Golden Cheesy Million Dollar Ravioli Casserole Recipe For Dinner

Comfort food reaches new heights with this irresistible million dollar ravioli casserole that promises to delight every taste bud.

Layers of cheese, pasta, and savory sauce create a mouthwatering masterpiece that feels like a warm culinary embrace.

The rich blend of ingredients melts together into a creamy, decadent dish that screams home-cooked goodness.

Creamy ricotta, melted mozzarella, and robust marinara sauce dance together in perfect harmony.

Each forkful delivers a symphony of flavors that will make dinner feel like a special occasion.

Hearty and satisfying, this casserole transforms simple ingredients into an extraordinary meal that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Prepare to fall in love with every single bite of this ultimate comfort food sensation.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Calories: 554 kcal

Servings: 9

Million Dollar Ravioli Casserole Ingredients

• Ground Beef: Provides rich, hearty protein foundation with deep flavor and satisfying texture for the casserole.
• Onion: Adds subtle sweetness and aromatic depth to enhance the meat's natural taste.
• Garlic: Delivers intense, zesty flavor that complements the beef and creates robust sauce profile.
• Marinara Sauce: Offers classic Italian tomato base that binds ingredients and provides tangy, smooth coating.

• Ricotta Cheese: Creates smooth, velvety texture with mild, delicate dairy richness.
• Sour Cream: Introduces subtle tanginess and helps achieve ultra-creamy consistency.
• Cream Cheese: Contributes luxurious, silky mouthfeel and increases overall creaminess.
• Mozzarella Cheese, Parmesan Cheese: Provide melty, stretchy top layer with sharp, nutty undertones.

• Egg: Acts as binding agent to hold ricotta mixture together.
• Parsley: Brings fresh, bright green color and herbaceous note to balance rich ingredients.
• Salt, Pepper: Enhance and balance overall flavor profile of the casserole.

Tools for This Rich Ravioli Casserole

• Large skillet: Essential for browning meat and creating the flavorful sauce.
• 9×13-inch baking dish: Perfect for layering and baking the casserole.
• Medium mixing bowl: Needed for combining the creamy ricotta mixture.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Ensure accurate ingredient proportions.
• Cutting board: Helpful for chopping onions and mincing garlic.
• Sharp knife: Used for precise ingredient preparation.
• Aluminum foil: Covers the casserole during initial baking.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for stirring and mixing ingredients.

How to Assemble the Million Dollar Layers

• Sizzle the Meat Mixture

Brown ground beef and onions in a skillet, creating a rich and flavorful base. Splash in minced garlic for an aromatic punch and stir marinara sauce to develop deep, comforting flavors.

• Whip the Creamy Blend

Combine ricotta, sour cream, and cream cheese in a bowl, whisking until silky smooth. Crack an egg and fold in parsley for a fresh, herbaceous touch.

• Layer the Delicious Landscape

Spread a thin meat sauce blanket in your baking dish. Nestle ravioli across the surface, then lavish with creamy ricotta mixture. Repeat the layers, building delectable tiers of texture and taste.

• Melt and Transform

Cover the casserole with foil and slide into a preheated 375F oven. Bake until the cheese transforms into a golden, bubbling masterpiece. Remove the foil for the final moments to achieve a crispy, irresistible top.

• Serve and Savor

Allow the casserole to rest briefly, letting flavors meld and settle. Slice into generous portions and watch everyone’s eyes light up with anticipation.

Tips for a Bubbly and Golden Finish

• Replace ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a leaner, lighter version of this hearty casserole.
• Prepare the entire casserole, wrap tightly in plastic wrap and foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking.
• Use gluten-free cheese ravioli and verify that marinara sauce is gluten-free to make this dish suitable for those with gluten sensitivities.
• Substitute traditional ravioli with zucchini noodles or cauliflower gnocchi to reduce carbohydrate content while maintaining the delicious cheesy flavor profile.
• Assemble the casserole up to 24 hours in advance and store covered in the refrigerator. Simply bake when ready to serve, adding 5-10 extra minutes to cooking time if coming directly from the cold refrigerator.

Serving Ideas for This Comforting Dish

• Cozy Family Dinner Night: Gather everyone around the table and enjoy this hearty casserole as a comforting weekend meal that brings loved ones together.
• Potluck Party Favorite
• Fresh Herb Finishing Touch: Sprinkle some extra chopped fresh parsley or basil on top just before serving to add a bright, fresh flavor and beautiful green pop to the cheesy casserole.
• Wine Pairing Perfection: Serve alongside a medium-bodied red wine like Chianti or Sangiovese to complement the rich, meaty flavors of the dish and elevate your dining experience.

