Million Dollar Ravioli Casserole

The aroma of bubbling cheese and rich tomato sauce will fill your kitchen as this Million Dollar Ravioli Casserole bakes to golden perfection. This luxurious pasta dish combines pillowy cheese ravioli, savory meat sauce, and a decadent blend of cheeses that truly lives up to its “million dollar” name. It’s the ultimate crowd-pleaser that delivers restaurant-quality flavor with minimal effort. You’ll learn how to layer this incredible casserole for maximum flavor impact and achieve that perfectly melty, stretchy cheese pull that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This Million Dollar Ravioli Casserole stands out as a weeknight dinner superstar for countless reasons. First, the contrast between the tender ravioli pillows and the crunchy, golden cheese topping creates an irresistible textural experience. Each bite delivers a harmonious blend of creamy ricotta filling, savory meat sauce, and gooey melted cheese that’s pure comfort on a plate.

The beauty of this casserole lies in its simplicity. Despite its impressive appearance and rich flavor profile, it comes together with minimal hands-on time – perfect for busy weeknights when you want something special without the fuss. Simply layer the ingredients, pop it in the oven, and you’ll have a restaurant-worthy meal that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen.

Plus, this cheesy ravioli bake is exceptionally versatile. You can prepare it ahead of time for stress-free entertaining or customize it with your favorite ravioli fillings and sauce additions. It’s guaranteed to become a regular request in your household, with everyone gathering around the table for that magnificent moment when you serve the first stretchy, cheese-pull portion.

Ingredients

For this spectacular Million Dollar Ravioli Casserole, you’ll need:

• 24 oz (680g) cheese ravioli (fresh or frozen)
• 1 lb (454g) ground beef or Italian sausage
• 1 medium onion, finely diced (about 1 cup)
• 3 cloves garlic, minced (1 tablespoon)
• 24 oz (680g) marinara sauce
• 8 oz (226g) cream cheese, softened and cubed
• 1 cup (240ml) sour cream
• 2 cups (226g) shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup (100g) grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh basil or parsley for garnish

The cream cheese creates the signature “million dollar” richness that elevates this dish from ordinary to extraordinary. For best results, use whole milk ricotta-filled ravioli, which provides a luscious, creamy texture that perfectly complements the meat sauce. High-quality marinara sauce will significantly impact the final flavor, so choose your favorite brand or use homemade if you have it on hand.

Pro Tips

Get the Perfect Cheese Blend: The secret to that enviable cheese pull in your Million Dollar Ravioli Casserole lies in the cheese selection. Use freshly grated cheeses rather than pre-packaged options. Pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents that prevent proper melting. Grating your own mozzarella and Parmesan ensures that perfect, stretchy, Instagram-worthy cheese pull when serving.

Proper Layering Technique: Layer your ingredients strategically for maximum flavor integration. Start with a thin layer of sauce on the bottom to prevent sticking, then create distinct layers of ravioli, meat sauce, and cheese mixture. This builds flavor complexity while ensuring the ravioli doesn’t become soggy. For the best texture contrast, don’t cover the top layer of ravioli completely with sauce—leave some edges exposed so they can become slightly crispy during baking.

Temperature Management: Temperature control is crucial for the perfect casserole. Allow your cream cheese to fully soften at room temperature before mixing with sour cream for a smooth, clump-free cream layer. When baking, cover the casserole with foil for the first 20 minutes to prevent over-browning, then remove the foil for the final 10-15 minutes to achieve that golden, bubbly cheese top. Let the casserole rest for 10-15 minutes before serving—this setting time allows the layers to settle and makes serving much neater.

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Ravioli
Fill a large pot with water, add a generous pinch of salt, and bring to a boil. Cook the ravioli for about 2 minutes less than the package instructions indicate—they’ll continue cooking in the oven. You want them slightly underdone to prevent mushiness in the final casserole. Drain carefully, toss with a drizzle of olive oil to prevent sticking, and set aside. If you’re using frozen ravioli, you can skip this step—they’ll cook perfectly from frozen in the assembled casserole.

Step 2: Prepare the Meat Sauce
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef or Italian sausage and break it apart with a wooden spoon as it browns. When the meat is about halfway cooked, add the diced onions and cook until the meat is no longer pink and the onions are translucent, about 5-6 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in the marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes if using. Season with salt and pepper to taste, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 5 minutes to combine the flavors.

Step 3: Make the Cream Mixture
In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese and sour cream. Mix until smooth and well incorporated. This creamy mixture is what gives the Million Dollar Ravioli Casserole its rich, indulgent quality that sets it apart from ordinary pasta bakes. Make sure your cream cheese is properly softened to avoid lumps.

