Let me tell you about the recipe that has completely saved my weeknight dinners! This crockpot ravioli lasagna is hands down one of the most brilliant comfort food hacks I’ve ever discovered. Imagine all the rich, cheesy goodness of traditional lasagna, but without all the tedious layering, boiling noodles, or oven monitoring.
I stumbled upon this recipe during one of those crazy weeks when everyone had different schedules, and I needed something that could cook itself while I handled everything else. The genius of using frozen ravioli instead of lasagna noodles was a total game-changer! The ravioli acts as both the pasta layers and adds extra filling, creating this incredibly satisfying and hearty meal.
What makes this dump and go crock pot recipes approach so amazing is that you literally just layer everything in your slow cooker and walk away. No pre-cooking, no complicated steps, no stress. Just pure comfort food magic happening while you live your life!
The result? Tender, perfectly cooked ravioli swimming in rich marinara sauce with melted cheese in every single bite. My family goes absolutely crazy for this dish, and honestly, it tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen when you really spent maybe 15 minutes assembling it.
CROCKPOT RAVIOLI LASAGNA
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Category: Crockpot
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 3-4 hours on low
- Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes
- Serves: 6-8 people
This recipe feeds a crowd and creates the most amazing leftovers! The slow cooking process allows all those flavors to meld together into pure comfort food perfection.
INGREDIENTS FOR CROCKPOT RAVIOLI LASAGNA
For the Meat Layer:
- 1 pound ground beef or ground turkey
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
For the Sauce and Assembly:
- 24 ounces marinara sauce (I love using a good quality jarred sauce)
- 25 ounces frozen cheese ravioli (about 1 large bag)
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped (or 1 tablespoon dried)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil for cooking
Optional Additions:
- 1 cup fresh spinach leaves
- 1/2 cup diced bell peppers
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley for garnish
The beauty of this quick simple crockpot meals recipe is its flexibility. You can easily customize it with your family’s favorite vegetables or adjust the cheese ratios to your liking!
PREPARATION FOR CROCKPOT RAVIOLI LASAGNA
- Cook the meat mixture in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add olive oil, then ground beef and diced onion. Cook for 5-6 minutes, breaking up the meat as it browns.
- Add aromatics by stirring in minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Cook for another 2 minutes until fragrant and the meat is fully cooked through. Drain any excess fat.
- Prepare your crockpot by spraying it generously with cooking spray. This prevents sticking and makes cleanup so much easier!
- Create the first layer by spreading 1/3 of the marinara sauce on the bottom of your crockpot. This prevents the ravioli from sticking and starts building those delicious layers.
- Add the first ravioli layer by placing half of the frozen ravioli directly over the sauce. Don’t worry about thawing them first – they’ll cook perfectly in the slow cooker!
- Layer the meat mixture by spreading half of the cooked ground beef mixture over the ravioli. Sprinkle with half of the ricotta cheese in small dollops.
- Continue layering with another 1/3 of marinara sauce, remaining ravioli, remaining meat mixture, and remaining ricotta cheese. Top with the final 1/3 of marinara sauce.
- Add the cheese crown by sprinkling mozzarella and Parmesan cheese evenly over the top. This creates that gorgeous melted cheese layer we all crave!
- Cook low and slow by covering and cooking on LOW for 3-4 hours. The ravioli should be tender when pierced with a fork, and the cheese should be bubbly and golden.
- Rest and serve by letting it sit for 10 minutes before serving. This helps everything set up perfectly and makes serving so much easier. Garnish with fresh basil and parsley if desired.
The transformation that happens in the slow cooker is absolutely magical! The frozen ravioli becomes perfectly tender, absorbing all those incredible flavors while maintaining its shape. This weeknight crockpot meals approach has seriously simplified my dinner routine.
NUTRITION INFORMATION
- 425 calories per serving
- 24g protein per serving
- 38g carbs per serving
- 19g fat per serving
- 4g fiber per serving
- 8g natural sugars per serving
This easy family favorite dinners recipe provides substantial nutrition with a good balance of protein, carbs, and satisfying fats. The combination keeps everyone full and happy!
CONSEILS AND SUGGESTIONS
Timing Tips: This crockpot supper recipes creation is perfect for busy schedules! Start it in the morning before work, and you’ll come home to an amazing dinner. The 3-4 hour cook time gives you flexibility without overcooking.
Cheese Variations: Want to mix things up? Try using different ravioli flavors like spinach and ricotta, mushroom, or even butternut squash. Each variety brings its own unique twist to this classic comfort food.
Make It Lighter: For a healthier version, use ground turkey instead of beef, part-skim cheeses, and add extra vegetables like zucchini or bell peppers. You can even sneak in some finely chopped spinach without anyone noticing!
Storage Solutions: Leftovers keep beautifully in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. This recipe actually tastes even better the next day as all the flavors continue to meld together. Perfect for meal prep!
Freezer Friendly: You can assemble this entire dish in a disposable slow cooker liner, freeze it, and cook it later! Just thaw completely before cooking and add an extra 30 minutes to the cook time.
Serving Suggestions: This pairs beautifully with a simple green salad and garlic bread. The rich, cheesy lasagna balances perfectly with crisp, fresh greens and crusty bread for dipping in that amazing sauce.
Size Adjustments: This recipe works great in both 6-quart and 8-quart slow cookers. For smaller batches, simply halve all ingredients and use a 4-quart crockpot with a reduced cooking time of 2-3 hours.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Can I use fresh ravioli instead of frozen?
While frozen ravioli works best for this recipe, you can use fresh ravioli! Just reduce the cooking time to 2-3 hours on low since fresh pasta cooks much faster. Keep an eye on it to prevent overcooking and mushiness.
What if I don’t have ricotta cheese?
No problem! You can substitute ricotta with cottage cheese for a similar creamy texture, or use cream cheese for extra richness. Some people even use a mixture of sour cream and shredded cheese as a substitute.
How do I know when it’s done cooking?
The ravioli should be tender when pierced with a fork, and the cheese on top should be melted and bubbly. If the edges start looking too brown, your slow cooker might run hot – reduce cooking time next time.
Can I make this without meat for a vegetarian version?
Absolutely! This makes an excellent crockpot recipes without meat option. Simply skip the ground beef layer and add extra vegetables like mushrooms, zucchini, or bell peppers. You might want to add extra Italian seasoning for flavor depth.
Why is my lasagna watery?
Excess liquid usually comes from not draining the meat properly or using a sauce that’s too thin. Make sure to drain all fat from the cooked meat, and if your marinara sauce seems thin, let it simmer for a few minutes to thicken before using.
This the best crock pot recipes approach has honestly revolutionized how I think about comfort food! There’s something so satisfying about knowing that while you’re busy with life, your slow cooker is creating this incredible, restaurant-quality meal.
The layers of tender ravioli, rich meat sauce, and melted cheese create the most amazing texture and flavor combination. Every bite delivers that perfect lasagna experience without any of the traditional hassle or mess.
I love how this recipe proves that quick dinner ideas crockpot style can still deliver incredible flavor and satisfaction. Your family will be absolutely amazed that something this delicious came together so easily!
SHARE YOUR RESULTS!
I’m so excited to see your crockpot ravioli lasagna creations! Please share your photos and any fun variations you try on my Facebook page – I absolutely love seeing how everyone makes this recipe their own.
Tag me @OlyviaBestRecipes on Pinterest when you make this amazing comfort food! I’m always looking for new slow cooker inspiration and creative twists to share with our community.
Follow me on Facebook for more incredible crockpot recipes that make family dinners easier and more delicious! Let’s make weeknight cooking stress-free together.
Author: Olyvia T.
