Get ready to fall in love with the easiest, cheesiest, ultimate comfort food in one pot! This Slow Cooker Ravioli Lasagna Recipe brings all the classic flavors of lasagna—but with half the fuss and none of the mess. Whether you’re rushing through a busy weeknight or want to treat yourself to a cozy weekend meal, this dish is pure reliable magic!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Layered Comfort: All the hearty, cheesy layers of classic lasagna—without any noodle boiling or kitchen chaos.
- Hands-Off Cooking: Your slow cooker does the work, so you get to relax while your house fills with the most irresistible Italian aromas.
- Family & Freezer Friendly: It feeds a hungry crowd and makes dreamy leftovers that taste even better the next day.
- Endlessly Adaptable: Swap in your favorite ravioli flavor or try sausage for the beef—the Slow Cooker Ravioli Lasagna Recipe works every time!
Ingredients You’ll Need
With just a handful of kitchen staples and a quick prep, you’ll be amazed at how much flavor emerges. Each ingredient in this Slow Cooker Ravioli Lasagna Recipe is essential—lending its own flavor, texture, and color, working together to create layered lasagna bliss!
- Frozen Ravioli (25 oz., five-cheese): No need to thaw—straight from freezer to crockpot for minimal prep and a gooey-cheesy filling in every bite.
- Ground Beef (1 lb.): Classic beef brings rich, hearty flavor; swap with mild sausage if you love an herby kick.
- White Onion (1 cup, diced): Adds subtle sweetness and depth to your meat layer—don’t skip it!
- Salt, Pepper, Garlic Powder, Dried Oregano: Each brings that essential Italian seasoning profile—fragrant, savory, and a little punchy.
- Marinara Sauce (24 oz., your favorite brand): Smooth, robust tomato sauce ties the dish together; Rao’s is a wonderful choice for its rich, slow-cooked taste.
- Mozzarella Cheese (2 cups shredded): Because lasagna is nothing without that bubbly, melty golden topping!
Variations
This Slow Cooker Ravioli Lasagna Recipe is your ticket to endless creativity—go wild with swaps and tweaks to fit your kitchen and cravings. Whether you want to sneak in veggies, switch up proteins, or keep things lighter, adapting this dish is a breeze!
- Swap in Sausage: Use mild or spicy Italian sausage instead of beef for even more Italian flair and zesty depth.
- Add Veggies: Layer in baby spinach, sautéed mushrooms, or zucchini for extra color and nutrition.
- Change Your Ravioli: Try spinach-ricotta, mushroom, or even lobster ravioli for a gourmet twist.
- Make it Meatless: Leave out the meat entirely and double up on veggies for a vegetarian lasagna that’s still super satisfying.
How to Make Slow Cooker Ravioli Lasagna Recipe
Step 1: Brown the Meat & Aromatics
In a medium-sized nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, add your ground beef and diced onion. Sprinkle over the salt, pepper, garlic powder, and oregano. Brown everything together, stirring and breaking up the meat as you go. Don’t drain off all that delicious liquid—leave a few spoonfuls behind to keep your meat moist and flavorful in the slow cooker!
Step 2: Prep the Crockpot
Give your slow cooker a quick spray with non-stick spray (trust me, cleanup will be so much easier!). Pour in half the marinara sauce, creating a rich tomato base for the lasagna layers.
Step 3: Layer the Ravioli and Meat
Scatter half the bag of frozen ravioli over the sauce. Next, spoon all your savory beef mixture over the ravioli—every scoop infuses flavor into each pasta pocket!
Step 4: Final Assembly
Top the meat with your remaining ravioli, then pour over the rest of the marinara sauce. Dreamy, right? Finish the whole thing with a generous shower of shredded mozzarella for that signature lasagna lift.
Step 5: Cook (and Walk Away!)
Pop on the lid and set your slow cooker to LOW for about 4 hours. That’s it—you can truly walk away, enjoy your day, and return to layers of cozy lasagna perfection.
Step 6: Serve and Enjoy
Once the cheese is melty and the sauce is bubbling at the edges, you’re seconds away from a hot, hearty dinner. Spoon generous portions onto plates and watch faces light up!
Pro Tips for Making Slow Cooker Ravioli Lasagna Recipe
- Frozen Ravioli—No Thaw! Keeping your ravioli straight from the freezer is key to perfectly cooked layers that don’t get mushy.
- Leave Some Drippings: A touch of the beef and onion liquid keeps the filling moist and flavorful—don’t pour it all off after browning.
