Recipe Box, Last Minute Dinner
I try to keep pasta on hand for last minute, easy dinners
I love to throw it in a casserole with vegetables,
chicken, ham, sausage or bacon
The other night I thought it was just me for dinner,
it was a busy weeknight with sports practices for the boys,
but at the last minute HHjr asked
if I would make him something too
Hmmm…I only had one package of ravioli,
and knew it was plenty for me,
but he’s a big strong guy with a very healthy appetite
and I was worried it wasn’t enough…
I did have a package of gnocchi in the freezer,
and thought… why not!
I used Sweet Potato Gnocchi and Corn Ravioli from Trader Joe’s,
Yes, it is kind of a wacky combination~
but the vegetable flavors are very subtle
Any ravioli, tortellini and gnocchi would work
The combination of ravioli and gnocchi gives this baked pasta casserole
a new taste twist
Cook the ravioli and gnocchi per package directions
then build your casserole with a bottom layer of sauce
I used Rao’s Roasted Garlic Alfredo
Put the ravioli on top of the sauce layer in dish
and top with the gnocchi
Break off tough ends of asparagus,
rinse and wrap in a cloth or paper towel
Microwave on high for 2 minutes and unwrap immediately
to prevent further cooking
Cut into 1 inch pieces and place on top of gnocchi
Sprinkle with Parmesan
Cover with more sauce~
You can adjust the amount to taste, use a little or a lot!
Top with more Parmesan
Dish can be covered and refrigerated for baking later if desired
Bake at 350 degrees until hot and bubbling, 30-45 minutes
Time will depend on temperature of dish before baking
Serve it up
I decided not to put bacon in the dish before baking
Instead, add it on top after baking
so the bacon would remain crispy
Either way, with or without bacon, it’s delicious
Of course I opted for bacon 😋
An easy last minute meal!
Ravioli & Gnocchi Alfredo with Asparagus & Bacon
Ingredients
- 8 oz fresh or frozen ravioli I used Trader Joe's corn ravioli
- 14 oz gnocchi I used Trader Joe's sweet potato gnocchi
- 1 jar 15 oz Alfredo sauce I used Rao's roasted garlic Alfredo
- 1 bunch asparagus spears
- 6 slices bacon, cooked
- 3 oz grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Prepare ravioli and gnocchi per package directions
- Put a layer of Alfredo sauce into the bottom of a greased casserole dish, about 1/3 jar
- Place drained ravioli on top of sauce and top with the gnocchi.
- Break off tough ends of asparagus, rinse and wrap in a kitchen towel or paper towel. Microwave on high for 2 minutes. Unwrap immediately to prevent further cooking. Cut into 1 inch pieces and place in casserole on top of gnocchi.
- Cover with Parmesan cheese
- Pour remaining sauce {or less to taste} over all and sprinkle with more Parmesan. Dish can be covered and refrigerated at this point for baking later if desired.
- Bake at 350 degrees, uncovered, for 30-45 minutes until bubbling. Time will depend on temperature of dish when put in the oven
- Garnish with crispy bacon pieces and serve
Notes
Here are other similar easy casseroles
Asparagus Alfredo Ravioli Bake
Summer Breeze Ravioli with Ham, Corn and Snow Peas
Gnocchi Florentine with Mushrooms and Pancetta
Sausage Ravioli with Butternut Squash and Spinach Cream
So next time you’re wondering “what’s for dinner,”
think ravioli and gnocchi!
I will be joining these fabulous parties and blogs:
Sundays on Silverado/ Love Your Creativity
What’s for Dinner/ Between Naps on the Porch
All About Home/ Common Ground & Follow the Yellow Brick Home
Oh My Heartsie Girl / Turn About Tuesday
Karin’s Cottage Linky Party / Creative Crafts / Crafty Creators
Full Plate Thursday/ Creatively Crafty/ Thursday Favorite Things
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Jenna, this looks delicious and thanks for all the quick and easy ravioli recipes.
