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This easy ravioli lasagna is the ultimate shortcut dinner, all the cheesy, saucy comfort of classic lasagna with none of the fuss. Also known as lazy day lasagna, it uses frozen cheese ravioli in place of noodles and ricotta layers, so it comes together in minutes with just five ingredients. It is my back pocket weeknight hero, and it pairs perfectly with a slice of our garlic cheese bread on a busy night when nobody wants to cook.
Layering cheese stuffed ravioli is the genius shortcut that skips the noodles and the ricotta spreading.
Ravioli Lasagna Quick Look
- 🕒 Prep Time: 15 minutes
- 🌡️ Cook Time: 25 minutes
- ⏳ Total Time: 40 minutes
- 🍽️ Serving: 9 servings
- ⚡ Calories: 420kcal
- 🌶️ Flavor Profile: Cheesy, saucy, comforting Italian American
- ✋ Difficulty: Easy, a no fuss baked pasta like our easy baked ziti
Quick Answer
Cook frozen cheese ravioli according to the package, then mix meat sauce with ricotta. Spread a little sauce in a baking dish, add a layer of ravioli, and top with mozzarella and parmesan. Repeat the layers, finish with cheese on top, and bake at 350 degrees for about 25 minutes until bubbly and golden.
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Why This Recipe Works
Click to see the technique science
- Ravioli replaces noodles and ricotta. Cheese stuffed ravioli does double duty as both the pasta layer and the creamy cheese filling, cutting out two steps of classic lasagna.
- Ricotta in the sauce keeps it creamy. Stirring ricotta right into the meat sauce gives you that signature creamy lasagna texture without spreading it layer by layer.
- Just five ingredients. A jar of good meat sauce, ravioli, and three cheeses are all it takes, so it is perfect for busy weeknights.
- It bakes fast. Since the ravioli is already cooked, the lasagna only needs about 25 minutes in the oven to get hot, bubbly, and golden.
- Layering builds the classic look. Alternating sauce, ravioli, and cheese gives you those beautiful lasagna layers with a fraction of the effort.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- It is a five ingredient shortcut to cheesy, saucy lasagna comfort with almost no work.
- It comes together in about 40 minutes, making it a perfect busy weeknight dinner the whole family loves.
- It is endlessly customizable and pairs perfectly with a simple Caesar salad for a complete meal.
Key Ingredients
Just five simple ingredients turn into a cheesy, comforting dinner. Here is what each one does.
- Cheese ravioli: The genius shortcut. It stands in for both the noodles and the ricotta layer, so there is no boiling or spreading.
- Meat sauce: Use a good quality jarred sauce or your favorite homemade meat sauce for the rich, saucy base.
- Ricotta cheese: Stirred into the sauce, it adds that creamy, classic lasagna texture in every bite.
- Mozzarella: The melty, gooey cheese that layers throughout and bakes into a golden, bubbly top.
- Parmesan: A sprinkle between layers and on top adds salty, savory, nutty flavor.
See recipe card for exact quantities.
Variations and Substitutions
This ravioli lasagna is easy to make your own.
- Different ravioli: Use beef, sausage, spinach, or mushroom ravioli in place of cheese for a new flavor.
- Add veggies: Stir sauteed spinach, mushrooms, or zucchini into the sauce for extra vegetables.
- Make it meatier: Brown extra ground beef or Italian sausage and add it to the sauce for a heartier bake.
- Use homemade sauce: Swap the jarred sauce for our homemade meat sauce for a from scratch touch.
- Extra cheesy: Add a layer of provolone or a dollop of extra ricotta between the ravioli for even more cheese.
How to Make Ravioli Lasagna
- Cook the cheese ravioli according to the package directions, then add the ricotta to the meat sauce in a large bowl.
- Mix the sauce and ricotta together until well combined and creamy.
- Spread a little sauce in a greased 9 by 13 dish, then add a single layer of ravioli.
- Top with mozzarella, a sprinkle of parmesan, and more sauce. Repeat the layers, finishing with cheese on top.
- Bake at 350 degrees for about 25 minutes until bubbly and golden. Cool slightly, then serve with parmesan.
