Baked Ravioli Recipe

Name: Baked Ravioli Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 55 min
Ingredients: 1 pound ground beef (or ground chicken, turkey or Italian sausage); 20 ounces refrigerated four-cheese ravioli; 32 ounces marinara sauce; 1/2 cup water; 2 cups Italian cheese blend; Optional seasonings: crushed red pepper flakes, garlic powder, fresh minced garlic, seasoning salt, salt, black pepper; Optional garnishes: fresh basil garnish and grated or shredded parmesan cheese

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With only 4 ingredients, this simple Baked Ravioli recipe is quick to become one of your new favorite, go-to weeknight dinners! It has the delicious flavors of lasagna but takes a fraction of the time. It's the perfect meal prep recipe too!

Baked ravioli recipe on a plate with a salad on the side.

Say hello to the ultimate cheesy goodness with this Baked Ravioli recipe! It’s a super simple dish with only 4 simple ingredients that combines delicious cheesy ravioli, marinara sauce, flavorful beef, and a bubbly cheese topping. It’ll make your taste buds dance. It's literally one of the best meals for busy nights and a guaranteed family favorite!

I love dump-and-bake recipes! They’re quick to assemble and pack lots of delicious flavors! After you brown the ground beef, you simply dump all the ingredients into one dish, bake it, and voila! Dinner is served.

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The ravioli doesn’t even have to be boiled first and becomes perfectly tender as it cooks with the ground beef, water, sauce, and cheese in the oven. It can be made ahead of time and then baked up to 2 days later. Also, you can freeze it for up to 3 months. Just thaw overnight and bake the next day!

This is a dinner recipe the beginner cook can master with ease. With just a 10 minute prep time, the finished casserole is on the table in under an hour.

Need more easy meal inspiration? You have to check out our Lazy Lasagna, French Onion Chicken and Rice Bake, Beef Tips and Gravy, and Old Fashioned Tuna Noodle Casserole!

Table of Contents

Why You'll Like This Recipe

Hearty Meal: Packed with protein and cheese, this dish is sure to satisfy even the hungriest appetites.
Simple to Make: With minimal prep and cooking time and simple ingredients, you can have this easy baked ravioli recipe meal ready in less than an hour. A perfect busy weeknight meal!
Versatile: Customize it with your favorite sauces, veggies, or proteins for a personalized touch. Italian ground sausage is also a yummy option.
Perfect for Meal Prep: This easy ravioli bake is great for making ahead of time and reheating for quick meals throughout the week.
Family-Friendly Flavor: This baked ravioli recipe is a dish that even picky eaters will love, perfect for busy family dinners.

Laura Ashley's Tip: The best news is you don't even have to boil the noodles for this baked ravioli, they cook in the sauce as it bakes in the oven. It's genius!

Ingredients

Scroll down to the end of this post for specific ingredient amounts in the recipe card.

Marinara Sauce: Adds a deliciously rich and tangy flavor that perfectly complements the ravioli and prevents it from drying out during baking. Adding water helps to thin the marinara sauce just a bit, ensuring it coats the ravioli nicely.
Refrigerated Four-Cheese Ravioli: The star of the dish! These tender pillows are filled with a delightful blend of cheeses that become melty and gooey in the oven.
Ground Beef: Adds a hearty protein component, making the dish more filling and flavorful. Italian sausage can also be used.
Italian Cheese Blend: This melty cheese mix creates a stretchy, gooey topping that adds that irresistible cheesy goodness.
Optional Seasonings: Crushed red pepper flakes, garlic powder, fresh minced garlic, seasoning salt or salt and black pepper - season as you'd like!
Optional Garnishes: Fresh basil adds a bright, aromatic finish. Fresh parmesan adds a nutty flavor and extra cheesy goodness!

The ingredients to make a baked ravioli recipe.

Tools You’ll Need

How to Make the Baked Ravioli Recipe

Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 13x9-inch casserole dish with butter, olive oil, or nonstick cooking spray.
In a medium skillet on medium-high heat, crumble and cook ground beef until no longer pink. Drain off any excess grease. Season as desired.

To a large bowl, combine ravioli, marinara sauce, water, ½ cup of the cheese, and the cooked and seasoned ground beef. Fold until well combined.

Mixing the ingredients for a baked ravioli recipe in a bowl.

Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining cheese evenly on top. Cover tightly with foil.

Adding cheese to the top of a baked ravioli recipe.

Bake 35 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 10-15 minutes or until it’s bubbling at the edges. Garnish as desired.

Pro Tips and Substitutions

Extra Sauce: If you love your pasta more on the saucy side or plan on eating it as leftovers, you might consider adding an additional cup of sauce. The ravioli will absorb a lot of the sauce while it’s cooking and even more when it’s stored in the refrigerator.
Make Ahead of Time: You can prepare this casserole a day or two in advance. Make sure to add additional cup (or two) of sauce as the pasta will absorb some of it as it refrigerates.
Extra Veggies: For added nutrition, consider mixing in sautéed spinach, mushrooms, or bell peppers with the ground beef.
Make It Spicy: If you like a kick, add red pepper flakes to the marinara sauce or use spicy Italian sausage instead of ground beef.
Cheese Choices: Feel free to experiment with different cheese blends with mozzarella cheese or provolone cheese
Meat Alternative: Swap ground beef for ground turkey, ground chicken, or even a meat-free alternative for a vegetarian option.
Sauce Variation: Use Alfredo sauce or a pesto sauce instead of marinara for a different flavor profile.
Ravioli Varieties: Try different flavors of ravioli, such as a mushroom or spinach ravioli, for a unique twist. You can also use frozen ravioli, but you will need to add 15 minutes to the covered bake time.

What to Serve with this Baked Ravioli Casserole

Baked pasta dishes like this one and our favorite Ricotta Stuffed Shells can pair with lots of yummy sides. Garlic bread or garlic cheese biscuits are great for starters. It's also perfect with a vegetable side dish like Crispy & Garlicky Green Beans, Sautéed Broccoli and Mushrooms, or a simple side salad.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, simply place in the oven or microwave until warmed through. You may need to add a splash of water or sauce to keep it moist.

You can freeze baked ravioli! Allow it to cool completely, then wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil or store it in freezer-safe container. Just know the texture will be slightly compromised from the freeze/thaw process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make baked ravioli in advance?

Sure! You can store it in the refrigerator covered tightly with foil for up to two days. Allow the pan to sit at room temperature for 30 minutes prior to baking, or increase the baking time by 5 minutes.

Can I freeze baked ravioli?

Yes. Store it covered tightly with foil in the freezer for up to 3 months. Allow the dish to fully thaw in the refrigerator for 24 hours before baking. Allow the pan to sit at room temperature for 30 minutes prior to baking, or increase the baking time 5 minutes. Just be advised that the texture will be slightly compromised for the pasta and cheese.

Can I use frozen ravioli to make baked ravioli?

Yes, just add 15 minutes of additional covered baking time.

Do I have to use ground beef?

You can use Italian sausage, either separately or combined with ground beef. For lower saturated fat, try ground turkey or chicken. For vegetarian or vegan-friendly options, try adding mushrooms, spinach, bell peppers and crushed or diced tomatoes.

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