This Million Dollar Ravioli is everything you love about lasagna, but with a shortcut twist that makes it unbelievably easy! Frozen ravioli, a creamy cheese filling, and a hearty meat sauce come together for a baked pasta dish that tastes like a million bucks (without all the work). It’s cozy, comforting, and perfect for feeding a hungry family.
I’m convinced this is one of those recipes that will instantly earn a spot in your regular dinner rotation. It’s got all the flavors of classic lasagna, but instead of fussing with noodles and layering from scratch, we’re letting ravioli do the heavy lifting!
And every time I make this, it’s a guaranteed hit. It’s rich, cheesy, and just indulgent enough to feel special, but still easy enough for a weeknight. Honestly, it’s hard to go wrong when pasta, meat sauce, and a creamy cheese layer are involved!
Why I LOVE this recipe!
- It’s a lasagna shortcut – All the flavor, none of the tedious prep. The ravioli replaces both the noodles and part of the filling!
- Super family-friendly – Even picky eaters go back for seconds (and thirds).
- Perfect for feeding a crowd – This makes a big 9×13 dish, so it’s great for gatherings or leftovers!
- Make-ahead friendly – You can prep it in advance or freeze it for later, which is a lifesaver on busy weeks.
Recipe Notes
This ravioli lasagna recipe is as simple as promised! With just a few layers and minimal prep, you get a rich, hearty, family-friendly dinner that feels like you spent hours in the kitchen.
In this section I am going to go through a few tips and tricks I use for how to make million dollar ravioli to get the absolute best and most delicious results.
Make sure to scroll to the bottom for the FULL recipe card.
Ingredients + Substitutions
- Frozen cheese ravioli – The ultimate shortcut! No need to boil, just layer straight from frozen.
- Ground beef + Italian sausage – This combo adds incredible flavor. You can use all beef or all sausage if preferred.
- Marinara sauce – Use your favorite jarred sauce or homemade if you have it.
- Ricotta, cream cheese, and sour cream – This is what makes it “million dollar”! It is an extra creamy, rich, and irresistible combination.
- Italian seasoning – To season up the ricotta cheese mixture to perfection.
- Mozzarella cheese – For that melty, golden, bubbly top layer.
Make sure to see the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the full quantities and ingredients list.
Recipe Variations
If you love this recipe as much as we do and want some quick ways to change it up for variety, these little tips will do the trick!
- Add veggies – Just like any lasagna recipe, you can mix in spinach, mushrooms, or zucchini to the meat sauce in this ravioli lasagna!
- Make it spicy – Use hot Italian sausage or add red pepper flakes for a bit of spice.
- Switch the ravioli – Try beef ravioli or spinach ricotta for a different flavor twist!
Recipe Step by Step
I am going to highlight a few key steps in the recipe here, but make sure to jump down to the recipe card for comprehensive instructions on how to make million dollar ravioli.
Preheat the oven to 375˚F. In a large skillet, over medium high heat, brown the ground beef and Italian sausage breaking up as you stir. Drain any excess fat or liquid.
Stir in the marinara sauce.
In a medium bowl, make the cheese mixture by combining ricotta cheese, cream cheese, sour cream, and Italian seasoning and mixing until smooth.
Layer sauce, ravioli, cheese mixture, and shredded cheese. Repeat layers, then bake at 375˚F until hot, bubbly, and golden!
Recipe Tips
- Don’t thaw the ravioli – There’s no need to thaw the ravioli before assembling the casserole, just layer it straight from frozen. As it bakes, the ravioli cooks perfectly in the sauce!
- Drain the meat well – After browning the ground beef and sausage, be sure to drain off any excess grease or liquid. This step keeps your casserole from becoming oily.
- Bake until bubbly – I recommend baking the million dollar ravioli lasagna covered for the first 45 minutes, and then uncovered for the last 20 minutes so the cheese can get golden brown and bubbly!
- Let it rest before serving – Once the casserole comes out of the oven, let it sit for about 10 minutes before slicing. This allows everything to set up so it holds together better when serving!
Recipe Short Cuts
If you need to make this recipe, but are extra short on time, here are a few ideas that can help make this recipe even faster!
- Use pre-cooked ground meat – You can make the ground meat ahead of time so save time later!
- Use store-bought shredded cheese – No shame here, this saves a few minutes of prep!
