Looking for a comforting, hearty meal that’s packed with protein? You’ve got to try this High Protein Beef Ravioli Pasta Bake. With layers of beef and pork mince, savoury cottage cheese and spinach, and melted mozzarella, this dish is not only satisfying but also a great way to fuel your body. Perfect for a family dinner or meal prep, this dish is sure to be a favourite!
Tips for making the best Beef Ravioli Pasta Bake
Use quality ravioli: The ravioli is a key component in this dish, so choose a high-quality fresh variety, such as spinach and ricotta, to really elevate the flavour.
Make the sauce ahead: You can make the meat sauce and cottage cheese mixture ahead of time to save time on the day of serving.
Add extra veggies: If you want to sneak in more vegetables, feel free to add some zucchini or capsicum to the
meat sauce.
Why you’ll love this recipe
High in Protein: With a combination of beef, pork, and cottage cheese, this dish provides a solid protein punch, supporting muscle repair and recovery.
Balanced Macronutrients: The mix of lean meat, dairy, and vegetables offers a good balance of protein, healthy fats, and carbohydrates to help keep you feeling full and energised.
Rich in Fibre: The addition of spinach and vegetables like carrots and celery not only boosts the flavour but also adds fibre, supporting digestive health.
How to make it
Cook the Meat Sauce: Brown the beef and pork mince, then sauté onion, carrot, celery, and garlic. Stir in tomato passata and simmer for 10 minutes.
Prepare the Cottage Cheese & Spinach: Wilt the spinach in olive oil, then combine with cottage cheese.
Cook the Ravioli: Boil the ravioli until al dente, then drain.
Assemble the Bake: In a baking dish, layer the meat sauce, cooked ravioli, cottage cheese-spinach mixture, and more meat sauce. Finish with grated Parmesan and mozzarella.
Grill: Place under the oven grill for 10 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbling.
Macro Breakdown (Per Serving)
This recipe serves 8, and here’s the approximate nutritional breakdown for one serving:
Calories: 450
Protein: 30g
Carbs: 45g
Fat: 18g
The nutritional information is an estimate based on standard ingredients and may vary depending on the specific brands and products used. For personalised dietary advice, consult with a nutritionist or healthcare provider.
High Protein Beef Ravioli Pasta Bake
8
servings5
minutes50
minutesIngredients
2 packets (1.26kg) beef ravioli
- For the Meat Sauce:
1 tbsp olive oil
500g beef mince
500g pork mince
440g tomato passata
1 small onion, finely diced
1 small carrot, finely diced
1 celery stalk, finely diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
Salt and pepper, to taste
- For the Cottage Cheese & Spinach Mixture:
500g cottage cheese
4 handfuls spinach leaves
1 tbsp olive oil
Salt and pepper, to taste
1/4 tsp nutmeg
- For the Layering:
30g grated Parmesan cheese
200g thinly sliced mozzarella
Directions
- Cook the Meat Sauce
- Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add the beef and pork mince, then cook until browned, breaking up the meat as it cooks.
- Once browned, reduce the heat to medium and add the diced onion, carrot, celery, and garlic. Sauté for 3–4 minutes until the vegetables have softened.
- Pour in the tomato passata, stir to combine, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Let the sauce simmer for 10 minutes, allowing the flavours to meld.
- Prepare the Cottage Cheese & Spinach Mixture
- In a separate pan, drizzle olive oil and cook the spinach over medium heat until wilted (about 3–4 minutes).
- Once the spinach has wilted, transfer it to a bowl and let it cool slightly.
- In a separate bowl, combine the cottage cheese and cooked spinach. Season with salt, pepper and nutmeg. Mix thoroughly.
- Cook the Ravioli
- Cook the ravioli according to the packet directions. Once cooked, drain and set aside.
- Assemble the Bake
- Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
- In a large baking dish, start by spooning a small amount of meat sauce to cover the bottom. Add a layer of cooked ravioli. Spread a generous layer of the cottage cheese and spinach mixture over the ravioli. Spoon over more of the beef sauce, making sure to cover evenly. Repeat the layering process, finishing with a layer of grated Parmesan and sliced mozzarella on top.
- Bake the Pasta Bake
- Place the dish in the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the bake is heated through and the cheese is bubbling and golden. For a more golden and crispy top, place the dish under the grill for an additional 5 minutes.
- Serve
- Remove the bake from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before serving. Divide into portions and enjoy!
