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    Home » Pasta

    Easy Cheesy Baked Ravioli

    Published: Oct 15, 2020 / Updated: May 28, 2022 / 45 Comments

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my affiliate disclosure for more details.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This baked ravioli recipe has cheese ravioli, ground beef, marinara sauce, and melty parmesan and mozzarella. It's so simple to make and is total comfort food!

    If you like baked pasta, you'll love my Baked Penne with Sausage or this Easy Meatball Casserole.

    close-up of cheesy baked ravioli casserole (in baking dish with some being lifted out with spatula)

    Super easy pasta bake

    This baked ravioli is a huge hit in my home, and I'm so excited to share it with you! It's especially great because the ravioli cooks right in the oven. That's right, you guys. There's no need to boil it separately first! It's SUCH a time saver, making this an awesome easy weeknight meal. Even your picky eaters won't be able to resist this one.

    I love making cozy pasta recipes like this that have simple to find everyday ingredients. There's nothing fancy in here. Ground beef is my go-to when I am creating an inexpensive and filling dish. Add in a bunch of cheese, and it's total bliss. This is a family-friendly dinner, which is important when you're a busy parent and just want to get supper on the table fast with no hassle! It's kinda like a lazy lasagna.

    What goes into it

    • Olive oil - for sautéing the onion
    • Onion - I love cooking with Vidalia onions, but yellow or white work as well
    • Ground beef - we're using extra lean ground beef in this recipe
    • Garlic - always use fresh garlic cloves vs the stuff in the jar, and you can add more than the suggested amount if you prefer
    • Marinara sauce - it's a big component, so use a jarred brand you actually enjoy the taste of, or make a homemade marinara sauce!
    • Ravioli - I used cheese ravioli, but you can change up the variety no problem or even sub in tortellini. I'd add another 10-15 minutes to the baking time if you're using frozen ravioli.
    • Mozzarella and parmesan cheese - these two cheeses combine to make an ooey, gooey masterpiece of a pasta bake! I prefer to grate my own cheese for better flavor and texture, and I use this cheese grater.
    cheesy baked ravioli in a shallow bowl

    Make ahead tip

    • You can easily assemble it ahead of time! Simply complete the recipe through step 6, and then tightly cover and freeze the whole baking dish for up to three months.
    • When you want to cook it, bake it for a bit longer than suggested. You'll want to check it's fully warmed through before the broiling step.

    How to make baked ravioli

    This is an overview with step-by-step photos. Full ingredients & instructions are in the recipe card below.

    cooking ground beef in a skillet and adding marinara sauce and ravioli to a baking dish

    Start by sautéing the onions and ground beef in a skillet. Meanwhile, pre-heat the oven, and grab a 9x13 baking dish. Once the beef is cooked, stir in some of the marinara sauce into the skillet, and then add the rest to the baking dish. Add the first layer of ravioli. This doesn't have to be done perfectly!

    adding the beef and cheese layers to baked ravioli in a casserole dish

    Add half the ground beef mixture and top with cheese. Then you'll want to repeat it and do a second layer with the rest of the ravioli, ground beef, and cheese. Cover with foil, bake, and then broil to bubbly, golden cheesy goodness!

    Substitutions and variations

    • You don't need to be super precise with this recipe. Use round ravioli if you prefer that shape. Change it up with a different flavor than cheese. Use more/less than 20 ounces. It's all good!
    • Try swapping the beef for ground turkey or even ground pork.
    • You can change up the cheeses too. Cheddar would be great, or try Gruyère.
    • Instead of using marinara sauce, feel free to use whatever jarred tomato-based pasta sauce is your favorite. You could even add a little Alfredo sauce between the layers for added flavor and creaminess.

    What to serve with it

    • A dinner roll or a big slice of Extra Cheesy Garlic Bread would be fabulous.
    • For something lighter, try this Arugula Salad with Fennel and Cheese or mixed greens with homemade Olive Garden Salad Dressing.

