You haven’t tasted true comfort food until you’ve dug into the Million Dollar Ravioli Lasagna Recipe! It’s a rich, bubbly casserole that layers creamy cheese, beefy marinara, and pillowy ravioli beneath a blanket of melty mozzarella. This crave-worthy dish brings together classic lasagna flavors with the ease of frozen ravioli—making weeknight dinners, family gatherings, and potlucks extra special, with very little effort. If you love a meal that looks impressive but is secretly simple, get ready to fall in love!
Ingredients You’ll Need
What makes this Million Dollar Ravioli Lasagna Recipe shine is just how straightforward—but deeply delicious—its ingredients are. Each element plays a starring role: creamy cheeses, savory beef, and vibrant sauce all combine for a lasagna that truly tastes like a million bucks.
- Frozen cheese ravioli (25-ounce bag): No need to thaw—this shortcut adds pillowy layers and soaks up the sauce beautifully.
- Ground beef (1 pound): Brings hearty, savory depth; you can swap for Italian sausage for an extra flavor kick.
- Marinara or pasta sauce (24-ounce jar): Choose a good-quality jar for the best flavor, or use your favorite homemade style.
- Cream cheese (8-ounce block, softened): The secret for that extra luscious, “million dollar” creamy layer.
- Ricotta cheese (1 cup): Adds classic lasagna richness and smoothness.
- Sour cream (1/2 cup): It adds a subtle tang and an ultra-velvety texture to the cheese layer.
- Shredded mozzarella cheese (2 cups): Every lasagna needs gooey, melty mozzarella on top and in between!
- Grated Parmesan cheese (1/2 cup): For a beautiful golden top and extra punch of umami.
- Italian seasoning (1 teaspoon): This blend melds into the cheese for that signature Italian flair.
- Garlic powder (1/2 teaspoon): Quick, easy depth of flavor—no mincing required.
- Chopped parsley (for garnish): Fresh, vibrant green for the final, beautiful touch.
How to Make Million Dollar Ravioli Lasagna Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Baking Dish
First things first: crank your oven up to 375°F, and give your 9×13-inch baking dish a light grease. This not only prevents sticking but also makes cleaning up afterward a total breeze. Set the dish aside for easy assembly later.
Step 2: Brown the Beef and Simmer the Sauce
Set a large skillet over medium heat and add your ground beef. Cook, breaking it apart with a spatula, until it’s deeply browned and irresistible. Drain away excess fat, then pour in your jar of marinara or pasta sauce. Stir well and let it simmer for a couple of minutes so all the flavors dance together. Remove from heat and set this saucy goodness aside.
Step 3: Make the Creamy Cheese Mixture
In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, ricotta, sour cream, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder. Grab a sturdy spoon or spatula and mix everything until you’ve got a smooth, velvety mixture. This is the “million dollar” secret—don’t skip or rush this step!
Step 4: Layer Up the Million Dollar Ravioli Lasagna Recipe
Spoon a thin layer of the meat sauce onto the bottom of your prepared dish; this keeps the ravioli from sticking and adds flavor right from the start. Arrange a single layer of frozen cheese ravioli over the sauce. Dollop and spread half the cheese mixture over the ravioli, then sprinkle it with a cup of mozzarella. Repeat: another layer of meat sauce, the rest of the ravioli, the remaining cheese mixture, and more mozzarella. Finish with the remaining meat sauce and a generous shower of grated Parmesan for that golden finish.
Step 5: Bake, Uncover, and Let Rest
Cover your dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes. This helps everything meld and cook evenly. After 30 minutes, remove the foil and bake for another 15 minutes until that top is bubbly, golden, and calling your name. Take it out of the oven and let it rest for a good 10 minutes—this makes slicing so much easier and keeps all those luscious layers intact.
How to Serve Million Dollar Ravioli Lasagna Recipe
Garnishes
Before serving, shower the entire lasagna with fresh chopped parsley. Not only does it add a vibrant splash of color, but it also offers a little herbal freshness that’s delightful with molten cheese and tangy sauce.