Keeping Ravioli Casserole Ready to Reheat

• Store leftovers in airtight containers within 2 hours of cooking. Sealed tight, this casserole stays delicious for 3-4 days when chilled at 40°F or below. Enjoy cold or gently reheat in the microwave or oven.
• Warm individual portions in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, covering with a damp paper towel to prevent drying. Add a splash of extra marinara sauce to maintain moisture and restore that fresh-from-the-oven taste.
• Wrap the unbaked casserole tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking. Increase initial covered baking time by 10-15 minutes to ensure thorough heating.
• Divide the casserole into single-serving containers for easy grab-and-go meals. These individually packaged portions make lunch prep a breeze and maintain the dish's delicious flavor profile throughout the week.

FAQs

• What ingredients can I substitute if I don't have the exact ones listed?

Ground turkey works perfectly instead of beef. You can swap ricotta with cottage cheese, and use any pasta sauce if marinara isn’t available. For herbs, dried parsley can replace fresh.

• Is this recipe good for meal prepping?

Absolutely! This casserole freezes wonderfully. You can prepare it completely, cool it down, then store in an airtight container for up to 3 months. When ready to eat, thaw overnight and reheat in the oven.

• How can I make this recipe lower in calories?

Use lean ground beef or ground turkey, choose low-fat cream cheese and ricotta, and reduce the amount of mozzarella cheese. These simple swaps can significantly cut down the calorie content without sacrificing flavor.

• Can I prepare this dish ahead of time?

Yes, you can assemble the entire casserole up to 24 hours in advance. Cover and refrigerate, then bake when you’re ready. Just add an extra 10-15 minutes to the baking time since it will be cold from the refrigerator.

Cheesy Million Dollar Ravioli Casserole Recipe

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4.6 from 15 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 9 1x

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Description

Million Dollar Ravioli Casserole merges classic Italian comfort with hearty Midwestern family-style cooking. Layers of cheese-filled ravioli, rich meat sauce, and melted cheese create a crowd-pleasing meal you can savor with loved ones.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb (454 g) ground beef (or Italian sausage)
• 1 large egg
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• ½ cup (50 g) grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 cup (245 g) ricotta cheese
• ½ cup (120 g) sour cream
• 4 oz (113 g) cream cheese, softened
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 jar (24 oz or 680 g) marinara sauce
• 1 package (25 oz or 709 g) frozen or fresh cheese ravioli
• ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley (or 1 tsp dried parsley)
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Preheat oven to 375F (190C) and thoroughly coat a large baking dish with nonstick spray to prevent adhering.
2. Meat Sauce Creation: In a skillet, brown ground beef with onions, draining excess fat. Infuse with garlic, then blend in marinara sauce, simmering until flavors meld into a rich, aromatic mixture.
3. Creamy Blend Assembly: Whisk ricotta, sour cream, cream cheese, egg, parsley, salt, and pepper until smooth, creating a luxurious binding layer for the casserole.
4. Layering Technique: Spread a base of meat sauce in the prepared dish. Arrange ravioli, cover with the creamy ricotta mixture, top with additional meat sauce, and generously sprinkle mozzarella. Repeat layering, finishing with a decadent blanket of mozzarella and parmesan cheese.
5. Baking Process: Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and continue roasting until cheese melts into a golden, bubbling surface, approximately 10-15 minutes.
6. Finishing Touch: Rest the casserole for several minutes to set. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve, presenting a tantalizing culinary masterpiece.

Notes

• Meat Browning Technique: Ensure ground beef is thoroughly caramelized and excess fat is drained to prevent a greasy texture and enhance overall flavor intensity.
• Cheese Mixture Consistency: Whisk ricotta blend until smooth and uniform, avoiding lumps for a creamy, luxurious mouthfeel that distributes evenly throughout the casserole.
• Layer Precision: Create even, balanced layers to guarantee each bite contains a perfect ratio of meat, cheese, and ravioli, preventing dry or overly saturated sections.
• Foil Coverage Strategy: Use aluminum foil during initial baking to prevent cheese from burning while allowing internal ingredients to cook thoroughly, then uncover for final golden browning.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 554
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 890 mg
• Fat: 32 g
• Saturated Fat: 16 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 119 mg