Jiffy Jollof Sauce adds a bold West African twist to classic Italian lasagna, creating a fusion dish that's both familiar and excitingly different. Perfect for busy weeknights, potlucks, or when you need to feed a hungry crowd without spending hours in the kitchen.
Why You'll Love This Ravioli Lasagna
✅ No-Boil Method - Frozen ravioli = no pre-cooking pasta!
✅ Quick Assembly - Ready for the oven in 15 minutes
✅ Fusion Flavor - Jollof sauce elevates classic lasagna
✅ Crowd-Pleaser - Feeds 6-8 people easily
✅ Make-Ahead Friendly - Assemble in advance, bake when ready
✅ Kid-Approved - All the comfort of traditional lasagna, easier to make
What is Ravioli Lasagna?
Ravioli lasagna is a brilliant shortcut that replaces traditional lasagna noodles with frozen ravioli. Since ravioli are already filled with cheese, you get extra creaminess without adding ricotta layers. The result? All the comfort of classic lasagna in half the time!
Ingredients You'll Need
For the Meat Layer:
- 1 lb ground beef (80/20) - Perfect fat ratio for flavor
- 1 cup Jiffy Jollof Sauce - Shop Jiffy Jollof Sauce
- Cook time: 5-7 minutes
For the Layers:
- 2 cups frozen ravioli - Any filling works (cheese, spinach, meat)
- 1 cup tomato sauce - Plain or marinara
- 1.5 cups shredded mozzarella cheese - Divided
- 1 cup baby spinach (optional) - Adds nutrition and color
For Serving:
- Fresh basil strips - Optional garnish
Pro Tip: Choose Medium Jiffy Jollof Sauce for balanced flavor, Mild for families with kids, or Hot if you love spice!
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Cook the Beef
Preheat your oven to 400°F.
In a large skillet over medium heat, cook and crumble 1 lb ground beef until mostly no longer pink (about 5 minutes). Drain excess fat if needed.
Add 1 cup Jiffy Jollof Sauce to the beef and stir to combine. Simmer for 5-7 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken slightly.
Why this works: Cooking the beef with Jollof sauce infuses every bite with smoky, aromatic West African spices.
Step 2: Create the First Layer
Grab a greased 2.5-quart baking dish (9x13 inch works perfectly).
Layer 1 Bottom to Top:
- Spread one-third of the tomato sauce across the bottom - make sure it fully covers the dish to prevent sticking
- Arrange half the frozen ravioli evenly over the sauce (no need to thaw!)
- Sprinkle half the Jollof beef mixture over the ravioli
- Add 1 cup baby spinach if using (optional but recommended!)
- Top with 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese
Chef's Tip: Don't overlap ravioli too much - they need space to absorb moisture and cook properly.
Step 3: Build the Second Layer
Repeat the layering process:
Layer 2 Bottom to Top:
- Another one-third of tomato sauce
- Remaining frozen ravioli
- Remaining Jollof beef
- Another 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese
Why double layers: This ensures every bite has the perfect ratio of pasta, meat, and cheese.
Step 4: Top with Final Sauce and Cheese
Gently spread the remaining tomato sauce over everything, making sure to cover all the ravioli (exposed pasta can dry out).
Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese generously on top.
Pro Move: Add a light sprinkle of parmesan for extra flavor!
Step 5: Bake to Perfection
Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil. This traps steam and helps cook the frozen ravioli.
Bake at 400°F for 30-35 minutes, until:
- The cheese is melted and bubbly
- The ravioli are tender when pierced with a fork
- The edges are bubbling
Optional: Remove foil for the last 5 minutes for a golden, slightly crispy cheese top.
Step 6: Rest and Serve
Remove from oven and let rest for 5-10 minutes before cutting. This helps the layers set and makes serving easier.
Garnish with fresh basil strips if desired. Serve hot and watch it disappear!
What Makes This Recipe Special
This isn't just any lasagna - it's a fusion masterpiece that combines:
- Italian comfort food with West African bold flavors
- Traditional technique with modern shortcuts
- Hearty meat layers with creamy ravioli
- Familiar taste with exciting new dimension
The Jiffy Jollof Sauce brings smoky depth and aromatic spices that elevate basic lasagna into something unforgettable.
Serving Suggestions
Complete the Meal:
- Garlic bread or cheesy breadsticks
- Caesar salad or mixed greens
- Roasted vegetables
- Italian-style green beans
Perfect Portions: This recipe serves 6-8 people as a main dish, or 10-12 as a side for potlucks.
Expert Tips for Perfect Ravioli Lasagna
Don't thaw the ravioli: Frozen ravioli work best - they absorb sauce as they bake without becoming mushy.
