Cheesy Baked Ravioli Recipe

I absolutely love making this Cheesy Baked Ravioli Recipe because it feels like I’m serving up pure comfort food without all the fuss of traditional lasagna. When I first tried this recipe, I couldn’t believe how simple it was – no boiling pasta separately, no complicated layering techniques, just throw everything together and let the oven work its magic. 

The best part is watching my family’s faces light up when they see that bubbly, golden cheese on top. I’ve made this countless times now, and it never fails to deliver that perfect combination of tender ravioli, savory meat sauce, and melted cheese that makes everyone ask for seconds. Trust me, once you try this easy weeknight dinner, you’ll be making it on repeat just like I do.

Ingredients You’ll Need for Cheesy Baked Ravioli Recipe

• 1 tablespoon olive oil for sautéing the aromatics
• 1/2 medium onion, chopped: yellow or white onions work perfectly
• 1 pound extra lean ground beef: the leaner the better to avoid excess grease
• 3-4 cloves garlic, minced: fresh garlic makes all the difference
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 3 cups marinara sauce (one 24 oz jar), divided: choose a brand you actually enjoy eating
• 20 ounces uncooked cheese ravioli: refrigerated works best, but frozen is fine too
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese: freshly grated melts so much better
• 1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese: avoid pre-grated for superior flavor and texture

Note: This recipe serves 6 people generously as a main dish.

Variations

Looking to switch things up? Try these delicious alternatives:

• Dairy-free option: Use plant-based cheese alternatives and dairy-free ravioli
• Protein variations: Swap ground beef for ground turkey, Italian sausage, or ground pork
• Cheese alternatives: Mix in sharp cheddar, Gruyère, or Romano for different flavor profiles
• Vegetarian version: Use mushroom or spinach ravioli with sautéed vegetables instead of meat
• Sauce variations: Try pesto sauce, Alfredo sauce, or a combination of marinara and cream sauce
• Add-ins: Include diced bell peppers, mushrooms, or fresh spinach for extra nutrition

Cooking Time

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cooking Time: 50 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour

Equipment You Need

Gather these essentials before you start to make prep and cooking a breeze. Large skillet for browning the meat and sautéing aromatics

• Large skillet for browning the meat and sautéing aromatics
• 9×13 inch baking dish to hold all the delicious layers
• Cheese grater for freshly grated cheese that melts beautifully
• Sharp knife for chopping onions and mincing garlic
• Wooden spoon for breaking up the ground beef
• Aluminum foil to cover during baking
• Measuring cups and spoons for accurate ingredient portions

How to Make Cheesy Baked Ravioli?

Follow these clear steps to bake your ravioli to cheesy, golden perfection.This recipe transforms simple ingredients into a restaurant-quality meal that’ll have everyone coming back for more.

Prepare Your Base

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and position the rack in the top third for optimal browning later. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the chopped onion. Sauté for 4-5 minutes until the onion becomes translucent and fragrant. This creates the perfect aromatic foundation for your meat sauce. Add the ground beef and minced garlic, breaking up the meat with your spoon as it browns for about 8 minutes until completely cooked through.

Build the Meat Sauce

Once your beef is perfectly browned, remove any excess fat if needed – this keeps your dish from becoming greasy. Season the mixture with salt and pepper to taste, then stir in 2 cups of the marinara sauce. Let this mixture heat through for a couple minutes, allowing all the flavors to meld together beautifully. The sauce should be rich, savory, and coat the beef nicely. Reserve the remaining 1 cup of marinara sauce for layering in your baking dish.

Create Your Layers

Pour the reserved marinara sauce into your greased 9×13 baking dish, spreading it evenly across the bottom. Add half of the uncooked ravioli in a fairly even layer – don’t worry about perfect placement, some overlap is totally fine. Top with half of your meat mixture, followed by half of both the mozzarella and parmesan cheeses. Repeat this process with the remaining ravioli, meat mixture, and cheeses, ensuring you end with a generous layer of cheese on top for that perfect golden finish.

Bake to Perfection

Cover your assembled dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes, allowing the ravioli to cook through and all the flavors to meld together. Remove the foil and switch to broil for just a few minutes, watching carefully to achieve that gorgeous bubbly, golden-brown cheese top. The cheese should be beautifully browned but not burned. Let it rest for about 5 minutes before serving to allow the layers to set properly and make serving easier.

Additional Tips for Making This Recipe Better

From my experience making this dish dozens of times, here are the game-changing tips that make all the difference:

• I always use freshly grated cheese instead of pre-shredded because it melts so much more smoothly and creates that perfect creamy texture
• When I’m feeling fancy, I add a layer of fresh basil leaves between the cheese layers for an extra pop of flavor
• I’ve learned to let the meat mixture cool slightly before assembling to prevent the cheese from melting prematurely
• My secret trick is adding a pinch of red pepper flakes to the meat mixture for a subtle heat that doesn’t overpower
• I always grease my baking dish really well to prevent sticking and make cleanup a breeze
• For extra richness, I sometimes brush the top cheese layer with a little olive oil before broiling

How to Serve Cheesy Baked Ravioli?

This hearty dish pairs beautifully with a crisp garden salad dressed in Italian vinaigrette to cut through the richness. I love serving it alongside warm, crusty garlic bread for the ultimate comfort food experience. For presentation, let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before cutting into squares – this helps maintain those beautiful layers when you serve it. Garnish each portion with fresh chopped parsley or basil for a pop of color and fresh flavor. A glass of Chianti or Pinot Noir makes this feel like a special occasion dinner, but it’s equally satisfying with sparkling water and lemon.

Nutritional Information

Here’s the approximate nutritional breakdown per serving:

• Calories: 485 per serving
• Protein: 32 grams for muscle maintenance and satisfaction
• Carbohydrates: 38 grams from the pasta and sauce
• Fat: 22 grams primarily from cheese and lean beef

Make Ahead and Storage

Here’s how to keep your baked ravioli fresh and ready for any occasion

Make Ahead: You can completely assemble this dish up to 24 hours in advance, cover tightly with plastic wrap and foil, then refrigerate until ready to bake. Add an extra 10-15 minutes to the covered baking time if cooking from cold.

Storing Leftovers: Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The flavors actually improve overnight as everything melds together beautifully.

Reheating: Reheat individual portions in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, or cover the entire dish with foil and warm in a 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes until heated through.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe?

This baked ravioli hits all the right notes for busy home cooks looking for maximum flavor with minimal effort.

• Incredibly Easy: No need to boil pasta separately – everything cooks together in one dish, saving you time and dishes to wash
• Budget-Friendly: Uses affordable ingredients like ground beef and jarred sauce to create a filling meal that feeds the whole family
• Crowd Pleaser: Even the pickiest eaters can’t resist this cheesy, comforting combination that tastes like a restaurant-quality meal
• Perfect for Meal Prep: Makes excellent leftovers and can be assembled ahead of time for stress-free weeknight dinners
• Customizable: Easily adaptable to dietary needs and personal preferences with endless variation possibilities