Introduction

Oh, friends! Do you ever have those nights where you crave something warm, comforting, and ridiculously satisfying, but the thought of a complex recipe makes you want to order takeout? I know I do! That’s exactly how I felt when I discovered this Ravioli Lasagna Casserole. It’s like all the cozy, cheesy goodness of traditional lasagna, but without all the layering fuss. You can whip this up in a flash, and it’s guaranteed to become a family favorite. Seriously, it’s a hug in a baking dish!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Fast: Perfect for busy weeknights!
Easy: No complicated steps, just pure deliciousness.
Giftable: Assemble it ahead and gift it to a neighbor or friend who needs a little comfort.
Crowd-pleasing: Even picky eaters will devour this cheesy, meaty marvel.

Ingredients

Gather ’round, chefs! Here’s what you’ll need to make this amazing casserole. Don’t worry, it’s all super straightforward:

1 pound ground beef: The hearty base of our delicious meat sauce.
½ teaspoon minced garlic: Fresh garlic adds such a wonderful aroma and flavor.
¼ teaspoon garlic powder: For an extra punch of garlicky goodness!
1 teaspoon salt: To bring all those flavors together.
1 teaspoon black pepper: A little kick makes everything better.
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning: This blend is like a shortcut to classic Italian flavor.
24 ounces jar spaghetti sauce: Your favorite jarred sauce is our secret weapon for speed! You’ll need most of it, divided.
16 ounces square frozen ravioli: Yep, you read that right! No boiling required. These are the stars that make this a casserole.
2 cups mozzarella cheese, divided: Because what’s a casserole without melty, bubbly cheese?
Chopped parsley (optional garnish): For a pretty pop of color and freshness, if you’re feeling fancy!

How to Make It

Alright, let’s get cooking! This is where the magic happens. Grab your apron, and let’s do this together:

Preheat your oven: First things first, get that oven warming up to 375°F (190°C). It’s important to have a nice hot oven waiting for our casserole.
Brown the beef: Grab a big skillet and toss in your ground beef. Cook it over medium-high heat until it’s all nicely browned. Once it’s done, drain off any extra grease. Nobody likes a greasy casserole!
Flavor town! Now, sprinkle in that minced garlic, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning with the beef. Give it a good stir and let it cook for about 1 minute. You’ll already start to smell how amazing this is going to be!
Sauce it up: Pour in 1 cup of your spaghetti sauce and stir it into the meat mixture. Let it simmer and bubble for about 5 minutes. This lets all those flavors meld together beautifully.
The base layer: Time to assemble! Get your 9×13 inch baking dish ready. Spread about ½ cup of the remaining spaghetti sauce on the very bottom. This helps prevent sticking and adds extra flavor.
Ravioli time: Now, arrange a single layer of your frozen ravioli right over the sauce. Don’t worry if they overlap a little – it’s all going to be wonderfully saucy and cheesy.
Meat sauce magic: Spoon half of that delicious meat sauce mixture over the ravioli layer. Spread it out evenly.
Cheesy goodness: Sprinkle 1 cup of your mozzarella cheese over the meat sauce. Get ready for that melty, gooey goodness.
Repeat and layer: Now, we repeat the magic! Add another single layer of ravioli, then spread the rest of the meat sauce mixture on top. Finish with the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese.
Top it off: Pour the last ½ cup of spaghetti sauce over the top layer of cheese. This adds a nice saucy finish.
Cover and bake: Tightly cover your baking dish with aluminum foil. We want to trap all that heat and steam to cook the ravioli perfectly. Pop it into your preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes.
Uncover and get bubbly: After 30 minutes, carefully remove the foil. Pop it back into the oven for another 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is gloriously melted and bubbly, and the whole casserole is heated through. The aroma will be heavenly!
Rest and serve: Let your beautiful Ravioli Lasagna Casserole stand for about 5-10 minutes before serving. This helps everything set up nicely so you can get perfect portions. If you like, sprinkle a little chopped parsley on top for a fresh finish. Enjoy!

