The Ultimate Easy Baked Ravioli Casserole (Christmas Dinner!)

Imagine the ultimate holiday comfort food: a beautiful, bubbling casserole with tender, cheese-filled ravioli, layered like a lasagna in a rich marinara sauce, all nestled under a glorious, golden-brown blanket of melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. That, my friends, is the simple, genius, and utterly satisfying magic of this Easy Baked Ravioli Casserole. This is, without a doubt, the easiest and most crowd-pleasing main course you will make for a cozy Christmas dinner.

I promise you, there is no greater weeknight or holiday win than this dish. It’s a hearty, cheesy, and deeply comforting meal that the entire family will adore. Every scoop yields perfect little pillows of pasta, savory sauce, and that glorious, stretchy cheese pull. It’s a true show-stopper that takes only minutes to assemble.

Get ready to master the art of the casserole hack and create a stunning, delicious, and completely stress-free centerpiece for your Christmas dinner table.

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Why This Baked Ravioli is a Holiday Game-Changer

You are going to be completely amazed by how such a simple recipe can be so incredibly delicious. It’s a go-to for a reason! Here’s why you’ll love it:

• The Ultimate “Lazy Lasagna”: It delivers all the cheesy, layered comfort of a classic lasagna with a fraction of the work, thanks to the genius frozen ravioli shortcut.
• Just 10 Minutes to Assemble: This is a true “dump and layer” recipe. You can have the entire casserole assembled and ready for the oven in just 10 minutes flat.
• A Guaranteed Family Favorite: Cheesy pasta is a universal love language. This dish is a guaranteed home run for kids and picky eaters, making it perfect for a family Christmas dinner.
• Incredibly Versatile: You can keep it vegetarian with cheese ravioli, or easily add a layer of browned ground beef or sausage to make it even heartier.
• Perfect for Making Ahead: This is a dream for holiday meal prep. You can assemble the entire casserole a day or two in advance and just pop it in the oven when you’re ready.

Recipe Snapshot

Your Shopping List for This Cheesy Casserole

This crowd-pleasing dish comes together with just a handful of simple, store-bought ingredients.

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→ For the Baked Ravioli Casserole

• 24 ounces marinara or pasta sauce → Use your favorite jarred sauce for a fantastic shortcut.
• 24 ounces frozen cheese ravioli → The star of the show! No need to thaw them first.
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese → For that essential, gooey, cheesy blanket.
• ½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese → Adds a salty, nutty flavor to the top.
• Optional: One pound of browned ground beef or sausage for a meaty version.

Let’s Get Layering! Your Step-by-Step Guide

Ready for the easiest, cheesiest dinner ever? Grab a casserole dish and let’s go!

Part 1: The Simple Assembly

1. Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. First Layer of Sauce: Spread a thin layer (about ¼ cup) of the marinara sauce on the bottom of the pan. This prevents the ravioli from sticking.
3. First Ravioli Layer: Arrange half of the frozen ravioli in a single, even layer on top of the sauce.
4. First Cheese Layer: Top the ravioli with half of the remaining sauce, and then sprinkle with about 1 cup of the shredded mozzarella cheese. If you’re adding meat, this is where you’d add half of it.
5. Second Layer: Repeat the layers: the rest of the frozen ravioli, the rest of the sauce (and meat, if using), and the final cup of mozzarella cheese.
6. Final Topping: Sprinkle the shredded Parmesan cheese evenly over the top layer of mozzarella.

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Part 2: Bake to Bubbly Perfection

7. First Bake (Covered): Cover the casserole dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake for 30 minutes. The foil traps steam, which is what cooks the frozen ravioli perfectly.
8. Second Bake (Uncovered): Carefully remove the foil. Return the dish to the oven and bake for another 15 minutes, or until the cheese on top is melted, bubbly, and starting to get golden brown in spots.
9. Rest and Serve: Let the casserole rest for about 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving. This helps it set up so it doesn’t fall apart. Garnish with fresh parsley if you like, and serve with a simple salad and some garlic bread!

