Description
Million dollar ravioli casserole blends hearty Italian-American comfort with creamy, cheesy goodness. Home cooks will savor this indulgent dish that brings warmth and satisfaction to dinner tables.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 25 ounces (709 grams) frozen cheese ravioli
- 28 ounces (794 grams) marinara sauce
- 2 cups grated mozzarella cheese
Cheese and Dairy:
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 8 ounces (227 grams) cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup sour cream
Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F and lightly coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- In a large skillet, cook ground beef over medium-high heat until thoroughly browned, then drain excess fat. Incorporate marinara sauce into the meat, creating a rich and flavorful base.
- In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together cream cheese, sour cream, half of the grated Parmesan cheese, and selected seasonings until smooth and well-combined.
- Gently fold the frozen ravioli into the creamy cheese mixture, ensuring each pasta pocket is evenly coated.
- Spread the ravioli mixture across the prepared baking dish, creating an even layer. Pour the meat sauce over the top, distributing it uniformly.
- Sprinkle the remaining Parmesan cheese and mozzarella over the casserole, creating a tempting cheesy topping.
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the ravioli to heat through.
- Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 15 minutes until the cheese is melted and the edges are golden and bubbly.
- Allow the casserole to rest for 10 minutes before serving, which helps the dish set and makes cutting easier.
Notes
- Substitute ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a leaner or vegetarian version that maintains rich flavor profiles.
- Enhance cheese mixture by adding fresh herbs like basil or oregano for extra aromatic depth and complexity to the casserole.
- Use no-boil ravioli to simplify preparation and reduce overall cooking time without compromising texture or taste.
- Experiment with different cheese combinations like fontina, ricotta, or goat cheese to customize the dish’s richness and create unique flavor variations.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 511
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 1095 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 43 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 27 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg