Description
Classic Baked Ravioli Delight merges Italian comfort with rich flavor profiles. Cheese-filled pasta layers with marinara and melted mozzarella create a simple yet satisfying meal you’ll crave on chilly evenings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 package (25 oz / 709 g) frozen cheese ravioli
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
- Fresh basil or parsley
Instructions
- Preparation: Ignite the oven to 375°F (190°C) and anoint a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray to deter sticking.
- Foundation: Ladle a gossamer layer of marinara sauce across the dish’s base, creating a moisture-rich canvas for the ravioli.
- Initial Layer: Arrange frozen ravioli across the sauce, establishing a uniform first tier that promises delectable coverage.
- Seasoning Blend: Whisk ricotta with Italian herbs, garlic powder, kosher salt, and black pepper into a harmonious, fragrant mixture.
- Cheese Integration: Distribute half the seasoned ricotta over the ravioli, then cascade mozzarella across the surface in an appetizing blanket.
- Secondary Construction: Repeat the layering ritual – another marinara veil, remaining ravioli, and residual ricotta mixture – building depth and complexity.
- Crowning Glory: Lavish the top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan, transforming the dish into a golden, tempting masterpiece.
- Initial Baking: Drape aluminum foil over the dish and nestle into the heated oven for 25 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and intensify.
- Final Transformation: Unveil the foil and continue baking 15-20 minutes until the cheese achieves a burnished, bubbling perfection with crisp edges.
- Resting Period: Extract from oven and permit 3-5 minutes of tranquil cooling, allowing layers to stabilize and prevent palate-scorching temperatures.
- Finishing Touch: Scatter freshly chopped basil or parsley, introducing a vibrant, aromatic flourish that elevates the entire composition.
Notes
- Cheese Selection Matters: Choose full-fat mozzarella and fresh ricotta for richer, creamier texture and deeper flavor profile.
- Prevent Soggy Layers: Pat frozen ravioli slightly dry before layering to reduce excess moisture and maintain structural integrity.
- Seasoning Boost: Adjust Italian seasoning and garlic powder quantities based on personal taste preferences, ensuring balanced flavor complexity.
- Foil Covering Technique: Tent aluminum foil slightly above cheese surface to prevent direct contact and sticking during initial baking phase.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 389
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 830 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 47 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 17 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg