Heavenly Baked Ravioli and Meat Sauce Recipe That Wows Every Time

Baked ravioli reimagines ordinary pasta nights into something extraordinary, blending comfort and excitement with minimal kitchen effort.

Italian-inspired flavors dance through each hearty layer, promising a satisfying meal that feels like a warm embrace.

Convenient frozen or fresh cheese ravioli become the star of this simple yet impressive dish.

Layering meat sauce creates depth and richness that elevates the entire dining experience.

Traditional cooking methods meet modern shortcuts, ensuring delicious results without complicated techniques.

The combination of tender pasta, robust sauce, and melted cheese guarantees a crowd-pleasing meal everyone will adore.

Prepare to fall in love with this quick and delectable dinner solution.

Why Baked Ravioli and Meat Sauce Is a Weeknight Win

• Satisfy Hearty Cravings: This baked ravioli delivers a comforting meat sauce packed with robust flavors that fill your belly and warm your soul, perfect for those nights when you want something filling and delicious.
• Quick and Easy Weeknight Champion: Prepare this entire dish in under an hour with simple ingredients and straightforward cooking steps, making it an ideal meal for busy families who want a tasty dinner without complicated techniques.
• Textural Delight: Experience a beautiful combination of crispy cheese topping, tender pasta, and rich meat sauce that creates a mouthwatering contrast in every single bite, keeping your taste buds excited throughout the meal.
• Customizable Crowd-Pleaser: Easily adapt this recipe by switching meats, adding different vegetables, or adjusting cheese types to suit individual preferences while maintaining the core deliciousness of the original dish.

Baked Ravioli and Meat Sauce Ingredients You’ll Always Want on Hand

• Ground Beef: Hearty protein base with rich flavor, choose lean or extra-lean for healthier option.
• Bacon: Crispy topping that adds smoky, salty finish to the dish.

• Rigatoni: Sturdy pasta that holds sauce well, cook until al dente for perfect texture.
• Marinara Sauce: Classic tomato-based sauce providing deep, tangy flavor.
• Meat Sauce: Robust sauce that enhances overall dish richness.

• Onion: Provides sweet, foundational flavor to the meat base.
• Garlic: Adds depth and aromatic profile to the dish.
• Vinegar: Adds subtle tangy brightness to balance the rich sauce.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential seasonings for enhancing overall taste.
• Pickles: Unexpected ingredient that brings tangy, acidic note to the recipe.
• Tomatoes: Fresh component adding moisture and bright flavor.
• Cheese: Melty topping that creates golden, crispy layer.
• Olive Oil: Used for sautéing vegetables and preventing sticking.

Easy Instructions for That Cheesy Baked Ravioli and Meat Sauce

Step 1: Sauté Aromatics

• Onion
• Garlic
• Salt
• Pepper

Cook until onions become translucent and soft.

Step 2: Brown Ground Beef

Increase heat to medium. Add ground beef to the skillet and season with salt and pepper. Break meat into small pieces while cooking until completely browned.

Step 3: Prepare Pasta

Cook ravioli in generously salted boiling water according to package instructions until perfectly tender.

Step 4: Prepare Baking Dish

Preheat oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a 9 x 13-inch casserole dish with cooking spray or butter.

Step 5: Drain Meat

Remove ground beef from heat and drain excess grease from the skillet.

Step 6: Combine Ingredients

• Cooked ground beef
• Sauces
• Vinegar
• Half of pickles
• Half of tomatoes
• Cooked ravioli
• Cheese

Stir ingredients until well combined.

Step 7: Assemble Casserole

• Remaining cheese
• Remaining pickles
• Remaining tomatoes

Step 8: Bake and Finish

Bake in preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until bubbly and golden. Optional: Sprinkle crumbled bacon on top before serving for extra flavor.

Quick Tips for Better Baked Ravioli and Meat Sauce

• Select Quality Beef: Choose lean ground beef with 85-90% meat content to ensure rich flavor without excessive grease.
• Maximize Pasta Texture: Cook pasta just until al dente to prevent mushiness when baking, maintaining a perfect tender bite.
• Layer Ingredients Strategically: Distribute cheese, pickles, and tomatoes evenly for consistent flavor in every single serving.
• Control Moisture Balance: Drain excess beef grease completely to prevent a watery sauce that could make the dish soggy.
• Customize Cheese Options: Experiment with different cheese blends like mozzarella, parmesan, or sharp cheddar to elevate the dish's richness and depth.