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Layered Baked Ravioli Casserole

This Baked Ravioli Casserole is the ultimate easy holiday comfort food! Using frozen ravioli as a shortcut, this ‘lazy lasagna’ is layered with rich marinara sauce and gooey mozzarella cheese, then baked until bubbly and golden. A perfect, crowd-pleasing Christmas dinner.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Total Time 55 minutes mins

Servings: 6

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Italian-American

Calories: 550

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 24 ounces Marinara or pasta sauce
• 24 ounces cheese ravioli frozen
• 2 cups mozzarella cheese shredded
• 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese shredded
• 1 pound browned ground beef or sausage Optional

Equipment

• 9×13 baking dish
• Aluminum foil

Method

 

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F and grease a 9×13 baking dish. Add a thin layer (about ¼ cup) of the marinara sauce to the bottom of the dish.
2. Arrange half of the frozen ravioli in a single layer on top of the sauce.
3. Top with half of the remaining sauce and 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese. Add half the browned meat here, if using.
4. Repeat the layers: the remaining ravioli, the remaining sauce (and meat, if using). Top with the final cup of mozzarella cheese.
5. Sprinkle with shredded parmesan cheese over the top.
6. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 15 minutes or until the cheese has browned slightly.
7. Let rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Notes

Make Ahead: You can fully assemble this casserole up to two days ahead of time. Cover and refrigerate, then let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before baking (you may need to add 5-10 minutes to the bake time).

Don’t Thaw Ravioli: Using the ravioli straight from the freezer is essential for the casserole’s structure and prevents it from becoming mushy.

Let it Rest: Letting the casserole rest for a few minutes after baking helps it set up, making it much easier to serve clean slices.

WiseRecipes’ Top Tips for a Perfect Ravioli Bake

These simple secrets will ensure your super-easy casserole is also super-delicious.

1. Don’t Thaw the Ravioli! This is the key to the whole shortcut! Using the ravioli straight from the freezer is what gives this dish its structure and prevents it from becoming mushy. The steam trapped under the foil will cook them perfectly.
2. Cover It First, Then Uncover. The initial 30-minute covered baking time is essential for cooking the pasta. The final 15-minute uncovered time is all about melting and browning that glorious cheese topping. Don’t skip either step!
3. Use a Good Quality Sauce. Since the marinara sauce provides most of the flavor in this dish, using a brand that you genuinely love the taste of will make a big difference in the final result.
4. Don’t Skimp on the Cheese. This is a cheesy, indulgent casserole! Using a generous amount of mozzarella and a final sprinkle of Parmesan is key to getting that beautiful, bubbly, golden-brown crust.
5. Let It Rest. I know it’s tempting to dig right into that bubbling cheese, but letting the casserole sit for 5-10 minutes after it comes out of the oven is crucial. It allows the layers to set up, so you can serve clean, beautiful squares instead of a soupy mess.

Keep It Fresh! Make-Ahead & Storing Instructions

This casserole is a meal prepper’s dream, perfect for a stress-free Christmas.

• Make-Ahead: This is one of the best make-ahead dishes. You can fully assemble the entire casserole (with the frozen ravioli), cover it tightly with foil, and store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. When you’re ready to bake, you may need to add 10-15 minutes to the initial covered baking time since it’s starting from cold.
• Freezer: This casserole also freezes beautifully, either before or after baking. Wrap it tightly in both plastic wrap and foil. You can bake it directly from frozen; just plan on a much longer cooking time (about 1 to 1.5 hours, covered).
• Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.

FAQs: Your Baked Ravioli Questions, Answered!

Can I use a different kind of ravioli?

Absolutely! While cheese ravioli is classic, this would be fantastic with spinach and ricotta, mushroom, or even beef-filled ravioli for an extra-meaty version (in which case you could skip the ground beef layer).

Can I use fresh ravioli instead of frozen?

You can, but you’ll need to adjust the cooking time. Since fresh ravioli is already cooked, you can significantly reduce the initial covered baking time. You’ll only need about 15-20 minutes covered, just to heat everything through, followed by the 15 minutes uncovered to brown the cheese.

Can I add vegetables to this casserole?

Yes, it’s a great way to add extra nutrients! You can stir in a layer of sautéed mushrooms, zucchini, or bell peppers along with the sauce. A layer of fresh spinach (like in a traditional lasagna) would also be delicious.

My casserole came out a bit watery. What happened?

This can sometimes happen depending on the brand of marinara sauce or frozen ravioli used. To avoid this, you can use a slightly thicker sauce. If you notice a lot of liquid when you uncover it, just let it bake for a few extra minutes uncovered to allow some of that moisture to evaporate.

Final Thoughts: Your Coziest, Easiest Christmas Dinner

There is nothing quite like the comforting embrace of a warm, cheesy pasta bake, especially during the holidays. This Easy Baked Ravioli Casserole delivers all the satisfaction of a complex lasagna with the ease of a weeknight meal. It’s a perfect, low-stress centerpiece that allows you to spend less time in the kitchen and more time making memories with your family. I hope it becomes a delicious and beloved part of your Christmas tradition. Happy Holidays!