Ravioli Lasagna: A Delicious Twist on Classic Italian Comfort Food

Ravioli Lasagna: Imagine the comforting layers of a classic lasagna, but with a delightful twist that cuts down on prep time without sacrificing any of the flavor! Forget boiling noodles and meticulously layering them; this recipe uses ready-made ravioli to create a hearty and satisfying meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights or a cozy weekend gathering.

While lasagna’s origins are debated, with some tracing it back to ancient Rome, its modern form is undeniably Italian. It’s a dish built on tradition, family, and sharing. This Ravioli Lasagna takes that spirit and makes it even more accessible. It’s a brilliant shortcut that doesn’t compromise on the rich, cheesy, and saucy goodness we all crave.

People adore lasagna for its comforting texture, the satisfying combination of pasta, cheese, and sauce, and its ability to feed a crowd. This version amplifies those qualities. The pillowy ravioli add an extra layer of tenderness, and the ease of assembly means you can spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying the company of your loved ones. Get ready to experience a new family favorite!

Ingredients:

• 1 (25 ounce) jar marinara sauce
• 1 (15 ounce) container ricotta cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 1 (20-25 ounce) package frozen cheese ravioli, thawed
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided

Preparing the Ricotta Mixture:

Okay, let’s get started! The first thing we’re going to do is prepare our ricotta cheese mixture. This is what will give our ravioli lasagna that creamy, cheesy goodness that we all crave.

1. In a medium-sized bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, 1/4 cup of the grated Parmesan cheese, the lightly beaten egg, and the chopped fresh parsley.
2. Season the mixture with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Don’t be shy with the seasoning! It really helps to bring out the flavors. I usually add about 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper, but feel free to adjust it to your liking.
3. Mix everything together until it’s well combined. You want a nice, smooth, and creamy mixture. There shouldn’t be any lumps of ricotta cheese remaining.

Assembling the Ravioli Lasagna:

Now comes the fun part – assembling our ravioli lasagna! This is where all the magic happens, and we start to see our dish come together.

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Make sure your oven is properly preheated before you start assembling, as this will ensure even cooking.
2. Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish. This will prevent the lasagna from sticking to the bottom of the dish and make it easier to serve later. You can use cooking spray or a little bit of olive oil to grease the dish.
3. Spread a thin layer of marinara sauce on the bottom of the prepared baking dish. This will create a nice, saucy base for our ravioli lasagna.
4. Arrange a layer of ravioli over the sauce, slightly overlapping if necessary. You want to cover the entire bottom of the dish with a single layer of ravioli.
5. Spread half of the ricotta cheese mixture evenly over the ravioli. Try to distribute it as evenly as possible so that every bite is filled with cheesy goodness.
6. Sprinkle 1/2 cup of the mozzarella cheese over the ricotta cheese mixture.
7. Spoon half of the remaining marinara sauce over the mozzarella cheese.
8. Repeat layers: Add another layer of ravioli, followed by the remaining ricotta cheese mixture, 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese, and the remaining marinara sauce.
9. Top with the remaining ravioli.
10. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese and the remaining 1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese evenly over the top. This will create a beautiful, golden-brown crust on top of our lasagna.

Baking the Ravioli Lasagna:

We’re almost there! Now it’s time to bake our ravioli lasagna and let all those delicious flavors meld together.

1. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil. This will help to prevent the top of the lasagna from burning and ensure that the ravioli cooks through evenly.
2. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.
3. Remove the aluminum foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the top is golden brown. Keep a close eye on it during this time to make sure it doesn’t burn.
4. Remove the lasagna from the oven and let it rest for 10-15 minutes before serving. This will allow the lasagna to set up a bit and make it easier to slice and serve.

Serving Suggestions:

Now that our ravioli lasagna is ready, it’s time to serve it up and enjoy! Here are a few serving suggestions to make your meal even more special:

• Garnish with fresh parsley or basil for a pop of color and flavor.
• Serve with a side salad for a complete and balanced meal. A simple green salad with a vinaigrette dressing would be perfect.
• Add a side of garlic bread to soak up all that delicious sauce.
• Pair with a glass of your favorite red wine.

Tips and Variations:

Want to customize your ravioli lasagna? Here are a few tips and variations to try:

• Use different types of ravioli. Cheese ravioli is the classic choice, but you can also use meat ravioli, spinach ravioli, or even mushroom ravioli.
• Add vegetables. Sautéed onions, peppers, mushrooms, or spinach would all be delicious additions to this lasagna.
• Use a different sauce. Marinara sauce is a great base, but you can also use pesto, Alfredo sauce, or even a creamy tomato sauce.
• Add meat. Ground beef, Italian sausage, or shredded chicken would all be great additions to this lasagna.
• Spice it up. Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the ricotta cheese mixture or the marinara sauce for a little bit of heat.
• Make it ahead of time. You can assemble the lasagna ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before baking. Just add a few extra minutes to the baking time.
• Freeze it for later. You can also freeze the lasagna for up to 3 months. Thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before baking.

Detailed Ingredient Notes:

Let’s dive a little deeper into the ingredients to ensure you get the best possible results with your ravioli lasagna.

