Ravagna

So I was trying to figure out what to make the other day. I had fresh ravioli noodles, and mozzarella cheese so I decided to combine lasagna and ravioli. Hence ravagna was born. Okay, okay so it's a little cheesy. Okay and again another pun, of course it's cheesy. I can't help myself. It's too cute for words.

It turned out to be pretty good. Very tasty, fairly simple to make. It didn't take hours and hours to make. That's always a good thing. Some days I have time to tinker in the kitchen for hours on end, other days I need to get in and get out quick. This was under an hour from start to finish. Which is pretty good I think. You could cut your time a bit by not pre-cooking the ravioli. It would cook up okay just in the oven as it takes awhile for the cheese to melt. I did a large batch but you could downsize it. This made 2 casserole dishes. I tend to like to do large batches so I can have one, freeze one.

So here it is. Hope you try it, love it and keep visiting for more recipes.

Ravagna:

Ingredients:

2 pounds ground beef
1 large (1.75 L) jar of pasta sauce (I used prego, you can use whatever)
2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon basil
1 teaspoon oregano
Salt to taste
4 cloves of garlic, peeled and minced in a garlic press
1 large (1 kg) bar of mozzarella cheese, grated
2 packages fresh (or frozen) ravioli, I used cheese filled

Directions:

Brown ground beef in a pan. Do not overcook or it won't grab the flavours you want it to.

While the beef is cooking put on a stock pot of water for ravioli, it will take quite awhile to bring to a boil. Set on medium to high heat.

In same pan as beef, if big enough (if not use a stock pot), combine cooked ground beef with pasta sauce, sugar, chili powder, garlic powder, basil, oregano and fresh garlic. You can add a little salt if you like. Stir and cook over low heat. Continue to cook and stir often until you are ready to put casserole together.

By now the water should be at a hard boil. Add some salt to the water. Then add the ravioli. Cook for only 2 to 3 minutes. Drain. (do not rinse)

Now spray your casserole dishes with non-stick spray. Then add a light layer of pasta sauce to bottom. Next add a layer of ravioli noodles. Then a thin layer of cheese. Then add a layer of pasta sauce. Then a thick layer of cheese. Repeat until you hit the top of the casserole. Most can accommodate 2-3 layers easily.

Put in a preheated 350 degree oven for 20- 30 minutes. The cheese should just start to brown.

Cut and serve.

We really enjoyed this. Something a little different. We eat a fair bit of Italian. One of my faves to cook and eat so we have it often. None of us are Italian though. I have to say I love learning more about how to cook it the right way. You will find more and more dishes coming up in the next couple of month. I have never made manicotti so that may be next on the list. I'm also trying to find a good stuffed shell recipe. Hope to see you back here soon. Toodles. xx

Photos missing due to a G+ incident. They will be replace soon.