Drain the beef: Remove excess grease for a less oily lasagna.
Quality mozzarella matters: Use whole milk mozzarella, not part-skim, for best melting and flavor.
Sauce coverage is key: Every layer of ravioli must be covered with sauce to prevent dry, hard pasta.
Right-sized dish: A 2.5-quart (9x13 inch) dish is ideal. Too large and it'll be thin; too small and it'll overflow.
Don't skip the rest: Letting lasagna sit for 5-10 minutes after baking makes serving much easier.
Add vegetables: Spinach, mushrooms, bell peppers, or zucchini boost nutrition without changing cooking time.
Recipe Variations
Vegetarian Ravioli Lasagna
Skip the ground beef. Layer with sautéed mushrooms, bell peppers, zucchini, and extra spinach. Use cheese or vegetable-filled ravioli.
Spicy Jollof Lasagna
Use Hot Jiffy Jollof Sauce and add red pepper flakes between layers for extra heat.
Three-Cheese Ravioli Lasagna
Add ricotta dollops and parmesan alongside the mozzarella for ultra-cheesy goodness.
Turkey or Chicken Version
Substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option. Season slightly more as they're milder than beef.
White Sauce Ravioli Lasagna
Replace tomato sauce with Alfredo or béchamel for a creamy white lasagna variation.
Jumbo Serving Size
Double the recipe in a larger dish for parties, using 2 lbs beef, 4 cups ravioli, and proportionally more sauce and cheese.
Make-Ahead Instructions
Assemble in Advance: Build the entire lasagna up to 24 hours ahead. Cover tightly with plastic wrap, then foil, and refrigerate. Add 10-15 minutes to baking time if cooking from cold.
Freeze for Later: Assemble in a freezer-safe dish, wrap tightly, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before baking, or bake from frozen (add 20-30 minutes, keep covered).
Meal Prep: Bake, cool completely, portion into individual servings, and refrigerate for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 2 months.
Storage & Reheating
Refrigerator Storage: Cover leftovers tightly and refrigerate for up to 4 days.
Reheating:
- Oven: Cover with foil, bake at 350°F for 20-25 minutes
- Microwave: Individual portions for 2-3 minutes, covered
- Air fryer: Uncovered at 350°F for 8-10 minutes for crispy edges
Freezing Leftovers: Wrap individual portions in plastic wrap, then foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight before reheating.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use fresh ravioli instead of frozen? Yes, but reduce baking time by 5-10 minutes. Fresh ravioli cook faster and can become too soft.
What if I don't have a 2.5-quart dish? A 9x13 inch pan works perfectly. Slightly smaller or larger is fine - just adjust layers accordingly.
Do I need to cover with foil? Yes! Foil traps steam that cooks the frozen ravioli. Remove for the last 5 minutes if you want browned cheese.
Can I make this without meat? Absolutely! Use the Jollof sauce on its own with vegetables, or add plant-based ground meat.
Which ravioli filling is best? Cheese ravioli is classic, but spinach & cheese, mushroom, or meat-filled all work beautifully.
How do I know when it's done? The cheese should be melted and bubbly, and a fork should easily pierce through the ravioli layers.
Can I use homemade sauce? Yes, but you'll still need the Jiffy Jollof Sauce for that signature fusion flavor. Use homemade for the plain tomato sauce layers.
Why This Shortcut Works
Traditional lasagna requires:
- Boiling noodles
- Making ricotta mixture
- Careful layering
- 60+ minutes baking
Our ravioli lasagna hack:
- Uses no-boil frozen ravioli (already filled!)
- Skips ricotta prep (cheese is inside ravioli)
- Simple layering (only 2 main layers)
- 30-35 minutes baking
Result: Same comfort food satisfaction in half the time!
Perfect for...
✓ Busy weeknight dinners ✓ Potluck contributions ✓ Meal prep Sundays ✓ Feeding large families ✓ Comfort food cravings ✓ Introducing kids to Jollof flavors ✓ Make-ahead entertaining
Ingredient Substitutions
No ground beef?
- Ground turkey, chicken, pork, or Italian sausage
- Plant-based ground meat
- Lentils for vegetarian option
No frozen ravioli?
- Tortellini works similarly
- Use lasagna noodles (boil first, add ricotta layer)
No mozzarella?
- Italian blend cheese
- Provolone and parmesan mix
- Any melting cheese
No tomato sauce?
- Marinara sauce
- Crushed tomatoes
- Pasta sauce of choice
Ready to Make Easy Lasagna?
Don't have Jiffy Jollof Sauce yet? Shop our collection and transform your comfort food game! Want to try different spice levels in various dishes? Grab our All Spice Levels Bundle for maximum versatility.