I make Crockpot Ravioli Lasagna: A Hands-Off, Flavor-Packed Comfort Food Masterpiece when I need a hot meal with little work. I like that I can set it in the slow cooker and do other things. This dish came from nights when I had errands and a hungry family. I wanted food that would be ready when I came home.
I chose this recipe because it uses frozen ravioli and jarred sauce. It cuts prep time a lot. It still tastes like a cozy baked pasta dish. The cheese melts into the sauce. The meat adds a warm, rich flavor. It makes a good weeknight dinner and a simple dish for guests.
Crockpot Ravioli Lasagna: A Hands-Off, Flavor-Packed Comfort Food Masterpiece is a slow cooker pasta bake. It layers frozen cheese ravioli with meat sauce and lots of cheese. The slow cooker heats the ravioli slowly. The cheese melts and the sauce soaks into the pasta. The result is soft ravioli that taste like lasagna. It feels like a baked oven lasagna but you do less work. People make this for weeknight dinners. They also use it for potlucks and busy days. If you want other easy meat pasta ideas, try a cheesy penne with garlic butter and ground beef for a similar simple meal.
why make this recipe
This recipe saves time. You do a little cooking up front and then let the slow cooker do the rest. You do not boil pasta first. You do not stack many lasagna noodles. You can use frozen ravioli right from the bag. The hands-off part frees up your afternoon. The dish feeds a family and gives good leftovers. It is also easy to scale up for guests. The flavors are simple. The meat and jarred sauce make a rich base. The three cheeses give a good melt and a little bite. If you want a warm soup or a main, you can keep both on weeknights like with an Italian penicillin soup for a full menu.
how to make Crockpot Ravioli Lasagna: A Hands-Off, Flavor-Packed Comfort Food Masterpiece
Start by browning the ground beef in a skillet. Browning adds flavor and removes fat. Then mix the jarred pasta sauce, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning into the meat. Let it simmer a bit so the flavors blend. Grease the slow cooker so the dish does not stick. Put a thin layer of meat sauce in the bottom. This keeps the ravioli from sticking and adds moisture. Lay half of the frozen ravioli in a single layer next. Add more sauce. Sprinkle half of the mozzarella, cheddar, and Parmesan. Make a second layer the same way. Finish with cheese on top. Cook on low so the ravioli heat through and the cheese melts. Let it rest a few minutes before serving so it firms up a bit. For a simple dessert after dinner, you can serve something small like mascarpone stuffed dates.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 can (24 oz) pasta sauce
- 1 package (25 oz) frozen cheese ravioli
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
These items are easy to find. Use regular ground beef for a simple flavor. The jarred sauce saves time. Frozen ravioli means no boiling. The three cheeses give a mix of stretch and bite. Parmesan adds a salty top note. Garlic powder and Italian seasoning give steady, classic flavor. You can swap ground turkey or sausage if you want. Keep the ravioli frozen until you layer them. If your slow cooker runs hot, try a shorter cook time. The quantities feed about four people. Adjust them up or down for more or fewer servings.
Directions
- In a skillet, cook ground beef over medium heat until browned. Drain excess fat.
- Stir in pasta sauce, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. Simmer for 5 minutes.
- In a greased slow cooker, spread a thin layer of the meat sauce.
- Layer half of the frozen ravioli over the sauce.
- Top with half of the remaining meat sauce and half of each cheese.
- Repeat layers, finishing with cheese on top.
- Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours or until heated through and cheese is melted.
- Serve hot and enjoy!
Step 1 browns the beef and gives the sauce a meat base. Drain fat so the dish is not greasy. Step 2 warms the sauce and blends the spices into the meat. A short simmer helps the sauce cling to the ravioli. Step 3 keeps the ravioli from sticking to the pot. The thin sauce layer also keeps the bottom ravioli moist. Step 4 uses frozen ravioli so you skip pre-cooking. Spread them in one layer so they cook evenly. Steps 5–6 build flavor in layers and help the cheese melt into each piece. Step 7 on low gives a gentle heat that cooks the ravioli through without breaking them. If your slow cooker is a bit fast, check at 3.5 hours. Let the dish sit for five minutes after cooking so the cheese sets a bit. This helps you serve neat slices.
