Mix thoroughly until smooth and well blended.
- Assemble Casserole Layer 1: In a 9×13-inch baking dish, spread a thin layer of the meat sauce on the bottom. Add half of the frozen ravioli in a single layer on top.
- Add Cheese and Mozzarella: Spread half of the cheese mixture over the ravioli, then sprinkle with 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Assemble Casserole Layer 2: Repeat the layering process with the remaining ravioli, cheese mixture, and meat sauce.
- Top with Cheese: Finish by topping the casserole with the remaining shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese.
- Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes to heat through and meld flavors.
- Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and continue baking for another 10 to 15 minutes until the casserole is bubbly and the cheese is golden brown on top.
- Rest and Serve: Let the casserole rest for 10 minutes before serving to allow it to set. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired for a pop of color and flavor.
Notes
- Substitute the ground beef with Italian sausage to add extra flavor and spice.
- For a vegetarian version, omit the meat and add sautéed mushrooms or fresh spinach as a flavorful alternative.
- This casserole can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated before baking; add a few extra minutes to the bake time if baking from cold.
- Use pre-shredded cheese to save preparation time, but freshly grated Parmesan tends to melt better and offer more flavor.