How to Store and Reheat Baked Ravioli and Meat Sauce

• Refrigeration: Store leftover baked ravioli in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Seal tightly and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days. Keep the dish away from raw meats and strong-smelling foods to preserve its original flavor.
• Freezing: Wrap the casserole securely in plastic wrap and aluminum foil before freezing. Frozen baked ravioli can last up to 2 months. Label the container with the date to track freshness.
• Reheating: Warm individual portions in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even heating. For best results, reheat in the oven at 350 degrees F for 15-20 minutes, covering with foil to prevent drying out.

What to Serve with Baked Ravioli and Meat Sauce

• Pair with Bold Red Wine: Choose a robust Chianti or Cabernet Sauvignon to complement the rich meat sauce and enhance the hearty flavors of the baked ravioli.
• Serve with Crisp Green Salad: Create a light, fresh side of mixed greens with a tangy vinaigrette to balance the heavy, savory main dish and provide a refreshing contrast.
• Add Garlic Bread on the Side: Prepare crusty garlic bread to soak up the delicious meat sauce, adding extra texture and complementary flavors to the meal.
• Finish with Creamy Tiramisu: End the dinner with a classic Italian dessert that offers a smooth, sweet finale to the robust and spicy main course.

Flavorful Variations of Baked Ravioli and Meat Sauce to Try Next

• Spicy Ravioli Fiesta: Swap ground beef with spicy chorizo and add diced jalapeños for a kick. Incorporate pepper jack cheese and sprinkle red pepper flakes on top for extra heat.
• Mediterranean Veggie Remix: Replace meat with roasted zucchini, eggplant, and bell peppers. Use feta cheese and add kalamata olives for a Greek-inspired flavor profile.
• Creamy Mushroom Sensation: Substitute ground beef with sautéed mixed wild mushrooms. Stir in cream cheese and use parmesan for a rich, earthy version of the original recipe.
• Chicken Pesto Power: Use ground chicken instead of beef and mix in homemade basil pesto. Top with fresh mozzarella and chopped fresh basil leaves for a lighter, herbaceous meal.

Baked Ravioli And Meat Sauce Recipe

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4.9 from 29 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty Italian Baked Ravioli combines classic comfort with rich meat sauce, creating a robust meal that sings with Mediterranean flavors. Layered cheese ravioli nestled under savory tomato-beef sauce promises a delicious dinner you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Proteins:

• 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef
• 3 slices bacon (cooked crisp and crumbled)

Pasta and Cheese:

• 8 ounces (226 grams) rigatoni
• 1 cup shredded smoked or sharp cheddar cheese

Sauce and Vegetables:

• 1 ½ cups tomato sauce
• ½ cup barbecue sauce
• ½ cup diced onion
• 2 garlic cloves (minced)
• 1 diced tomato (seeds removed)
• ½ cup diced pickles
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) olive oil
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) red wine vinegar
• coarse salt and fresh ground pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-low temperature, gently sautéing diced onions and minced garlic with a delicate sprinkle of salt and black pepper until onions turn translucent and fragrant.
2. Elevate the heat to medium and introduce ground beef into the pan, methodically breaking down the meat while seasoning with additional salt and pepper, ensuring complete and even cooking throughout.
3. Simultaneously, cook ravioli in a generously salted pot of boiling water according to package instructions, aiming for a perfectly tender al dente texture.
4. Warm the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (204 degrees Celsius) and lightly grease a 9 x 13-inch (23 x 33 centimeters) casserole dish to prepare for baking.
5. Carefully drain any accumulated excess fat from the cooked ground beef, returning the meat to the skillet.
6. Incorporate marinara sauce, meat sauce, balsamic vinegar, chopped pickles, diced tomatoes, cooked ravioli, and three-quarters cup of shredded cheese, mixing thoroughly to create a harmonious blend of flavors.
7. Gently transfer the combined mixture into the prepared casserole dish, strategically distributing the remaining cheese, pickles, and tomatoes across the surface for maximum visual and taste appeal.
8. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until the top develops a bubbling, golden-brown crust, then garnish with crispy crumbled bacon just before serving to elevate the dish’s overall flavor profile.

Notes

• Drain beef fat completely to prevent greasy texture in the final dish.
• Mix ingredients gently to maintain pasta’s delicate structure and prevent breaking.
• Choose high-quality ground beef with moderate fat content for rich, robust flavor.
• Ensure cheese is evenly distributed for consistent melting and appetizing appearance.
• Use fresh garlic and onions for deeper, more aromatic base sauce profile.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Baking, Sautéing, Boiling
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 460 kcal
• Sugar: 14g
• Sodium: 800mg
• Fat: 24g
• Saturated Fat: 10g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12g
• Trans Fat: 1g
• Carbohydrates: 38g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 23g
• Cholesterol: 60mg