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Cheesy Million Dollar Ravioli

Category: Satisfying Main Dishes for Every Occasion

Layer cheese, sauce, and ravioli, bake for 45 minutes until golden and bubbly. Serves six and works great for prepping in advance.
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Barbara Chef
Updated on Fri, 25 Apr 2025 14:39:06 GMT
Cheesy Million Dollar Ravioli Highlight
Cheesy Million Dollar Ravioli | cookwithcarla.com

This decadent Wallet-Busting Ravioli Casserole turns basic components into a sumptuous, stacked delight. Mixing stuffed ravioli, tasty meat sauce, and a trio of cheeses makes an unforgettable dish that truly earns its fancy name. Each mouthful offers the ideal mix of pasta, sauce, and melty cheese goodness.

During the cold months last year, I cooked this for our family reunion and my Italian grandma actually wanted my cooking instructions - I'll always treasure that moment. The magic happens when you stack everything properly, letting each ingredient really stand out.

Key Components

  • Cheese ravioli: Go for top-notch frozen or fresh ones for better bite
  • Ground beef: Pick 80/20 mix for juicier, tastier results
  • Marinara sauce: Grab premium jars for that fancy dinner feel
  • Ricotta cheese: Brings that authentic Italian smoothness
  • Cottage cheese: Gives just the right consistency
  • Three shredded cheeses: Creates layered taste experiences

Building Your Bake

Making The Meat Mix:
Warm olive oil in big pan. Cook onions till see-through. Fully brown the beef. Mix in marinara and spices.
Cheese Combo:
Whip ricotta until fluffy. Gently fold in cottage cheese. Stir in sour cream for extra richness. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Stacking Stuff:
Spread thin sauce on bottom. Place ravioli in rows carefully. Smooth cheese mixture across top. Finish with remaining items.
Finishing Touches:
Wrap with aluminum foil properly. Keep an eye while it cooks. Let cheese get golden on top. Cool before cutting.
Million Dollar Ravioli Casserole Highlight
Million Dollar Ravioli Casserole | cookwithcarla.com

My mom always threw in a tiny bit of nutmeg to her cheese mix - it brings out all the dairy flavors without anyone noticing what it is.

Fancy Serving Suggestions

Top this dish with some fresh basil and a little splash of good olive oil. Pair it with buttery garlic bread and a simple Caesar salad for a complete Italian dinner party menu.

Tasty Twists

Switch things up by using Italian sausage rather than beef, tucking spinach between the layers, or experimenting with different ravioli stuffings. Make it hot and spicy with chili flakes and spicy sausage.

Keeping It Fresh

Keep leftovers in a sealed container up to three days in your fridge. It freezes really well for up to three months when wrapped right. Warm it up covered until it's hot throughout.

This Wallet-Busting Ravioli Casserole has turned into my favorite dish for big occasions. How it combines simple stuff to make something truly amazing reminds me why cooking makes me happy - it's all about turning everyday items into something magical.

Close-up Million Dollar Ravioli Casserole Recipe Highlight
Close-up Million Dollar Ravioli Casserole Recipe | cookwithcarla.com

Recipe FAQs

→ Can this be prepped early?
Absolutely. Put it together, refrigerate covered, and add 15 minutes to the bake time when you're ready.
→ Is freezing an option?
It sure is! Freeze unbaked for up to 3 months. Let it thaw in the fridge overnight before baking.
→ How do I make it meat-free?
Swap the beef for mushrooms or spinach sautéed with olive oil. It's just as tasty!
→ What can I serve with it?
Pair with fresh salad and warm, buttery garlic bread to round out your meal.
→ Is fresh ravioli okay to use?
Yes, fresh works! Simply cut covered baking time by 5-10 minutes for best results.

Million Dollar Ravioli

A rich bake features frozen ravioli, marinara blended with beef, and layers of cheesy goodness.

Prep Time
20 min
Cook Time
40 min
Total Time
60 min

Category: Main Dishes

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: Italian and American fusion

Yield: 6 Servings (1 casserole dish (9x13 inches))

Dietary Preferences: ~

Ingredients

→ Meat and Pasta

01 1 lb ground beef
02 1 pack (25 oz) frozen ravioli with cheese filling

→ Cheeses and Sauce

03 1 cup ricotta
04 ½ cup Parmesan, grated
05 ½ cup sour cream
06 2 cups mozzarella, shredded
07 1 cup cottage cheese
08 1 jar (24 oz) marinara

→ Herbs and Flavors

09 2 cloves of garlic, chopped fine
10 1 tsp oregano, dried
11 1 tsp basil, dried
12 Salt and pepper, adjust to taste
13 A splash of olive oil (about a tablespoon)
14 Fresh parsley leaves for topping

Steps

Step 01

Turn your oven on to 350°F (175°C). In a big pan, warm up olive oil and toss in garlic, cooking until it smells amazing.

Step 02

Throw in ground beef and cook it until browned, then drain extra fat. Stir in marinara, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Let it gently bubble for 5 minutes.

Step 03

Mix up cottage cheese, ricotta, sour cream, and a cup of shredded mozzarella in a big bowl.

Step 04

In a buttered 9x13 dish, layer like this: a bit of meat sauce, half of the ravioli, the cheese mixture, the other ravioli, more sauce, and sprinkle with the rest of the mozzarella and Parmesan.

Step 05

Put foil tightly over the dish and bake it for 30 minutes. Take the foil off and bake another 10 to 15 minutes until the cheese is golden and bubbling. Add a sprinkle of parsley on top.

Notes

  1. Make it ahead of time and pop it in the fridge. If you'd rather skip meat, try spinach or mushrooms instead.

Required Equipment

  • 9x13 baking pan
  • Mixing bowl
  • Large cooking pan
  • Foil for covering

Allergen Information

Double-check every ingredient for potential allergens and consult a healthcare professional if unsure.
  • Has wheat in it
  • Has dairy ingredients

Nutritional Information (Per Serving)

This data is for informational purposes only and doesn’t replace medical advice.
  • Calories: 450
  • Fat: 25 g
  • Carbs: 30 g
  • Protein: 26 g