Can I make this dish ahead of time?

Yes! Assemble the whole dish up to the point before broiling, cover, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When you’re ready, add the cheese on top and broil just before serving for the freshest, gooiest finish.

Can I use frozen ravioli instead of fresh?

Absolutely. Just cook according to the package instructions before adding them to the sauce. Their texture will hold up well, and it’s a convenient swap.

What if I don’t have an oven-safe skillet?

No worries! Simply use any large skillet for the stovetop steps, then transfer the mix to a baking dish, layer with cheese, and broil from there.

Is it possible to make this vegetarian?

Definitely! Skip the meat altogether and add sautéed mushrooms, zucchini, or lentils instead. The cheesy, tomatoey deliciousness will still be front and center.

Cheesy Beef Ravioli Recipe

Name: Cheesy Beef Ravioli Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients: 20 ounces fresh refrigerated ravioli (e.g., 4-cheese or your favorite flavor); 3 tablespoons olive oil; 1 large sweet Vidalia or yellow onion, diced small; 1 pound lean ground beef (80% lean); 3 to 5 cloves garlic, peeled and finely minced or pressed; 1 heaping tablespoon Italian seasoning (or to taste); 1 teaspoon kosher salt (or to taste); 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper (or to taste); 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes; 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese; ⅔ cup Parmesan cheese; Fresh basil (optional, for garnishing)

Description

Cheesy Beef Ravioli is a simple yet flavorful main-course dish combining soft cheese-filled ravioli with a savory ground beef and tomato sauce, finished with melty mozzarella and Parmesan cheese under the broiler for a crisp, golden topping. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, this recipe delivers authentic Italian-inspired comfort in just 25 minutes.

Ingredients

Units Scale

Pasta

20 ounces fresh refrigerated ravioli (e.g., 4-cheese or your favorite flavor)

Sauce and Filling

3 tablespoons olive oil
1 large sweet Vidalia or yellow onion, diced small
1 pound lean ground beef (80% lean)
3 to 5 cloves garlic, peeled and finely minced or pressed
1 heaping tablespoon Italian seasoning (or to taste)
1 teaspoon kosher salt (or to taste)
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper (or to taste)
1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes

Toppings and Garnish

1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
2/3 cup Parmesan cheese
Fresh basil (optional, for garnishing)

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Instructions

Cook the Ravioli: Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook the ravioli according to the package directions. Once cooked, drain the ravioli and set aside while you prepare the sauce.
Preheat Broiler: Set your oven’s broiler to high, so it’s ready to melt and brown the cheese topping later in the recipe.
Sauté Onion: In a large, high-sided, ovenproof skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the diced onion and sauté for about 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it begins to soften but does not brown.
Brown the Beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet and use a spatula to crush and crumble it as it cooks. Stir frequently along with the onions for even cooking, allowing the beef to cook through completely.
Add Seasonings: Once the beef is fully browned, stir in the minced garlic, Italian seasoning, kosher salt, and black pepper. Cook for about 1 minute until the garlic becomes fragrant, blending the flavors into the beef mixture.
Add Tomatoes and Ravioli: Pour in the crushed tomatoes, add the cooked ravioli, and gently stir everything together until the ravioli is well coated in the beef sauce.
Top with Cheese: Evenly sprinkle shredded mozzarella over the top, followed by Parmesan cheese, covering the ravioli and sauce.
Broil Until Golden: Place the ovenproof skillet under the broiler for about 5 minutes, or until the cheese has melted and reached your desired level of golden brown. Check frequently starting at 3 minutes, as broilers can vary in intensity and you don’t want the cheese to burn.
Garnish and Serve: Carefully remove the hot skillet from the oven. Optionally garnish with fresh basil, then serve the cheesy beef ravioli hot and enjoy.

Notes

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
This dish can also be frozen for up to 4 months; thaw and reheat when ready to serve.
Check the broiler often to prevent the cheese from burning; every broiler cooks differently.
You can substitute beef with ground turkey or Italian sausage for a different flavor profile.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1/8 of recipe
Calories: 410
Sugar: 6g
Sodium: 1020mg
Fat: 22g
Saturated Fat: 8g
Unsaturated Fat: 10g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 32g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 23g
Cholesterol: 65mg