- Skip layering perfectly – It’ll still taste amazing even if it’s rustic!
- Use one type of meat – Just ground beef or just sausage works fine!
Freezer Meal Instructions
Making this million dollar ravioli casserole recipe into a freezer meal is simple! Follow the steps below and you can store this recipe in the freezer for up to 6 months.
To freeze before cooking
- Assemble the casserole fully in a freezer-safe dish.
- Wrap tightly with plastic wrap and foil.
- Freeze for up to 6 months. Thaw overnight before baking.
How to Freeze Million Dollar Ravioli After Cooking
- Let the casserole cool completely.
- Portion into airtight containers.
- Freeze for up to 1 month.
What to Serve with Million Dollar Ravioli
Since this protein based dinner has the delicious flavors of a classic Italian-inspired pasta bake, it will pair well with many of your favorite side dishes.
Choose one or several of these side dishes to create a wholesome, well-rounded dinner. There are both classic options and some healthy options to keep it light.
Side Dish Ideas
Million Dollar Ravioli Leftovers
If you have leftovers after making this recipe, then it is your lucky day! They save and reheat well, and can make the start of another delicious dish.
To save leftovers, separate into meal sized portions and then place in an airtight container and store:
- in the refrigerator for 3-4 days
- in the freezer up to a month
Leftover Recipes
Here are a few ways to repurpose those leftovers and give them a delicious makeover!
- Ravioli skillet bake – Reheat in a skillet and top with extra cheese for a crispy bottom.
- Ravioli stuffed peppers – Chop leftovers and use as a filling for bell peppers!
- Cheesy pasta melts – Spoon onto toasted bread and broil for a quick open-faced sandwich.
Recipe FAQ’s
What is million dollar ravioli?
Million dollar ravioli is a baked pasta casserole made with layers of cheese ravioli, hearty meat sauce, and a rich, creamy cheese mixture. It’s similar to lasagna but easier to assemble, with an extra indulgent, “million dollar” twist from the creamy filling.
What makes a casserole “million dollar”?
A casserole earns the “million dollar” name when it includes an ultra-creamy, rich layer, usually made with ingredients like cream cheese, sour cream, and ricotta. This combination adds a luxurious texture and flavor that makes the dish feel extra special!
What’s the best store-bought ravioli?
The best store-bought ravioli is one with a good pasta-to-filling ratio and simple, high-quality ingredients, like cheese or spinach ricotta varieties. Popular options like refrigerated or frozen ravioli from brands such as Rana or store brands work great in this recipe and hold up well when baked.
Can I use fresh ravioli instead of frozen?
Yes! Just reduce the baking time slightly since fresh ravioli cooks faster.
More EASY Pasta Recipes
If you enjoyed this recipe, I really hope you will take a moment to grab a few more easy recipes for another busy night!
You can check out all of my easy pasta recipes here, or see a few of our readers favorite recipes below.
- Creamy Italian Chicken Pasta
- Sheet Pan Lasagna
- Cheesy Ravioli Skillet
- Spinach Chicken Lasagna Roll Ups
Million Dollar Ravioli
Ingredients
- 16 ounces frozen cheese ravioli
- 1 pound lean ground beef, I use 93% lean
- 1 pound Italian sausage
- 32 ounces marinara sauce
- 8 ounces ricotta cheese
- 4 ounces cream cheese softened
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 2.5 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375˚F.
- In a large skillet, over medium high heat, brown the ground beef and Italian sausage breaking up as you stir. Cook for 6-8 minutes, or until meat is cooked through. Drain any excess fat or liquid.Stir in the marinara sauce.
- In a medium bowl, make the cheese mixture by combining ricotta cheese, cream cheese, sour cream, and Italian seasoning and mixing until smooth.
- Spread a few spoonfuls of sauce on the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish. Layer half the ravioli in the dish and flatten as much as possible. Pour half the remaining sauce on top of the ravioli. Then spread half of the cheese mixture over the sauce. Sprinkle half of the shredded cheese to finish the first layer.Repeat this with the remaining half of the ingredients: ravioli, sauces, cheese mixture, and shredded cheese to finish.
- Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until the casserole is hot throughout, the cheese is melted and the edges are bubbly. Note: If you like your cheese meltier, you can cook covered for 45 minutes then uncovered for an additional 20 or so. This does help the cheese stay more gooey, but it takes longer to cook.
Leave a Reply