Picture this: a bubbling, cheesy casserole dish pulled fresh from the oven, filled with tender ravioli and a rich, savory sauce. It looks like a dish that took hours to prepare, but it’s actually one of the easiest dinners you can make. This easy spinach ravioli bake is a busy home cook’s dream. By using a clever shortcut—frozen ravioli—you can have a hearty, comforting, and delicious meal on the table with almost no effort.
This recipe is a true “dump and bake” masterpiece. There’s no need to boil the pasta, no need for complicated steps, and no long list of ingredients. You simply layer everything into a baking dish and let the oven do all the work. The result is a family-friendly favorite that’s perfect for a cozy weeknight and is guaranteed to become a regular in your dinner rotation.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Super Simple: With just five main ingredients and no pre-cooking required, this is one of the most low-effort meals you can make.
- Minimal Cleanup: Everything bakes in a single dish, so you won’t have a sink full of pots and pans.
- Family-Friendly: The combination of ravioli, cheese, and sauce is a guaranteed hit with both kids and adults.
- Hearty and Satisfying: This dish is filling and full of classic Italian-inspired flavors, making it the perfect comfort food.
- Highly Adaptable: Easily customize it with your favorite cheeses, sauces, or extra protein to make it your own.
Ingredients
- 25 oz (700 g) package frozen spinach and cheese ravioli
- 1 (24 oz or 680 g) jar marinara or pasta sauce (use a good-quality brand you love)
- 5 oz (140 g) fresh spinach
- 2 cups (225 g) shredded low-moisture mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup (50 g) grated Parmesan cheese
Optional for Extra Flavor
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
Equipment
- 9×13 inch (23×33 cm) baking dish or a similar sized casserole dish
- Measuring cups
- Spoon
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prep the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Layer the Sauce: Pour about 1/2 cup (120 ml) of the marinara sauce into the bottom of the baking dish and spread it in a thin, even layer. This will prevent the ravioli from sticking.
- Add the Ravioli: Arrange the frozen ravioli in a single, even layer over the sauce. You can place them close together, but a little space is fine. Do not thaw the ravioli first! The frozen pasta will cook perfectly in the sauce.
- Add Spinach & More Sauce: Spread the fresh spinach evenly over the frozen ravioli. Pour the rest of the marinara sauce over the spinach, making sure the ravioli is completely covered. If you are using the optional seasonings, you can stir them into the sauce before pouring it over.
- Add the Cheese: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the sauce, followed by the grated Parmesan cheese.
- Bake (Covered): Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil. Place it in the preheated oven and bake for 35 minutes. This initial bake allows the ravioli to cook and absorb the sauce.
- Bake (Uncovered): Carefully remove the dish from the oven and take off the foil. Return the dish to the oven and bake for another 10–15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and a beautiful golden-brown color.
- Rest and Serve: Let the ravioli bake rest for 5–10 minutes before serving. This allows it to set and makes it much easier to scoop. Serve warm and enjoy!
Substitutions and Variations
- Ravioli: This recipe works with any kind of frozen ravioli! Try meat ravioli for a heartier meal, or mushroom ravioli for an earthy flavor.
- Add Protein: For a more substantial meal, brown a pound of ground beef or Italian sausage on the stovetop and mix it in with the marinara sauce before layering. You could also stir in some shredded cooked chicken.
- Cheese: Feel free to mix up the cheese! Add some dollops of ricotta cheese over the top, or swap the mozzarella for a shredded provolone or an Italian cheese blend.
- Make it Vegan/Dairy-Free: Look for a good quality vegan ravioli (many brands offer it in the frozen section) and use your favorite shredded dairy-free mozzarella and Parmesan cheese alternatives.
- Add More Veggies: You can easily add more veggies to this bake. Try tossing in some diced bell peppers, sliced zucchini, or chopped onions with the spinach layer.
Pro Tips and Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Do Not Thaw the Ravioli: This is the key to the recipe’s simplicity! The moisture from the frozen ravioli helps the pasta cook perfectly in the sauce. If you use thawed ravioli, it can become mushy.
- Cover the Dish Tightly: Covering the dish with foil for the first part of the bake traps steam, which is what cooks the pasta. Make sure it’s sealed well.
- Use a Good Sauce: Since this recipe relies on a jarred sauce, using a brand you love will make a huge difference in the final flavor.
- Let it Rest: The bake will be very liquidy when it first comes out of the oven. Letting it rest for a few minutes allows the sauce to thicken and the dish to set, making it much easier to serve.
Storage, Make-Ahead, and Reheating
- Make-Ahead: You can assemble the entire dish up to 24 hours in advance. Cover it tightly with foil and store it in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to bake, add about 10-15 minutes to the covered baking time to account for the chilled temperature.
- Storage: Let leftovers cool completely before storing them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.
- Freezing: This is a great freezer meal! Assemble the dish in a freezer-safe baking dish, but do not bake it. Cover it tightly with foil and plastic wrap. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. To cook from frozen, bake (covered) at 375°F (190°C) for 60-70 minutes, then uncover and bake for another 10-15 minutes.
- Reheating: To reheat, a microwave is the fastest option for individual portions. For a whole dish, cover with foil and bake at 350°F (175°C) until heated through, about 20-25 minutes.
Serving Suggestions
This bake is a hearty and complete meal on its own. For a classic Italian dinner experience, serve it with some warm, buttered garlic bread and a light green salad with a simple vinaigrette to cut through the richness of the cheese.
Approximate Nutrition
- Yields: 6 servings
- Serving Size: Approximately 1 cup
- Calories: 590 kcal
- Protein: 25 g
- Fat: 28 g
- Carbohydrates: 60 g
Note: These are approximations and can vary based on specific brands of ravioli and other ingredients.
FAQs
Q: Do I really not have to boil the ravioli?
A: That’s the best part! The frozen ravioli cooks perfectly in the sauce in the oven. The moisture from the sauce and the steam trapped under the foil rehydrates and cooks the pasta, so there’s no need for that extra step.
Q: Can I use fresh ravioli?
A: It’s not recommended. Fresh ravioli cooks much faster than frozen and will likely turn to mush with this baking method. This recipe is designed specifically for frozen ravioli.
Q: Can I add meat to this recipe?
A: Absolutely! This is a great way to make it heartier. Brown a pound of ground beef or sausage first, then stir it into the marinara sauce before you layer everything in the dish.
Q: What kind of sauce should I use?
A: A good-quality marinara or pasta sauce from a jar works best. The flavor of the sauce is important since it’s a main ingredient. If you have a homemade sauce you love, that’s even better!
Q: How do I know if the ravioli is cooked?
A: The ravioli should be tender and soft. If you scoop a piece out with a spoon, it should feel soft and not hard in the middle. The sauce will also have thickened, and the cheese on top will be bubbly and golden.
Spinach Ravioli Bake
Equipment
- 9×13-inch baking dish
- Measuring Cups
- Spoon
- Aluminum foil
Ingredients
- 25 oz frozen spinach and cheese ravioli
- 1 jar (24 oz) marinara or pasta sauce
- 5 oz fresh spinach
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp garlic powder (optional)
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Spread 1/2 cup marinara sauce in the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Arrange frozen ravioli in a single layer over the sauce.
- Top with fresh spinach and the remaining marinara sauce. Stir in seasonings if using.
- Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan evenly over the top.
- Cover tightly with foil and bake for 35 minutes.
- Remove foil and bake for 10–15 more minutes, until cheese is golden and bubbly.
- Rest for 5–10 minutes before serving warm.
