This casserole delivers everything you want in a baked pasta dish: bold flavor, creamy texture, and plenty of gooey, melty cheese. It uses frozen or refrigerated ravioli for convenience, so there’s no need to make pasta from scratch. The “million dollar” filling—typically made with cream cheese, sour cream, and cottage or ricotta cheese—adds a luxurious, velvety layer that sets this dish apart from traditional casseroles. It’s family-friendly, freezer-friendly, and sure to become a repeat favorite.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Frozen or refrigerated cheese ravioli
Ground beef or Italian sausage
Marinara or pasta sauce
Cream cheese (softened)
Sour cream
Cottage cheese or ricotta cheese
Shredded mozzarella cheese
Grated Parmesan cheese
Italian seasoning
Garlic powder (optional)
Salt and pepper
Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)
Directions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef or sausage until browned. Drain excess grease and stir in the marinara sauce. Simmer for 5–10 minutes.
In a bowl, mix together cream cheese, sour cream, and cottage or ricotta cheese. Add a pinch of salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
Spread a thin layer of the meat sauce in the bottom of the baking dish.
Layer half of the ravioli over the sauce, followed by half of the cheese mixture.
Add a layer of the meat sauce and sprinkle with shredded mozzarella.
Repeat the layers with the remaining ravioli, cheese mixture, meat sauce, and mozzarella.
Top with grated Parmesan cheese and a pinch of garlic powder or Italian seasoning if desired.
Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10–15 minutes, until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
Let rest for 5–10 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped basil or parsley if desired.
Servings and timing
This recipe serves 6 to 8 people. Prep time: 15 minutes Cook time: 40–45 minutes Total time: approximately 1 hour
Variations
Vegetarian: Skip the meat and use sautéed mushrooms, spinach, or zucchini in the sauce.
Spicy Kick: Use hot Italian sausage or add red pepper flakes to the meat sauce.
Different Ravioli: Try spinach and cheese or beef ravioli for a new twist.
Alfredo Style: Use a white sauce instead of marinara for a creamy variation.
Make It a Lasagna Hybrid: Add a layer of cooked lasagna noodles between the ravioli for extra heartiness.
Extra Cheesy: Add provolone, fontina, or gouda for more flavor depth.
Storage/Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, microwave individual portions for 1–2 minutes, or cover and bake at 350°F (175°C) until heated through. To freeze, assemble the casserole but do not bake. Wrap tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking as directed.
FAQs
Can I use frozen ravioli without thawing?
Yes, you can layer frozen ravioli directly into the casserole—just add a few minutes to the baking time.
What’s in the “million dollar” cheese layer?
Typically a mix of cream cheese, sour cream, and either cottage cheese or ricotta, creating a rich and creamy texture.
Can I make this casserole ahead of time?
Yes, assemble it up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate. Bake just before serving.
Can I use marinara from a jar?
Absolutely. Use your favorite jarred marinara or pasta sauce to save time.
Do I have to cook the ravioli first?
No need to pre-cook it—whether frozen or refrigerated, it cooks perfectly in the oven during baking.
What type of meat works best?
Ground beef, Italian sausage, or a combination of the two adds great flavor to the sauce.
Can I add vegetables?
Yes, mix in sautéed spinach, mushrooms, or zucchini to the meat sauce or between layers.
Can I use a different type of pasta?
This recipe is designed for ravioli, but you could adapt it using tortellini or cooked pasta.
How do I prevent the casserole from drying out?
Cover it with foil for most of the bake time to lock in moisture, then uncover to brown the top.
What sides go well with this dish?
Serve with garlic bread, Caesar salad, or roasted vegetables for a complete meal.
Conclusion
Million Dollar Ravioli Casserole is a rich, comforting dish that lives up to its name. With layers of creamy cheese, robust meat sauce, and tender ravioli, it’s a satisfying meal that’s easy enough for weeknights yet impressive enough for company. Whether you’re feeding a family or making freezer meals, this casserole is a delicious way to bring everyone to the table.
Million Dollar Ravioli Casserole is a rich, creamy, and cheesy baked pasta dish made with layers of cheese ravioli, savory meat sauce, and a luxurious blend of cream cheese, sour cream, and ricotta or cottage cheese. It’s an easy, comforting meal perfect for busy nights or entertaining.
Author:Catherine
Prep Time:15 minutes
Cook Time:45 minutes
Total Time:1 hour
Yield:6–8 servings
Category:Main Course
Method:Baking
Cuisine:American
Diet:Halal
Ingredients
1 (25 oz) package frozen or refrigerated cheese ravioli
1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage
3 cups marinara or pasta sauce
4 oz cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sour cream
1 cup cottage cheese or ricotta cheese
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
Salt and pepper, to taste
Fresh basil or parsley, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
In a skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef or sausage until browned. Drain excess grease.
Stir in marinara sauce and simmer for 5–10 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
In a mixing bowl, combine cream cheese, sour cream, and cottage or ricotta cheese. Mix until smooth. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper.
Spread a thin layer of meat sauce in the bottom of the baking dish.
Layer half of the ravioli over the sauce. Spread half of the cheese mixture over the ravioli.
Add another layer of meat sauce and sprinkle with 1 cup of mozzarella cheese.
Repeat layers with remaining ravioli, cheese mixture, meat sauce, and mozzarella cheese.
Top with grated Parmesan and a sprinkle of garlic powder or additional Italian seasoning, if desired.
Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
Remove foil and bake for an additional 10–15 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden.
Let rest for 5–10 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped basil or parsley, if using.
Notes
No need to pre-cook the ravioli—use directly from frozen or refrigerated.Use a mix of beef and sausage for added flavor.Vegetarian option: omit meat and use sautéed vegetables like mushrooms or spinach.Make ahead and refrigerate unbaked for up to 24 hours or freeze for later use.Let the casserole rest before serving to help it set and slice cleanly.