    Leftovers and storage

    • Leftovers will keep for a few days in the fridge.
    • Reheat them in the oven, covered by foil. You could always broil for a bit at the end as well. Microwave will be okay if that's your only option.
    • I wouldn't recommend freezing leftovers. The pasta will lose firmness, and it just won't be as tasty!

    More pasta bake recipes

    • Baked Tortellini (Tomato & Meat Sauce)
    • Million Dollar Spaghetti
    • Baked Ziti
    • Easy Chicken Noodle Casserole
    • Baked Chicken Spaghetti (with Rotel)
    • Simple Ground Beef Casserole
    cheesy ravioli bake in a white baking dish

    Will you give this baked cheese ravioli recipe a try? Questions? Talk to me in the comments below! 

    cheesy baked ravioli in a shallow bowl

    Easy Baked Ravioli

    This baked ravioli recipe has cheese ravioli, ground beef, marinara sauce, and melty parmesan and mozzarella. It's so simple to make and is total comfort food!
    4.82 from 11 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 50 mins
    Total Time 1 hr
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American
    Servings 6
    Calories 658 kcal
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients
     

    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • 1/2 medium onion chopped
    • 1 pound extra lean ground beef
    • 3-4 cloves garlic minced
    • Salt & pepper to taste
    • 3 cups marinara sauce (one 24 oz. jar) divided
    • 20 ounces uncooked cheese ravioli see note
    • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
    • 1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat the oven to 350F and move the rack to the top third of the oven. Prep the cheeses.
    • Add the oil and onion to a skillet and sauté for 4-5 minutes over medium-high heat.
    • Add in the ground beef and garlic. Cook it, breaking the beef up with your spoon as you go along, until it's browned and cooked through (about 8 minutes). If there's a lot of excess fat, spoon it out. Season with a bit of salt & pepper.
    • Add 2 cups of the marinara sauce to the ground beef mixture (give it a good stir and let it heat through).
    • Pour the remaining 1 cup marinara sauce into a greased 9x13 baking dish (spread it evenly along the bottom).
    • Add half the ravioli to the baking dish (some overlap is totally fine, but try to arrange it in a fairly even layer), then add half the beef mixture followed by half of each of the cheeses. Repeat this process so you've got 2 layers and it's finished with the layer of cheese on top.
    • Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Take the foil off and broil for a few minutes so you've got a nice, bubbly, browned cheese layer, then serve immediately.

    Notes

    • I used refrigerated cheese & spinach ravioli. If using frozen ravioli, increase cook time by 10-15 minutes as needed. You can use a bit less or a bit more than 20 ounces ravioli for this recipe... it doesn't have to be exact.
    • Please see the blog post for make-ahead tips, substitution suggestions, and process photos if step 6 is confusing to you.
    • Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy only and should be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. Ingredients can vary and Salt & Lavender makes no guarantees to the accuracy of this information.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 658kcalCarbohydrates: 48gProtein: 47gFat: 31gSaturated Fat: 14gCholesterol: 142mgSodium: 1764mgPotassium: 736mgFiber: 5gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 927IUVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 420mgIron: 13mg
    Keyword baked ravioli, ravioli bake, ravioli casserole, ravioli lasagna
    Author Natasha Bull
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    1. BB says

      May 11, 2022 at 11:23 AM

      4 stars
      This is very similar to lasagna, but easier and faster to make. I was happy to get a meal together quickly for my husband to have before he went to work. He really enjoyed it and ate all of the leftovers when he came home. I doubled up on the pasta sauce.

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        May 11, 2022 at 1:21 PM

        That's great! I'm so glad you guys enjoyed it!

        Reply
    2. Margaret says

      January 25, 2022 at 12:51 PM

      Do you have any experience subbing out the beef for Impossible Meat or some similar plant-based option? I saw the comment about using mushrooms, which I would like, but others I'd be making it for would not.