Substitutions & Additions

This recipe is fantastic as is, but I love to play around with it! Here are a few ideas:

Veggie Boost: Want to sneak in some veggies? Sauté some diced onions, bell peppers, or mushrooms with the ground beef for extra flavor and nutrition.
Ricotta Swirl: For an extra creamy touch, mix a cup of ricotta cheese with an egg and a little Parmesan cheese, then dollop it over the meat sauce layers before adding the mozzarella.
Spicy Kick: If you like a little heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the meat sauce or use a spicy marinara sauce.
Different Cheeses: Feel free to mix in some Parmesan, provolone, or a Italian blend cheese with the mozzarella for a more complex cheesy flavor.

Tips for Success

A few little tricks can make this casserole even more perfect:

Don’t Overcook the Beef: Just brown it and drain. It will continue to cook in the oven.
Even Layers: Try to spread your meat sauce and cheese as evenly as possible for consistent flavor in every bite.
Tight Foil Seal: Make sure that foil is sealed tight for the first 30 minutes. This steams the ravioli perfectly.
Prep Ahead: You can assemble this casserole up to a day in advance! Just cover it tightly and keep it in the refrigerator. You might need to add a few extra minutes to the baking time if it’s going in cold.

How to Store It

Leftovers are the best, right? If you have any of this deliciousness left (which is rare in my house!), store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, you can pop a serving in the microwave or cover it with foil and warm it in a 350°F (175°C) oven until heated through. It reheats beautifully!

FAQs

Can I use fresh ravioli instead of frozen?: You sure can! If you use fresh ravioli, you might need to slightly reduce the baking time, especially the covered portion, as they cook more quickly. Keep an eye on them!
Can I make this vegetarian?: Absolutely! Simply omit the ground beef and maybe add some sautéed mushrooms, zucchini, or bell peppers to the sauce for a hearty vegetarian option. You might want to add a bit more seasoning to the sauce.
What kind of spaghetti sauce should I use?: Any good quality jarred spaghetti sauce you love will work perfectly! Marinara or a meat sauce variety are great choices.

Easy Ravioli Lasagna Casserole

A comforting and satisfying casserole that combines all the flavors of lasagna with the ease of ravioli, perfect for busy weeknights.

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Prep Time 15

Cook Time 45

Servings 8 servings

Equipment

Skillet Large skillet for browning beef
Baking dish 9x13 inch baking dish
aluminum foil For covering the casserole

Ingredients

Meat Sauce

1 pound ground beef The hearty base of our delicious meat sauce.
0.5 teaspoon minced garlic Fresh garlic adds such a wonderful aroma and flavor.
0.25 teaspoon garlic powder For an extra punch of garlicky goodness!
1 teaspoon salt To bring all those flavors together.
1 teaspoon black pepper A little kick makes everything better.
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning This blend is like a shortcut to classic Italian flavor.
24 ounces jar spaghetti sauce Your favorite jarred sauce is our secret weapon for speed! You'll need most of it, divided.

Casserole Assembly

16 ounces square frozen ravioli Yep, you read that right! No boiling required. These are the stars that make this a casserole.
2 cups mozzarella cheese Because what's a casserole without melty, bubbly cheese? Divided.
chopped parsley Optional garnish. For a pretty pop of color and freshness, if you're feeling fancy!

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Drain off any excess grease.
1 pound ground beef
Add minced garlic, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning to the beef. Cook for about 1 minute, stirring.
1 pound ground beef
Pour in 1 cup of spaghetti sauce and stir into the meat mixture. Simmer for about 5 minutes.
1 pound ground beef
Spread about ½ cup of the remaining spaghetti sauce on the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish.
1 pound ground beef
Arrange a single layer of frozen ravioli over the sauce in the baking dish.
1 pound ground beef
Spoon half of the meat sauce mixture over the ravioli layer and spread evenly.
1 pound ground beef
Sprinkle 1 cup of mozzarella cheese over the meat sauce.
1 pound ground beef
Add another single layer of ravioli, then spread the rest of the meat sauce mixture on top. Finish with the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese.
1 pound ground beef
Pour the last ½ cup of spaghetti sauce over the top layer of cheese.
1 pound ground beef
Tightly cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes.
Carefully remove the foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
1 pound ground beef
Let the casserole stand for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped parsley, if desired.
1 pound ground beef

Notes

This casserole can be assembled up to a day in advance and refrigerated. You may need to add a few extra minutes to the baking time if baking from cold.