This beefy baked ravioli recipe is a comforting and hearty dish perfect for any night of the week. Combining the rich flavors of ground beef, marinara sauce, and gooey melted cheese, this casserole-style meal is sure to be a hit with the whole family. Plus, it's incredibly easy to prepare, making it a great option for busy evenings.
Most of the ingredients in this recipe are common pantry staples, but you might need to pick up a few items at the supermarket. Frozen cheese ravioli is not something everyone keeps on hand, so make sure to grab a bag from the freezer section. Additionally, marinara sauce and shredded mozzarella cheese are essential for this dish, so double-check your pantry before you start cooking.
Ingredients For Beefy Baked Ravioli Recipe
Ground beef: Adds a rich, meaty flavor and hearty texture to the dish.
Frozen cheese ravioli: Provides a cheesy, pasta base that pairs perfectly with the beef and sauce.
Marinara sauce: A tomato-based sauce that brings a tangy and savory element to the recipe.
Shredded mozzarella cheese: Melts beautifully to create a gooey, cheesy topping.
Grated parmesan cheese: Adds a sharp, nutty flavor that complements the other cheeses.
Technique Tip for This Recipe
When browning the ground beef, ensure you break it up into small, even pieces using a wooden spoon or spatula. This helps the meat cook more evenly and allows it to mix better with the marinara sauce. Additionally, for an extra layer of flavor, consider adding a pinch of salt and pepper while cooking the beef. This will enhance the overall taste of the baked ravioli.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
ground beef - Substitute with ground turkey: Ground turkey is a leaner option and provides a similar texture and flavor profile.
ground beef - Substitute with lentils: Lentils offer a plant-based alternative that is high in protein and fiber, making the dish suitable for vegetarians.
frozen cheese ravioli - Substitute with frozen spinach ravioli: Spinach ravioli adds a different flavor and a boost of nutrients from the spinach.
frozen cheese ravioli - Substitute with fresh pasta sheets: Fresh pasta sheets can be cut and filled with your choice of cheese or other fillings, offering a homemade touch.
marinara sauce - Substitute with pesto sauce: Pesto sauce provides a fresh, herbaceous flavor that can change the profile of the dish.
marinara sauce - Substitute with alfredo sauce: Alfredo sauce offers a creamy, rich alternative to marinara, creating a different texture and taste.
shredded mozzarella cheese - Substitute with shredded provolone cheese: Provolone has a similar melting quality and offers a slightly sharper flavor.
shredded mozzarella cheese - Substitute with shredded cheddar cheese: Cheddar provides a stronger, tangier flavor and melts well in baked dishes.
grated parmesan cheese - Substitute with grated pecorino romano cheese: Pecorino Romano is a bit saltier and has a more robust flavor, making it a good alternative.
grated parmesan cheese - Substitute with nutritional yeast: Nutritional yeast offers a cheesy flavor and is a great vegan alternative to parmesan.
Other Alternative Recipes Similar to This Dish
How to Store / Freeze This Recipe
Allow the beefy baked ravioli to cool completely before storing. This helps prevent condensation, which can make the dish soggy.
For short-term storage, transfer the ravioli to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
If you plan to freeze the dish, portion it into individual servings. This makes reheating easier and more convenient.
Wrap each portion tightly with plastic wrap, ensuring there are no air pockets. Then, place the wrapped portions in a freezer-safe bag or container.
Label the container with the date and contents. This helps you keep track of how long the ravioli has been stored.
When ready to reheat, thaw the ravioli in the refrigerator overnight. This ensures even reheating and maintains the texture of the dish.
Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 20-25 minutes, or until heated through. Cover with aluminum foil to prevent the cheese from burning.
Alternatively, you can reheat in the microwave. Place the ravioli in a microwave-safe dish, cover, and heat on medium power for 3-5 minutes, stirring halfway through.
For an extra touch, sprinkle some additional mozzarella or parmesan cheese on top before reheating. This adds a fresh layer of gooey goodness.
Enjoy your reheated beefy baked ravioli with a side of garlic bread or a fresh green salad for a complete meal.
How to Reheat Leftovers
Oven Method:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Place the leftover beefy baked ravioli in an oven-safe dish.
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil to prevent the cheese from drying out.
- Bake for about 20-25 minutes, or until heated through. If you prefer a crispy top, remove the foil for the last 5 minutes of baking.
- Let it cool for a few minutes before serving.
Microwave Method:
- Place a portion of the ravioli in a microwave-safe dish.
- Cover the dish with a microwave-safe lid or a damp paper towel to retain moisture.
- Heat on medium power for 2-3 minutes, then stir.
- Continue heating in 1-minute intervals until the ravioli is hot throughout.
- Allow it to sit for a minute before enjoying.
Stovetop Method:
- Add a small amount of marinara sauce or water to a skillet to prevent sticking.
- Place the leftover beefy baked ravioli in the skillet.
- Cover and heat over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally.
- Cook until the ravioli is heated through, about 10-15 minutes.
- Serve immediately.
Air Fryer Method:
- Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
- Place the ravioli in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
- Heat for 5-7 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure even heating.
- Remove and let cool slightly before serving.
Best Tools for This Recipe
Oven: Used to bake the ravioli dish at the specified temperature to ensure it cooks evenly and the cheese becomes bubbly and golden.
Skillet: Utilized to cook the ground beef over medium heat until it is browned.
Spatula: Handy for stirring and breaking up the ground beef while it cooks in the skillet.
Baking dish: The main vessel where you will layer the ravioli, beef, sauce, and cheeses before baking.
Aluminum foil: Used to cover the baking dish during the initial baking period to prevent the cheese from burning.
Measuring cups: Essential for measuring out the correct amounts of mozzarella and parmesan cheese.
Knife: Useful for opening packages of frozen ravioli and cheese.
Cutting board: Provides a safe surface for using the knife to open packages.
Colander: Optional, but can be used to drain any excess fat from the cooked ground beef.
Oven mitts: Important for safely handling the hot baking dish when placing it in and removing it from the oven.
Serving spoon: Ideal for serving the baked ravioli once it has cooled slightly.
How to Save Time on Making This Recipe
Use pre-cooked ground beef: Cook and freeze ground beef in advance to save time on busy days.
Opt for jarred marinara: Choose a high-quality jarred marinara sauce to cut down on prep time.
Shred cheese in bulk: Shred mozzarella and parmesan in bulk and store them in the fridge for quick access.
Layer efficiently: Assemble the layers of ravioli, beef, and sauce quickly by organizing ingredients beforehand.
Preheat oven early: Preheat the oven while preparing the ingredients to streamline the cooking process.
Beefy Baked Ravioli
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb Ground Beef
- 25 oz Frozen Cheese Ravioli
- 24 oz Marinara Sauce
- 2 cups Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
- 1 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat until browned. Drain any excess fat.
- In a baking dish, spread a thin layer of marinara sauce on the bottom.
- Layer half of the frozen ravioli over the sauce.
- Spread half of the cooked ground beef over the ravioli.
- Pour half of the remaining marinara sauce over the beef and sprinkle with half of the mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
- Repeat the layers with the remaining ravioli, beef, sauce, and cheeses.
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Let it cool for a few minutes before serving.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
Suggested Appetizers and Desserts for This Recipe
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