Marinara Sauce:

The marinara sauce is the backbone of this dish, providing the essential tomato flavor and moisture. I recommend using a high-quality jarred marinara sauce for convenience, but feel free to make your own from scratch if you’re feeling ambitious! Look for a sauce that is rich, flavorful, and not too acidic. Some brands add extra herbs and spices, which can enhance the overall taste. If you’re using a store-bought sauce, consider tasting it and adding a pinch of sugar if it’s too acidic for your liking. You can also add a teaspoon of dried oregano or basil to boost the flavor.

Ricotta Cheese:

Ricotta cheese is what gives the lasagna its creamy texture and mild, slightly sweet flavor. Use whole milk ricotta cheese for the best results. Part-skim ricotta can be a bit dry and grainy. Before using the ricotta, drain it in a fine-mesh sieve lined with cheesecloth for at least 30 minutes to remove excess moisture. This will prevent the lasagna from becoming watery. If you can’t find ricotta cheese, you can substitute it with cottage cheese, but be sure to blend it until smooth before using it in the recipe.

Parmesan Cheese:

Parmesan cheese adds a salty, nutty flavor to the lasagna. Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for the best flavor. Pre-grated Parmesan cheese often contains cellulose, which can prevent it from melting properly. If you don’t have Parmesan cheese, you can substitute it with Pecorino Romano cheese, which has a similar flavor profile.

Egg:

The egg acts as a binder in the ricotta cheese mixture, helping to hold it together and prevent it from becoming too runny. Be sure to lightly beat the egg before adding it to the ricotta cheese mixture to ensure that it is evenly distributed.

Parsley:

Fresh parsley adds a bright, herbaceous flavor to the lasagna. Use flat-leaf parsley (also known as Italian parsley) for the best flavor. If you don’t have fresh parsley, you can substitute it with dried parsley, but use only about 1 teaspoon of dried parsley for every 1/4 cup of fresh parsley.

Ravioli:

Frozen cheese ravioli is the star of this dish, providing the pasta element and cheesy filling. Be sure to thaw the ravioli completely before using it in the recipe. This will prevent it from becoming mushy during baking. You can thaw the ravioli in the refrigerator overnight or in a bowl of cold water for about 30 minutes. If you’re using fresh ravioli, you may need to adjust the baking time slightly.

Mozzarella Cheese:

Mozzarella cheese adds a melty, gooey texture to the lasagna. Use shredded mozzarella cheese for the best results. Low-moisture, part-skim mozzarella cheese is a good choice because it melts well and doesn’t release too much moisture. If you want a richer flavor, you can use whole milk mozzarella cheese. You can also use fresh mozzarella cheese, but be sure to slice it thinly before adding it to the lasagna.

Salt and

Conclusion:

This Ravioli Lasagna isn’t just another weeknight dinner; it’s a flavor explosion waiting to happen! I truly believe this recipe is a must-try because it takes all the comforting elements of classic lasagna – the rich sauce, the creamy cheese, the satisfying layers – and streamlines the process using pre-made ravioli. This means you get all the deliciousness with a fraction of the effort. Seriously, who doesn’t love that?

Think about it: tender, cheese-filled ravioli nestled between layers of savory meat sauce and a blanket of melted mozzarella. It’s the ultimate comfort food, perfect for a cozy night in or a crowd-pleasing potluck. And the best part? It’s so easy to customize!

Serving Suggestions and Variations:

For a truly decadent experience, I love serving this Ravioli Lasagna with a side of garlic bread. The crispy, garlicky bread is perfect for soaking up all that delicious sauce. A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette also provides a refreshing contrast to the richness of the lasagna.

But the fun doesn’t stop there! Feel free to get creative with your fillings and toppings.

* Vegetarian Delight: Swap out the meat sauce for a hearty vegetable sauce made with mushrooms, zucchini, bell peppers, and spinach. Use ricotta and spinach ravioli for an extra boost of flavor and nutrients.
* Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the meat sauce or use a spicy Italian sausage for a fiery twist.
* Cheesy Goodness: Experiment with different cheeses! Try adding provolone, parmesan, or even a sprinkle of gorgonzola for a bolder flavor.
* Creamy Dream: Stir in a dollop of ricotta cheese into the sauce for an extra creamy and indulgent lasagna.
* Herby Freshness: Sprinkle fresh basil, oregano, or parsley on top before serving for a burst of fresh flavor.

I’ve even tried using different types of ravioli – mushroom ravioli, lobster ravioli (for a special occasion!), and even butternut squash ravioli in the fall. Each variation brings a unique twist to the dish, making it endlessly adaptable to your taste preferences.

Honestly, the possibilities are endless! This recipe is more of a template than a strict set of rules. Feel free to experiment and make it your own. I encourage you to use this recipe as a starting point and let your creativity shine. Don’t be afraid to try new things and discover your favorite combinations.

So, what are you waiting for? Grab your ingredients, preheat your oven, and get ready to create a Ravioli Lasagna masterpiece! I’m confident that you’ll love this recipe as much as I do. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that’s both easy to make and incredibly delicious.

And most importantly, I want to hear about your experience! Did you try any variations? What were your favorite toppings? Share your photos and stories in the comments below. I can’t wait to see what you create! Happy cooking! I am sure you will find that this **Ravioli Lasagna** is a recipe you will make again and again.

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