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Beefy Baked Ravioli Recipe

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4.3 from 64 reviews

This Beefy Baked Ravioli is a hearty and comforting Italian-inspired dish combining browned ground beef with tender four cheese ravioli simmered in a flavorful tomato sauce. Finished with layers of baby spinach and a golden, melted cheese topping under the broiler, this one-skillet meal is perfect for an easy weeknight dinner that feels indulgent but comes together quickly on the stovetop and oven.

Ingredients

Meat and Oil

  • 16 oz. ground beef (85% lean)
  • 1 Tablespoon olive oil

Vegetables and Aromatics

  • 1 medium red onion (about 3 cups, chopped)
  • 2 Tablespoons garlic, finely chopped (about 3 medium cloves)
  • 5 oz. baby spinach
  • ¼ cup torn fresh basil leaves

Liquids and Seasonings

  • 28 oz. can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 cup chicken stock
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Pasta and Cheese

  • 20 oz. four cheese ravioli (refrigerated or frozen, such as Buitoni)
  • 4 oz. shredded mozzarella cheese (whole milk or part skim)
  • 2 oz. grated Parmesan cheese (about ½ cup)

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to the broil setting and position the oven rack about 9 inches from the heat source to prepare for melting cheese later.
  2. Brown the Beef: Place a 12-inch cast-iron skillet on the stovetop over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, stirring frequently, until well browned, about 8 to 10 minutes. Once browned, remove the beef from the skillet, drain excess fat, and set aside. Wipe the skillet clean with a paper towel to prepare for the next step.
  3. Sauté Onions: Adding the olive oil to the same skillet, heat it over medium-high heat. Add the chopped red onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions become tender and translucent, approximately 8 to 10 minutes.
  4. Add Garlic: Stir in the finely chopped garlic and cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, which should take about 1 minute.
  5. Combine Sauce and Pasta: Pour in the crushed tomatoes, chicken stock, dried Italian seasoning, kosher salt, and black pepper. Stir to combine. Add the four cheese ravioli to the skillet and bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium, cover the skillet, and simmer until the ravioli are tender, roughly 8 minutes.
  6. Return Beef and Add Spinach: Remove the lid and stir the cooked ground beef back into the skillet. Add half of the baby spinach and cook just until it wilts. Add the remaining spinach and repeat until all have wilted.
  7. Top with Cheese: Evenly sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese and grated Parmesan cheese over the top of the mixture in the skillet.
  8. Broil for Melting: Transfer the skillet to the preheated broiler. Broil until the cheese is melted and golden brown on top, about 6 minutes. Keep a close eye to avoid burning.
  9. Garnish and Serve: Remove the skillet from the oven and garnish with torn fresh basil leaves. Serve the beefy baked ravioli hot, ideally alongside garlic bread and a tossed salad for a complete meal.

Notes

  • Use a cast-iron skillet or any oven-safe skillet to ensure safe transfer from stovetop to oven for broiling.
  • Adjust seasoning to taste before serving, especially if your chicken stock or canned tomatoes are salted.
  • If frozen ravioli are used, add a couple of extra minutes to simmer time to ensure they are fully cooked.
  • Be careful when broiling as cheese can burn quickly; watch continuously.
  • To make this recipe vegetarian, substitute ground beef with plant-based meat alternatives or mushrooms and use vegetable stock instead of chicken stock.

Find it online: https://flavorspath.com/beefy-baked-ravioli-recipe/