If you’re searching for a comforting, crowd-pleasing dinner that’s both easy and full of flavor, you need to try my Ravioli Lasagna Casserole Recipe. This dish layers tender ravioli with hearty ground beef and melty mozzarella, all wrapped in rich spaghetti sauce—basically, all your favorite flavors wrapped up in one casserole. I absolutely love how this turns out every time, and you’ll find it’s a perfect shortcut to classic lasagna without any rolling or boiling noodles. Let me walk you through everything you need to know so yours comes out just right!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple and Quick: No need to boil pasta sheets—just layer frozen ravioli for a speedy dinner.
- Family Favorite: My family goes crazy for the cheesy, meaty goodness baked right in.
- Versatile Ingredients: You likely have most of this on hand, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
- Comfort Food Deluxe: It hits all the classic lasagna notes with less effort and maximum flavor.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients come together to build layers of bold, hearty flavor and gooey cheese. I like picking good-quality ravioli and a rich spaghetti sauce to really enhance the casserole.
- Ground beef: Use lean to keep the casserole from getting too greasy but still juicy and flavorful.
- Minced garlic: Fresh is best here for that bright, savory kick.
- Garlic powder: Adds an extra layer of garlicky depth without overpowering.
- Salt and black pepper: Essential to season the beef perfectly.
- Italian seasoning: This blend pulls all the flavors into that classic Italian vibe.
- Jar spaghetti sauce: Dividing it lets some sauce soak into the layers while keeping the top saucy and melty.
- Frozen ravioli: Square shapes are perfect for layering and cooking through evenly.
- Mozzarella cheese: Melts beautifully, adds cheesiness and a golden top.
- Chopped parsley (optional): A fresh garnish brightens the whole dish.
Variations
I love that this Ravioli Lasagna Casserole Recipe is flexible—feel free to make it your own! Whether you’re tweaking it for dietary preferences or just experimenting, there’s room to play.
- Vegetarian version: I’ve swapped out ground beef for sautéed mushrooms and spinach, and it’s just as hearty and satisfying.
- Spicy kick: Adding a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce got a thumbs up from my family who loves a little heat.
- Cheese variations: Mixing mozzarella with provolone or adding parmesan on top amps up the cheesy layers nicely.
- Meat swap: Ground turkey or Italian sausage works well—just brown as usual and adjust seasoning.
How to Make Ravioli Lasagna Casserole Recipe
Step 1: Brown the Beef with Seasonings
Start by heating your skillet over medium heat, then add the ground beef along with minced garlic, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. I like to keep stirring and breaking up the meat so it browns evenly and cooks through without drying out. Once browned, drain any excess fat to keep the casserole from getting greasy—trust me, this little step makes a big difference!
Step 2: Stir in the Spaghetti Sauce
Reserve 1 cup of your spaghetti sauce before adding the rest to the meat. Then, let the beef and sauce cook together just until heated through—this helps the flavors meld beautifully. Don’t overcook it here since it will bake later.
Step 3: Layer Your Casserole
Spray an 8×8 baking dish with non-stick spray and spread half a cup of the reserved sauce on the bottom. This prevents sticking and adds saucy goodness from the start. Then, layer one-third of the ravioli across the sauce in a single layer. Next, top with half the ground beef mixture, followed by half a cup of mozzarella cheese. Repeat those layers once more with ravioli, beef, and cheese. Finally, place the last third of ravioli on top, spread the remaining sauce over it, and finish with the remaining mozzarella cheese. Seeing those layers come together always gets me excited!
Step 4: Bake to Perfection
Bake your casserole in a 350°F oven for 30 to 35 minutes, until the cheese melts completely and it’s bubbling at the edges. You’ll know it’s ready when it’s golden and delicious smelling—that’s when to pull it out and let it rest a bit before serving.
Pro Tips for Making Ravioli Lasagna Casserole Recipe
- Don’t thaw the ravioli: Using frozen ravioli lets them hold their shape better and cook evenly during baking.
- Drain excess fat thoroughly: This keeps the casserole from turning greasy and soggy.
- Let it rest before serving: This helps the layers set so the casserole slices nicely without falling apart.
- Use a glass baking dish: I find it heats evenly and browns the cheese beautifully on top.
How to Serve Ravioli Lasagna Casserole Recipe
Garnishes
I like to sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the top before serving to add a pop of color and fresh flavor. Sometimes I add a little extra cracked black pepper or a dash of grated parmesan for an extra savory punch. These simple garnishes elevate the dish and make it look irresistible right off the bat.
Side Dishes
This casserole is pretty filling, but I love balancing it with a crisp green salad tossed in a tangy vinaigrette or roasted veggies like asparagus or zucchini. Garlic bread or a crusty baguette are also fantastic to mop up every last bit of sauce—trust me, nobody will want to waste a drop!
