Description
A comforting, kid-friendly casserole featuring frozen cheese ravioli, marinara sauce, and a blend of mozzarella, cheddar, and parmesan cheeses. This dish is designed for family connection, allowing children to help with prep and assembly while delivering a rich, creamy, and indulgent meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 16 oz frozen cheese ravioli
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 2 cups low-moisture mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salted water for boiling
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Shred the mozzarella and cheddar, and grate the parmesan. Set aside in separate bowls.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add frozen ravioli and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain but do not rinse.
- While pasta boils, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and Italian seasoning, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Pour in marinara sauce and heavy cream. Simmer for 2-3 minutes to thicken slightly.
- Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until melted and smooth.
- Spread a thin layer of the cheese sauce on the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- Layer half of the ravioli, followed by half of the remaining sauce and half of the mozzarella. Repeat layers.
- Finish with a final layer of ravioli, topped with remaining mozzarella and grated parmesan.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until edges are bubbling and top is golden brown. Optionally broil for 2 minutes for extra browning.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 10 minutes before serving to allow the casserole to set.
Notes
Do not overcook the pasta; it should be al dente as it will continue to cook in the oven. Use low-moisture mozzarella to prevent a watery casserole. Let the dish rest for 10 minutes after baking to ensure it holds together when sliced. For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with whole milk or half-and-half.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8 of casserole
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6
- Sodium: 800
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 10
- Carbohydrates: 45
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 22
Keywords: ravioli casserole, kid-friendly dinner, cheesy pasta, family meal, weeknight dinner, comfort food, three cheese casserole