      Reply
      • Miranda @ Salt & Lavender says

        January 25, 2022 at 2:43 PM

        Hi Margaret! We have not tested the recipe with a plant-based alternative to meat, but you're welcome to try! Apparently Impossible Meat cooks quite similarly to ground beef, but it's not an ingredient we have experience with.

        Reply
    3. Ashley says

      November 17, 2021 at 5:58 AM

      What exact sauce is everyone using? Making their own or buying it in a can?

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        November 17, 2021 at 9:18 AM

        I am in Canada and use a brand called Stefano. Most of my readers are in the USA, so that's why I don't typically recommend it as most readers likely can't buy it. 🙁

        Reply
    4. Debbie says

      November 13, 2021 at 8:10 PM

      5 stars
      Super easy and delicious. The only thing I would do different is add more sauce.

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        November 13, 2021 at 8:15 PM

        I'm so pleased you enjoyed it, Debbie!

        Reply
    5. Penny says

      September 4, 2021 at 12:03 PM

      Made this recipe last night, very easy to make and we all loved it. I did do a couple of things differently though just for personal taste. I used beef ravioli instead of cheese ravioli and Italian sausage instead of ground beef. It was still very cheesy and delicious!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        September 4, 2021 at 12:57 PM

        I'm so glad it worked out, Penny!! Thanks for letting me know! 🙂

        Reply
    6. Shirley says

      August 8, 2021 at 2:45 PM

      4 stars
      Tasty and easy! I added some Italian seasoning, mushrooms and spinach to the mix and it was tasty. I was worried my top layer of pasta wouldn't be cooked enough as I used a smaller dish and required three layers. But it turned out just fine!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        August 8, 2021 at 3:07 PM

        I'm so glad it worked out, Shirley! Love those additions.

        Reply
    7. Kimberley Sanchez says

      August 2, 2021 at 5:09 PM

      5 stars
      Amazing!!! I made this recipe exactly as written. It was delicious!! So easy to prepare. Will definitely be making this frequently.

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        August 2, 2021 at 7:15 PM

        I'm so happy to hear that!! 🙂

        Reply
    8. Lisamaebo says

      July 14, 2021 at 3:42 PM

      5 stars
      Delicious and so easy to make

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        July 14, 2021 at 4:06 PM

        Thank you!! So glad you enjoyed it! 🙂

        Reply
    9. Katielynn Barker says

      June 28, 2021 at 12:05 PM

      Can this be done in a crockpot? I want to make it tonight, but its so hot here!!!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        June 28, 2021 at 12:25 PM

        Hi! I have never tried doing something like that, so I really can't advise on timing, unfortunately. In theory I don't see why it wouldn't work, though. Let me know if you try!

        Reply
    10. Barb says

      June 21, 2021 at 4:34 PM

      5 stars
      This was a very good (and easier than traditional lasagna!) recipe, and I’ll definitely be adding it into my rotation. I do want to comment, though, that if you use a glass baking dish, like Pyrex or Corelle, it might be best to not do the broiler step. I’ learned the hard way that glass baking dishes explode if you try to use the broil function of your stove. 😣

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        June 22, 2021 at 9:18 AM

        I'm so pleased you enjoyed it! Oh geez... I've never experienced that issue before. Thanks for the tip!

        Reply
      • Josie says

        March 10, 2022 at 6:44 PM

        I use glass baking dishes all the time and use the broiler option.

        Reply
    11. Cindy says

      March 17, 2021 at 12:04 PM

      Does this freeze well? Looking for a recipe for elderly people to have on hand for meals to heat up. This looks wonderful! Thank you for your help!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        March 17, 2021 at 12:16 PM

        Hi Cindy! My suggestions for freezing are in the blog post under the recipe notes & tips section. 🙂

        Reply
    12. Shellie Ann LaTourette says

      February 23, 2021 at 11:53 AM

      So LOVE ALL YOUR RECIPES. CAN I AM THIS 2-3 HOURS AHEAD OF TIME AND KEEP IT IN THE FRIG? 💞

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        February 23, 2021 at 11:56 AM

        Thank you! Yes. I would then bake it for a bit longer since it won't be warm anymore.

