Viral Trader Joe's Pumpkin Ravioli Bake

This Trader Joe's pumpkin ravioli bake is an easy, 5-ingredient fall dinner made with their seasonal pumpkin ravioli, sweet Italian sausage, and creamy Autumnal Harvest pasta sauce. Everything gets layered with ricotta and mozzarella, then baked until the cheese is golden and bubbly. The best part is that you don't even have to boil the ravioli first, so there's barely any prep work involved!

Why You’ll Love This Viral Trader Joe’s Ravioli Bake

One of my favorite things about Trader Joe's is finding ways to turn their seasonal products into easy dinners. I've made some delicious shortcut recipes using ingredients from Trader Joe's, like my Trader Joe's chicken pot pie and white chicken chili enchiladas, and I wanted to do something with their fall ingredients next. When I came across this viral baked ravioli from whitneybond, I loved the idea of using Trader Joe's pumpkin ravioli and Autumnal Harvest pasta sauce to make a cheesy casserole, so I used her recipe as inspiration for this one.

The combination of flavors has everything you'd want in a fall dish! The pumpkin ravioli has a little sweetness that goes perfectly with the savory Italian sausage, and the ricotta and mozzarella make everything extra cheesy. I especially love that you can layer the ravioli straight from the package without boiling it first. With just five ingredients and hardly any prep work, it's a great way to make a comforting fall dinner without spending much time in the kitchen.

Ingredients

• 1 lb. Trader Joe’s sweet Italian sausage
• 1 jar (25 oz.) Trader Joe’s Autumnal Harvest Creamy Pasta Sauce
• 2 packages (9 oz. each) Trader Joe’s Honey Roasted Pumpkin Ravioli
• 16 oz. ricotta cheese
• 8 oz. shredded mozzarella cheese

Ingredient Notes That Make This Viral Baked Ravioli Better

• Trader Joe's Honey Roasted Pumpkin Ravioli: You'll need two 9-ounce packages. This seasonal ravioli has a slightly sweet pumpkin and cheese filling that pairs perfectly with the savory sausage. If it's unavailable, butternut squash ravioli is a great substitute. There's no need to boil the ravioli before assembling the casserole.
• Trader Joe's Autumnal Harvest Creamy Pasta Sauce: One 25-ounce jar adds creamy tomato, pumpkin, and butternut squash flavors. If you can't find it, you can use a creamy tomato pasta or rosatella pasta sauce instead.
• Trader Joe's Sweet Italian Sausage: I love the savory flavor this adds to balance the sweetness of the pumpkin ravioli. If you're using sausage links, remove the casings before browning. Mild or hot Italian sausage works too.
• Ricotta cheese: I recommend whole-milk ricotta for the creamiest texture. You'll use the entire 16-ounce container, divided between the two ravioli layers.
• Shredded mozzarella: You'll need 8 ounces, or about 2 cups. I recommend Trader Joe's low-moisture part-skim mozzarella since it melts well and gives the casserole a cheesy, golden topping.

How to Make Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Ravioli Bake

Step 1: Cook the Italian Sausage

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.

Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Remove the casings from the Italian sausage, if needed, and add it to the skillet. Cook for about 7–8 minutes, breaking it into crumbles, until browned and fully cooked. Drain any excess grease from the skillet.

Step 2: Add the Pasta Sauce

Pour the entire jar of Trader Joe's Autumnal Harvest Creamy Pasta Sauce into the skillet with the browned sausage. Stir everything together and let the sauce simmer for about 5 minutes so the sausage and sauce flavors combine.

Step 3: Assemble the first layer of ravioli

Spread a thin layer of the sausage and pasta sauce mixture across the bottom of your prepared baking dish. Arrange one package of Trader Joe's Honey Roasted Pumpkin Ravioli in an even layer over the sauce. There's no need to boil the ravioli first! Spoon half of the remaining sausage sauce over the ravioli, then dollop half of the ricotta cheese evenly over the top.

Step 4: Add the second layer and mozzarella

Arrange the second package of pumpkin ravioli over the first layer. Spread the remaining sausage sauce over the ravioli, making sure the pasta is well coated. Dollop the remaining ricotta cheese evenly over the sauce. Finish by sprinkling all of the shredded mozzarella cheese over the casserole.

Step 5: Bake the ravioli casserole

Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake at 350°F for 35 minutes.

Remove the foil and continue baking uncovered for another 5–10 minutes, or until the mozzarella is melted and lightly golden, the sauce is bubbling, and the center reaches 165°F.

Step 6: Rest and serve

Remove the baked ravioli from the oven and let it rest for about 5 minutes before serving. This helps the layers settle and makes the casserole easier to scoop. Serve warm and enjoy!

