Cheesy Italian Sausage Ravioli Bake Recipe
A comforting and hearty Cheesy Italian Sausage Ravioli Bake layered with savory Italian sausage, marinara sauce, tender cheese ravioli, and loads of melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheese, topped with crispy panko breadcrumbs and baked to bubbly perfection.
- Author: Mary
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Total Time: 35-40 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Meat and Sauce
- 1 lb ground Italian sausage
- 1 24-ounce jar prepared marinara sauce
Pasta and Cheese
- 1 large bag prepared cheese ravioli (approx. 9–12 ounces)
- 2 to 2 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Toppings
- ½ cup panko bread crumbs
- Olive oil (for drizzling)
- Preheat Oven: Heat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit to get it ready for baking the ravioli dish.
- Cook Sausage: In a skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground Italian sausage, breaking it up, until fully browned and no longer pink. Drain any excess fat from the skillet. Stir in the prepared marinara sauce, combining until heated through and well mixed with the sausage.
- Assemble First Layer: In an oven-proof 11 x 14 inch baking dish, spread one-third of the sausage and marinara mixture evenly over the bottom. Layer half of the cheese ravioli over the sauce, then sprinkle about one-third of the shredded mozzarella cheese over the ravioli.
- Build Second Layer: Spread another one-third of the sausage sauce evenly over the cheese. Add the remaining ravioli on top, then ladle on the rest of the sausage sauce. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese over the top layer of sauce.
- Add Toppings: In a small bowl, combine the panko bread crumbs and grated Parmesan cheese. Evenly sprinkle this mixture over the top mozzarella cheese layer. Drizzle the entire surface lightly with olive oil for a golden crust.
- Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the cheese to melt.
- Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the top is bubbling and lightly browned.
- Rest and Serve: Let the ravioli bake rest for about 10 minutes out of the oven before serving, allowing the layers to set and making it easier to cut and serve.
Notes
- You can use mild or spicy Italian sausage depending on your heat preference.
- If you prefer, substitute fresh ravioli for frozen but adjust baking time accordingly.
- For an extra basil flavor, add fresh basil leaves between the layers.
- The dish can be prepared a day ahead and baked before serving.
- Make sure to cover with foil during the initial baking to prevent the cheese from browning too quickly.
Keywords: Italian sausage ravioli bake, cheesy ravioli casserole, baked ravioli recipe, Italian comfort food, sausage pasta bake