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Comforting Baked Ravioli Recipe with Meat Sauce and Mozzarella Made Easy

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A cozy and easy baked ravioli dish layered with hearty meat sauce and fresh mozzarella, perfect for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 20 ounces frozen cheese ravioli
  • 1 pound ground beef (85% lean)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 28 ounces canned crushed tomatoes
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 8 ounces fresh mozzarella, sliced
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • A handful fresh basil, chopped (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 pound ground beef and cook until browned, about 6-8 minutes, breaking it apart with a spatula. Drain excess fat if necessary.
  3. Stir in finely diced onion and minced garlic. Cook until softened and fragrant, about 4 minutes.
  4. Add crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, dried Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and pepper. Reduce heat to low and simmer gently for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  5. Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with olive oil or non-stick spray.
  6. Place half of the frozen ravioli in a single layer on the bottom of the dish.
  7. Spoon half of the meat sauce over the ravioli, spreading gently. Layer half of the sliced fresh mozzarella on top.
  8. Repeat layers with remaining ravioli, meat sauce, and mozzarella slices. Sprinkle grated Parmesan evenly over the top.
  9. Cover the dish loosely with foil and bake for 25 minutes.
  10. Remove the foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden brown in spots.
  11. Let the baked ravioli rest for 5 minutes before serving. Sprinkle with fresh chopped basil if desired.

Notes

Use fresh mozzarella sliced (not shredded) and pat dry to reduce moisture. Layering sauce between ravioli prevents sogginess. Cover dish with foil during initial baking to trap steam, then uncover to brown cheese. Adjust seasoning after simmering sauce. For vegetarian version, substitute meat with sautéed mushrooms or plant-based crumble. For gluten-free, use gluten-free ravioli and check canned sauce ingredients.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked ravioli, meat sauce, mozzarella, comfort food, easy dinner, pasta casserole, weeknight meal

Find it online: https://evabakery.com/comforting-baked-ravioli-recipe-with-meat-sauce-and-mozzarella-made-easy/