Meatball and ravioli casserole is a comforting, hearty dish that brings together two beloved Italian favorites: meatballs and ravioli. This casserole is packed with flavor and texture, making it an ideal choice for a cozy family dinner or a meal that will impress your guests. The combination of savory meatballs, cheesy ravioli, and rich marinara sauce creates a satisfying, easy-to-make meal that’s perfect for any occasion.
To prepare this casserole, start by baking or pan-frying homemade or store-bought meatballs. The meatballs are typically made from ground beef or a blend of beef and pork, seasoned with garlic, herbs, and Parmesan cheese to create that savory flavor. While the meatballs cook, prepare the ravioli. You can use any type of ravioli you like, but cheese ravioli or spinach ravioli works particularly well, as it complements the meatballs and marinara sauce perfectly.
Once the meatballs and ravioli are ready, layer them in a baking dish, alternating between the ravioli and meatballs. Pour marinara sauce over the top, ensuring everything is evenly coated. Then, sprinkle a generous amount of shredded mozzarella and Parmesan cheese over the casserole, covering it in a cheesy, gooey layer.
Bake the casserole until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the top has turned golden brown. The ravioli absorbs the rich marinara sauce, becoming soft and tender, while the meatballs add a meaty bite that complements the cheesy pasta perfectly.
This dish is easily customizable by adding extras like sautéed mushrooms, bell peppers, or olives to the layers. For a little extra richness, you can also drizzle some heavy cream or ricotta cheese between the layers for a creamy twist.
Serve the casserole with a simple green salad or garlic bread to round out the meal. Whether you’re cooking for a busy weeknight or a weekend gathering, meatball and ravioli casserole is an easy, delicious way to bring everyone together around the table.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef for meatballs
- 1 cup breadcrumbs Italian style
- 1 egg large
- 25 ounces frozen cheese ravioli thawed
- 24 ounces marinara sauce store-bought or homemade
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese shredded
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese grated
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder for seasoning
- 1 teaspoon onion powder for seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix until well blended and form into small meatballs.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the meatballs on all sides until fully cooked, then remove from skillet.
- In a baking dish, layer the ravioli and cooked meatballs. Pour marinara sauce over the top, ensuring everything is covered with sauce.
- Sprinkle shredded mozzarella and grated parmesan cheese over the top.
- Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Let it cool slightly before serving. Enjoy!