how to serve Crockpot Ravioli Lasagna: A Hands-Off, Flavor-Packed Comfort Food Masterpiece
Serve it hot from the slow cooker. Use a large spatula or spoon. Cut or scoop portions into plates. Add a simple green salad on the side for freshness. A piece of garlic bread or toasted rolls goes well. You can also top each serving with a little extra grated Parmesan or fresh basil. For kids, a plain side of steamed vegetables works. For a fuller meal, add roasted veggies or a bowl of soup. Let people add hot sauce or red pepper flakes if they like heat. Leftovers reheat well in the oven or microwave. Plate it with a spoonful of sauce so the ravioli stay moist. Keep servings simple and warm.
how to store Crockpot Ravioli Lasagna: A Hands-Off, Flavor-Packed Comfort Food Masterpiece
Cool the dish to room temperature before storing. Put leftovers in shallow airtight containers. In the fridge, eat within 3 to 4 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until hot. You can also microwave single portions. For long storage, freeze in freezer-safe containers. Freeze up to 2 months for best quality. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating. Label the container with the date so you know how long it has been stored. If you freeze in a casserole dish, cover tightly with foil and plastic wrap. Use good seals to prevent freezer burn. Reheat from thawed for best texture.
tips to make Crockpot Ravioli Lasagna: A Hands-Off, Flavor-Packed Comfort Food Masterpiece
Use a low slow cooker setting. Low heat cooks the ravioli gently. Do not overcook. Check at 3.5 to 4 hours if your cooker runs hot. Do not stir while it cooks. Stirring can break the ravioli. Drain excess grease after browning the beef. Too much fat makes the dish oily. Use a metal spatula to serve for cleaner slices. Let the cooked lasagna rest for a few minutes before scooping. Use a full layer of sauce on the bottom to keep ravioli from sticking. If you like more sauce, add a little water or broth to thin the jar sauce. If you add vegetables, chop them small so they cook through.
variation
You can swap ground beef for ground turkey or Italian sausage. Use a meatless version by leaving out the beef and adding cooked mushrooms or spinach. Swap the pasta sauce for a meat-flavored sauce or a plain marinara for a lighter taste. If you like spice, add red pepper flakes or chopped pepperoni. Use ricotta instead of one of the shredded cheeses for a creamier texture. For a low-fat option, use part-skim cheeses. If you have no slow cooker, you can layer and bake this in a covered oven dish at 375°F for about 30–40 minutes, until heated through. These swaps keep the base idea but change flavors and diet needs.
FAQs
Q: Can I use fresh ravioli?
A: Yes. If you use fresh ravioli, reduce cook time. Check at 2 to 3 hours on low.
Q: Do I need to thaw the ravioli first?
A: No. You can use frozen ravioli straight from the bag. Layer them frozen.
Q: Can I make this ahead?
A: Yes. Assemble in the slow cooker insert, cover, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Then cook as directed.
Q: Can I double the recipe?
A: Yes. Use a larger slow cooker or make two pots. Cook time may not change much on low.
Q: Do I need to add water?
A: Usually not. Jarred sauce and beef release enough liquid. Add a few tablespoons if your sauce is very thick.
Conclusion
This Crockpot Ravioli Lasagna recipe is easy and hands-off. It works well for busy nights. For more crockpot ideas and a similar take on this dish, see Crockpot Ravioli Lasagna: The Ultimate Easy Comfort Food. If you want other quick appliance recipes to try later, check out 20 Healthy Instant Pot Recipes That Make Mealtime a Breeze.
Print
Crockpot Ravioli Lasagna: A Hands-Off, Flavor-Packed Comfort Food Masterpiece
- Total Time: 315 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Beef, Comfort Food
Description
A delicious slow cooker lasagna made with layers of frozen ravioli, meat sauce, and three kinds of cheese for a rich, hearty dinner.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 can (24 oz) pasta sauce
- 1 package (25 oz) frozen cheese ravioli
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Instructions
- In a skillet, cook ground beef over medium heat until browned. Drain excess fat.
- Stir in pasta sauce, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. Simmer for 5 minutes.
- In a greased slow cooker, spread a thin layer of the meat sauce.
- Layer half of the frozen ravioli over the sauce.
- Top with half of the remaining meat sauce and half of each cheese.
- Repeat layers, finishing with cheese on top.
- Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours or until heated through and cheese is melted.
- Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
Let the dish rest for a few minutes before serving for better slice stability. Serve with a salad or garlic bread.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 300 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
