Layered Ravioli Bake

There’s nothing better than a dish of hot lasagna for dinner. But if you’re short on time, there’s no reason you have to slave over a stovetop cooking pasta and layering it in a baking dish. With the help of this quick and easy layered ravioli bake, you can enjoy all the flavors of lasagna without all the hard work. And since this casserole is freezer-friendly, you can prepare your dinner ahead of time and thaw it out when you’re ready to cook dinner.We are big fans of pasta bakes in our house. We like to change it up from time to time such as with our Alfredo Tortellini Bake, Pastitcio, or Johnny Marzetti Casserole.

Layered Ravioli Bake Recipe

Ingredients:

• 16 oz. fresh or frozen ravioli with the filling of your choice
• 24 oz. jarred or homemade pasta sauce
• 8 oz. frozen chopped spinach
• 15 oz. ricotta cheese
• 1 tsp. Italian seasoning
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

Freezing instructions:

1. In a medium sized bowl, mix together the ricotta, frozen chopped spinach, and Italian seasoning.
2. Spread a very thin layer of pasta sauce on the bottom of a casserole dish or 9×13 aluminum tray.
3. Lay out roughly half of the ravioli in a single layer over the top of the pasta sauce.
4. Pour half of the sauce over the top of the ravioli, making sure to fully cover the pasta.
5. Layer half the ricotta mixture. 
6. Then, top the sauce with one cup of the mozzarella cheese.
7. Layer the remaining ravioli on top of the shredded cheese, then pour on the rest of the pasta sauce and remaining ricotta mixture.
8. Add the rest of the shredded mozzarella cheese on top. Finish by sprinkling the Parmesan cheese all over the top of the casserole.
9. Place a layer of plastic wrap directly on top of the casserole, then cover the entire pan with foil. Freeze the pan until you’re ready to bake.

Serving instructions:

1. Thaw the ravioli lasagna in the refrigerator.
2. When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Remove the foil and take off the plastic wrap, then replace the foil.
3. Bake covered for 20 minutes, then remove the foil and bake an additional 20-25 minutes uncovered until bubbling.
4. Let the casserole stand for a few minutes before serving.

You can also choose to bake this dish right from frozen at 375° for an hour and a half.

Can You Bake Frozen Ravioli Instead of Boiling?

While the instructions on the back of your frozen ravioli package may suggest that the pasta be boiled, there’s no reason you can’t bake your ravioli instead. They key to ensuring your pasta gets tender as it bakes is making sure that it’s fully coated in sauce. The pasta uses the moisture in your sauce to cook, allowing you to bake your ravioli without the need for water at all.

As you’re layering your ravioli in your baking dish, make sure each piece is fully coated in sauce. If you notice part of the pasta is sticking up out of the sauce, use the back of your spoon to lightly press it back down to ensure it properly bakes.

Ravioli Lasagna Recipe Tips & Tricks

This quick and easy casserole is perfect for freezer cooking. And since it’s so simple to make, it’s just as simple to customize. Try these ravioli lasagna recipe ideas as you’re putting together your meal plan.

• Try different ravioli. One of the simplest ways to change up this recipe is to try different ravioli flavors. Use cheese or beef ravioli for a more traditional lasagna. Or mix in unique ravioli options, like spinach, chicken, or lobster, for a different casserole every time you make this easy recipe.
• Add some ground beef. Add even more flavor and a little bit of extra protein to your casserole with the help of ground beef. Cook the beef in a skillet until it’s brown, then mix it into your tomato sauce. After that, you can follow the recipe as written to make a meaty ravioli bake.
• Omit the spinach. If you’re not a fan of leafy greens, just leave out the spinach.
• Swap tomato sauce for Alfredo. Give your ravioli bake a creamy texture and flavor with the help of alfredo sauce. Simply swap traditional tomato sauce with Alfredo sauce for a totally new ravioli bake flavor. You can even try using Alfredo and red pasta sauce mixed together to create a Rosé sauce.
• Season with fresh herbs. Another simple way to add tons of flavor to your lasagna casserole is with the help of fresh herbs. Mix some chopped parsley, oregano, or basil into the sauce in place of the Italian seasoning before you add it to your casserole to enhance the flavors in your marinara sauce. And when you’re ready to serve your casserole, sprinkle fresh herbs over the top for even more flavor.

What Should I Serve with Ravioli Lasagna?

Since this easy freezer casserole has all the flavors of traditional lasagna, there are a variety of easy sides you can serve with your ravioli bake! Try these simple side dish recipes the next time you prepare this lazy lasagna for your family:

• chopped salad with Italian dressing
• Caesar salad
• breadsticks
• toasted garlic bread
• steamed vegetables
• roasted broccoli and cauliflower

Print

Layered Ravioli Bake

Prep Time

15 mins

Cook Time

45 mins

 

Course: Main Course

Keyword: pasta

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 16 oz. ravioli fresh or frozen with your choice of filling
• 24 oz. pasta sauce
• 8 oz. spinach frozen, chopped
• 15 oz. ricotta cheese
• 1 tsp. Italian seasoning
• 2 cups mozzarella cheese shredded
• 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese shredded

Instructions

Assembly instructions:

1. In a medium sized bowl, mix together the ricotta, frozen chopped spinach, and Italian seasoning.

2. Spread a very thin layer of pasta sauce on the bottom of a casserole dish or 9x13 aluminum tray.
3. Lay out roughly half of the ravioli in a single layer over the top of the pasta sauce.
4. Pour half of the sauce over the top of the ravioli, making sure to fully cover the pasta.
5. Layer half the ricotta mixture.

6. Then, top with one cup of the mozzarella cheese.

7. Layer the remaining ravioli on top of the shredded cheese, then pour on the rest of the pasta sauce and remaining ricotta mixture.

8. Add the rest of the shredded mozzarella cheese on top. Finish by sprinkling the Parmesan cheese all over the top of the casserole.

9. Place a layer of plastic wrap directly on top of the casserole, then cover the entire pan with foil.

10. Freeze.

Cooking instructions:

1. Thaw.

2. Preheat the oven to 400°. Remove the foil and take off the plastic wrap, then replace the foil.

3. Bake covered for 20 minutes, then remove the foil and bake an additional 20-25 minutes uncovered until bubbling.
4. Let the casserole stand for a few minutes before serving.

Recipe Notes

Alternately, you can bake this dish from frozen at 375° for 1 1/2 hours.