Crockpot Ravioli Lasagna Recipe

The Dreamy Crockpot Ravioli Lasagna Recipe Everyone Loves

Layers of cheesy goodness merge effortlessly in this crockpot ravioli lasagna recipe that promises comfort in every single bite.

Weeknight dinners just got a delicious upgrade with minimal effort and maximum flavor.

Frozen ravioli becomes the secret weapon for creating a mouthwatering meal that feels like a culinary shortcut.

Hearty and satisfying, this dish brings together classic Italian flavors without complicated preparation.

Melted cheese stretches between tender pasta layers, creating a rich and indulgent experience.

Each spoonful delivers a perfect balance of marinara, cheese, and pasta that will have everyone asking for seconds.

You’ll want to bookmark this recipe for those nights when simplicity meets incredible taste.

Crockpot Ravioli Lasagna: Why It’s a Weeknight Hero

  • Simplify dinner with minimal hands-on cooking, using frozen ravioli and basic ingredients that come together effortlessly in one pot.
  • Combine the beloved flavors of lasagna and ravioli into a cheesy, hearty dish that appeals to both kids and adults with its familiar, satisfying taste.
  • Leverage the crockpot's magic to create a complete meal with minimal cleanup, letting the slow cooker do all the hard work while you relax.
  • Easily customize by swapping ground beef for turkey, adding vegetables, or adjusting cheese types to suit different dietary preferences and taste buds.

What Goes in Crockpot Ravioli Lasagna

Core Ingredients:
  • Frozen Cheese Ravioli: Pre-made pasta pillows filled with creamy cheese that serve as the pasta base for this lasagna.
  • Ground Beef: Protein that adds richness and depth to the dish when browned before layering.
  • Pasta Sauce: A flavorful tomato-based sauce that helps cook and bind the ingredients together.
Cheese Ingredients:
  • Parmesan Cheese, Mozzarella Cheese: Cheeses that provide melty, stretchy texture and enhance the overall flavor profile of the lasagna.
Optional Flavor Enhancers:
  • Salt, Black Pepper: Standard seasonings that help elevate the taste of the ground beef and overall dish.

Slow Cooker Tools for Easy Ravioli Lasagna

  • Crockpot: Large, slow cooker essential for this recipe's hassle-free cooking method.
  • Cheese Grater: Perfect for shredding fresh Parmesan and mozzarella cheeses.
  • Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Great for layering ingredients evenly in the crockpot.
  • Skillet: Used for browning ground beef before adding to the lasagna layers.
  • Measuring Cup: Helpful for portioning pasta sauce accurately.
  • Sharp Knife: Useful for any preliminary ingredient preparation if needed.

How to Build Crockpot Ravioli Lasagna Step by Step

Step 1: Prep The Sauce Layer

Grab your slow cooker and pour a thin coating of pasta sauce across the bottom.

This creates a protective barrier that stops ingredients from sticking and burning during cooking.

Step 2: Build Delicious Layers

Create mouthwatering layers inside your slow cooker using:
  • Frozen cheese ravioli
  • Cooked ground beef
  • Shredded Parmesan cheese
  • Mozzarella cheese
  • Pasta sauce

Alternate these ingredients, making sure each layer gets equal attention.

Your final layer should be a generous topping of sauce and cheese for maximum flavor.

Step 3: Start Cooking

Cover the slow cooker and set the temperature.

For quicker results, choose high heat and cook for 2 hours.

If you prefer a slower approach, select low heat and let it simmer for 4 hours.

During this time, the ravioli will become perfectly tender and the cheese will transform into a gooey, irresistible blanket.

Step 4: Plate And Devour

When cooking is complete, carefully scoop out the steaming lasagna onto plates.

The layers will be beautifully melded together, creating a comforting meal that everyone will love.

Serve immediately while hot and enjoy the rich, cheesy goodness.

Tips for Rich, Cheesy Ravioli Lasagna Layers

  • Spread a thin sauce layer at the bottom of the crockpot to ensure easy serving and no burning.
  • Create even layers by alternating ravioli, meat, and cheeses to guarantee balanced flavor in every bite.
  • Use a blend of Parmesan and mozzarella for rich, creamy texture and enhanced melting qualities.
  • Adjust cooking time based on your schedule – high heat for 2 hours or low heat for 4 hours both work perfectly.
  • Prepare extra portions and freeze for quick future meals, maintaining delicious taste and texture.

Ways to Change Up Your Ravioli Lasagna

  • Vegetarian Ravioli Lasagna: Replace ground beef with plant-based crumbles or sautéed mushrooms for a meat-free version packed with protein and flavor.
  • Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free frozen ravioli and ensure pasta sauce is gluten-free to create a celiac-friendly meal that doesn't compromise taste.
  • Low-Carb Transformation: Swap ravioli with zucchini rounds or eggplant slices to create a lower-carbohydrate alternative that maintains the lasagna's rich, cheesy essence.
  • Mediterranean Spin: Incorporate spinach, feta cheese, and add herbs like oregano and basil to give the dish a Greek-inspired Mediterranean profile with fresh, vibrant flavors.

