Looking for an easy dinner that the whole family will eat? Then you NEED to check out this Baked Ravioli! Feed your family for under $10!
My favorite part is that it takes only a few minutes to put together because you don’t have to cook the ravioli first.
It’s quick, it’s easy, and a sure-shot winner with kids; mine even ask for seconds!
All of my kids ate this up with no problem at all, and there were leftovers for lunch the next day which is perfect.
Easy Baked Ravioli Recipe
Ravioli is a big hit with my kiddos and I’m sure yours love it, too. Why not make it a bit cheesier and satisfying for us adults by making a lazy ravioli casserole??
My girls even love helping me make it, so make sure those little helpers are ready to roll at dinner time!
This is an easy-baked ravioli dish (yes, there is no need to boil!). You can use any variety your family prefers, whether cheese, meat, spinach, and other veggies.
My kids love being in charge of picking out the ravioli type – it’s like a fun little shopping mission for them!
Once you’ve got your ingredients ready to roll, it’s time to cook up the meat. I chose ground beef because it’s classic for a nice red marinara sauce.
This time, I had some crushed tomatoes that needed a purpose, so I sauteed some garlic and tossed them in with seasonings for a quick red sauce.
Now, you don’t have to cook anything if you want to use jarred marinara sauce, Mama. I don’t judge! If you do, you can just start scooping and making those layers.
The girls help me lightly grease a medium-sized baking dish with butter or a non-stick spray. They get excited because it looks like they’re making a mess, but it’s just to make things easy to serve later LOL
Next, we start layering in ravioli, sauce, meat, and cheese. Start with your favorite pasta sauce at the bottom, about 1/2 cup of sauce.
Then let your little sous-chefs arrange about 1/3 of the ravioli on top of it, which you’ll then cover with about 1/3 of the ground beef you cooked.
Then comes the kids’ favorite part—sprinkling a generous amount of mozzarella cheese—and even adding Parmesan cheese for a double dose of cheesy goodness.
You just continue this process—pasta sauce, ravioli, meat, and cheese—until your dish is full. With my recipe in an 8X8 baking dish, you can get two or three layers.
In the end, pour some more marinara sauce to keep the ravioli moist during baking—unless you like the edges to get all crispy. My uncle used to love it that way, and it drove me crazy!
Finish it off with the last of the mozzarella cheese, and pop that into your oven at 425 degrees for 25 minutes.
Make sure it’s covered; otherwise, the cheese will quickly get overcooked. If you want bubbly, browned cheese, uncover it and cook for an extra 10 minutes.
My kids like to peek in every few minutes to watch it bubble—it’s like a little science experiment for them while they wait impatiently for 10 minutes!
Once it’s done, let it cool a bit before serving. We love garnishing with fresh basil or parsley, mainly because my kids love the “fancy restaurant” look it gives.

Ingredients
- 25 oz. package frozen cheese ravioli
- ¾ lb. ground beef
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
- 1 clove garlic minced or pressed
- 1 Tbsp dried basil
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425.
- Brown ground beef in skillet.
- While ground beef is cooking, heat olive oil over medium heat and add garlic. Saute for one minute.
- Add crushed tomatoes, basil and black pepper.
- Bring to a low simmer, then remove from heat.
- Spoon ½ cup of sauce into bottom of greased 8x8 baking dish.
- Layer about a third of frozen ravioli on top of sauce.
- Cover with ⅓ of ground beef and ¼ cup of mozzarella cheese, and about 1 cup of sauce.
- Repeat steps 7 & 8.
- Layer final third of ravioli, followed by the remaining ground beef, and remaining sauce. Be sure sauce covers ravioli. Top with remaining cheese.
- Cover dish with foil. Bake for 25 minutes.
- Remove foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or when cheese on top is bubbly.
Recipe Substitutions
You can choose vegetarian ravioli, cheese ravioli, meat ravioli, or whatever you want, but what about the other ingredients?
Making the Easy Baked Ravioli even simpler and suited to your taste or dietary needs is all part of the fun of cooking!
There are plenty of ways to tweak this recipe, ensuring everyone at your table delights in every bite.
The Meat
If you’re not a fan of ground beef or you’re looking for a leaner option, you can easily substitute with ground turkey or chicken.
I’m sure you could even make this a faster ravioli casserole by using rotisserie chicken if you like chicken and red sauce.
For vegetarians and vegans, even plant-based ground substitutes for a vegetarian-friendly version. My friend buys a tofu sausage she loves that goes so well with Italian-style food; let me know if I should get the name for you!
Each brings its unique flavor and can be seasoned to perfection, just like beef.
The Sauce
On those especially busy evenings when sautéing garlic and simmering tomatoes isn’t on the cards, reaching for a jar of your favorite pasta sauce is more than okay.
There’s a wide variety of jarred sauces available, from traditional marinara to creamy Alfredo, giving you the flexibility to change the taste profile of your dish on the fly.
You can pick whatever flavor you like and that would work with the ravioli, and you’re set to go, Mama!
The Cheese
While mozzarella is a classic choice for its beautiful melt and mild taste, you can experiment with different cheeses.
Ricotta cheese can add creaminess, a sprinkle of sharp cheddar can bring a new depth of flavor, a classic sprinkle of parmesan cheese for paste, or even a smoked provolone can add a new depth of flavor.
I’ve even seen a few recipes mix mozzarella with cream cheese, and I’m definitely going to try it in my next batch to see if it gets nice and creamy in the oven!
Cheese blends work wonderfully as the Italian blends with mozzarella and parmesan cheese mixed together.
Add-Ons
For an extra nutrition boost and a pop of color, incorporating vegetables into your baked ravioli is a fantastic idea.
Spinach, mushrooms, bell peppers, or zucchini can be layered with the ravioli or mixed into the sauce.
You could even use spinach ravioli or other veggie ravioli to tie all those flavors together; yum!
These additions not only enhance the nutritional value but also introduce new textures and flavors to enjoy.
FAQs
Could I use fresh or homemade ravioli in this recipe?
Absolutely! If you have the time and resources to make your own ravioli, go for it. The end result will be even more delicious with that personal touch.
You can also use refrigerated ravioli from the grocery store, it works just as well as frozen.
Can I freeze this dish for later?
Yes, you can prepare everything as directed, except for baking it. Cover the dish tightly with foil and place it in the freezer.
When ready to enjoy, thaw in the fridge overnight and bake as directed in the recipe.
Should I thaw frozen ravioli before baking it?
No, frozen ravioli can go straight into the oven. Just make sure to cover it well with the sauce to prevent it from drying out.
Can I use a larger baking dish?
Absolutely! This recipe can be easily adjusted for any size or shape of baking dish, as long as you have enough ingredients to create layers.
Could I cook the frozen ravioli in the sauce before adding it to the baking dish?
Yes, you can cook the ravioli in the sauce beforehand, but it may cause the dish to become watery. If you do, make sure to drain any excess liquid before adding it to the baking dish.
Final Thoughts
As a mom, there’s no greater joy than making and sharing meals with your loved ones.
My Easy Baked Ravioli casserole isn’t just about whipping up an effortless dinner—it’s about creating a heartwarming tradition we relish at least twice a month.
Every time my girls help butter the pan, sprinkle the cheese, or arrange the ravioli, their faces light up with pride and delight—it’s priceless.
This recipe is more than just a meal; it’s our canvas for creating beautiful memories and strengthening our bond.
So embrace our easy dinner tradition for you and your kiddos—nourish your family’s hearts and bellies with this delicious recipe!