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I’ve served this in mini individual ramekins. It makes for a charming presentation and helps with portion control at parties. Layer the ingredients as usual and bake—each guest gets a personal cheesy ravioli lasagna in front of them. It’s a total showstopper and super fun!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftovers in airtight containers in the fridge, and they stay tasty for up to three days. When you open the fridge and smell that cheesy, meaty aroma again—that’s always a happy moment in my kitchen.
Freezing
If you want to make this ahead in bulk, this casserole freezes really well. I let it cool completely, then cover it tightly with foil and freeze for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to eat, thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
I reheat leftovers in the oven at 350°F, covered with foil to keep it moist, for about 20 minutes. This helps the cheese melt evenly again and keeps the ravioli tender. You can also microwave single servings, just add a damp paper towel over it to retain moisture.
FAQs
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Can I use fresh ravioli instead of frozen in the Ravioli Lasagna Casserole Recipe?
You can, but fresh ravioli are more delicate and might break down during baking. If you do use fresh, consider reducing the baking time slightly and handle the layers gently to keep them intact.
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Is it important to brown the ground beef first?
Yes! Browning the beef with seasonings not only cooks it thoroughly but also develops rich flavors that make the whole casserole taste amazing. It also helps remove excess fat that could make the dish greasy.
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Can I make this recipe vegetarian?
Absolutely! Swap the beef for sautéed vegetables like mushrooms and spinach or use plant-based meat substitutes. Adjust the seasonings to keep that savory profile, and it’s just as comforting.
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How do I prevent the casserole from getting soggy?
Drain excess fat from the browned meat, don’t over-sauce the layers, and use frozen ravioli straight from the freezer. Also, letting the casserole rest after baking helps it firm up nicely.
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Can I prepare this casserole ahead of time?
You can fully assemble it and refrigerate for a few hours or overnight before baking. Just add a little extra baking time if it’s going in cold from the fridge.
Final Thoughts
This Ravioli Lasagna Casserole Recipe has been a real game-changer for me when I want comfort food without complicated prep. It’s cheesy, meaty, saucy, and comes together in under an hour—what’s not to love? I always feel like I’m serving something extra special, even though it’s so simple. Trust me, once you try this, it’ll become one of your go-to meals to satisfy hungry families or impress guests with minimal effort. Give it a shot—you’ll be so glad you did!
Print
Ravioli Lasagna Casserole Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Description
This Ravioli Lasagna Casserole is a delicious and easy-to-make comfort food that combines layers of tender frozen ravioli, savory ground beef, rich spaghetti sauce, and gooey mozzarella cheese. Perfect for a family dinner, this casserole bakes up bubbly and cheesy, offering all the flavors of classic lasagna with a quick and fuss-free twist.
Ingredients
Meat Mixture
- 1 pound ground beef
- ½ teaspoon minced garlic
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Sauce and Cheese
- 24 ounces jar spaghetti sauce, divided
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, divided
Pasta
- 16 ounces square frozen ravioli
Garnish
- Chopped parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Cook Ground Beef: In a medium skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef along with the minced garlic, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Continue to cook until the beef is fully browned and cooked through. Drain any excess fat to keep the dish from becoming greasy.
- Add Sauce to Beef: Reserve 1 cup of the spaghetti sauce and set aside for later use. Add the remaining spaghetti sauce to the browned ground beef in the skillet, stir to combine, and heat through until hot.
- Prepare Baking Dish: Lightly spray an 8×8 inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. Spread ½ cup of the reserved spaghetti sauce evenly over the bottom of the dish to prevent sticking and add flavor.
- First Layering: Place one-third of the frozen ravioli in a single layer over the sauce. Next, top the ravioli with half of the ground beef mixture evenly spread out.
- Add Cheese and Second Layer of Ravioli: Sprinkle ½ cup of mozzarella cheese over the beef. Then, layer another one-third of the ravioli over the cheese in a single layer.
- Second Meat Layer: Top this second layer of ravioli with the remaining half of the ground beef mixture.
- More Cheese and Final Ravioli Layer: Sprinkle another ½ cup of mozzarella cheese over the beef. Place the final one-third of ravioli on top to complete the layers.
- Top with Sauce and Cheese: Spread the remaining ½ cup of reserved spaghetti sauce over the top layer of ravioli. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese evenly over everything.
- Bake: Bake the casserole in the preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted, golden, and the casserole is bubbly around the edges.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and optionally garnish with chopped parsley before serving hot.
Notes
- To store leftovers, refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- For longer storage, freeze leftovers and reheat in the microwave before serving.
- You can customize the recipe by using different types of ravioli (cheese, spinach, meat) to vary the flavor.
- Make sure to drain excess fat from the ground beef to avoid a greasy casserole.
- Use a baking dish size of 8×8 inches as specified for best layering and cooking results.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (approximately 1/8 of casserole)
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 65mg