Serving Ravioli Lasagna for Cozy Dinners

  • Family-Style Dinner Delight: Serve this hearty lasagna with warm garlic bread for perfect sauce-dipping action.
  • Green Freshness Boost: Add a crisp side salad with mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, and light Italian vinaigrette to balance the rich pasta dish.
  • Protein Power Pairing: Complement the meal with grilled chicken strips or roasted vegetables for extra nutrition and flavor variety.
  • Wine Weekend Treat: Select a medium-bodied red wine like Chianti or Sangiovese to enhance the robust tomato and cheese flavors of this comforting dish.

Best Practices for Storing Crockpot Ravioli Lasagna

  • Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days, ensuring the container is sealed tightly to maintain freshness and prevent odor absorption.
  • Transfer cooled ravioli lasagna to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Remove excess air, label with the date, and freeze for up to 3 months. Flat storage helps maximize freezer space.
  • Place individual portions on a microwave-safe plate. Cover with a damp paper towel to prevent drying. Heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even warming.

FAQs

  • Can I use fresh ravioli instead of frozen?

Yes, you can use fresh ravioli, but reduce the cooking time slightly to prevent overcooking. Fresh ravioli typically requires less time to become tender.

  • Is it necessary to brown the ground beef before adding it to the crockpot?

Absolutely! Browning the ground beef beforehand helps develop deeper flavor and removes excess fat, resulting in a more delicious and less greasy dish.

  • Can I make this recipe vegetarian?

Yes, simply replace the ground beef with plant-based meat alternatives, or add extra vegetables like spinach, zucchini, or mushrooms to create a hearty vegetarian version.

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Crockpot Ravioli Lasagna Recipe

Crockpot Ravioli Lasagna Recipe


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4.7 from 32 reviews

  • Total Time: 3 hours 20 minutes
  • Yield: 6 1x

Description

Creamy crockpot ravioli lasagna blends Italian classics with convenient slow-cooking magic. Cheesy layers of pasta, rich marinara, and melted mozzarella create comfort that welcomes you to savor each hearty bite.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 1 pound ground beef, browned and drained
  • 1 jar pasta sauce
  • 16 ounces (454 grams) frozen cheese ravioli

Cheese:

  • 1 cup (100 grams) parmesan cheese, shredded
  • 1 cup (100 grams) mozzarella cheese

Instructions

  1. Lightly coat the bottom of the crockpot with a thin layer of pasta sauce to prevent ravioli from sticking during cooking.
  2. Create alternating layers in the crockpot, starting with a base of frozen cheese ravioli, followed by a layer of seasoned browned ground beef, then sprinkle generously with Parmesan and mozzarella cheeses, and cover with pasta sauce.
  3. Continue building layers, ensuring each layer includes ravioli, beef, cheeses, and sauce, pressing gently to compact the ingredients and distribute them evenly.
  4. Finish the final layer with a generous topping of pasta sauce and a final sprinkle of mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses to create a rich, golden surface.
  5. Cover the crockpot and cook on high temperature for 2-3 hours or on low setting for 3-4 hours, until ravioli is tender and cheese is completely melted and bubbling.
  6. Once cooking is complete, let the lasagna rest for 10-15 minutes to allow the layers to set and make serving easier.
  7. Serve hot, garnishing with fresh chopped basil or parsley for added flavor and visual appeal.

Notes

  • Prevent Sticking Spread a thin layer of pasta sauce at the bottom of the crockpot to ensure the ravioli doesn’t adhere to the surface during cooking.
  • Optimize Layering Create even, compact layers by gently pressing down each ingredient to maximize flavor distribution and ensure consistent cooking throughout the dish.
  • Cheese Melting Tip Use freshly shredded cheese instead of pre-packaged for better melting and a more luxurious texture that creates a golden, crispy top layer.
  • Dietary Modifications Swap ground beef for ground turkey or plant-based meat alternatives to accommodate different dietary preferences while maintaining the dish’s rich, comforting essence.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 3 hours
  • Category: Dinner, Lunch, Appetizer
  • Method: Slow Cooking
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 6
  • Calories: 450
  • Sugar: 6 g
  • Sodium: 800 mg
  • Fat: 20 g
  • Saturated Fat: 10 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 40 g
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Protein: 25 g
  • Cholesterol: 70 mg
Marcus Reed

Marcus Reed

Founder & Food Content Creator

Expertise

Single-recipe development, Seasonal and local ingredient utilization, Food photography and styling, Culinary writing and content creation​

Education

Culinary Arts Certificate, Blue Ridge Community and Technical College, WV
Focus: Fundamentals of culinary techniques, emphasizing hands-on experience in small-scale kitchen settings.


Marcus’s story begins in Asheville, where good food and family kitchens shaped his earliest memories. After hands-on culinary training and a lot of trial (and a little error), he realized that real cooking isn’t about perfection, it’s about connection.
At Pan and Oven, Marcus crafts recipes that are easy to follow, packed with flavor, and built for real kitchens.

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