Description
This Ravioli Lasagna Casserole is a comforting and hearty baked dish that layers cheese-filled ravioli with a savory Italian sausage and vegetable sauce, topped with melted mozzarella cheese. It’s an easy-to-make, crowd-pleasing casserole perfect for weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 tsp olive oil
- 1 lb Italian sausage (mild or hot)
- 2 cups zucchini (diced or shredded)
- 2 cups mushrooms (chopped)
- 2 tsp garlic (minced)
Seasonings and Sauce
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 24 oz pasta sauce (jarred or homemade)
- ¼ cup water
Pasta and Cheese
- 48 oz frozen cheese-filled ravioli
- 16 oz shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly coat a 9×13 inch casserole dish with non-stick spray and set it aside for assembling the casserole.
- Cook sausage and vegetables: Heat a large saucepan over medium-high heat and add the olive oil. Add the Italian sausage, breaking it up as it cooks until browned and cooked through. Then add the zucchini, mushrooms, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and onion powder. Cook until the vegetables are tender, scraping the bottom of the pan to loosen any browned bits.
- Simmer sauce mixture: Pour in the pasta sauce and the ¼ cup of water. Stir to combine and bring the sauce mixture to a gentle simmer, allowing it to cook for 3 to 5 minutes to meld the flavors.
- Assemble the casserole: Spread 1 cup of the sauce on the bottom of the prepared casserole dish. Arrange half of the frozen ravioli in an even layer over the sauce. Spoon half of the remaining sauce on top of the ravioli, then sprinkle half of the shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce. Repeat with the remaining ravioli, sauce, and cheese to create two layers. Cover the dish tightly with foil.
- Bake the casserole: Bake covered for 60 minutes. Then remove the foil and bake uncovered for an additional 15 to 20 minutes, until the casserole is bubbly and the cheese has melted throughout. If you like, turn on the broiler for a few minutes to brown the cheese slightly on top, watching carefully to prevent burning.
- Rest and serve: Let the casserole rest for about 10 minutes before serving to allow it to set and cool slightly. Enjoy your hearty, cheesy ravioli lasagna casserole!
Notes
- Use mild or hot Italian sausage depending on your heat preference.
- If zucchini is watery, consider squeezing excess moisture before adding to prevent a soggy casserole.
- You can use homemade or your favorite store-bought pasta sauce.
- Broiling the cheese at the end gives a lovely golden crust but watch carefully to avoid burning.
- For a vegetarian version, omit the sausage and add extra mushrooms or other vegetables.
- Letting the casserole rest after baking helps it hold its shape when serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Keywords: Ravioli casserole, baked ravioli, Italian sausage casserole, cheesy pasta bake, easy dinner recipe