Recipe Tips & Tricks
- Use good sauce. Since the sauce is a star here, pick a high quality jarred meat sauce or use your favorite homemade. It makes a big difference.
- Do not overcook the ravioli. Cook it just to package directions. It bakes again in the oven, so slightly firm is perfect.
- Save cheese for the top. Use only about half the mozzarella between layers so you have plenty for that golden, bubbly top.
- Let it rest. Allow the lasagna to cool for a few minutes before serving so the layers set and slice cleanly.
- Grease the dish. A good spray of cooking spray keeps the bottom layer from sticking and makes serving easy.
- Broil for color. For an extra golden top, pop it under the broiler for a minute or two at the end.
Serving Ideas and Suggestions
This ravioli lasagna is a complete comfort food dinner. Serve it with our garlic cheese bread for soaking up every bit of sauce.
Add a crisp green salad with our homemade Caesar dressing to balance all that cheesy richness.
Leftovers reheat beautifully, so this lasagna makes a great make ahead meal or next day lunch. Just cover and warm in the oven or microwave until heated through.
Ravioli Lasagna FAQs
This recipe cooks the ravioli first per the package, which keeps the baking time short. You can also use thawed ravioli without pre cooking, but you will need to add extra sauce and bake longer, covered, so it cooks through.
Yes. Assemble the lasagna, cover, and refrigerate for up to a day. Add a few extra minutes to the bake time since it starts cold, and bake until hot and bubbly throughout.
Absolutely. Assemble it in a freezer safe dish, cover well, and freeze for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then bake until hot and bubbly.
A good quality jarred meat sauce or marinara works great, or use your favorite homemade meat sauce. A thicker, hearty sauce gives the best results.
Frozen cheese ravioli is classic, but beef, sausage, spinach, or mushroom ravioli all work beautifully and add their own flavor to the lasagna.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave or warm the whole dish, covered, in the oven until heated through.
Love an easy baked pasta? Try our cheesy baked ziti next.
Easy Ravioli Lasagna
Ingredients
- 20 ounces frozen cheese ravioli or frozen ravioli of your choice
- 3 cups meat sauce or red sauce of your choice
- 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- parmesan cheese for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the ravioli through to the directions on the package.20 ounces frozen cheese ravioli
- While they are cooking, heat the oven to 350°F. Spray a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.
- Mix the sauce with the ricotta so it is combined in a large bowl.3 cups meat sauce, 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
- Put about a half cup of the sauce on the bottom of the prepared baking dish and spread it out.
- Layer on a single layer of ravioli. Top with some of the mozzarella cheese, a sprinkle of parmesan cheese, and another 1/2 cup of sauce.2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- Keep doing this until you have layered all the ravioli. Try to only use a half of the mozzarella cheese while layering. On the very top, there should be the layer with the remaining sauce and top that with all of the mozzarella that is left.
- Cook this for about 25 minutes or until bubbly. Let it cool slightly before serving with parmesan for garnish.parmesan cheese for garnish
Notes
- Use cooking spray on your baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Let the lasagna rest for a few minutes after baking for easier serving.
- If you want a crispier top, broil for a minute or two at the end.
- Mix a little Italian seasoning into your sauce for extra flavor.
- Use a mix of different cheeses for a more complex flavor.
- For a lighter version, use a smaller amount of cheese and add more veggies.
Nutrition
Love This Recipe?
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You’re very right. I didn’t specify which type of ravioli so anyone can use whichever ravioli they prefer. And, yes, I used cheese ravioli myself because that’s what I like. This is just an option for busy families, or anyone who needs a quick meal option. Not everyone has to make it.
It’s an interesting concept, but what are the frozen Ravioli which you’re using stuffed with (you didn’t specify),…. more cheese? This would be a good idea, if I could find frozen ravioli stuffed w/spinach, NOT more cheese! What’s the Nutritional Info of this recipe, especially the .Fat and the Sodium content? Sometimes ‘the lazy way’ isn’t the best way to go.
By using store bought fresh ravioli you can eliminate the pro-cooking step. Mix sauce, layer in pan, and bake – the lazy recipe just got lazier.
I never tried it that way so I can’t tell you for sure how it will come out. If you try it and it works, I’m sure we would all love to know! Thanks for asking.