Million Dollar Ravioli Casserole – Who doesn’t adore the hearty flavors of a casserole? Today I want to share with you a recipe that has truly captured the hearts of my family; Million Dollar Ravioli Casserole. This delectable dish brings together cheeses, Italian sausage and delightful cheese-filled ravioli all lovingly smothered in a robust spaghetti sauce. It’s an all, in one meal that will undoubtedly make your taste buds dance with delight. With 15 minutes of prep time and 45 minutes in the oven, you can have this heavenly casserole ready to serve up to 8 people in an hour. Now let’s dive into how this marvelous dish became a staple on our dining table.
The first time I prepared this Million Dollar Ravioli Casserole I was searching for something that could bring the warmth and joy of a homemade meal to our dinner table. My husband, who happens to be quite the Italian cuisine enthusiast along with my little one who is always eager, for anything cheesy, were the perfect taste testers. As the tantalizing aroma of cheeses and sausage wafted through the kitchen their faces lit up with anticipation. The moment we took our bites it was clear that we had struck gold. The casserole exceeded our expectations with its blend of flavors and satisfying textures. Without a doubt, it was an experience that felt like a million dollars right, in the comfort of our home.
What makes this Million Dollar Ravioli Casserole truly special?
What sets this Million Dollar Ravioli Casserole apart? Well, firstly it’s the simplicity of the ingredients coming together to create a blend of flavors. The smoothness of cottage and cream cheeses along, with the tanginess of cream and the richness of parmesan combine beautifully with the Italian sausage. Secondly, the addition of cheese ravioli brings a twist to this classic casserole providing a hearty and satisfying sensation with every mouthful. And lastly when that melted mozzarella on top comes into play it ties everything together perfectly by adding a gooey and irresistible layer to this masterpiece.
What You Need To Make This Million Dollar Ravioli Casserole Recipe?
Italian Sausage: Opting for a high-quality Italian sausage introduces a depth of flavor and a gentle spiciness that really elevates this dish. The sausage is the backbone of this casserole, providing a robust and savory note that balances beautifully with the creamy and cheesy elements.
Spaghetti Sauce: A rich and hearty spaghetti sauce ties all the components together. Choosing a sauce that is vibrant, well-seasoned, and full-bodied ensures that every bite is as delightful as the last. It’s not just a layer; it’s a flavor enhancer.
Cottage Cheese: This often-underestimated cheese brings a lovely curd-like texture and a mild, milky flavor. It adds body to the casserole without overpowering the other cheeses. Think of it as the secret ingredient that adds a subtle complexity.
Cream Cheese: The cream cheese is the game changer here. When softened, it blends seamlessly into the mix, giving the casserole a luxurious and velvety texture. It’s like a little bit of cheesecake in your savory bake.
Sour Cream: A dollop of sour cream introduces a tangy twist that cuts through the richness. It’s the zing in the orchestra of flavors, bringing balance and ensuring that every bite is as comforting as it is exciting.
Parsley: Fresh or dried, parsley adds a pop of color and a fresh, herby note. It’s not just for garnish; it’s an integral part of the flavor profile, lifting the dish and adding an extra layer of yum.
Garlic Powder: Garlic powder is like the unsung hero of the spice world. Just a little bit transforms the casserole from good to ‘can’t-stop-eating-this’ great. It’s the warm, aromatic hug that every ingredient needs.
Grated Parmesan Cheese: This is where the salty, cheesy magic happens. Parmesan adds an umami bomb to the mix, making every mouthful complex and utterly irresistible.
Frozen Cheese Ravioli: The ravioli acts as pockets of cheesy goodness, hidden gems waiting to be discovered in every bite. Opting for frozen ravioli ensures that they hold their shape and provide a delightful contrast in texture.
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Mozzarella Cheese: And, of course, no casserole is complete without a generous sprinkling of mozzarella. It creates that beautiful, melty, golden top layer that we all crave. It’s the finishing touch, the pièce de résistance.
