Description
Comforting white ravioli casserole combines creamy textures with hearty Italian-inspired ingredients. Cheesy layers and simple preparation make this dish perfect for family dinners and quick weeknight meals.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 bags (25 oz / 709 g) cheese ravioli, frozen or premade
- 1 bag (9.6 oz / 272 g) pre-cooked sausage crumbles
- 2 jars (15 oz / 425 g) Alfredo sauce (basil Alfredo sauce preferred)
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, shredded
- ½ cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 2 cups baby spinach, chopped and packed
- Black pepper, cracked, to taste
Instructions
- Preparation: Position oven rack in center and preheat to 350°F, preparing a rectangular baking dish for layering.
- Base Creation: Spread a thin, smooth layer of Alfredo sauce across the bottom of the baking dish, creating a creamy foundation.
- First Layer Assembly: Arrange cheese ravioli edge-to-edge, covering the sauce completely, then distribute fresh chopped spinach evenly across the pasta surface.
- Protein Integration: Sprinkle seasoned sausage crumbles uniformly over the spinach, ensuring consistent coverage and flavor distribution.
- Sauce Enhancement: Drizzle Alfredo sauce generously over the layer, adding moisture and richness, then dust with freshly cracked black pepper.
- Secondary Layer Construction: Replicate the previous layering technique with remaining ravioli, spinach, and sausage, maintaining a consistent structural approach.
- Cheese Topping: Cover the final ravioli layer with remaining Alfredo sauce, then liberally scatter a blend of Parmesan and mozzarella cheeses across the surface.
- Final Seasoning: Add an extra sprinkle of black pepper to elevate the flavor profile and create visual interest.
- Baking Process: Place casserole in preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes until edges turn golden brown and center becomes bubbling hot.
- Serving Preparation: Allow casserole to rest for 5-7 minutes after removing from oven, then carefully portion and serve while maintaining layered structure.
Notes
- Prep Like a Pro: Use freshly grated cheese for maximum melting and flavor intensity, avoiding pre-shredded varieties that contain anti-caking agents.
- Layer with Precision: Press ravioli gently into sauce to prevent drying and ensure each bite is perfectly moistened and seasoned.
- Sausage Selection Matters: Choose high-quality Italian sausage with robust seasonings to elevate the overall dish’s flavor profile and complexity.
- Resting is Crucial: Let casserole sit 5-10 minutes after baking to allow cheese to set and layers to stabilize, preventing a runny presentation when serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 370
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 930 mg
- Fat: 21 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 31 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg