Million Dollar Ravioli Casserole
This casserole is pure comfort food magic! My Million Dollar Ravioli Casserole tastes rich and fancy but uses simple stuff from your kitchen.
I pile up cheese ravioli with creamy layers and yummy Italian sausage. It’s like getting a big warm hug on a plate. Your family will think you worked all day, but it’s super easy to make!
Why You’ll Love This Pasta Casserole
This dish saves my dinner plans on crazy busy nights. I love how it looks so fancy, but it takes no special skills at all. Just dump, layer, and bake while you relax!
- Super easy – No tricky steps, just layer everything and let the oven do its thing.
- Kids love it – All that melty cheese makes even picky kids happy.
- Make ahead – Perfect for those hectic days when you need dinner ready.
- Saves money – Cheap ingredients that taste like a million bucks.
- Feeds everyone – Great for family dinners, potlucks, or big groups.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These simple ingredients turn into something amazing when you layer them up. Check the recipe card for how much you need.
- Italian sausage: Gives you protein and makes everything taste rich.
- Spaghetti sauce: The base that holds all the layers together nicely.
- Cottage cheese: Makes it creamy and adds good protein, too
- Cream cheese softened: Makes everything smooth and super rich.
- Sour cream: Adds a tangy taste that cuts through all the richness.
- Parsley: Fresh green herb that makes it look and taste bright.
- Garlic powder: Makes everything taste better with just a little sprinkle.
- Grated parmesan cheese: Sharp cheese that adds grown-up flavor.
- Frozen cheese ravioli: The star that makes this dish so easy.
- Mozzarella cheese: Creates those stretchy cheese pulls we all love.
How to Make Million Dollar Ravioli Casserole
This comes together so fast! Just follow these easy steps and dinner will be ready before you know it.
Step 1: Cook the Sausage
Brown the sausage in a big pan for about 8 minutes. Break it up as it cooks until it’s not pink anymore. Drain the grease and mix in your spaghetti sauce. Let it bubble while you do the next step.
Step 2: Mix the Cheese Filling
Mix all the creamy stuff in a big bowl. Stir cottage cheese, soft cream cheese, sour cream, parsley, and garlic powder until it’s smooth. This creamy layer makes the casserole taste so rich and good.
Step 3: Layer Everything Up
Start building layers by putting half the meat sauce in your greased dish. Add half the frozen ravioli, then spread all the cheese mix on top. Add the rest of the ravioli and top with more sauce.
Step 4: Add the Cheese Top
Sprinkle parmesan cheese all over the top, then add lots of mozzarella cheese. Cover tight with foil and bake at 350°F for 45 minutes until the pasta feels soft when you poke it with a fork.
Step 5: Make It Golden
Take off the foil and bake 10 more minutes until the cheese gets golden and bubbly. Let it sit for 10 minutes before you cut it – this helps it stay together when you serve it.
Tips for the Best Million Dollar Ravioli Casserole
These tricks will make your casserole turn out perfect every time you make it.
- Use soft cream cheese: Hard cream cheese makes lumps in your mix. Take it out 30 minutes before you cook so it mixes smooth and creamy.
- Let it rest: Don’t cut into it right away after baking. Wait 10 minutes so it doesn’t get all messy when you slice it up for everyone.
- Cover it first: Put foil on top so the cheese doesn’t burn while the pasta cooks. Take it off only at the end to get that pretty golden color.
- Drain the meat well: Too much grease makes it soggy and gross. Use paper towels to soak up extra fat after cooking the sausage completely through.
- Keep ravioli frozen: Don’t thaw them first! Frozen ones keep their shape better and don’t get mushy when they bake in all that sauce and cheese.
- Add fresh herbs: Put some fresh basil or parsley on top when you serve it. It looks pretty and tastes fresh with all that rich cheese.
Variations and Substitutions
Try these fun changes to keep this recipe new and exciting every time you make it for your family.
- Switch the meat: Use ground beef, turkey, or chicken instead of sausage. Each one tastes different but still makes the dish hearty and filling.
- Change the cheese: Try ricotta instead of cottage cheese for smoother texture, or add cheddar cheese for more flavor that kids really love eating.
