Description
Cheesy Million Dollar Ravioli Casserole brings Italian comfort straight to dinner tables with luxurious layers of pasta and rich sauce. Gooey cheese and hearty meat create a satisfying meal that promises delightful flavors you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta:
- 2 boxes (16 oz) pasta shells or large ravioli
- 1 package (12 oz) jumbo pasta shells
Protein and Cheese:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 lb Italian sausage
- 2 cups ricotta cheese
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup parmesan cheese
Sauce and Seasonings:
- 2 jars (24 oz) marinara sauce
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 2 eggs
- 2 tbsp italian seasoning
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley (chopped)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and generously grease a large baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Cook pasta shells or ravioli in salted boiling water until just al dente, typically 2-3 minutes less than package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil and brown ground beef and Italian sausage over medium-high heat, breaking meat into small crumbles until no pink remains, approximately 8-10 minutes.
- Drain excess fat from the meat and return to skillet. Add diced tomatoes, marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Simmer the sauce for 5-7 minutes.
- In a separate mixing bowl, whisk eggs and combine ricotta cheese, ensuring a smooth, creamy texture.
- Layer the bottom of the baking dish with a thin spread of meat sauce to prevent pasta from sticking.
- Arrange pasta shells or ravioli in a single layer, then spread ricotta mixture evenly over the pasta.
- Pour remaining meat sauce over the ricotta layer, ensuring complete coverage.
- Generously sprinkle mozzarella and parmesan cheese across the top of the casserole.
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes.
- Remove foil and continue baking for an additional 10-15 minutes until cheese is golden and bubbly.
- Let the casserole rest for 10 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld.
- Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and serve hot.
Notes
- Swap ground beef and sausage with plant-based meat alternatives for a vegetarian version that maintains rich, hearty flavors.
- Use gluten-free pasta shells or ravioli to make this dish completely gluten-free without compromising taste or texture.
- Reduce sodium by selecting low-sodium marinara sauce and limiting added salt, perfect for heart-healthy diets.
- Enhance protein content by incorporating additional lean meats like ground turkey or chicken for a lighter protein profile.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35-45 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg