If you're looking for a quick and satisfying dinner option using just a handful of ingredients, this Easy Baked Ravioli Recipe is your go-to solution. With frozen cheese ravioli, ground beef, and marinara sauce as the star ingredients, make an easy weeknight dinner using less than 10 ingredients!
Ravioli are a type of pasta made of small square or circular pockets of dough filled with various mixtures, such as cheese, meats, vegetables, or herbs. They are made by placing a filling between two sheets of pasta dough and then sealing the edges. They are a popular Italian comfort food and can be cooked and served in many different ways!
This recipe uses the oven to bake the ravioli along with ground beef and marinara sauce to add more texture and depth. The best part is that you don’t have to make the ravioli from scratch! You can find your favorite ravioli in the frozen section of any grocery store and use them to layer this simple dish.
This recipe is an ideal choice for a quick, easy, and satisfying weeknight meal! Utilizing frozen cheese ravioli streamlines the cooking process, while the combination of ground beef, marinara sauce, and seasonings delivers a flavorful result when all cooked together. With just 40 minutes of baking time, the dish transforms into a bubbling, cheese-topped meal, making it a perfect option when you need to feed a hungry family!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- With frozen cheese ravioli as the star ingredient, you'll save valuable time on assembling the dish, making it perfect for those hectic evenings.
- The combination of browned ground beef, rich marinara sauce, and aromatic spices creates a comforting and satisfying meal that's sure to warm you up after a long day.
- Layers of gooey mozzarella cheese mix with the savory flavors, creating a cheesy, melt-in-your-mouth layer of flavor.
- This recipe's simplicity and bold flavors of an Italian classic make it an excellent choice for serving up a hearty dinner that everyone at the table can enjoy.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Ground Beef - Adds savory richness and protein to the dish, infusing each bite with a hearty and satisfying flavor.
- Frozen Cheese Ravioli - Serves as the pasta base, eliminating the need for making dough from scratch while still providing that classic pasta texture and taste.
- Minced Garlic & Yellow Onion - Enhance the overall depth of flavor, with minced garlic lending a subtle pungency and diced yellow onion adding a sweet and savory undertone to the sauce.
- Marinara Sauce - Forms the foundation of the dish, delivering a tomato-based richness that coats the ravioli and ground beef in a comforting sauce.
- Canned Diced Tomatoes - Contributes both texture and acidity, balancing the flavors and adding a hint of freshness to the overall profile.
- Seasonings - Italian seasoning provides a familiar blend of herbs that elevates the dish's Italian flair, while black pepper gives a gentle kick of heat.
- Mozzarella Cheese - Tops the dish with its gooey, melty texture that rounds out the meal.
How To Make Easy Baked Ravioli
Prepare for baking: Preheat oven to 350℉ and prepare a 9 x 13-inch casserole dish by coating it with a non-stick cooking spray. Then set aside.
Cook the ground beef: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add ground beef and onions. Brown and crumble until there is no longer any pink showing. Drain off excess grease.
Assemble the sauce: To the ground beef mixture, add marinara sauce, garlic, diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, and black pepper to the skillet. Mix until well combined. When the sauce begins to bubble, turn the heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes.
Arrange the dish: Pour ½ a cup of meat sauce on the bottom of the baking dish. Arrange ½ of the ravioli on the bottom of the baking dish. Top with half of the meat sauce and 1½ cups of mozzarella cheese. Repeat with remaining ravioli, meat sauce, and mozzarella cheese.
Cook and serve: Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and continue to bake for 10 minutes.
Serve while hot, and enjoy!
Recipe Tips
- After browning the ground beef and onions, drain off any excess grease to prevent the dish from becoming overly oily.
- When simmering the marinara sauce with garlic, diced tomatoes, and seasonings, keep the heat on low to prevent the sauce from splattering and allow the flavors to meld gently.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, simmer the meat sauce for a few extra minutes to reduce the liquid slightly.
- When assembling the layers, spread a thin layer of meat sauce on the bottom of the baking dish first; this prevents the ravioli from sticking while adding an extra burst of flavor.
- Ensure an even cheese distribution by sprinkling mozzarella cheese over each layer of ravioli and meat sauce, guaranteeing a gooey and delightful cheesy experience in every bite.
- Cover the baking dish with foil during the initial baking to prevent the top layer of cheese from browning too quickly, allowing the ravioli to cook through evenly. Uncover the dish during the final baking minutes to achieve a golden and slightly crispy cheese topping that adds a delightful texture contrast to the dish.
Variations
- For a meatless version, replace ground beef with sautéed mushrooms and spinach. This brings earthy flavors and a nutritious touch to the dish.
- Experiment with a different filling by using a blend of ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese for the ravioli, creating a rich and cheesy flavor.
- Swap out the marinara sauce for basil pesto to infuse the dish with a bold and zesty herb taste with a hint of nuttiness.
- Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce for a touch of heat that complements the other flavors.
- Replace marinara with creamy Alfredo sauce to create a creamy and indulgent version that's perfect for those craving a more hearty taste.
- Enhance the dish with fresh chopped basil or parsley just before serving, adding a burst of freshness and color that complements the richness of the other ingredients.
Storing & Freezing
Storing: To store leftover baked ravioli, allow the dish to cool to room temperature before transferring it to an airtight container. Place the container in the refrigerator, where the ravioli will remain fresh for up to 3-4 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave or in the oven at a low temperature, adding a splash of water to maintain moisture if needed.
Freezing: Wrap the dish tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, then place it in a freezer-safe bag. Properly stored, baked ravioli can be frozen for up to 2-3 months. To reheat, thaw the dish overnight in the refrigerator and then warm it in the oven at a low temperature until heated through.
FAQ
Yes, you can use fresh ravioli if preferred. Adjust the baking time accordingly, as fresh ravioli may cook faster than frozen. Keep an eye on the dish to prevent overcooking.
Yes, you can assemble the dish ahead of time and refrigerate it up to 24 hours before baking.
You can customize the recipe by adding diced bell peppers, zucchini, or spinach to the sauce for added flavor and nutrients. Just make sure to adjust cooking times to ensure the vegetables are cooked to your desired level of tenderness.
More Easy Pasta Dishes
- Easy Chicken Noodle Casserole
- Easy Spaghetti Carbonara
- Creamy Chicken Fajita Pasta
- Pesto Orzo Pasta Salad
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Easy Baked Ravioli Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 (25 oz) bag of frozen cheese ravioli
- 1 small yellow onion (diced)
- 1 (24 oz) jar marinara sauce
- 2 tsp garlic minced (minced)
- 1 (14 oz) can diced tomatoes
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 3 cups mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350℉ and prepare a 9 x 13-inch casserole dish by coating it with a non-stick cooking spray. Then set aside.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and onions. Brown and crumble until there is no longer any pink showing. Drain off excess grease.
- Add marinara sauce, garlic, diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, and black pepper to the skillet. Mix until well combined. When sauce begins to bubble turn heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Pour ½ a cup of meat sauce on the bottom of the baking dish. Arrange ½ of the ravioli on the bottom of the baking dish. Top with half of the meat sauce and 1½ cups of mozzarella cheese.
- Repeat with remaining ravioli, meat sauce and mozzarella cheese.
- Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
- Remove foil and continue to bake for 10 minutes.
- Serve while hot and enjoy!
Nutrition
*All nutrition information provided is automatically calculated and is an estimate and will vary based on ingredients, brands, and changes in cooking methods listed in the recipe. If you need exact numbers on your ingredients, I would recommend calculating them with your prefered nutrition calculator.
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