Vikki's Baked Ravioli with Vodka Cream Sauce

I saw this basic recipe on Tik Tok, but have since perfected it and here it is.  Makes a lot, so be ready for yummy leftovers.  A comforting dish that everyone will love.  So easy too.

What you will need.........

2 Tbsp. butter

1 medium onion, diced

4 cloves garlic minced

1 cup vodka

1 (28 oz.) can crushed tomatoes

1 Tbsp. sugar

1 tsp. Oregano

1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper

1 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. black pepper

1 cup heavy cream

2 Tbsp. fresh, chopped basil

1-36 oz. package of ravioli.  You have some flexibility with this.  You can use frozen or fresh.  Any kind too (cheese, meat, mushroom, spinach..whatever you prefer).  The first time I made this we used Portobello Mushroom raviolis from BJs, as we wanted meatless.

1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella

1/2 cup Peccorino-Romano cheese.  ** Use Parmesan, if you prefer **

Chopped, fresh parsley

Seasoned Panko Breadcrumbs

1/2 stick butter

Make the Sauce

Melt 2 tbsp. butter and sauce onion until soft (about 5 minutes).  Add garlic and cook another minute.  Add red pepper and carefully add the vodka and simmer. uncovered until liquid is reduced by half.  About 5-6 minutes.  

Add the crushed tomatoes, sugar, salt, black pepper oregano.  Simmer uncovered for 15 minutes.  Taste.  If too bitter, add a little more sugar, salt and black pepper. 

Whisk the basil and heavy cream into the tomato sauce.  Set aside.

Cook ravioli's according to package directions and drain.  ***You want them to be al dente, as there will be some baking of this dish.  

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

In a 19x 13 baking dish.  Spread some sauce at the bottom.  Add a layer of ravioli.  Then sauce.  Sprinkle with the mozzarella and pecorino-romano cheese.  Repeat with another layer of ravioli, sauce

and cheeses.

Once put together, top with a generous amount of the Panko bread crumbs.  Don't hold back on this, as this makes a nice crunchy crust to this dish.  Cut up the 1/2 stick of butter into squares and place on top of the last layer of ravioli.  

Bake for about 30 minutes or until bubbly and the top is golden and appears baked on top.

Buon Appetito!!!!