Description
Creamy skillet ravioli lasagna delivers comfort with layers of rich cheese and hearty meat sauce. Skilled home cooks can craft this one-pan marvel in minutes, making mealtime delicious and effortless for family gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound (454 g) bulk mild or hot Italian sausage
- 8 oz (226 g) whole milk mozzarella, shredded and divided (about 2 cups)
- 1 (24 oz / 680 g) jar marinara sauce
- 1 (20 oz / 567 g) package refrigerated four-cheese ravioli (such as Buitoni)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup water
- 2 tbsps torn fresh basil leaves
Instructions
- Preparation: Position the oven rack 8 inches from the heat source and preheat to 450°F (232°C) for optimal cooking conditions.
- Sausage Foundation: In a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat, crumble and brown the sausage completely, releasing its rich flavors and eliminating any pink hues, approximately 6-7 minutes.
- Sauce Integration: Introduce marinara sauce and water into the skillet, deglazing the pan to capture the caramelized sausage essence. Bring the mixture to a vigorous boil for 2-3 minutes, allowing flavors to meld.
- Ravioli Infusion: Gently nestle the ravioli into the simmering sauce, carefully stirring to prevent tearing. Let the pasta absorb the robust sauce, becoming tender and flavorful over 3-5 minutes.
- Layering Technique: Off the heat, strategically divide the ravioli and sausage mixture, creating a base layer in the skillet. Generously sprinkle mozzarella cheese across the first layer, then carefully top with the remaining mixture and finish with a final cheese blanket.
- Final Transformation: Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 10 minutes, allowing the cheese to melt into a golden-brown, bubbling masterpiece.
- Garnish and Serve: Emerge from the oven and delicately scatter fresh basil leaves atop the dish. Serve immediately, capturing the peak of its molten, aromatic glory.
Notes
- Sausage Browning Tip: Thoroughly brown the sausage to develop rich, deep flavors and ensure no pink remains, which enhances the overall taste profile of the dish.
- Sauce Layering Technique: Carefully separate and layer ravioli and sausage mixture to create an even distribution of ingredients, preventing soggy spots and ensuring each bite is perfectly balanced.
- Cheese Melting Precision: Watch the cheese closely during the final 10-minute bake to achieve a golden-brown top without burning, creating a visually appealing and deliciously crispy surface.
- Fresh Herb Finishing: Add chopped basil just before serving to bring a bright, fresh element that cuts through the richness of the sausage and cheese, elevating the entire dish’s flavor complexity.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 415
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 950 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg