Welcome to another delightful culinary adventure where our beloved crockpot takes center stage! Today, we are absolutely thrilled to unveil a recipe that promises simplicity, incredible flavor, and a hassle-free cooking experience: our incredibly easy and utterly delicious Crockpot Lasagna with Ravioli. This dish is a true game-changer, especially as the temperatures rise and the thought of firing up the oven becomes less appealing. Forget the stovetop heat and hours of standing over a hot stove; this slow cooker marvel is designed to keep your kitchen cool and your family well-fed.
There’s nothing quite like a comforting, hearty lasagna, but the traditional preparation can be time-consuming and labor-intensive. That’s where the magic of your slow cooker comes in! Our Crockpot Lasagna with Ravioli offers all the rich, savory layers you crave, but with minimal effort and maximum convenience. Imagine tender ravioli, robust meat sauce, and gooey mozzarella, all cooked to perfection without ever turning on your oven. It’s the ideal solution for busy weeknights, lazy weekends, or any day you want a fantastic meal without the fuss.
Why Choose Crockpot Ravioli Lasagna?
In the warmer months, the last thing anyone wants is to turn their kitchen into a sauna. We’ve all been there – trying to prepare a delicious dinner while battling rising indoor temperatures. This crockpot recipe is your ultimate shield against the heat. By utilizing your slow cooker, you can enjoy a classic Italian-American favorite without contributing to your home’s warmth. It’s not just about beating the heat, though; the slow cooking process also allows the flavors to meld beautifully, creating a depth and richness that’s hard to achieve with quicker methods. Plus, the hands-off nature of slow cooking means you can simply set it and forget it, leaving you free to enjoy your day while dinner slowly simmers to perfection.
This Crock Pot Ravioli Lasagna Recipe is not only incredibly easy to assemble but also delivers an amazing taste that will have everyone asking for seconds. It’s a versatile dish too – you can prepare it with or without ground beef, making it adaptable for various dietary preferences or simply what you have on hand. Whether you’re feeding a hungry family or planning for delicious leftovers, this recipe is guaranteed to become a new favorite in your cooking repertoire.
Essential Ingredients for Your Slow Cooker Lasagna
Crafting this mouthwatering slow cooker lasagna requires just a handful of straightforward ingredients. We’re focusing on quality and simplicity to ensure every bite is packed with flavor.
- Olive Oil: A good quality olive oil is essential for sautéing our aromatics and ground beef, providing a rich foundation for the sauce.
- Yellow Onion: Diced yellow onion adds a sweet and savory depth to the meat sauce, making it more complex and flavorful.
- Ground Beef: Lean ground beef is our protein of choice, creating a hearty and satisfying sauce. For a vegetarian option, you can easily omit the beef or substitute it with plant-based ground crumbles.
- Spaghetti Sauce: Choose your favorite brand of spaghetti sauce, or even better, use a homemade marinara. A high-quality sauce will elevate the entire dish, providing the main flavor profile.
- Frozen Cheese Ravioli: The star of our lasagna! Using frozen ravioli eliminates the need for boiling pasta sheets and adds a wonderful texture and cheesy burst to each layer.
- Mozzarella Cheese: Freshly shredded mozzarella cheese is key for that classic gooey, melty top and rich, stretchy layers throughout the lasagna.
For the best results, we highly recommend using a crockpot with a digital timer that automatically switches to a “warm” setting after the cooking time is complete. This feature is incredibly convenient, ensuring your dinner cooks perfectly without overcooking and removing any stress about precise timing. It’s a small investment that makes a huge difference in your slow cooking experience!
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Crockpot Lasagna with Ravioli
Getting this delicious lasagna from your kitchen to your dinner table is surprisingly simple. Follow these easy steps for a meal that tastes like it took hours, but only required minimal active prep time.
- Prepare the Meat Sauce: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the diced yellow onion and sauté until softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Add the ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook until thoroughly browned. Drain any excess grease. Season the browned beef with salt and pepper to taste. Stir in your favorite spaghetti sauce until well combined. This forms the flavorful base of your lasagna.
- Layering in the Slow Cooker: Begin by spreading approximately one-quarter of your meat sauce mixture evenly across the bottom of your slow cooker. This creates a protective layer and prevents the ravioli from sticking.
- Add Ravioli and Cheese: Arrange a single layer of frozen cheese ravioli over the sauce. You don’t need to thaw or cook the ravioli beforehand – they will cook perfectly in the slow cooker! Top the ravioli layer with a generous sprinkling of shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Repeat Layers: Continue layering with another quarter of the meat sauce, followed by more ravioli, and then another layer of mozzarella cheese. Repeat this process one more time, ensuring you use up all the ravioli and most of the sauce.
- Final Cheese Layer: For the grand finale, top the entire lasagna with the remaining mozzarella cheese. This will create a beautiful, golden-brown, bubbly cheese crust that is irresistibly delicious.
- Slow Cook to Perfection: Cover your slow cooker and cook on the LOW setting for 7 hours. The long, slow cook time allows the ravioli to become tender, the cheese to melt into gooey perfection, and all the flavors to deepen and meld together beautifully. Once done, let it rest for about 10-15 minutes before serving to allow it to set.
Pro Tips for the Best Crockpot Ravioli Lasagna
While this recipe is incredibly forgiving, a few simple tips can elevate your Crockpot Ravioli Lasagna from good to absolutely unforgettable.
- Don’t Skimp on Browning: Ensure your ground beef is thoroughly browned and any excess fat is drained. This step is crucial for developing rich flavor and preventing a greasy final dish.
- Prevent Watery Lasagna: If your spaghetti sauce seems thin, you can simmer it on the stovetop for a few extra minutes to reduce it slightly before layering. Also, ensure your ravioli are well-drained if they were not completely frozen.