- Cheese Blanket: For chewy, golden edges, pile your mozzarella right to the crockpot’s sides before cooking.
- Low and Slow Wins: Resist the urge to crank up the heat—four hours on LOW is just right for tender pasta and perfect texture.
How to Serve Slow Cooker Ravioli Lasagna Recipe
Garnishes
Give each serving a flourish with fresh basil ribbons, a sprinkling of grated Parmesan, or a dash of crushed red pepper flakes. A drizzle of good olive oil makes it extra inviting—the finishing touches make your Slow Cooker Ravioli Lasagna Recipe restaurant-worthy!
Side Dishes
This dish shines alongside a crisp Caesar salad, roasted broccoli, or a simple green salad. Don’t forget warm garlic bread (or focaccia) to mop up all that glorious sauce—you want every last bite!
Creative Ways to Present
Serve in deep bowls for a rustic, family-style meal, or use a sharp spatula to lift out neat “squares” just like classic lasagna. For parties, offer in ramekins or mini cocottes for adorable, single-serve portions that look as terrific as they taste!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Let leftovers cool before transferring to an airtight container. Your Slow Cooker Ravioli Lasagna Recipe keeps beautifully in the fridge for up to 4 days—just scoop and reheat for cozy meals on the fly!
Freezing
This recipe is freezer-friendly! Simply portion cooled lasagna into containers, seal well, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge for a “just-cooked” flavor, any night of the week.
Reheating
Reheat generous helpings in the microwave—cover with a damp paper towel to keep things moist. For larger quantities, a covered baking dish in the oven works wonders. Sprinkle with extra mozzarella before warming for that fresh-baked aroma!
FAQs
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Can I use refrigerated ravioli instead of frozen in this Slow Cooker Ravioli Lasagna Recipe?
Absolutely, but keep an eye on the cook time—refrigerated ravioli will cook more quickly, so check for doneness after 2.5 to 3 hours to prevent mushy pasta.
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What can I use instead of beef?
Mild or hot Italian sausage, ground turkey, or even a plant-based meat substitute all work deliciously—just brown as directed for robust flavor in every bite.
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Can I add extra cheese or use a cheese blend?
Go for it! Try a mix of mozzarella and provolone, or toss in freshly grated Parmesan for a sharper taste and melty texture throughout your Slow Cooker Ravioli Lasagna Recipe.
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Is it okay to double this recipe for a bigger group?
Yes! You can double all the ingredients for a crowd, but be sure to use a larger slow cooker, and expect cooking time to increase by about an hour for even heating.
Final Thoughts
Once you taste this Slow Cooker Ravioli Lasagna Recipe, you’ll see why it’s an instant family favorite and a true weeknight win. Embrace the ease, enjoy the layers, and don’t be surprised if everyone asks for seconds—maybe even before you sit down!
Print
Slow Cooker Ravioli Lasagna Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Total Time: 4 hours 20 minutes
- Yield: 5 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Slow Cooker Ravioli Lasagna recipe is a delicious twist on traditional lasagna, using frozen ravioli for a quick and easy meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Frozen Ravioli:
- 25 oz. frozen ravioli – DO NOT THAW (I use 5 cheese)
Ground Beef Mixture:
- 1 lb. ground beef (can use mild sausage)
- 1 cup white onion diced
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1/4 tsp. pepper
- 1/4 tsp. garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp. dried leaf oregano (not ground)
Other Ingredients:
- 24 oz. marinara sauce (I use Rao’s)
- 8 oz. shredded mozzarella cheese (2 cups)
Instructions
- Cook the Ground Beef Mixture: In a medium-sized non-stick skillet set to medium-high heat, add the ground beef and diced onion. Add the salt, pepper, garlic powder, and oregano. Cook until the meat is browned. Don’t drain all the liquid off the meat; keep a few tablespoons in the meat to keep it moist.
- Prep the Slow Cooker: Spray the slow cooker with non-stick spray.
- Layer the Ingredients: Add half of the marinara sauce to the bottom of the slow cooker. Add HALF of the bag of ravioli on top of that sauce. Add all of the ground beef mixture over the ravioli. Add the remaining ravioli over the meat. Pour over the remaining sauce. Sprinkle over the mozzarella cheese.
- Cook: Place the lid on the slow cooker. Cook on LOW for 4 hours.
- Serve: Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- You can customize this dish by using your favorite type of frozen ravioli or adding extra vegetables to the ground beef mixture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 980mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