Thanks Bernadette, as you can tell, I make a lot of these easy pasta casserole dinners 🙂
If you opened a restaurant, everyone would. And bring friends. Make sure I’m invited!
I’m very flattered, thanks so much!
Jenna, your last minute dinner looks delicious. I really like Rao’s sauce, it is a cut above others in my opinion. Crispy bacon on top adds another layer of goodness. Happy Sunday!
I agree, the Rao’s sauces are more expensive, but so worth it, thanks Pam!
I’m always looking for last minute dinner ideas Jenna and this sure is a good idea. I’ve usually got pasta in the freezer and sauces on hand. Of course I love the bacon topping idea, yum…….Thanks for the idea and recipe.
Thanks, the Rao’s sauce is a new favorite, more expensive than other brands but worth it!
Jenna, I’m always looking for last minuted easy recipes. I almost always have pasta in the freezer and sauces in the pantry so this will be added to my “go to” recipes. Thanks for the idea and recipe. Happy Sunday…..
Thanks Emily, as you know, I make stuff like this all the time, it’s always easy and always yummy…so glad your comment came through!
Your last minute dinner looks excellent! I need to buy some more bacon too 🙂
Thanks Angie, you don’t want to run out of bacon 🙂
What a fun and creative way to make a larger meal for a healthy appetite. Anything with bacon and melted cheese is a winner.
Thanks Carole, I loved the way it turned out!
Love it when we create a stunning recipe using what we have on hand, even if it sounds a bit quirky!
Thanks Dorothy, me too, it’s a great feeling to use up what you have!
Sounds like a hearty meal! I think I’d like to try some fancy ravioli:@)
It’s great to have on hand for an easy dinner!
Love how you combined what you had. I probably would’ve been thinking I’d made 2 dishes. Great idea to make 1.
It was a crazy combo, but delicious!
Sometimes the weirdest stuff works!
yummy Jenna. another recipe to add to my collection. I, too like to use up what I have on hand.
Have a beautiful Sunday
Kari @ Me and y Captain
Thank you Kari, sometimes the best meals happen accidentally!
Oh, my kingdom for a Trader Joe’s!
ha ha, it is a treasure trove!
These kinds of meals are what I come to you for, so easy. But….we don’t have TJ’s {sad face}, but surely some subs can be found. Thanks for the idea!
Oh, thank you! And sure, you don’t have to get your pasta at TJ’s, there are nice varieties of fancy pastas at many stores now~have fun creating something yummy!
You had me at pasta! WOW! That looks amazing. I made a traditional pasta dish for dinner today and got my pasta fix for sure. I love the many variations of using pasta and I am pinning this dish! Hugs and blessings, Cindy
Thanks Cindy, as you can tell, I make pasta casseroles often!
Such a creative combination! I bet it was delicious!
Thank you!
Interesting how this meal all came together. It looks filling and delicious. I too always keep some pasta on hand for last minute dinners.
Thank you, sort of a happy accident!
All of the meal ideas look delectable – thanks for the inspiration!
You’re so welcome!
Jenna, you had me at alfredo sauce – my absolute favorite! I love pasta casseroles and it sounds delicious with the asparagus and the bacon. Pinning!
Thanks Kim, as you can see, I love to make these kind of casseroles!
Yes, this sounds very easy and creative, Jenna!
I love to create casseroles with what I have on hand, sort of a happy accident! Thanks Kitty!
I love your fearlessness and creativity in the kitchen Jenna! I so wish we had a Trader Joe’s that wasn’t an hour away. ♥
Thank you Mary, Trader Joe’s is always like a treasure hunt, you never know what you’re going to find!
Hi Jenna, the above comment is from Mary @ Home is Where the Boat Is. My icon is there but when I got to comment for some reason my last two comments have published as anonymous. Not sure what that’s all about…