Million Dollar Ravioli Casserole certainly lives up to its name, delivering bold flavor and luxurious creamy texture. Layers of ground Italian sausage sauce, creamy cheese filling, and cheese ravioli come together for weeknight-friendly simplicity.
It’s topped with shredded cheese that forms an irresistible melted topping – a crowd-pleasing pasta bake everyone will love!
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🗝️ Recipe’s key points
- Million Dollar ravioli casserole with Italian sausage is hearty and comforting yet still perfect for busy weeknights.
- Easily adapt this ravioli casserole to suit the preferences of your family and friends.
- This make ahead ravioli casserole comes together effortlessly, perfect for satisfying a hungry crowd or storing for later.
This ravioli casserole is your new weeknight champion! It delivers maximum comfort and flavor with minimal fuss.
🛒 Ingredients
This is an overview of the ingredients. You’ll find the full measurements and instructions in the recipe card (printable) at the bottom of the page.
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Sauce layer:
- Italian sausage – Provides a savory, meaty foundation to this baked ravioli recipe. Choose between sweet or hot Italian sausage, depending on your preference.
- Onion – Adds a subtle sweetness and aromatic depth when cooked into the sausage.
- Garlic – Always use freshly minced garlic from cloves for the best flavor.
- Marinara sauce – Be sure to use a jar of quality marinara, such as Rao or Gia Russo. It makes a huge difference to the overall flavor of this Italian sausage ravioli bake.
- Seasoning (Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes) – For a herbal fragrance and a slight kick of heat to the meaty sauce.
- Fresh Italian parsley or basil – An optional addition to add a touch of freshness to the rich sausage sauce mixture.
Million dollar layer:
- Ricotta cheese – Creates the light, grainy base of the rich and fluffy filling layer.
- Cream cheese – Contributes a tangy creaminess and helps create a smooth, lush filling. Allow it to soften at room temperature for easy mixing.
- Sour cream – Adds a bright tang and rich moisture to the creamy cheese mixture.
- Mozzarella cheese – Melts into the filling, creating stretchy, mild cheese pockets.
- Parmesan cheese – Provides a salty, nutty complexity and helps to add a bit of firmness to the soft and fluffy filling.
- Egg – Acts as a binder, helping to set the creamy layer during baking for a sliceable texture.
- Seasoning (Kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder) – Enhances the flavors in the filling.
Base and topping:
- Cheese ravioli – Serves as the hearty, pasta layers that soak up sauce and soften during baking. This baked ravioli recipe calls for refrigerated cheese ravioli for extra cheesy richness!
- Mozzarella cheese – Forms the golden, elastic cheese crust when baked uncovered.
- Parmesan cheese – Adds a savory, crispy browned finish to the melted topping.
- Fresh basil or Italian parsley – Sprinkled over the golden cheese topping for a touch of freshness and pop of color.
🗒 Instructions
This is an overview of the instructions. Full instructions are in the recipe card at the bottom of the page.
- Cook the brown sausage with onion in a skillet.
- Stir in garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
- Add marinara, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes.
- Simmer for 10 minutes to let the flavors meld.
- Add the ingredients for the creamy filling in a large mixing bowl.
- Mix until smooth and fluffy. Set aside.
- Spread ½ cup of sausage sauce mixture over the bottom of a lightly greased 9×13 baking dish.
- Next, place half of the ravioli evenly over the layer of sausage sauce.
- Spread all of the creamy ricotta mixture over.
- Add the remaining ravioli and sausage sauce.
- Top the casserole with the mozzarella and Parmesan.
- Cover the top with foil. Bake for 35 minutes at 350 degrees F. Then, remove the foil. Bake for another 10 to 15 minutes until it’s bubbly and golden.
- Allow the casserole to rest for 10 minutes before slicing and sprinkle with fresh basil.
🥫 Storage
Store leftover ravioli casserole in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Reheat single-serving leftovers in the microwave or larger servings in the oven until heated through.
You can freeze this Million Dollar ravioli casserole for up to 3 months and thaw overnight in the fridge to reheat and serve again.
📚 Variations
- Swap the sausage for ground beef (regular or lean ground beef), or meatballs.
- You can make a vegetarian Million Dollar Ravioli by leaving out the sausage. Just add your favorite veggies instead! Try using spinach, mushrooms, eggplant, or zucchini.
- Switch the ravioli for cheese or meat tortellini instead. You can even turn this ravioli casserole into a lasagna-style dish by substituting no-boil lasagna noodles.
- Choose gluten-free pasta to make gluten-free Million Dollar ravioli casserole.
👩🏻🍳 Tips
- Let the creamy ravioli bake sit for 10-15 minutes before serving it. This will help all of the juices to settle and help set the casserole for easy slicing and serving, and the best flavor.
- Cover the casserole dish for the first 35 minutes to prevent the cheese topping from burning while the rest of the casserole heats through.
- If you choose to use ground beef, make sure to drain it after browning in the skillet. This will help avoid too much grease in your cheesy ravioli casserole.
- Don’t cook the cheese ravioli before assembling this Million Dollar ravioli casserole or it could become mushy. The refrigerated ravioli is specifically added in raw, absorbing flavor from the sauce and filling while maintaining its structure.
🤔 FAQs
Can I make this ravioli casserole ahead of time?
Yes! Assemble the casserole, cover tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Bake when ready, adding 10–15 extra minutes if cold.
Can I freeze Million Dollar Ravioli Casserole?
Absolutely. Assemble and freeze unbaked for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before baking for best results.
