This is something I do every day after work: I remove my shoes, take out what I consider my ‘freshly cleaned home’ scented candle, and curl up on the couch. So you may be wondering if I am going to talk about my love for reading a good book or watching a series. But I am not—it’s even better than that. I begin to think about the type of food I want to prepare for dinner. Well, you know what? I am one of those people who get inner satisfaction when cooking. Especially when the meal to be prepared is not complicated and at the same time tasty.

To be very honest, sometimes, the very idea of preparing a meal that requires a number of ingredients and steps is not very appealing to me. That’s when my brain is completely exhausted, and all I want is something that will give me comfort without commanding me to stick to a schedule. That’s when I turn to my secret weapon: my ravioli lasagna with only four ingredients. Absolutely, it’s that easy—four ingredients, a few simple steps, and a lot of joy.

 

This dish has become my favorite (or should I say my standby meal?). It’s not simply because it is extremely simple, though that’s undoubtedly a major factor. It’s because it’s one of those meals that are comforting. It makes you feel like you’re eating a hug in a bowl. This dish is hearty, cheesy, and gives off that homemade Italian food vibe without the effort. The best part? You’ve probably got all the ingredients for this in your pantry and fridge. So it’s very easy to make.

This is how I first came across this recipe. I was having a group of friends over for dinner, and at the last minute, I realized that I had to do something. I was thinking of anything that I could possibly make, but nothing seemed easy or quick enough. That’s when I came across the recipe for ravioli lasagna on Simply Recipes. It was something so obvious to me, yet I hadn’t thought of it—it was like a light bulb going off. It was so basic, but it was brilliant. Since then, it has become a regular thing in my kitchen. I’m sure it will become a regular thing in your kitchen too.

Okay, let’s get straight to the main issue. This is probably the quickest and simplest 4-ingredient dinner you’ll be making over and over in your lifetime. And I mean it. Here’s why.

Ravioli Lasagna
This ravioli lasagna is about as easy as it gets, and it tastes like you’re eating something that was incredibly time-consuming to prepare. To make it, all you require is mild Italian sausage, a jar of marinara sauce, a pack of cheese ravioli, and one cup of shredded Italian cheese. That’s it. Four basic components of a meal that, when combined, make a dish that is not only wholesome but also delicious.

First of all, let’s discuss the Italian sausage. This is the bomb when it comes to flavor in this recipe. It’s the blend that makes the lasagna thick and delicious. You’ll always want seconds. All you need to do is sauté it in a pan until it turns golden brown. It doesn’t take long, maybe eight minutes. With everything prepped and ready to go, the house starts to smell wonderful. That’s how you know you’re on the right path.

Marinara Sauce
Then, there’s the marinara sauce. You could make your own if you wanted to, but the brilliance of this recipe is in its ease, so store-bought sauce is perfect here. You just put it in with the sausage. Let it sit for a few minutes to absorb the flavors, and you’re left with a perfect sauce. This will slowly seep into the ravioli and make everything taste like it’s been cooked for hours.

Now, onto the ravioli. I prefer to use fresh cheese ravioli because it gives the lasagna a kind of creaminess that’s quite appealing. Plus, it’s already flavorful on its own, so there’s no need to do anything else but just place it in the dish. This is where the magic happens—each layer of ravioli is nestled into the sausage and marinara sauce. It soaks up all the flavors as it bakes.

And finally, the cheese. Oh, the cheese. The mozzarella, provolone, and parmesan that come in a good Italian blend complement this dish perfectly. It melts into a delectable, gooey golden crust that’s rather difficult to resist. That’s all there is to it. You’ve only spread cheese over the top, and now it’s time to put the dish into the oven and let it work its magic.

 

In fact, after approximately 20-30 minutes in the oven, your kitchen will smell like a real Italian trattoria. You’ll have a mouth-watering, melted cheese lasagna on your table. The best part? You didn’t need to cook sauce, boil pasta, prepare béchamel, or spend hours in the kitchen preparing a meal. It’s easy, it’s fast, and most importantly, it’s tasty.

This is my go-to dish, and every time I make it, I’m reminded why it’s my favorite. It’s not only about the taste (and let’s be honest, taste is a big factor). It’s about the ease. You may want to prepare this dish for a family dinner on a weeknight or when friends come over for dinner, and it always satisfies. Also, it’s the type of recipe that’s flexible. If you don’t have Italian sausage, you can use ground beef or turkey, and it will still taste great.

This ravioli lasagna is probably one of the recipes I’ve prepared multiple times, and I’m confident you’ll prepare it often as well. It doesn’t matter if you’re an experienced chef or a newbie in the kitchen; this is one of those recipes that gives you a lot of flavor with very little work. And really, who doesn’t need a recipe like that in their life?

For the complete recipe and instructions, please check out Simply Recipes. I promise, you’ll want to save this one—it’s definitely a keeper.

Next time you’re in the mood for something super yummy but aren’t willing to stand in the kitchen for too long, try this 4-ingredient ravioli lasagna. It’s simple, it’s tasty, and it will most definitely make its way onto your list of meals that you prepare frequently. Well, I think that’s it from me—I have a pan of this lasagna waiting for me.

For another quick and hearty Italian comfort food classic, check out this delicious Italian stuffed shells recipe.