Description
This Million Dollar Ravioli Lasagna is an easy, cheesy, and comforting baked pasta dish that layers frozen cheese ravioli with a rich meat sauce and creamy cheese mixture for a delightful twist on classic lasagna. Perfect for busy weeknights or family dinners, it combines hearty ground beef, creamy cheeses, and flavorful Italian seasonings all baked to bubbly perfection.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat Sauce
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 jar (24 oz) marinara or pasta sauce
Cheese Mixture
- 1 (8 oz) block cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 ½ cups cottage cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Other Ingredients
- 1 (25 oz) bag frozen cheese ravioli
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Chopped parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Cook Ground Beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef thoroughly until no longer pink, then drain excess fat to keep the dish from being greasy.
- Add Marinara Sauce: Stir the marinara or pasta sauce into the cooked beef, combining well; set aside the meat sauce mixture.
- Mix Cheese Filling: In a separate bowl, blend together the softened cream cheese, sour cream, cottage cheese, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper until the mixture is smooth and uniform.
- Layer Ingredients: Spread a thin layer of the meat sauce on the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Arrange half of the frozen ravioli evenly over the sauce. Next, spread half of the cheese mixture over the ravioli and sprinkle with 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Repeat Layers: Add the remaining ravioli over the cheese, spread the remaining cheese mixture, then spoon the remaining meat sauce on top. Finish by topping with the remaining 1 cup shredded mozzarella and sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the top.
- Bake Covered: Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes to heat through and meld flavors.
- Finish Baking Uncovered: Remove the foil and continue baking an additional 15 minutes until the top is bubbly and golden brown, giving the dish a lovely crust.
- Rest and Garnish: Let the lasagna rest for 10 minutes out of the oven before slicing to allow it to set. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired and serve warm.
Notes
- For a different flavor, substitute Italian sausage for the ground beef.
- This dish can be assembled ahead of time and refrigerated before baking to save time on busy days.
- Ricotta cheese can be used instead of cottage cheese for a creamier texture and traditional taste.
