Easy Tomato Spinach Ravioli Bake Recipe
Easy Tomato Spinach Ravioli Bake is a comforting and flavorful Italian-inspired casserole featuring layers of ravioli, marinara sauce, sautéed fresh spinach, and shredded parmesan cheese, baked to perfection until bubbly and cheesy. This quick and satisfying dish is perfect for busy weeknights and pairs wonderfully with garlic bread and a fresh salad.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 22-32 minutes
- Total Time: 32-42 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 bag (25 oz) fresh or frozen ravioli (Italian sausage flavor recommended)
- 12 oz marinara sauce
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 1 1/2 cups shredded parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper
- 1 tablespoon fresh chopped parsley, for garnish
- 1 tablespoon butter (for sautéing spinach)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 400ºF (200ºC) and grease a 9 x 13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Sauté Spinach: In a skillet, quickly sauté the fresh spinach in 1 tablespoon of butter until wilted, then set it aside to cool slightly.
- Layer Marinara Sauce: Spread about 3/4 cup of marinara sauce evenly over the bottom of the prepared baking dish to create the first layer.
- Layer Ravioli: Arrange half of the ravioli in a single layer evenly over the sauce layer.
- Add Cheese and Spinach: Sprinkle a layer of shredded parmesan cheese on top of the ravioli, then add the sautéed spinach evenly.
- Repeat Layers: Repeat the layering process using the remaining ravioli, followed by the remaining marinara sauce and parmesan cheese. Sprinkle fresh cracked black pepper between the layers to taste.
- Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake for 20 minutes if using fresh ravioli or 30 minutes if using frozen ravioli to cook through and meld flavors.
- Finish Baking and Crisp Cheese: Remove the foil and bake uncovered for an additional 2 minutes to allow the cheese to crisp slightly on top.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley for a burst of color and flavor. Serve hot with garlic bread, salad, or steamed vegetables for a complete meal. Enjoy!
Notes
- You can use any variety of ravioli such as cheese, meat, or vegetable to customize this bake to your preference.
- For a gluten-free option, select gluten-free ravioli.
- The recipe works well with store-bought or homemade marinara sauce.
- If fresh spinach is not available, frozen spinach may be used; just ensure it is thoroughly drained before sautéing.
- To add extra richness, you can sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese on top before the final bake.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven for best texture.
Keywords: ravioli bake, tomato spinach bake, easy casserole, Italian dinner, baked ravioli, comfort food, weeknight meal
