Ingredients

3/4 lb. ground beef

Salt and pepper (to taste)

½ teaspoon onion powder

½ teaspoon dried basil

½ teaspoon dried oregano

½ teaspoon mustard powder

1 teaspoon hot sauce (doesn’t make it spicy)

1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

1 small yellow onion (diced)

3 cloves garlic (minced)

24 oz. marinara sauce

½ cup half and half

2 cups mozzarella cheese (divided)

20 oz. refrigerated ravioli (uncooked)

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Step 2: Season the ground beef with salt and pepper. Cook it in a large skillet over medium-high heat, breaking it apart, for about 3 minutes.

Step 3: Add onion powder, dried basil, dried oregano, mustard powder, hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and diced onion to the skillet. Cook for 5 more minutes.

Step 4: Stir in minced garlic and cook for another minute. Tilt the skillet and carefully spoon out any excess grease. Lower heat to low.

Step 5: Spread 3/4 cup of marinara sauce evenly on the bottom of a 9 x 13-inch casserole dish. Pour the rest of the marinara sauce into the skillet with the meat mixture.

Step 6: Stir half and half into the skillet meat sauce, then remove from heat.

Step 7: Arrange half of the uncooked ravioli in a single layer on top of the marinara in the casserole dish. Spoon half of the meat sauce over the ravioli. Sprinkle with ½ cup of mozzarella cheese.

Step 8: Add the remaining ravioli over the cheese, then top with the rest of the meat sauce and mozzarella cheese.

Step 9: Cover the dish with foil. If using foil, spray one side with non-stick cooking spray to prevent it from sticking to the cheese. Bake for 35 minutes.

Step 10: Remove the cover and broil on high (450°F) for 1-2 minutes until the cheese is lightly browned. Watch closely to avoid burning.

Step 11: Remove from oven and serve warm.

Tips & Variations

Use your favorite flavor of ravioli, such as cheese or spinach, to change up the dish.

For a vegetarian version, substitute cooked lentils or a plant-based ground meat for the beef.

Add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes to the sauce for a subtle kick.

Try using a blend of mozzarella and Parmesan cheese for extra richness.

FAQs

Can I use frozen ravioli instead of refrigerated?

Yes, but you may need to add a few extra minutes to the baking time to ensure frozen ravioli cooks through completely.

Is it necessary to broil the dish at the end?

Broiling gives the cheese a nice golden finish and adds extra flavor, but if you prefer, you can skip this step and serve the dish right after baking.