Side Dishes
This cozy casserole loves simple sides. Think a crisp Caesar salad, buttery garlic bread, or even lightly sautéed green beans. These picks balance all that cheesy richness and round out the meal without stealing the spotlight from your Million Dollar Ravioli Lasagna Recipe.
Creative Ways to Present
Want to really wow your guests? Try baking mini versions in individual ramekins for a personalized touch or cut the lasagna into neat squares and serve on a big platter, garnished with extra Parmesan and basil. For potlucks, line your baking dish with parchment for easy lifting and slicing at the table.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Million Dollar Ravioli Lasagna Recipe is honestly even better the next day! Store any cooled slices in an airtight container in the fridge. They’ll keep beautifully for up to four days, and the flavors just deepen over time.
Freezing
This dish is the ultimate freezer hero. You can freeze the assembled—not yet baked—lasagna, tightly wrapped for up to three months. Or if you have leftover baked portions, just wrap those up individually and freeze. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating for best results.
Reheating
For a single serving, microwave for a couple of minutes until piping hot. For several slices or a whole pan, cover with foil and warm in a 350°F oven until heated through—usually 20 to 30 minutes. Add a splash of water or marinara on top to keep it extra moist.
FAQs
Can I substitute sausage for ground beef?
Absolutely! Italian sausage (mild or spicy) adds a punch of flavor and works beautifully in the Million Dollar Ravioli Lasagna Recipe. Just cook and crumble it as you would the ground beef.
Do I have to thaw the frozen ravioli first?
No thawing needed! One of the best parts of this recipe is going straight from freezer to baking dish. The ravioli cook perfectly while the lasagna bakes, saving you time and dishes.
Can I use a different kind of ravioli?
Definitely! While classic cheese is most traditional, you can use spinach-ricotta, mushroom, or even meat-filled ravioli to put your own spin on this comforting bake.
How can I make this ahead for a busy day?
You can assemble the Million Dollar Ravioli Lasagna Recipe up to a full day in advance and keep it covered in the fridge. When you’re ready to eat, just pop it in the oven—it may need a few extra minutes if it’s cold from the fridge.
Is it possible to make this dish vegetarian?
Yes! Simply skip the ground beef (or sausage) and use a plant-based crumbled meat or extra veggies like sautéed mushrooms and spinach. Paired with cheese ravioli and plenty of sauce, it’s just as satisfying.
Final Thoughts
If cozy, cheesy pasta casseroles make you happy, you have to try this Million Dollar Ravioli Lasagna Recipe. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that delivers all the flavor (and joy!) of homemade lasagna without the fuss. Trust me, your family and friends will be asking for seconds—so you might want to make a double batch. Enjoy every melty, saucy bite!
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Million Dollar Ravioli Lasagna Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 6–8 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this Million Dollar Ravioli Lasagna recipe. Layers of cheese-filled ravioli, savory meat sauce, and creamy cheeses come together for a satisfying and delicious baked pasta dish.
Ingredients
Filling:
- 1 (25-ounce) bag frozen cheese ravioli (no need to thaw)
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 (24-ounce) jar marinara or pasta sauce
Cheese Mixture:
- 1 (8-ounce) block cream cheese (softened)
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Garnish:
- Chopped parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Cook the beef: In a large skillet, cook the ground beef until browned. Drain excess fat and stir in the marinara sauce.
- Prepare the cheese mixture: In a medium bowl, mix cream cheese, ricotta, sour cream, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder until smooth.
- Layer the ingredients: Spread a layer of meat sauce in the baking dish, then layer with ravioli, cheese mixture, and mozzarella. Repeat layers and top with remaining meat sauce and Parmesan.
- Bake: Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake for an additional 15 minutes until bubbly and golden.
- Rest and serve: Let the lasagna rest for 10 minutes, garnish with parsley, and serve warm.
Notes
- You can substitute ground Italian sausage for beef or use spinach ravioli for a twist.
- This dish freezes well before or after baking.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 530
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 16g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 27g
- Cholesterol: 105mg
