Description
This Easy Cheesy Baked Ravioli recipe is a comforting and quick Italian-inspired dish perfect for busy weeknights. Layers of cheese-filled ravioli are baked with savory marinara sauce, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese, creating a bubbly, golden casserole that is sure to delight the whole family. Garnished with fresh basil, it offers a perfect combination of flavors and textures with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 9 oz cheese-filled ravioli (frozen or fresh)
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh basil for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it is at the perfect temperature for baking the ravioli casserole evenly.
- Prepare the baking dish: Spread a layer of marinara sauce at the bottom of a baking dish to prevent sticking and to add flavor from the base.
- First layer of ravioli: Place half of the cheese-filled ravioli in a single layer over the marinara sauce, ensuring even coverage for balanced cooking.
- Add cheese toppings: Sprinkle half of the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheeses evenly over the ravioli for a cheesy layer.
- Add more sauce and seasoning: Pour half of the remaining marinara sauce over the cheese, then sprinkle Italian seasoning along with salt and pepper to taste for enhanced flavor.
- Repeat layers: Repeat the layering process with the remaining ravioli, marinara sauce, mozzarella cheese, and Parmesan cheese to build the casserole.
- Cover and bake: Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil to retain moisture and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes.
- Uncover and finish baking: Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 10–15 minutes until the cheese is fully melted, bubbly, and golden brown on top.
- Cool and garnish: Let the baked ravioli cool for a few minutes before garnishing with fresh basil, then serve warm for the best taste and texture experience.
Notes
- Use fresh or frozen ravioli depending on availability; adjust cooking times slightly if using fresh ravioli to avoid overcooking.
- For a spicier version, add red pepper flakes to the marinara sauce before layering.
- To make this dish vegetarian, ensure the marinara sauce and cheeses do not contain animal rennet.
- Leftover baked ravioli can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven for best results.
