Easy Tomato Spinach Ravioli Bake Recipe
A delicious and easy-to-make Tomato Spinach Ravioli Bake featuring layers of ravioli, marinara sauce, sautéed spinach, and parmesan cheese baked to perfection. Perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner served with garlic bread or a fresh salad.
- Author: Marco
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 22 minutes (20 minutes covered + 2 minutes uncovered for fresh ravioli; 32 minutes total for frozen ravioli)
- Total Time: 32 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Ravioli Bake Ingredients
- 1 bag (25oz) 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)
- Preheat and Prepare Baking Dish: Preheat the oven to 400ºF (200ºC) and grease a 9 x 13-inch baking dish thoroughly to prevent sticking.
- Sauté Spinach: In a pan, quickly sauté the fresh spinach with 1 tablespoon of butter until wilted and tender. Set aside to cool slightly.
- Layer Sauce: Spread about 3/4 cup of marinara sauce evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking dish to create the first layer.
- Layer Ravioli: Arrange half of the ravioli in a single layer over the marinara sauce, ensuring even coverage.
- Add Cheese and Spinach: Sprinkle a generous layer of shredded parmesan cheese over the ravioli, then evenly distribute the sautéed spinach on top.
- Repeat Layers: Add the remaining ravioli as the next layer, followed by the rest of the marinara sauce and the remaining parmesan cheese. Sprinkle fresh cracked black pepper between the layers to taste.
- Bake Covered: Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes if using fresh ravioli, or 30 minutes for frozen ravioli, to allow everything to heat through and flavors to meld.
- Crisp Cheese: Remove the foil and bake uncovered for about 2 more minutes to crisp and brown the cheese topping slightly.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the top for a fresh finish. Serve hot alongside garlic bread, salad, or steamed vegetables for a full meal.
Notes
- You can use any flavor of ravioli you prefer, but Italian sausage ravioli adds a delicious savory note.
- If using frozen ravioli, adjust baking time accordingly to ensure thorough cooking.
- To avoid soggy layers, do not overload on sauce; layering evenly is key.
- For a lower-fat version, substitute butter with olive oil and use reduced-fat parmesan cheese.
- This dish can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated before baking; just add a few extra minutes to baking time if chilled.
Keywords: tomato spinach ravioli bake, baked ravioli, easy Italian casserole, spinach and cheese bake, comfort food pasta bake