Steps To Make Million Dollar Ravioli Casserole:
Step 1: To begin preheat your oven to 350ºF. Generously spray a baking pan measuring 9x13x2 inches, with cooking spray. Then in a skillet cook the sausage until it turns nicely browned. Remember to drain any fat before adding the jar of spaghetti sauce.
Step 2: In a bowl combine cottage cheese, cream cheese, sour cream, parmesan cheese, parsley, and garlic powder. This is where the magic happens! Once everything is well mixed together gently fold in the ravioli so that each piece is evenly coated with the cheesiness.
Step 3: Pour the ravioli mixture into the baking pan to create a layer. Next, pour the meat sauce over it all to ensure that every bit of ravioli gets covered. Sprinkle a generous amount of mozzarella cheese, on top because you can never have too cheese!
Step 4: Place it in the oven. Bake it uncovered for 45 minutes. The delightful aroma will fill your kitchen. Trust me when I say that resisting temptation will be challenging! However, once it’s done baking allow it to cool for 10 to 15 minutes. This will give it time to set perfectly and ensure you get that perfect slice.
Tip:
While using store-bought ingredients makes this recipe delicious taking the time to prepare your spaghetti sauce can truly enhance the flavors of your casserole. Begin with tomatoes, fresh garlic, onions, and a combination of your herbs, like basil oregano, and thyme. Allow everything to simmer together until the flavors blend into a hearty sauce. This not only gives you control, over the ingredients ensuring there are no unwanted additives but also adds fresh and vibrant flavors to your casserole. Additionally, the delightful aroma of simmering sauce brings a touch of warmth to your kitchen making the entire cooking experience even more enjoyable. Savor the taste. Take pride in adding a personal and homemade touch to your Million Dollar Ravioli Casserole!
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I prepare this ahead of time?
Certainly! You have the option of assembling the casserole and refrigerating it prior to baking. Simply remember to extend the baking time by a few minutes.
Can I freeze this casserole?
Absolutely! Just ensure that it has completely cooled down before wrapping and storing it in the freezer.
Can I use fresh ravioli instead of frozen?
Definitely! You can absolutely use fresh ravioli. Just keep in mind that fresh ravioli tends to cook faster than frozen so adjust your cooking time accordingly.
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Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
<Remember it later>
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
Million Dollar Ravioli Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 pound Italian sausage
- 1 28 ounces jar spaghetti sauce
- 1 c cottage cheese
- 1 8 ounces package cream cheese, softened
- ¼ c sour cream
- 2 tablespoons parsley
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ⅓ c grated parmesan cheese
- 1 25 ounces package frozen cheese ravioli
- 2 c mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350ºF (175ºC). Grease a baking dish measuring 9x13 inches.
- Heat a skillet, over high heat. Add the sausage while breaking it into pieces using a spatula. Cook until the sausage is thoroughly browned and no longer pink. Remove any fat from the skillet.
- Combine the sausage with the spaghetti sauce in the skillet stirring well to blend. Take the skillet off the heat. Set it aside.
- In a mixing bowl combine cottage cheese, softened cream cheese, sour cream, grated parmesan cheese, parsley and garlic powder. Add cheese ravioli to the bowl and toss everything together until all ravioli are evenly coated with the cheese mixture.
- Spread this ravioli mixture evenly in the baking dish. Next pour the meat sauce, over the ravioli making sure to spread it out. Finally, sprinkle mozzarella cheese evenly on top.
- Place the baking dish in your oven. Bake for approximately 45 minutes or until you see that the cheese has melted and become bubbly while ensuring that the casserole is heated through.
- After baking take out of oven. Let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes before serving. This will allow all layers to set making serving easier.
Notes
I’m Bitty, owner of nodashofgluten.com, where I share simple, delicious recipes for all tastes, including gluten-free. Check out my “About Me” page for more info!
