Ingredients
Scale
- 1 (25 oz) package cheese ravioli
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Optional: ½ cup cooked ground beef or Italian sausage
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). This ensures the lasagna cooks evenly and the cheese melts properly.
- Cook the Ravioli (if needed): If using frozen ravioli, cook them according to the package instructions until they are al dente. Drain and set them aside. This prevents the ravioli from becoming mushy during baking.
- Prepare the Ricotta Mixture: In a mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, grated Parmesan, chopped parsley, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix it all together until smooth and creamy. This creates a flavorful and creamy layer for the lasagna.
- Prepare the Baking Dish: Spread a thin layer of marinara sauce at the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish. This prevents the lasagna from sticking and adds flavor to the bottom layer.
- Layer the Ingredients:
- Layer half of the cooked ravioli over the sauce, ensuring an even distribution.
- Spread half of the ricotta mixture on top of the ravioli, smoothing it out with a spatula.
- Add another generous layer of marinara sauce over the ricotta mixture, covering it completely.
- Sprinkle half of the shredded mozzarella cheese over the marinara sauce, creating an even layer.
- Repeat the Layers: Repeat the layering process with the remaining ravioli, ricotta mixture, marinara sauce, and mozzarella cheese.
- Cover and Bake: Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil. This helps to keep the lasagna moist during baking. Pop it in the preheated oven for 25 minutes.
- Uncover and Bake: Carefully remove the foil and let it bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown. This allows the cheese to melt and brown, creating a delicious crust.
- Rest and Serve: Once it’s out of the oven, let the lasagna cool for a few minutes. This allows the layers to set and makes it easier to slice and serve. Garnish with some extra chopped parsley, then dig in and enjoy!
Notes
- Cook ravioli al dente.
- Use good quality marinara.
- Layer ingredients evenly.
- Let lasagna rest before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Course, Dinner
- Method: Baking, Layering
- Cuisine: Italian-American