Ingredients

The following ingredients have 12 Servings
  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon pepper
  • 8 oz. mozzarella cheese (about 2 ½ cups)
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/2 large yellow onion (diced)
  • 6-8 garlic cloves (minced)
  • 1 teaspoons dried oregano
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 28 oz. can crushed tomatoes in puree
  • 15 oz. can tomato sauce
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 2 teaspoons chicken bouillon
  • 1-3 teaspoons sugar (to taste)
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan
  • 1/2 cup loosely packed fresh basil (chopped (may sub 1 tablespoon dry))
  • 2 pound FROZEN ravioli (I like spinach and mozzarella)
  • 1 1/2 cups ricotta
  • 1/2 cup basil pesto
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Instruction

  • Brown beef in a large skillet over medium high heat. Season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon pepper. Transfer to plate with a slotted spoon.
  • To the remaining grease, add 1 tablespoon olive oil and heat over medium high heat. Add onion and saute for 5-8 minutes or until soft and translucent. Add garlic, oregano, and red pepper flakes and saute 1 minute. Stir in all of the remaining “Tomato Basil Sauce” ingredients EXCEPT milk fresh basil and bring to a simmer. Simmer gently uncovered for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Meanwhile, preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Add all of the Ravioli Filling ingredients to a large bowl and toss until ravioli is evenly coated.
  • After sauce has simmered 10 minutes, stir in 1/4 cup milk, 1/4 cup Parmesan and fresh basil to Tomato Basil Sauce. Stir until well combined.
  • Spread ½ cup of Tomato Basil Sauce in lightly greased 9x13 casserole dish. Layer 1/2 of the Ravioli Filling, 1/2 of the Meat, 1/2 of remaining sauce and 1/2 of the mozzarella. Repeat layers. Top with ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan.
  • Cover tightly with foil and bake at 400 degrees for 40-45 minutes or until ravioli is cooked through then remove foil and broil cheese until golden.