- Experiment with Cheese: While mozzarella is traditional, consider adding a layer of ricotta cheese mixed with an egg and Italian herbs for extra creaminess, or a sprinkle of Parmesan or provolone for added depth of flavor.
- Layering is Key: Even distribution of sauce, ravioli, and cheese layers ensures every bite is balanced and delicious. Don’t press down too hard on the layers; allow some room for expansion during cooking.
- Resist the Urge to Peek: Opening the slow cooker lid frequently releases heat and extends the cooking time. Let your crockpot do its magic undisturbed!
Delicious Variations and Customizations
This Crockpot Lasagna with Ravioli is incredibly versatile, allowing you to tailor it to your taste and what you have on hand.
- Vegetarian Delight: Easily make this a vegetarian meal by omitting the ground beef entirely. You can sauté extra onions and garlic, or add mushrooms, bell peppers, or zucchini to the sauce for added texture and nutrients. Plant-based ground crumbles are also an excellent substitute for meat.
- Spice it Up: For those who love a bit of heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to your meat sauce. You can also use a spicy Italian sausage instead of ground beef for an extra kick.
- Add More Veggies: Boost the nutritional value and flavor by incorporating finely chopped spinach, grated carrots, or diced bell peppers into your meat sauce. They will cook down beautifully and add extra goodness.
- Different Ravioli Fillings: While cheese ravioli is classic, feel free to experiment with other frozen ravioli varieties like spinach and ricotta, mushroom, or even meat-filled ravioli for a different twist.
What to Serve with Your Crockpot Lasagna
A hearty dish like lasagna pairs wonderfully with simple, fresh sides that complement its rich flavors.
- Garlic Bread or Cheesy Breadsticks: Perfect for soaking up any extra sauce.
- Fresh Green Salad: A crisp salad with a light vinaigrette offers a refreshing contrast to the rich lasagna.
- Steamed Vegetables: Simple steamed green beans or broccoli make for an easy and healthy side.
Storing and Reheating Your Leftovers
One of the best parts about lasagna is the leftovers! They often taste even better the next day as the flavors continue to meld.
- Refrigeration: Store any leftover Crockpot Lasagna with Ravioli in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Freezing: This lasagna freezes beautifully. Once cooled, divide it into individual portions or larger freezer-safe containers. It can be frozen for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
- Reheating: Reheat individual servings in the microwave until warmed through. For larger portions, cover with foil and reheat in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) until heated through, about 20-30 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions About Crockpot Ravioli Lasagna
Here are answers to some common questions you might have about making this incredibly easy slow cooker lasagna.
- Do I need to cook the ravioli before adding it to the crockpot? No, absolutely not! The beauty of this recipe is that the frozen ravioli cooks directly in the slow cooker with the sauce, absorbing all the delicious flavors and becoming perfectly tender. This saves a significant amount of prep time.
- Can I use fresh ravioli instead of frozen? Yes, you can. If using fresh ravioli, the cooking time might be slightly shorter. Keep an eye on it to prevent overcooking, as fresh pasta cooks faster than frozen.
- My lasagna seems a bit watery. What went wrong? This can happen if your spaghetti sauce is too thin or if there’s too much moisture released from the ravioli. To prevent this, ensure your spaghetti sauce isn’t overly runny. If you’re concerned, you can simmer the sauce on the stovetop for 10-15 minutes before adding it to the crockpot to thicken it slightly. Also, make sure not to open the lid too often during cooking, as this releases steam needed for cooking and can make the dish wetter.
- Can I make this ahead of time? You can assemble the lasagna in your slow cooker insert the night before, cover it, and refrigerate it. In the morning, simply place the insert into the slow cooker and begin cooking. You might need to add an extra 30 minutes to an hour to the cooking time if starting with a cold pot.
- What kind of slow cooker is best for this recipe? A 6-quart or larger oval-shaped slow cooker works best for layering lasagna. As mentioned earlier, one with a digital timer that automatically switches to a warm setting is a great feature for convenience.
- Can I add other cheeses? Absolutely! Feel free to mix in some Parmesan cheese, provolone, or even a dollop of ricotta cheese (mixed with an egg and Italian herbs) into the layers for added flavor and creaminess.
More Great Crockpot Recipes to Explore
If you love the ease and deliciousness of slow cooker meals, be sure to check out some of our other fantastic recipes:
Cheesy Crock Pot Spinach Ravioli Casserole
Crockpot Spinach Lasagna
Crockpot Stuffed Peppers with Cheese
Crockpot Kielbasa with Potatoes and Green Beans
Loaded Crockpot Mashed Cauliflower
Don’t forget to explore more of our ground beef slow cooker recipes for even more dinner inspiration!
Are you a recipe enthusiast? Dive into our diverse collection of copycat recipes, irresistible dessert recipes, and, of course, a treasure trove of CrockPot Recipes.
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Crockpot Lasagna with Ravioli
How to make slow cooker ravioli lasagna that tastes amazing.
Print Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
- 1 yellow onion diced
- 1 pound Ground Beef
- 24 oz spaghetti sauce
- 18 oz cheese ravioli frozen
- 2 cups Mozzarella Cheese shredded
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a skillet and brown ground beef. Add in salt and pepper to taste.
- Stir spaghetti sauce with ground beef.
- Layer ¼ of sauce mix onto the bottom of your slow cooker, add a layer of ravioli, add a layer of mozzarella cheese and repeat 2 times.
- Top with final layer of mozzarella cheese.
- Cook for 7 hours on low.
Kitchen Tools
- Slow cooker
Nutrition
Calories from Fat 324
Recipe originally shared on June 17, 2015. Updated December 2020.