This Baked Cheesy Ravioli and Meat Sauce comes together in about 45 minutes and is all baked in the oven for a quick and easy weeknight dinner that your family will love! Honestly, it’s an amazing meal after a busy day. Everyone will be asking for seconds!
Ingredient Breakdown
To make this Baked Cheesy Ravioli and Meat Sauce, here’s what you’ll need:
- 1 lb ground beef: You can substitute with ground turkey or even some Italian sausage if you’re feeling adventurous!
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese: Who doesn’t love a stringy, gooey cheese? You could also mix in some cheddar for a twist!
- 1 cup parmesan cheese (freshly grated is always best!): It adds that nice, nutty flavor. But hey, if you only have the canned stuff, that works too!
- 1 tablespoon olive oil: For sautéing, but feel free to use butter if you prefer that rich flavor.
- 1/2 medium onion chopped: A must for flavor! You could even toss in some bell peppers if you have them.
- 2 teaspoons garlic minced: Fresh garlic makes a world of difference, but jarred will do in a pinch!
- Salt & Black Pepper to taste: Seriously, just a couple pinches of each will elevate everything.
- 1 24 oz jar spaghetti sauce (divided): Store-bought is super convenient. Or, if you’re feeling fancy, you can use homemade sauce!
- 20 oz cheese ravioli (refrigerated and uncooked): These add that classic touch to our dish. You can use frozen, too, just adjust baking time slightly.
Let’s Get Cooking!
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F and position the rack in the upper third. (This helps with that bubbling cheese on top! Yum!)
Get your cheeses ready and keep them on standby. We want to layer them in perfectly!
In a skillet, add the olive oil over medium-high heat. When it’s shimmering, toss in the chopped onion. Sauté for about 4-5 minutes until they’re translucent and fragrant.
Next, add in the ground beef and minced garlic, cooking until everything is browned and cooked through, about 8 minutes. If there’s any excess fat, go ahead and drain it. Don’t forget to season with a couple pinches of salt and pepper.
Now stir in 2 cups of the marinara sauce into the beef mixture, making sure it’s well combined and heated through, bring it to a simmer, then reduce heat
Grease a 9×13 baking dish and spread the remaining 1 cup of marinara sauce evenly along the bottom
Layer half of the ravioli over the bottom, slightly overlapping them. Then, add half of the beef mixture followed by half of each type of cheese.
Repeat to create two layers, finishing with all that amazing cheese on top!
Cover the baking dish with foil (to keep all that moisture in) and bake for 30 minutes.
Remove the foil and broil for just a few minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown, keep a close eye on it!
Serve immediately and watch your family dig in.
If you loved thisBaked Cheesy Ravioli and Meat Sauce, be sure to check out my Swiss Bacon Mushroom Meatloaf or my Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese!
Why This Recipe Works
Quick & Easy
Comes together all in under 45 minutes, who doesn’t need a speedy meal during busy weeknights? Seriously, this is the kind of comfort food that doesn’t take forever to make.
Minimal Cleanup Required
Because you’re using one baking dish and one skillet, you’ll have a lot less to clean up! So after dinner, you can kick back and relax.
Budget-Friendly
Using affordable, everyday ingredients makes this Baked Cheesy Ravioli and Meat Sauce not only delicious but easy on the wallet! You can often find sales on ravioli and sauces, plus, if you’re like me, you always have ground meat on hand.
Crowd-Pleaser
Believe me when I say that this is a dish everyone will love, whether you’re hosting a family gathering or just wanting to please your kids, this is a guaranteed hit!
Customizable
You can truly make this your own! Add in sautéed mushrooms, spinach, or keep it straight-up classic, whatever you have handy will work. Just use whatever ingredients you have in your kitchen; this is all about versatility!
Serving and Storage Tips
How to Serve This Baked Cheesy Ravioli
Serve it warm, of course! You can pair it with a crisp green salad, some garlic bread, or even roasted veggies for a complete meal. Don’t forget a sprinkle of extra parmesan on top when you serve, yum!
Storage
This dish is best eaten fresh but will keep well in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. Just make sure it’s stored in an airtight container to stay nice and fresh.
Reheating Instructions
The best method to reheat this is to pop it back in the oven at 350°F until warmed through, about 15-20 minutes. You can also microwave it, but know that the cheese won’t be as melty, but hey, some cheese is better than no cheese!
Freezer Friendly
Yes! You can freeze the assembled dish (before baking) up to 3 months. Just wrap tightly with foil and then plastic wrap. When you’re ready to eat it, just thaw it in the fridge overnight and then bake as instructed, just might take a few extra minutes if it’s still cold.
That’s it for my Easy Baked Cheesy Ravioli and Meat Sauce! Trust me, you won’t regret making this deliciously satisfying and super creamy dish. It’s the kind of cozy comfort food that brings everyone together. So, dive in and enjoy the amazing flavors, it’s time to feast!
Happy cooking! And follow us on Pinterest for daily inspiration that brings warmth to your table!
Baked Cheesy Ravioli and Meat Sauce
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat your oven to 350°F and position the rack in the upper third.
- Get your cheeses ready and keep them on standby.
- In a skillet, add the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté for about 4-5 minutes until translucent.
- Add in the ground beef and minced garlic. Cook until browned, about 8 minutes, and drain excess fat. Season with salt and pepper.
- Stir in 2 cups of marinara sauce into the beef mixture until well combined and heated through. Simmer and reduce heat.
- Grease a 9×13 baking dish and spread the remaining 1 cup of marinara sauce evenly along the bottom.
- Layer half of the ravioli over the bottom, followed by half of the beef mixture and half of each type of cheese.
- Repeat to create two layers, finishing with all the cheese on top.
- Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
- Remove the foil and broil for a few minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
- Serve immediately.