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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- Simultaneously, cook ravioli in a generously salted pot of boiling water according to package instructions, aiming for a perfectly tender al dente texture.
- 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.
- Carefully drain any accumulated excess fat from the cooked ground beef, returning the meat to the skillet.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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