Description

Million Dollar Ravioli Casserole is a comforting, hearty baked pasta dish featuring tender cheese ravioli layered with a savory Italian sausage and spaghetti sauce, and a creamy cheese mixture. Topped with melted mozzarella and baked to perfection, this casserole offers a rich and satisfying meal perfect for family dinners or gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat Sauce

1 lb Italian sausage
1 (28-oz) jar spaghetti sauce

Cheese Mixture and Ravioli

1 cup cottage cheese
1 (8-oz) package cream cheese, softened
¼ cup sour cream
2 Tbsp parsley, chopped
½ tsp garlic powder
⅓ cup grated parmesan cheese
1 (25-oz) package frozen cheese ravioli

Topping

2 cups mozzarella cheese

Instructions

Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350ºF (175ºC). Lightly spray a 9x13x2-inch baking pan with cooking spray to prevent sticking and set aside.
Cook the Sausage: In a large skillet, brown the Italian sausage over medium heat, breaking it into small pieces as it cooks. Once fully cooked, drain the excess fat. Stir in the jar of spaghetti sauce, mixing well, then remove from heat and set aside.
Prepare Cheese and Ravioli Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cottage cheese, softened cream cheese, sour cream, grated parmesan cheese, chopped parsley, and garlic powder. Add the frozen cheese ravioli to the bowl and gently toss to coat each ravioli evenly with the cheese mixture.
Assemble the Casserole: Spread the coated ravioli in an even layer on the bottom of the prepared baking pan, creating a uniform base for the casserole.
Add Meat Sauce and Cheese Topping: Pour the meat sauce with sausage evenly over the ravioli layer. Then, sprinkle the 2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese evenly on top to cover the casserole.
Bake: Place the casserole uncovered in the preheated oven and bake for 45 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbling and the casserole is heated through.
Cool and Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for 10-15 minutes; this allows it to set and makes serving easier and neater.

Notes

For a spicier dish, use spicy Italian sausage or add red pepper flakes to the meat sauce.
If fresh parsley is unavailable, dried parsley can be used; use about 1 teaspoon.
To save time, do not thaw the frozen ravioli before mixing with the cheese mixture.
This casserole can be prepared a day ahead and refrigerated before baking to enhance flavor meld.
For a lower-fat version, use turkey sausage and reduced-fat cheeses.
Make sure to let the casserole cool slightly before serving for best texture.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Category: Main Dish
Method: Baking
Cuisine: Italian-American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe
Calories: 520 kcal
Sugar: 8 g
Sodium: 900 mg
Fat: 28 g
Saturated Fat: 12 g
Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
Trans Fat: 0.4 g
Carbohydrates: 38 g
Fiber: 3 g
Protein: 28 g
Cholesterol: 90 mg

Keywords: Million Dollar Ravioli Casserole, Italian casserole, baked ravioli, Italian sausage casserole, comfort food, baked pasta dish