Easy Tomato Spinach Ravioli Bake Recipe

Introduction

This Easy Tomato Spinach Ravioli Bake is a comforting and simple dish perfect for busy weeknights. It combines cheesy ravioli, fresh spinach, and savory marinara sauce baked to bubbly perfection. Ready in under an hour, it makes for a delicious family-friendly meal.

Ingredients

• 1 bag (25oz) fresh or frozen ravioli (Italian sausage or your favorite type)
• 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

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 400ºF (200ºC) and grease a 9 x 13-inch baking dish. Quickly sauté the spinach in a tablespoon of butter until wilted, then set aside.
2. Step 2: Spread about 3/4 cup of marinara sauce into the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
3. Step 3: Arrange half of the ravioli in a single layer over the sauce.
4. Step 4: Sprinkle parmesan cheese and evenly distribute the sautéed spinach over the ravioli. Repeat the layers with the remaining ravioli, finishing with the rest of the marinara sauce and parmesan cheese. Sprinkle cracked black pepper between layers to taste.
5. Step 5: Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes if using fresh ravioli, or 30 minutes for frozen ravioli. Remove the foil and bake uncovered for an additional 2 minutes to crisp the cheese.
6. Step 6: Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and serve warm alongside garlic bread, salad, or your favorite vegetables.

Tips & Variations

• Use spinach or substitute with kale or Swiss chard for a twist on greens.
• Swap parmesan cheese with mozzarella for a gooier texture.
• Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a little heat.
• Try different ravioli fillings like cheese, mushroom, or spinach to customize the dish.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat covered in the oven at 350ºF (175ºC) until warmed through, or microwave individual portions. This dish does not freeze well due to the cheese texture.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen ravioli for this recipe?

Yes, frozen ravioli works well. Just increase the covered baking time to 30 minutes to ensure they cook through properly.

Is it necessary to sauté the spinach first?

Sautéing the spinach removes excess moisture and enhances the flavor, helping prevent the bake from becoming watery. However, if you’re short on time, you can use fresh spinach directly, but it may release more liquid.

Easy Tomato Spinach Ravioli Bake Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 64 reviews

This Easy Tomato Spinach Ravioli Bake is a comforting, cheesy casserole featuring layers of tender ravioli, fresh spinach sautéed in butter, savory marinara sauce, and shredded parmesan cheese. Perfect for a quick and satisfying weeknight dinner, this dish offers a delicious blend of Italian flavors with minimal prep and a simple baking method.

• Author: Mick
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 22 minutes (fresh ravioli) to 32 minutes (frozen ravioli)
• Total Time: 32 to 42 minutes
• Yield: 4 to 6 servings 1x
• Category: Main Dish
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients

• 1 bag (25 oz) fresh or frozen ravioli (Italian sausage flavored 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

1. Preheat and prepare the dish: Preheat your oven to 400ºF (200ºC). Grease a 9 x 13-inch baking dish thoroughly to prevent sticking and ensure easy serving.
2. Sauté the spinach: Quickly sauté the fresh spinach in a tablespoon of butter on the stovetop until wilted. Set the spinach aside once cooked.
3. Add marinara base: Spread about 3/4 cup of marinara sauce evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish as the flavor foundation.
4. First layer of ravioli: Arrange half of the fresh or frozen ravioli in a single, even layer over the marinara sauce.
5. Layer cheese and spinach: Sprinkle a generous layer of shredded parmesan cheese over the ravioli. Then add the sautéed spinach evenly on top of the cheese.
6. Repeat layers: Add the remaining ravioli over the spinach, followed by the rest of the marinara sauce and parmesan cheese. Sprinkle fresh cracked black pepper between the layers to taste for added seasoning.
7. Bake covered: Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake fresh ravioli for 20 minutes or frozen ravioli for 30 minutes in the preheated oven.
8. Finish baking uncovered: Remove the foil and continue baking uncovered for about 2 minutes, just enough to crisp and brown the cheese topping slightly.
9. Garnish and serve: Remove the bake from the oven and garnish with freshly chopped parsley. Serve warm alongside garlic bread, salad, or roasted vegetables for a complete meal experience. Enjoy your baked ravioli!

Notes

• You can substitute the Italian sausage ravioli with cheese, spinach, or mushroom ravioli to suit your preferences.
• To save time, use pre-washed fresh spinach or frozen spinach thawed and drained if fresh is unavailable.
• Make sure to cover the baking dish during most of the baking to prevent the ravioli from drying out.
• If you want a golden cheesy crust, broil for 1-2 minutes after baking uncovered but watch carefully to avoid burning.
• This recipe works well with store-bought marinara sauce but feel free to use homemade sauce for richer flavor.

Keywords: ravioli bake, baked ravioli, spinach ravioli casserole, easy Italian dinner, cheesy baked pasta, tomato spinach bake