        Reply
    13. Monica says

      February 22, 2021 at 4:44 PM

      I can’t wait to make this! I don’t have any parmesan cheese. Do you have any recommendations?

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        February 22, 2021 at 5:07 PM

        Hi! Hmm not really. It has a pretty unique flavor. I mean you could just use whatever cheeses you have on hand and see how you like it.

        Reply
    14. Olivia Dewitte says

      February 8, 2021 at 4:06 PM

      I made this and it was amazing !! However the nutrition at the end is that for the entire recipe or per serving?! I am having to log what I eat for a nutrition class and break it down so was just wondering how to input it! Thank you!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        February 8, 2021 at 5:07 PM

        Hi! It's for one serving. I'm so glad you enjoyed it!

        Reply
    15. Heidi maghirang says

      February 2, 2021 at 12:29 PM

      Can I use frozen beef ravioli?

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        February 2, 2021 at 12:36 PM

        I think that should be fine. I would increase cook time by 10-15 minutes (or possibly more if needed).

        Reply
    16. Julie Whitehair says

      January 3, 2021 at 7:06 PM

      5 stars
      Another great S&L recipe! I love that this is so adaptable!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        January 3, 2021 at 7:12 PM

        Thank you, Julie!! I'm glad it was a hit! 😀

        Reply
    17. Chan says

      November 24, 2020 at 4:40 AM

      5 stars
      I was looking for a new delicious pasta dish to make and came across your baked ravioli recipe. I cooked his dish for my family last night and it was such a big hit. Everyone was raving about how good it was. I'll be trying out the creamy garlic chicken recipe next. Thanks!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        November 24, 2020 at 12:21 PM

        I'm so happy to hear that!! Thank you so much for taking the time to comment.

        Reply
    18. K. says

      October 24, 2020 at 4:49 PM

      Delicious! I made this with a pound of mushrooms (making sure to cook off all of the liquid before adding the sauce) instead of beef, and it was perfect. Another great recipe!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        October 24, 2020 at 8:12 PM

        Fantastic! Love the idea.

        Reply
    19. Kara says

      October 19, 2020 at 8:56 AM

      5 stars
      This recipe is so good and easy to throw together! I used a 25oz bag of frozen ravioli, cooked for 30 minutes and then took to a friends house to finish baking for 20-25 minutes (last 5 uncovered). It was a hit!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        October 19, 2020 at 9:12 AM

        I'm so happy you enjoyed it so much!! Thanks for commenting, Kara! 🙂

        Reply
      • Kaitlin says

        July 21, 2021 at 10:16 AM

        This recipe sounds delicious and I want to give it a try. I’m using. Frozen ravioli, should I boil it first before layering in pan or layer the frozen ravioli directly with the other ingredients?

        Reply
        • Natasha says

          July 21, 2021 at 10:22 AM

          Hi Kaitlin, I explain in the blog post what to do in the notes & tips section. Don't boil it... but add extra time (10-15 min should do it, but add more if needed). Hope that helps and you enjoy the recipe! 🙂

          Reply
    20. Molly says

      October 15, 2020 at 11:16 AM

      5 stars
      I was just about to hit up pinterest for a baked pasta recipe for dinner tonight when I saw you post this on Instagram. My kids and husband (and I) love all of your recipes. Do you think I could add some spinach and mushrooms to the beef to add some veggies in this? Maybe drain any liquid before adding the marinara? Thanks so much!!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        October 15, 2020 at 11:57 AM

        Love that! Yes, I think that would work just fine. 😊 Let me know how it goes!

        Reply
        • Molly says

          October 23, 2020 at 10:59 AM

          5 stars
          Added rough chopped spinach and mushrooms, it was awesome. Huge hit with the kids and super easy! Thanks!!!

          Reply
          • Natasha says

            October 23, 2020 at 2:02 PM

            Great!! That's what I like to hear. Thanks so much for giving this recipe a stellar review!

            Reply

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