My Expert Tips for the Best Baked Ravioli

• Don't let the sauce get too thick. Since we're baking the ravioli without boiling it first, there needs to be enough moisture in the casserole to soften the pasta. If the sausage sauce reduces too much while simmering, I recommend stirring in 2–3 tablespoons of water before assembling everything.
• Break the sausage into small crumbles. I recommend breaking the Italian sausage into fairly small pieces as it browns. This helps distribute it evenly between the ravioli layers, so you get a little sausage in every bite.
• Drain any excess liquid from the ricotta. If you notice liquid collecting on top of the ricotta, pour it off before adding the cheese to the casserole. Too much moisture can make the finished ravioli bake watery.
• Be gentle when layering the ravioli. Trader Joe's pumpkin ravioli is pretty delicate, so avoid pressing down on the pasta or spreading the ricotta too aggressively. I recommend using small spoonfuls of ricotta throughout each layer to keep the ravioli from breaking apart.
• Make sure the foil doesn't touch the cheese. I recommend lightly greasing the underside of the aluminum foil or tenting it slightly above the mozzarella. Otherwise, some of that delicious melted cheese can stick to the foil when you remove it.
• Check the ravioli in the center of the dish. The cheese on top can look perfectly melted before the pasta underneath is fully tender. I recommend testing a ravioli near the center with a fork before taking the casserole out of the oven. If it's still firm, cover the dish again and give it another 5 minutes.

Trader Joe's Baked Ravioli Variations

I love this baked pumpkin ravioli as written, but there are a few ways you can change it up depending on what you're craving.

• Add crispy sage. Fresh sage pairs perfectly with pumpkin and squash. Fry a few sage leaves in a little butter until crisp, then crumble them over the finished casserole. It's an easy way to add more fall flavor.
• Give it some heat. Add ½ teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes to the sausage sauce while it simmers. I especially like this idea if you want to balance out some of the sweetness from the pumpkin ravioli.
• Make it extra hearty. Add a cup of sautéed mushrooms or caramelized onions to the sausage sauce. Both add extra savory flavor and make the casserole even more filling.
• Add a crunchy topping. Mix ¼ cup of panko breadcrumbs with a tablespoon of melted butter and sprinkle it over the mozzarella before the final uncovered bake. It adds a nice crispy contrast to the soft ravioli and creamy ricotta.

Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Ravioli FAQs

Do you have to boil ravioli before baking it?

No! One of my favorite things about this recipe is that you can use Trader Joe's refrigerated pumpkin ravioli straight from the package. The ravioli cooks in the pasta sauce while the casserole bakes, so there's no need to boil it first. Just make sure the ravioli is covered with sauce and the baking dish is tightly covered with foil during the first part of baking.

Can you make baked ravioli with frozen ravioli?

Yes! Frozen ravioli works in baked ravioli casseroles, and you don't necessarily need to thaw it first. However, frozen ravioli generally needs an additional 10–15 minutes of covered baking time. I recommend checking a ravioli in the center of the casserole to make sure the pasta is completely tender before serving.

How long do you bake ravioli at 350°F?

For this pumpkin baked ravioli recipe, bake the casserole covered at 350°F for 35 minutes, then uncover and bake for another 5–10 minutes. The total baking time is 40–45 minutes. The mozzarella should be melted and bubbly, the ravioli should be tender, and the center of the casserole should be hot.

Is Trader Joe's pumpkin ravioli sweet or savory?

Trader Joe's Honey Roasted Pumpkin Ravioli has a combination of sweet and savory flavors. The filling contains roasted pumpkin, honey, brown sugar, ricotta, mozzarella, and warm spices. It's slightly sweeter than traditional cheese ravioli, which is why I love pairing it with Italian sausage in this casserole. The savory sausage and creamy pasta sauce balance the sweetness of the pumpkin filling.

Can I make this pumpkin ravioli casserole ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can cook the Italian sausage and combine it with the pasta sauce up to a day in advance. Refrigerate the sauce in an airtight container, then assemble the casserole when you're ready to bake. You can also assemble the entire casserole up to 24 hours ahead, but the ravioli may soften as it sits in the sauce. If baking it cold, allow a little extra cooking time and make sure the center heats through.

How do you store and reheat leftover baked ravioli?

Store leftover baked ravioli in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. To reheat, place it in a covered baking dish with a splash of water or extra pasta sauce and warm in a 350°F oven until the center is heated through. You can also freeze individual portions for up to 2 months. Thaw them overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

What do you serve with pumpkin ravioli?

Since this baked pumpkin ravioli is rich and cheesy, I recommend serving it with something lighter, like a simple green salad, roasted broccoli, or Brussels sprouts. Garlic bread is another delicious option, especially for soaking up the extra sauce. It's also hearty enough to serve on its own as a complete fall dinner.

Trader Joe's Recipes to Try Next

• Trader Joe's Flatbread Pizza
• Trader Joe's Chicken Pot Pie
• Trader Joe's Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese