OMG, I tried this last night and my taste buds are still partying! Never thought something this tasty could be so easy to whip up. Now I’ve got everyone at home asking for seconds and thirds
If there’s one meal that shows weeknight dinners can feel just as comforting as a Sunday feast, it’s this Ravioli Lasagna Bake. Imagine all the melty, cheesy layers you love in classic lasagna—without boiling noodles or spending hours in the kitchen. The clever shortcut? Store-bought ravioli, which acts as both the pasta and the creamy filling. The result is a bubbling, golden casserole that tastes slow-cooked but comes together fast.
I stumbled upon this recipe during a busy week when a lasagna craving hit and time was limited. With a bag of frozen cheese ravioli, layered with marinara, mozzarella, and ricotta, it quickly turned into the ultimate comfort dish. My family finished the entire pan before leftovers were even an option—it instantly earned a permanent spot in our dinner rotation.
What makes this bake such a favorite is how customizable it is. Swap out ravioli flavors to match your mood—spinach and cheese for a lighter touch or beef ravioli for something heartier. Add vegetables like zucchini, mushrooms, or spinach, and suddenly it’s both kid-friendly and sneakily nutritious.
And the presentation? When you pull that bubbling dish from the oven, with stretchy cheese and rich sauce in every scoop, it looks and smells like something straight from a restaurant—no one needs to know it came together in under an hour.
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Olive oil | 1 tablespoon | — |
| Ground beef or Italian sausage | 1 pound | — |
| Onion | 1 small | diced |
| Garlic | 3 cloves | minced |
| Marinara sauce | 24 ounces | jar |
| Crushed tomatoes | 14 ounces | can |
| Italian seasoning | 1 teaspoon | — |
| Salt & black pepper | To taste | — |
| Cheese ravioli | 2 packages (25 oz each) | frozen, do not thaw |
| Mozzarella cheese | 2 cups | shredded |
| Ricotta cheese | 1 cup | optional |
| Parmesan cheese | ½ cup | grated |
| Fresh parsley | 2 tablespoons | chopped, for garnish |
Instructions
Step 1: Make the meat sauce
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
Add ground beef and onion; cook for 6–8 minutes until the meat is browned and the onion is soft.
Stir in garlic and cook for another minute.
Step 2: Add the sauce
Stir in marinara sauce, crushed tomatoes, and Italian seasoning.
Season with salt and pepper.
Let simmer for 5–7 minutes, then remove from heat.
Step 3: Assemble the bake
Spread 1 cup of sauce on the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Layer half of the frozen ravioli over the sauce.
Top with half of the remaining sauce, spoonfuls of ricotta (if using), and half of the mozzarella and Parmesan.
Repeat the layers with the remaining ravioli, sauce, ricotta, and cheeses.
Step 4: Bake
Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes.
Remove foil and bake for another 10 minutes, until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden.
Step 5: Serve
Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Garnish with fresh parsley.
Comfort food made simple—this Ravioli Lasagna Bake proves weeknight dinners can be both effortless and indulgent.
