Make this Ravioli Casserole as a shortcut for classic lasagna! Hassle free and packed with classic and comforting flavors, this meatless dinner will please the whole family guaranteed.
Not only is it tasty, it's also so easy to make, even on busy weeknights. Best of all, there's hidden spinach for sneaky nutrition that your kids won't even notice!
Jump to:
- 🩵 About This Recipe
- What readers are saying...
- 🧂 Gather Your Ingredients
- 🔪 Let's Make Ravioli Casserole!
- 💡 Expert Tips and Tricks
- ❔ FAQs
- 📝 Substitutions and Variations
- 🥡 Storage and Reheating
- ⏳ Make Ahead Instructions
- 🍴 What To Serve With This Dish
- 😋 More Casserole Recipes You'll Love
- 📋 Recipe Card
- 💬 Reviews and Comments
🩵 About This Recipe
Craving homemade lasagna but not in the mood to put one together? This frozen ravioli bake is the perfect shortcut!
It can be made with frozen ravioli for a super convenient dish that comes together in no time. With only 5 ingredients, this cheese ravioli recipe is ideal for busy weeknights!
For more delicious pasta recipes, try my Creamy Spinach and Mushroom Pasta or this Mushroom Spinach Ricotta Bake!
Or for another easy casserole, check out this pierogi kielbasa casserole, comforting, flavorful, creamy, and perfect for busy weeknights!
What readers are saying...
A perfect ease into fall meal!
- Helen
🧂 Gather Your Ingredients
- marinara sauce - use your personal favorite red sauce for a delicious ravioli casserole!
- crushed red pepper - for a bit of spicy heat.
- frozen ravioli - I like using plain cheese ravioli, but feel free to use another ravioli of your choice.
- fresh spinach - for some added nutrition.
- shredded mozzarella cheese - gives this casserole a super cheesy and comforting flavor.
🔪 Let's Make Ravioli Casserole!
(Or click here to jump right to the recipe card with measurements!)
Make Sauce
Combine the marinara sauce with the red pepper flakes in a small bowl.
Cook Ravioli
Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook ravioli according to package directions.
Add Spinach
Once ravioli is done cooking, stir in the spinach until it's wilted, then drain.
Start Casserole
To a casserole dish, add a layer of the prepared marinara sauce.
Add Ravioli
Distribute the pasta and spinach on top of the sauce and add mozzarella cheese.
More Sauce
Spoon the other half of the sauce over the casserole.
Bake
Top with more mozzarella, then bake covered for 25 minutes and uncovered for an additional 5 to 10 minutes.
💡 Expert Tips and Tricks
- Give the sauce a little taste to ensure the spice level is to your liking. You can also leave out the crushed red pepper flakes if you don't like spicy food.
- For a more golden brown top, finish under the broiler for a minute or two.
- Sprinkle your ravioli casserole with a bit of fresh chopped parsley or additional cheese for a fun and delicious finishing touch.
❔ FAQs
Yes, the ravioli has to be cooked before you make your frozen ravioli bake. Otherwise they may end up tough or not cooked all the way through.
Lasagna is a layered pasta dish that's made with a specific kind of pasta and layers of sauce, cheese, and often meat. Ravioli is a specific kind of pasta that includes cheese in a pocket of pasta, but can be used to make pasta bakes that are similar to lasagna.
Spinach is rich in essential vitamins and minerals, including vitamins A, C, and K, as well as folate, iron, and calcium.
📝 Substitutions and Variations
- Frozen spinach can be used instead of fresh. Allow it to thaw, then drain any excess liquid. You won't need to cook it with the ravioli - you can just add it to the casserole and bake.
- For some additional protein, add cooked Italian sausage, ground beef, or chicken.
- You can also make this ravioli casserole more nutritious and flavorful by adding zucchini, bell peppers, or mushrooms.
- Use a different sauce like pesto or Alfredo sauce for a fun twist.
- Give the sauce even more flavor with seasonings like oregano, thyme, or basil.
- Make your casserole more cheesy with Parmesan, fontina, or ricotta.
Kristin's Kitchen Tip
The sauce is where so much of the flavor comes from, so be sure to add any herbs and spices you like before assembling the ravioli casserole!
🥡 Storage and Reheating
The leftovers of this ravioli casserole keep really well! Keep your leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 to 4 days and pop them into the microwave to reheat. You can also freeze your leftovers for several months. Let them thaw before reheating for best results.
⏳ Make Ahead Instructions
This whole ravioli casserole can be prepared ahead of time! Just assemble it fully and store in the fridge, then pop it in the oven when it's time to bake. I don't recommend putting the casserole together more than a day or so ahead of time.
