Million Dollar Ravioli Casserole: Pure Comfort!
Make the ultimate comfort food: Million Dollar Ravioli Casserole! Features layers of cheese ravioli, hearty meat sauce, a creamy ricotta mixture, and melted cheese.
Ingredients
(Based on 1x column)
For the Casserole:
- ▢ 1 lb ground beef (or Italian sausage)
- ▢ 1 small onion, finely chopped
- ▢ 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ▢ 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
- ▢ 1 package (25 oz) frozen or fresh cheese ravioli (Do not cook)
- ▢ 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- ▢ 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
For the Ricotta Mixture:
- ▢ 1 cup ricotta cheese (whole milk recommended)
- ▢ 1/2 cup sour cream
- ▢ 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- ▢ 1 large egg
- ▢ 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley (or 1 tsp dried parsley)
- ▢ 1/2 tsp salt
- ▢ 1/4 tsp black pepper
Garnish (Optional):
- ▢ Extra chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
1. Prepare Oven and Dish:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray or a little olive oil.
2. Prepare the Meat Sauce:
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef (or Italian sausage) and chopped onion until the meat is fully browned and the onion has softened, approximately 5-7 minutes. Break the meat apart as it cooks.
- Drain off any excess fat from the skillet.
- Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for about 1 minute more, until fragrant.
- Stir in the jar of marinara sauce. Bring the mixture to a simmer and let it cook gently for 5 minutes for the flavors to meld. Remove from heat and set aside.
3. Make the Ricotta Mixture:
- While the meat sauce simmers, prepare the ricotta filling. In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, sour cream, softened cream cheese, egg, chopped fresh parsley (or dried), salt, and pepper.
- Mix with a spoon or spatula until the mixture is smooth, creamy, and well combined.
4. Assemble the Casserole Layers:
- Layer 1: Spread a thin layer (about 1/2 to 1 cup) of the meat sauce evenly over the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- Layer 2: Arrange half of the uncooked frozen or fresh ravioli in a single layer over the sauce.
- Layer 3: Spread half of the ricotta mixture evenly over the ravioli layer.
- Layer 4: Top the ricotta mixture with half of the remaining meat sauce.
- Layer 5: Sprinkle with 1 cup of the shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Layer 6: Arrange the remaining uncooked ravioli in a single layer.
- Layer 7: Spread the remaining ricotta mixture evenly over the second ravioli layer.
- Layer 8: Top with the rest of the meat sauce, spreading it to cover the ricotta mixture.
- Layer 9: Sprinkle evenly with the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese and the 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese.
5. Bake Covered:
- Cover the casserole dish tightly with aluminum foil. This traps steam to cook the ravioli.
- Place the covered dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes.
6. Bake Uncovered:
- Carefully remove the aluminum foil from the baking dish (watch for steam).
- Return the dish to the oven and bake uncovered for an additional 10-15 minutes.
- The casserole is done when the cheese topping is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden brown around the edges, and the filling is hot.
7. Rest and Serve:
- Let the casserole cool for 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving. This allows the layers to set slightly, making it easier to serve neat portions.
- Garnish with extra chopped fresh parsley, if desired. Serve hot.