Do I need to cook the ravioli first?
Nope! Refrigerated ravioli cooks perfectly in the oven as it bakes in the sauce.
What kind of Italian sausage works best?
Both sweet and hot Italian sausage work well. Use hot for spice or sweet for classic comfort.
Can I add vegetables?
Yes! Spinach, mushrooms, or sautéed zucchini make great additions to the creamy layer or sauce.
Is this recipe good for potlucks?
Very! It travels well, reheats beautifully, and feeds a crowd.
📗 Related Recipes
Explore more rich and cheesy baked pasta dishes, each offering a satisfying family favorite in its own right.
- Beefy Baked Ravioli – Tender ravioli is baked in a rich, cheesy meat sauce, all made in one skillet for an easy family meal.
- White Lasagna Ravioli – This hearty, family-friendly lasagna features cheese ravioli, spinach, and creamy Alfredo sauce with minimal prep.
- Alfredo Baked Tortellini – Layered with sausage, Alfredo sauce, and spinach, this tortellini casserole is baked until golden and bubbling.
🍽 What to serve with Million Dollar Ravioli Casserole
Pair this comfort food pasta bake with homemade dinner rolls or Garlic Cheesy Bread to scoop up any remaining sauce on your plate. Grilled or roasted vegetables, or a simple salad offer a nutritional boost to this meal!
🔪 All Our Way recommends the following
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You’ll need the following items to make this recipe successfully.
- Medium-sized skillet – Brown and simmer the sausage sauce mixture to build the dish’s deep, savory base.
- Baking dish 13X9-inch – This is the perfect size for all the layers. It helps your casserole bake evenly, giving you a bubbly, golden result.
- Mixing bowl and spoon – These are key for mixing the rich, creamy ricotta and cheese filling into a smooth, fluffy blend.
- Measuring spoons and dry measuring cups – Use these tools to get the right amount of seasonings, cheese, and other ingredients. This helps you create dishes that taste great every time.
- Chef’s knife – This important tool helps you quickly dice the onion and mince the garlic. These steps create the tasty base for your sauce.
- Cutting board – Provides a safe and stable surface for prepping all fresh ingredients, like onions and garlic, before cooking.
- Cheese grater – Use this tool to grate and shred fresh Parmesan and mozzarella cheese. It helps create a better melt in your filling and topping.
📞 Chiacchierata (chat)
This recipe makes everyone check the oven before it’s done. The bubbling sauce and melty cheese fill the air with odori (smells) that say, “Dinner is going to be good tonight!” Italian sausage adds a bold, savory twist to this Million Dollar Ravioli Casserole. It makes this piatto (dish) stand out from my beef bake. It’s richer, cozier, and simply comforting.
This is the kind of dish you bring to the table in its entirety. Let everyone dig in. Serve it with a crusty loaf of bread and a green salad. Then, watch it disappear quickly! If ever there was a recipe meant for seconds… this is it. Grazie mille for cooking along with me — now go knock some socks off. 🧦
Tutti a tavolo, è pronto!
If you love this recipe please give it 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.
What’s new? Check out my All Our Way Store on Amazon. We’ll be adding more items we love and use or wish we had to make
cooking fun and easy.
📖 Recipe
⭐ Ultimate Million Dollar Ravioli Casserole with Italian Sausage
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Equipment
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Baking dish 13X9-inch
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Medium size skillet
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Mixing bowls
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Measuring cups and spoons
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Chef’s Knife
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Non-skid cutting board
Ingredients
Sauce layer:
- 1 lb sweet or hot Italian sausage casings removed
- 1 small onion diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 jar Marinara sauce. 24-28 oz. Good quality sauce. We like Rao. Gia Russo also has a good Marinara sauce.
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
- Fresh basil or parsley optional
Creamy “Million Dollar” layer:
- 1 cup whole-milk ricotta cheese
- 4 oz cream cheese softened
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella
- ½ cup grated Parmesan
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Pasta:
- 24 oz. cheese ravioli Refrigerated type
Topping:
- 1½ cups shredded mozzarella
- ¼ cup Parmesan
- Fresh basil for garnish
Instructions
Build the sausage sauce:
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In a skillet, brown sausage with onion until cooked through.
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Stir in garlic and cook 30 seconds.
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Add marinara, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes.
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Simmer 10 minutes — let the flavors marry.
Make the million dollar filling:
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In a medium-sized bowl, mix the ricotta, cream cheese, sour cream, mozzarella, and Parmesan. Add the egg, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Stir until the mixture is smooth and fluffy.
Put it together:
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Spread layers in a lightly greased 9×13 baking dish:
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½ cup sausage sauce mixture
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Half the ravioli evenly across the bottom of the baking dish.
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All creamy ricotta mixture.
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Remaining ravioli
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Rest of the sausage sauce
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Top with mozzarella + Parmesan
Bake:
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Cover with foil and bake 35 minutes at 350°F
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Remove foil and bake 10–15 minutes uncovered until bubbly and golden
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Rest 10 minutes before slicing
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Finish with fresh basil. Buon appetito!
Notes
- Spinach-Boosted: Add sautéed baby spinach to the ricotta layer
- Three-Cheese Power: Swap half the mozzarella for provolone or fontina
- White Sauce Swirl: Spoon Alfredo over the marinara before baking
- Sun-Dried Tomato Pop: Chop & add to sausage sauce
- Spicy Kick: Crushed Calabrian chiles or spicy Italian sausage
Nutrition
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