Keep It Handy
Don't have time for this ravioli casserole recipe right now? Click on or tap the heart icon on the BOTTOM RIGHT of the screen to save it for later!
🍴 What To Serve With This Dish
Pair this cheese ravioli casserole with a tasty side dish like Parmesan Garlic Bread or this Crock Pot Bread, and add a healthy salad like a Vegetarian Kale Caesar Salad or this Summer Potato Salad!
😋 More Casserole Recipes You'll Love
- Cheesy Tater Tot Casserole - Perfect for a special breakfast or holiday brunch.
- Stuffed Cabbage Casserole - This one skillet recipe makes stuffed cabbage easy and accessible!
- Corn Dog Casserole - Turn the classic carnival food into a hearty dinner.
- Blueberry French Toast Casserole - For another unique breakfast treat, try this sweet casserole from Butter Your Biscuit!
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Baked Cheese Ravioli Recipe
⭐ Did you make this recipe? Awesome! I would love to hear from you. Please give it a star rating and review below! 👇
📋 Recipe Card
Baked Ravioli Casserole (Lasagna Shortcut!)
Ingredients
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper
- 20 ounces cheese ravioli
- 6 ounces fresh spinach
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
- Mix the marinara and crushed red pepper and set aside.2 cups marinara sauce, ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper
- Cook ravioli according to package instructions until they are just al dente (not mushy).20 ounces cheese ravioli
- Before draining ravioli, stir in fresh spinach until slightly wilted (10-20 seconds). Drain well.6 ounces fresh spinach
- In an 11x7 baking dish, spread about half of the marinara mixture, then distribute about half of the ravioli/spinach on top of the marinara, then top with about half of the shredded cheese.1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- Distribute the remaining ravioli/spinach on top of the cheese, then spread with the remaining sauce.
- Cover the dish with foil and bake about 25 minutes.
- Remove the dish from the oven, sprinkle the remaining cheese on top, and bake uncovered for an additional 5-10 minutes or until the cheese is melted.
Notes
- You can prepare this ahead of time. Fully assemble it in the baking dish and store it in the fridge. When ready to cook, simply pop it in the oven.
- Use frozen spinach if you don't have fresh on hand. Just thaw and squeeze out the excess moisture. No need to add to the ravioli while cooking, simply distribute over top of the ravioli when adding it to the baking dish.
- Add cooked Italian sausage, ground beef, or grilled chicken for extra protein.
- Include other vegetables like mushrooms, zucchini, or bell peppers for added flavor and nutrition.
- Substitute marinara with Alfredo sauce or a pesto sauce to mix things up.
- Mix in other cheeses like ricotta, Parmesan, or fontina for even more cheesy taste.
- Add fresh basil, oregano, or parsley to the marinara sauce for extra herby flavor.
- Adjust the amount of crushed red pepper to suit your spice tolerance, or omit it entirely for a milder dish.
Additional Serving Suggestions:
- Serve with a side of garlic bread or breadsticks.
- Pair with a fresh garden salad or Caesar salad for a complete meal.
- Leftovers are delicious! Store in the fridge and reheat in the microwave or oven.
- Top with fresh basil leaves or a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese for a finishing touch before serving.
Video
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimate. The nutritional values for your final dish may vary based on measuring differences and products used.
Update Notes: This post was originally published in January 2015, and was republished with tips, step by step photos, and a recipe change in September 2024.
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Happy cooking!
Amy says
Made this for dinner and it was so easy and delicious! Thanks for posting!
Jann Olson says
Looks very tasty! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
hugs,
Jann
Sheri says
Looks delicious! Thanks so much for sharing at our To Grandma's House We Go DIY, Crafts, Recipes and more Link Party! Pinned this! Hope you join us again next week!
Helen at the Lazy Gastronome says
A perfect ease into fall meal! Thanks for sharing at the What's for Dinner party!
Kim~madeinaday says
Looks delish! I make something similar but layered like a lasagna! I may need to make this tonight! Thank you for sharing on Merry Monday! Hope to see ya next week!
Kim
Mother of 3 says
This sounds delicious! I'm always looking for ways to sneak more veggies into the kids' diets. Pinned.
Jessica says
This looks delish!
Mandee Thomas says
Ooo, this looks super yummy! I wanted to let you know that I'm featuring this post tonight at the Create & Share Link Party (7:00 PM MST)! Congratulations!!! Can't wait to see what you share with us this week. 🙂
Jennifer Dawn says
This looks amazing! Thank you so much for sharing the recipe!