Nothing beats the comfort of a rich, cheesy, baked pasta dish, and this Million Dollar Ravioli Casserole is a game-changer. It’s like a lasagna and baked ziti had a delicious, cozy love child. Layers of tender cheese ravioli, a creamy cheese blend, and a hearty meat sauce come together to create an indulgent, satisfying meal that tastes like it took hours—but it’s surprisingly simple to make.
This dish gets its “million-dollar” name because it tastes like a million bucks! It’s one of those recipes that feels special enough for a dinner party but easy enough for a weeknight meal. Trust me, once you take a bite, you’ll see why this dish has earned its legendary status.
Is this Million Dollar Ravioli Casserole for you? Let’s see. Million Dollar Ravioli Casserole is…
- Ultra-Cheesy: A blend of mozzarella, ricotta, Parmesan, and cream cheese makes every bite irresistibly creamy.
- Rich & Savory: The beefy marinara sauce brings deep, comforting flavors.
- Easy to Make: No need to boil ravioli beforehand—just layer and bake!
- Perfect for Meal Prep: Tastes even better the next day, making it ideal for leftovers.
- Crowd-Pleasing: Whether for family dinners or potlucks, everyone will be coming back for seconds.
Ingredients in Million Dollar Ravioli Casserole
Here’s the magic of this casserole—it’s made with simple ingredients, but the result is so much more than the sum of its parts. Let’s break it down:
Ground Beef: Adds a hearty, savory depth to the sauce. You can swap it for ground turkey or sausage if preferred.
Onion & Garlic: These aromatics build layers of flavor and make the whole house smell amazing while cooking.
Marinara Sauce & Crushed Tomatoes: A combination of jarred sauce and crushed tomatoes creates a rich, flavorful base without extra effort.
Frozen Cheese Ravioli: No need to boil—just layer it straight from the freezer for a no-fuss assembly.
Ricotta, Sour Cream & Cream Cheese: This trio creates a lusciously creamy, slightly tangy layer that melts beautifully into the casserole.
Mozzarella & Parmesan Cheese: The finishing touch that gives this dish its irresistible cheesy pull.
Italian Seasoning, Salt & Pepper: Simple seasonings that enhance the overall depth of flavor.
Fresh Parsley: Adds a bright pop of color and freshness. Totally optional, but highly recommended!
How to Make Million Dollar Ravioli Casserole
Let’s dive into the steps to create this flavorful masterpiece:
Preheat Your Oven: Set your oven to 375°F. This ensures an even bake and helps all the cheesy layers meld together perfectly.
Cook the Beef Mixture: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, and sauté until fragrant. Drain any excess grease.
Simmer the Sauce: Stir in the marinara sauce, crushed tomatoes, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Let it simmer for 5-10 minutes to develop flavor.
Mix the Creamy Layer: In a bowl, combine ricotta cheese, sour cream, and softened cream cheese. Mix until smooth.
Assemble the Casserole: In a greased baking dish, spread a layer of meat sauce, followed by a layer of frozen ravioli. Spread the creamy cheese mixture over the ravioli, then sprinkle with mozzarella and Parmesan. Repeat the layers until all ingredients are used, ending with a generous layer of cheese on top.
Bake to Perfection: Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes until the cheese is golden and bubbly.
Let It Rest & Serve: Allow the casserole to sit for 5-10 minutes before serving. This helps the layers set for the perfect scoopable texture.
How to Serve Million Dollar Ravioli Casserole?
- Fresh Salads: A crisp green salad with a tangy vinaigrette balances out the richness.
- Crusty Bread: Perfect for mopping up every last bit of sauce.
- Roasted Vegetables: Serve alongside zucchini, asparagus, or bell peppers for a colorful plate.
- As a Standalone: This dish is filling enough on its own—just garnish with fresh parsley for a pop of freshness.
Nutrition Information (Per Serving)
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 27g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Additional Tips
- Make it Ahead: Assemble the casserole a day in advance and refrigerate. Bake when ready!
- Spice It Up: Add red pepper flakes or swap ground beef for spicy Italian sausage.
- Storage Tips: Leftovers keep well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the oven for best results.
- Freezing Option: Assemble the casserole, cover tightly, and freeze for up to 3 months. Bake straight from frozen, adding extra time as needed.
- Quick Tip: Let the baked casserole sit for a few minutes before cutting—this helps the layers hold together beautifully.
Final Thoughts
There you have it—an easy, delicious, and totally irresistible Million Dollar Ravioli Casserole that’s sure to become a new favorite in your kitchen. Whether you’re cooking for a crowd or just want a cozy dinner, this dish never disappoints. Give it a try, and let me know how much you love it!
Million Dollar Ravioli Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 jar 24 oz marinara sauce
- 1 can 15 oz crushed tomatoes
- 1 package 25 oz frozen cheese ravioli
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 package 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- In a large skillet, cook ground beef, onion, and garlic over medium heat until beef is browned and onion is soft. Drain excess fat.
- Stir in marinara sauce and crushed tomatoes. Simmer for 5 minutes.
- In a bowl, mix ricotta, sour cream, and cream cheese until smooth.
- Spread a thin layer of meat sauce on the bottom of the baking dish.
- Arrange half of the frozen ravioli in a single layer over the sauce.
- Spread the ricotta mixture over the ravioli.
- Sprinkle 1 cup of mozzarella cheese over the ricotta layer.
- Add another layer of meat sauce.
- Arrange the remaining ravioli in a single layer over the sauce.
- Top with the remaining meat sauce, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese.
- Sprinkle with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
- Remove foil and bake for 15 more minutes, until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Let cool for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley, if desired.
Notes
- Swap ground beef for Italian sausage for extra flavor.
- Use fresh ravioli instead of frozen to cut down on baking time.
- Add spinach or mushrooms for extra veggies.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
