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Creamy Ravioli Bake

Featured in Pasta Perfection: Simple to Spectacular.

This cheesy bake takes frozen ravioli and layers it with a rich meat sauce and several cheeses. Cooked in about an hour, it's deliciously simple.
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Updated on Sat, 05 Apr 2025 22:20:05 GMT
A casserole dish filled with cheesy ravioli, ground meat, tomato sauce, and parsley on top. Pin it
A casserole dish filled with cheesy ravioli, ground meat, tomato sauce, and parsley on top. | linacooks.com

I'm thrilled to share my Loaded Ravioli Bake with you! After tweaking this dish through countless family feasts, I can promise it's worth all the hype. Each serving delivers tender pasta pockets smothered in rich meat sauce and wrapped in a dreamy cheese mixture that'll make your taste buds dance with joy.

The Wallet-Busting Wonder

This creation has turned into my go-to for busy weeknights and when company drops by. I love that store-bought ravioli and ready-made sauce let me whip up something that seems fancy but doesn't chain me to the stove. When everything bakes together, the flavors mingle in a way that's just unreal.

What You'll Need to Make Magic

  • Frozen Cheese Ravioli: 1 package (around 20 oz), already thawed, for quick prep and extra cheese inside.
  • Ground Beef: 1 lb, cooked until brown to create a rich foundation. Pick lean meat to cut down on fat.
  • Marinara Sauce: 2 cups from any brand you enjoy, for that deep tomato flavor.
  • Cream Cheese: 8 oz, left out to soften, bringing a lush, tangy element.
  • Sour Cream: 1/2 cup, adding silky smoothness and a hint of tang.
  • Parmesan Cheese: 1/2 cup, freshly grated, to bring nutty, salty notes.
  • Mozzarella Cheese: 2 cups, freshly shredded, creating that irresistible melty top.
  • Garlic Powder and Italian Seasoning: 1 tsp each, infusing traditional Italian aromas.
  • Salt: Add to your liking, to heighten all the tastes throughout.

Steps to Food Heaven

Ready Your Oven
Warm it to 375°F (190°C) and coat a 9x13-inch dish with oil to keep food from sticking.
Handle the Meat
Brown your beef in a pan over medium heat until done. Mix in your marinara and put aside.
Mix Your Cheesy Base
Combine cream cheese, sour cream, Parmesan, garlic powder, and Italian herbs in a bowl until it's all smooth.
Stack Your Components
Put half the pasta pieces in your dish, cover with half the meat mix, then spread some cheese blend. Do it all again and finish with a mozzarella blanket.
Into the Heat
Cover with foil and let it cook for 25 minutes. Then uncover and give it 10 more minutes until the top turns golden and starts bubbling.

Saving Some for Later

You can store any leftovers in the fridge for about 3 days if you seal it well. Want to make it way ahead? It'll stay good frozen for up to 2 months. Just let it thaw in the fridge overnight when you want some again. I always warm it back up in the oven so the cheese gets all gooey again.

Making It Your Own

I'm always playing around with this dish! You can try meat-free crumbles instead of beef if you don't eat meat, or mix up your cheese choices. Throwing in a layer of cooked spinach or mushrooms makes it even tastier. And a spoonful of pesto mixed into the sauce? That's a game-changer!

Tips for the Best Results

Don't skip thawing the ravioli first, it really changes how the whole dish turns out. I always grate cheese right before using it since it melts way better than the bagged stuff. Keeping it covered while baking stops it from drying out, and letting it sit before serving helps everything settle nicely.

A close-up of a baked dish featuring layers of meat, cheese, and ravioli topped with melted mozzarella and herbs. Pin it
A close-up of a baked dish featuring layers of meat, cheese, and ravioli topped with melted mozzarella and herbs. | linacooks.com

What Goes Well Alongside

At our house, we love to serve this with a simple Caesar salad and some buttery garlic bread. When we're feeling fancy, we'll add some oven-roasted asparagus or zucchini too. It feels extra special with a glass of Chianti, but Italian sodas work great for a family-friendly meal.

Value Beyond Compare

This bake truly lives up to its lavish reputation! Everyone asks me for the recipe whenever I bring it to gatherings or make it for family. I can't think of another dish that's so easy yet tastes so amazing. Give it a try and you'll see why folks can't get enough of it.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can fresh ravioli work here?
Definitely! Just know fresh ravioli cooks quicker, so keep an eye on the bake time.
→ What’s the point of resting it?
Resting for 10 minutes helps everything set, so your portions come out clean and neat.
→ Can I prepare this in advance?
Sure! Make it earlier and store it in the fridge. Bake longer if it's chilled when you cook it.
→ Can I swap the beef for something else?
Of course! Try ground turkey or Italian sausage to mix up the flavors.
→ Why cover it with foil to start?
The foil keeps the cheese from browning too quickly and ensures the ravioli cooks all the way through.

Creamy Ravioli Bake

An indulgent bake with cheese ravioli, meaty tomato sauce, and a creamy top layer—a real crowd winner for your table.

Prep Time
15 Minutes
Cook Time
45 Minutes
Total Time
60 Minutes
By: Paolina

Category: Pasta

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: Italian-American

Yield: 6 Servings (1 casserole)

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

01 A 25-ounce bag of frozen cheese ravioli.
02 One pound of ground beef.
03 A 28-ounce jar of marinara sauce.
04 8 ounces of softened cream cheese.
05 A cup of sour cream.
06 1 cup of freshly grated Parmesan.
07 1 teaspoon of garlic powder.
08 1 teaspoon of seasoning blend (Italian).
09 Half a teaspoon of salt.
10 2 cups of mozzarella, shredded (split into two parts).

Instructions

Step 01

Turn the oven to 400°F and grease a 9x13-inch dish with cooking spray.

Step 02

Cook beef in a skillet, drain the fat. Stir in the marinara.

Step 03

Stir together the cream cheese, sour cream, half the Parmesan, and all the seasonings. Add in the frozen ravioli.

Step 04

Spread the ravioli mix in the dish, layer it with the meat sauce, and sprinkle the rest of the Parmesan and mozzarella on top.

Step 05

Cover the dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Take off the foil, bake another 15 minutes until it’s bubbling.

Step 06

Wait 10 minutes before digging in.

Notes

  1. You can assemble this ahead of time.
  2. Let it sit a bit to slice it cleanly.
  3. Feel free to swap beef with other ground meats.

Tools You'll Need

  • A 9x13-inch casserole dish.
  • A big skillet.
  • A bowl for mixing.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains dairy (like cream cheese, sour cream, and cheeses).
  • Includes wheat (from pasta).
  • Eggs are in the pasta.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 650
  • Total Fat: 35 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 45 g
  • Protein: 32 g