This ravioli bake is an easy weeknight dinner made with Italian sausage, pasta sauce, refrigerated ravioli, and mozzarella cheese. With just 5 ingredients and minimal prep, it is a comforting family-friendly casserole that is simple, filling, and delicious.
Ingredients
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Oil - Olive oil is used to brown the sausage.
Italian sausage - Mild Italian sausage adds plenty of flavor. Remove the casings or use bulk sausage. Hot or sweet Italian sausage can also be used.
Pasta sauce - Use your favorite meatless pasta sauce.
Ravioli - Refrigerated spinach ricotta ravioli works well here, but other varieties can be used.
Mozzarella cheese - Mozzarella gives the casserole a cheesy, bubbly topping. We used whole milk mozzarella and shredded it by hand for smoother melting.
📖 See the recipe card for quantities and preparation.
You will also need: Casserole dish 2 quart (8 x 11), baking sheet - to place the casserole dish in case it bubbles over, aluminum foil
How to make ravioli bake
- Heat the olive oil in a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot, but not smoking, add the sausage.
- Cook the Italian sausage for 5-6 minutes until browned. Stir the sausage frequently while breaking up any large pieces.
- Lower the heat to medium-low and add the pasta sauce to the Italian sausage.
- Stir the sauce until it's combined with the sausage. Then, cover the skillet and cook for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Keep the sauce at a simmer. If it's boiling too vigorously, lower the heat a touch. Raise the heat if it's not simmering. Give it a good stir occasionally.
- The sausage will be cooked through way before the 20 minutes are up, but we want to keep it simmering to let the flavors come together. Simmering prepackaged sauces and broths give them more of a homemade taste.
- While the sauce cooks, preheat the oven to 350°F
Assemble the casserole
Add half of the Italian sausage sauce to the bottom of the casserole dish.
Then add half of the ravioli in a single layer. Place them close together, but not overlapping.
Next, top the ravioli with about half of the shredded mozzarella cheese. Repeat with half of the Italian sausage sauce, the remaining ravioli in a single layer, and half of the remaining mozzarella cheese. Finish with the remaining sauce and cheese.
Place the casserole dish on a baking sheet, just in case the sauce bubbles over it won't make a mess in your oven. Loosely cover the dish with foil. Don't make a tight seal. Just place it over and lightly press down the sides.
Bake the covered ravioli casserole for 40 minutes. Uncover, and continue baking for 20 minutes until the cheese is melted and the center is hot.
Remove the dish from the oven and let it set for about 5 minutes before serving.
If you liked this recipe, try our lasagna soup for another comforting Italian-inspired dinner, or chicken tomato pasta when you need an easy meal for a busy night. Our Italian sausage meatballs are also a great choice if you want a simple family dinner with plenty of flavor.
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📖 Recipe
Ravioli Bake
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
- 1 pound Mild Italian Sausage casings removed and torn into pieces (or use bulk sausage)
- 24 ounce Jar Pasta Sauce use a meatless variety of your favorite brand
- 20 ounces Spinach Ricotta Ravioli refrigerated variety
- 8 ounces Shredded Mozzarella Cheese whole milk mozzarella
Instructions
- You will also need: Casserole dish 8X11 (2 quart), Baking Sheet, Aluminum foil
Start the Italian Sausage Sauce
- Heat the olive oil in a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot, but not smoking, add the sausage.
- Cook the Italian sausage for 5-6 minutes until browned. Stir the sausage frequently while breaking up any large pieces.
- Lower the heat to medium-low, add the pasta sauce to the Italian sausage and stir until combined.
- Cook the sauce for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Keep the sauce at a simmer. If it's boiling too vigorously, lower the heat a bit.
- While the sauce cooks, preheat the oven to 350°F
Assemble and bake the ravioli
- Add about ⅓ of the Italian sausage sauce to the bottom of the casserole dish.
- Add ½ of the ravioli in a single layer. Place them close together, but not overlapping.
- Top the ravioli with about ⅓ of the shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Repeat: ⅓ Italian sausage sauce, remaining ravioli in a single layer, ⅓ shredded mozzarella cheese and finish with the remaining sauce and remaining cheese
- Place the casserole dish on a baking sheet, just in case the sauce bubbles over.
- Loosely cover the casserole dish with foil.
- Bake the covered ravioli casserole for 40 minutes.
- Uncover the dish and continue baking for 20 minutes until the cheese is melted and the center is hot.
- Remove the ravioli bake from the oven and let it set for 5-10 minutes before serving.
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Nutrition
The nutritional information above is computer generated and is only an estimate. There is no guarantee that it is accurate. This data is provided as a courtesy for informational purposes only.
Beth
Can I use frozen ravioli? It’s what I have and I want to try this.
Elizabeth
Hi Beth.
I would cook them to package directions using the lowest recommended time. Take care not to overcook so they are sturdy. Then remove them with a slotted spoon and set on a plate or pan to allow them to cool and dry. Hope that helps! Thanks for stopping by.
Beth
Thanks for the quick reply. I’m trying it now!
Beth
Thanks for the quick reply:). I’m making it now.
Elizabeth
Hi Beth,
You are welcome! I hope you enjoy it.
Pat
Easy to prepare and was a hit with the family.
Elizabeth
Glad to hear it!