Step 4: Assemble the Casserole
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Spread a thin layer of meat sauce on the bottom of the dish. Arrange half of the ravioli in a single layer. Top with half of the remaining meat sauce, followed by all of the cream cheese mixture. Sprinkle with half of the mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Arrange the remaining ravioli on top, followed by the rest of the meat sauce and cheeses.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 10-15 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and beginning to brown on top. For an extra golden top, you can broil for the last 1-2 minutes, but watch carefully to prevent burning. Remove from the oven and let stand for 10-15 minutes before garnishing with fresh herbs and serving your masterpiece.

Variations

Vegetarian Million Dollar Ravioli: Transform this Million Dollar Ravioli Casserole into a meat-free delight by using vegetable-stuffed ravioli and replacing the meat sauce with a robust mushroom marinara. Sauté 16 ounces of sliced mushrooms (cremini or portobello work beautifully) with the onions and garlic until golden and caramelized before adding the marinara. The mushrooms provide a satisfying umami flavor that perfectly complements the creamy cheese elements of the dish.

Spicy Chicken Ravioli Version: For a lighter but equally delicious variation, swap the beef for ground chicken or turkey and use chicken-filled ravioli. Add 1-2 tablespoons of diced jalapeños or a dash of cayenne pepper to the meat sauce for a pleasant kick. The spicy notes balance beautifully with the cream cheese layer, creating an exciting flavor profile that still maintains the comforting essence of the original Million Dollar Ravioli Casserole.

Mediterranean Inspired: Give your casserole a Mediterranean twist by using spinach and feta ravioli. Enhance the meat sauce with 1/2 cup of chopped sun-dried tomatoes, 1/4 cup of kalamata olives, and 1 tablespoon of capers. Replace the Italian seasoning with 1 teaspoon of dried oregano and add 1/2 teaspoon of dried mint. This variation brings bright, tangy flavors that cut through the richness while maintaining the million-dollar decadence.

Storage and Serving

This Million Dollar Ravioli Casserole can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 4 days. For best results, let it cool completely before covering to prevent condensation from making the top soggy. To reheat, cover with foil and warm in a 325°F oven for 20-25 minutes until heated through. Individual portions can be microwaved for 2-3 minutes, though the texture won’t be quite as perfect as oven reheating.

For freezing, prepare the casserole up to the baking stage, cover tightly with plastic wrap and foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking as directed, adding an extra 15 minutes to the covered baking time.

Serve this luxurious casserole with garlic bread or a crusty baguette for sopping up the rich sauce. A simple arugula salad dressed with lemon vinaigrette provides a perfect peppery contrast to the creamy casserole. For a complete meal that will truly impress, pair with roasted asparagus or broccoli and a glass of medium-bodied red wine like Chianti or Merlot to complement the rich flavors of your Million Dollar Ravioli Casserole.

FAQs

Can I make Million Dollar Ravioli Casserole ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can assemble the Million Dollar Ravioli Casserole up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate it unbaked. When ready to serve, simply add about 10 minutes to the covered baking time since it will be cold from the refrigerator.

What’s the best type of ravioli to use?
Cheese ravioli (particularly those with ricotta filling) work best in this recipe, but you can experiment with any variety you enjoy. Fresh ravioli produces the best texture, but frozen works well too – no need to thaw before assembling.

My casserole seems watery after baking. What went wrong?
This typically happens if the ravioli was overcooked initially or if your marinara sauce was particularly thin. Make sure to undercook the ravioli slightly and let the casserole rest for 15 minutes after baking to allow the sauce to thicken and be absorbed.

Can I use cottage cheese instead of cream cheese?
While cottage cheese has a different texture, you can substitute it for the cream cheese in a pinch. Blend it smooth first and drain any excess liquid for best results, though the signature “million dollar” richness may be slightly reduced.

How do I know when my Million Dollar Ravioli Casserole is done baking?
The casserole is ready when the cheese on top is melted and beginning to brown at the edges, and the sauce is bubbling around the sides of the dish. If you insert a knife into the center, it should feel hot to the touch.

Conclusion

This Million Dollar Ravioli Casserole is comfort food at its finest — a luxurious blend of tender pasta pillows, savory meat sauce, and three cheeses that melt together in perfect harmony. It’s the kind of dish that transforms ordinary family dinners into special occasions, all while requiring minimal effort from you. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or simply wanting to elevate your weeknight dinner routine, this casserole delivers restaurant-quality flavor that lives up to its “million dollar” name. One bite of this indulgent, cheese-pull perfect dish, and you’ll understand why it has earned its place as a cherished recipe in countless home cooks’ collections.

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