📝 Ingredients
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Olive oil | 1 tablespoon | — |
| Ground beef or Italian sausage | 1 pound | — |
| Onion | 1 small | Diced |
| Garlic | 3 cloves | Minced |
| Marinara sauce | 24 ounces | Jarred |
| Crushed tomatoes | 14 ounces | Canned |
| Italian seasoning | 1 teaspoon | — |
| Salt & black pepper | To taste | — |
| Cheese ravioli | 2 packages (25 oz each) | Frozen, do not thaw |
| Mozzarella cheese | 2 cups | Shredded |
| Ricotta cheese | 1 cup | Optional |
| Parmesan cheese | ½ cup | Grated |
| Fresh parsley | 2 tablespoons | Chopped, for garnish |
👩🍳 Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the meat sauce
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and diced onion, cooking for about 6–8 minutes until the meat is browned and the onion becomes soft and fragrant. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute, just until aromatic.
Step 2: Build the sauce
Pour in the marinara sauce and crushed tomatoes, then sprinkle in the Italian seasoning. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Let the sauce simmer gently for 5–7 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld, then remove from heat.
Step 3: Assemble the bake
Spread 1 cup of sauce evenly over the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Layer half of the frozen ravioli over the sauce. Spoon over half of the remaining sauce, add dollops of ricotta (if using), and sprinkle with half of the mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses.
Repeat the layers with the remaining ravioli, sauce, ricotta, and cheeses.
Step 4: Bake
Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden on top.
Step 5: Serve
Let the bake rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and enjoy every cheesy, comforting bite.