- Add veggies: Mix spinach, peppers, or mushrooms with the meat sauce. It’s a sneaky way to get kids to eat more vegetables without complaining.
- Make it spicy: Use hot Italian sausage or add red pepper flakes. Start with a little – you can add more, but can’t take it back out!
- Skip the meat: Leave out sausage and add more vegetables instead. Use extra cheese to keep it filling so everyone stays happy and full.
Make-Ahead and Storage Tips
This casserole is great for planning ahead! You can put it all together 2 days early and keep it in the fridge.
When you want to eat, just bake it and add 10 more minutes since it’s cold. For longer keeping, wrap it tight in plastic wrap, then foil, and freeze for 3 months. Let it thaw in the fridge overnight before baking.
Leftovers stay good for 4 days in the fridge. Heat up single servings in the microwave with a damp paper towel on top so it doesn’t dry out. It tastes even better the next day when all the flavors mix together PERFECTLY!
Recipe FAQs
Can I use fresh ravioli instead of frozen?
Fresh ravioli works fine too! Just cook it about 10 minutes less since fresh pasta gets done faster than frozen. Watch it so it doesn’t get too soft.
How do I know when it’s ready?
The cheese should be bubbly and golden, and a knife should go through the ravioli easily. The inside should be 165°F to be safe to eat for everyone.
Can I make this ahead and freeze it?
Yes! Put it all together, wrap it up tight, and freeze for 3 months. Let it thaw in the fridge overnight before baking. Great for busy school nights when time is short.
What to serve with Million Dollar Ravioli Casserole?
Use light sides to balance all that cheese! Try my avocado corn salad or broccoli salad with Greek yogurt. A simple green salad works great too!
Can I make double for a big group?
YES! Use a big roasting pan or two dishes. Add about 20 more minutes of cooking time. Perfect for parties when you need to feed lots of people.
How do I keep the cheese from burning?
Cover with foil most of the time, then take it off for just the last 10 minutes to brown the top. This gives you pretty golden cheese without burnt spots.
What’s the best cheese mix to use?
I like cottage cheese for creaminess, parmesan for sharp taste, and mozzarella for those stretchy cheese pulls. This mix gives you the best flavor and texture together.
Can I use a different pasta instead?
Ravioli makes this dish special, but tortellini works too. The cooking time might change a little, so keep checking to see when it’s done cooking through.
How long do leftovers last?
Leftovers stay fresh for 4 days in the fridge when you store them right. Heat single servings in the microwave for quick, easy meals all week long.
Million Dollar Ravioli Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 pound Italian sausage
- 1 28-ounce jar spaghetti sauce
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 8 ounces cream cheese (softened)
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley (chopped)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 25-ounce package frozen cheese ravioli
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Cook the sausage in a big pan for 8-10 minutes, breaking it up until it's not pink anymore. Drain all the grease and stir in the spaghetti sauce, then let it simmer while you prep everything else.
- Mix the cheese filling by putting cottage cheese, soft cream cheese, sour cream, parsley, and garlic powder in a big bowl. Stir it all up until it's smooth and creamy with no lumps at all.
- Layer everything by putting half the meat sauce in a greased 9×13 dish. Add half the frozen ravioli, spread all the cheese mix on top, then add the rest of the ravioli and sauce.
- Add the cheese on top by sprinkling parmesan all over, then adding mozzarella cheese. Cover tightly with foil and bake at 350°F for 45 minutes until the ravioli feels soft when you poke it.
- Make it golden by taking off the foil and baking 10-15 more minutes until cheese is golden and bubbly. Let it sit 10 minutes before cutting so the layers stay together when you serve it.
Notes
- Use room temperature cream cheese so it mixes smooth without any lumps that can make the cheese layer taste weird or look bumpy when you serve it.
- Don’t thaw frozen ravioli first – they cook just right in the oven and keep their shape better than soft thawed pasta would during all that baking time.
- Keep foil on most of the baking time so cheese doesn’t burn while the pasta cooks through completely and evenly all the way to the bottom layer.
- This tastes even better the next day when all the flavors mix together, making it perfect for meal prep or feeding big groups at parties and family dinners.
