Easy Tomato Spinach Ravioli Bake Recipe
This Easy Tomato Spinach Ravioli Bake is a comforting and delicious layered pasta dish combining tender ravioli, fresh spinach sautéed in butter, savory marinara sauce, and a generous amount of parmesan cheese. Perfect for a simple weeknight dinner, it bakes quickly to a bubbly, cheesy perfection and is garnished with fresh parsley for a bright finish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 22 minutes
- Total Time: 32 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- 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: Preheat your oven to 400ºF (200ºC) and grease a 9 x 13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
- Sauté Spinach: In a skillet over medium heat, quickly sauté the fresh spinach in 1 tablespoon of butter until wilted, then remove from heat and set aside.
- Layer Sauce: Spread about 3/4 cup of marinara sauce evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking dish creating a flavorful base.
- First Ravioli Layer: Arrange half of the ravioli in a single layer on top of the sauce to ensure even cooking.
- Add Cheese and Spinach: Sprinkle a portion of the shredded parmesan cheese over the ravioli, then layer with the sautéed spinach. Season lightly with cracked black pepper to taste.
- Repeat Layers: Add the remaining ravioli on top, followed by the rest of the marinara sauce and parmesan cheese. Sprinkle additional cracked black pepper between layers for flavor balance.
- Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes if using fresh ravioli, or 30 minutes if using frozen ravioli, to ensure thorough cooking.
- Crisp Cheese: Remove the foil and bake uncovered for about 2 minutes to allow the cheese on top to crisp and brown slightly.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven, sprinkle fresh chopped parsley over the bake, and serve hot alongside garlic bread, salad, or steamed vegetables for a complete meal. Enjoy!
Notes
- Using fresh ravioli reduces baking time and yields a slightly softer texture compared to frozen.
- Sautéing spinach before layering prevents excess moisture in the bake, keeping it from becoming watery.
- Feel free to substitute spinach with kale or other leafy greens if preferred.
- For extra flavor, add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes between layers if you like a bit of heat.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
Keywords: ravioli bake, tomato spinach bake, easy Italian dinner, baked pasta, cheese ravioli casserole
