Description
Listen, we need to talk about baked ravioli. This isn’t just dinner — it’s a straight-up miracle in a casserole dish. Take frozen ravioli (yes, frozen!), dump it with sauce and cheese, bake it, and somehow you end up with something that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen. It’s basically lasagna’s chill cousin who doesn’t stress about perfect layers and just wants everyone to have a good time. The cheese gets all bubbly and golden, the ravioli gets tender, and the sauce brings everything together in the most comforting way possible. Even my “I don’t do carbs” sister was like, “Okay, maybe just one more piece.”
Ingredients
The Holy Trinity:
- 1 bag (25 oz) frozen cheese ravioli (don’t thaw it!)
- 3 cups marinara sauce (jar sauce is totally fine)
- 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (freshly shredded melts better)
Level Up Options:
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 lb ground Italian sausage or ground beef (cooked and drained)
- 1 cup ricotta cheese (for extra creaminess)
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
- Fresh basil for garnish
- Crushed red pepper flakes (if you like a kick)
Instructions
Preheat oven to 400°F. Grease a 9×13 baking dish or spray it with cooking spray. We’re keeping things simple here.
Spread 1 cup of marinara sauce on the bottom of your dish. Arrange the frozen ravioli in a single layer over the sauce — don’t worry if they overlap a little. Pour the remaining sauce over the ravioli, making sure everything gets covered. Sprinkle that beautiful mozzarella cheese all over the top like you’re making it snow.
If you’re feeling extra, add dollops of ricotta, sprinkle some parmesan, or scatter cooked sausage between the layers. Italian seasoning on top makes everything smell amazing.
Cover tightly with foil and bake for 45 minutes. Remove the foil and bake another 10-15 minutes until the cheese is golden and bubbly. You want those crispy, caramelized cheese spots — that’s where the flavor lives.
Let it rest for 10 minutes before serving. I know it’s torture, but trust me — you don’t want molten cheese lava burning your tongue. Use that time to make a simple salad or garlic bread.
Notes
- With garlic bread for ultimate carb heaven
- Side salad to pretend you’re being healthy
- Roasted vegetables if you want to add some color
- A glass of red wine because you’re basically eating Italian food
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
Nutrition
- Calories: ~380 kcal
- Fat: ~16g
- Carbohydrates: ~38g
- Protein: ~18g