If you crave the rich, cheesy goodness of classic lasagna but could do without the layering fuss and hours spent in the kitchen, this Slow Cooker Ravioli Lasagna will become your new go-to comfort food! Tender ravioli, hearty beef, a burst of marinara, and lots of melty cheese—all meld together in your slow cooker, turning a handful of simple ingredients into the easiest, most satisfying lasagna you’ll ever taste.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- All the Lasagna Flavor—None of the Fuss: Skip the noodles, layering, and oven-waiting—your slow cooker brings everything together with barely any effort.
- Family-Friendly and Irresistible: Even picky eaters can’t resist cheesy ravioli, savory beef, and rich marinara, so this meal is pretty much guaranteed to be a dinnertime hit.
- Perfect for Busy Nights: Set it, forget it, and come home to dinner ready—hello, cozy weeknight magic!
- Customizable to Your Favorites: Swap the protein, mix up the sauce, or toss in extra veggies—it’s endlessly adaptable to suit every craving.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll be amazed how this handful of humble ingredients creates such an indulgent Slow Cooker Ravioli Lasagna! Each one plays a crucial role, from the cheesy ravioli at the heart of the dish to the bubbly melted mozzarella that makes every bite irresistible.
- Frozen cheese ravioli: The secret shortcut—no need to thaw! They cook up beautifully in the sauce and deliver instant lasagna vibes.
- Ground beef (or mild sausage): Adds hearty, savory depth. Sausage brings extra flavor, but beef keeps it classic—use your favorite!
- White onion, diced: Sautéed with the meat, sweet onion rounds out the sauce and gives the filling a subtle aromatic lift.
- Salt, pepper, garlic powder, dried oregano: These simple seasonings are the backbone, making the meat mixture taste like it’s been simmering for hours.
- Marinara sauce: Rich, tangy, and herb-flecked—choose a sauce you love since it flavors every layer. (Rao’s is especially excellent here.)
- Shredded mozzarella cheese: Piled on top, mozzarella creates that gooey, pull-apart finish everyone dreams of in a lasagna.
Variations
This Slow Cooker Ravioli Lasagna is all about making dinner fun, comforting, and totally your own. Don’t hesitate to play with the ingredients—dietary swaps and creative add-ins are all welcome!
- Vegetarian Version: Skip the meat and sauté mushrooms, spinach, or zucchini with the onions for a veggie-loaded twist.
- Spicy Italian: Use hot Italian sausage instead of ground beef and sprinkle a pinch of chili flakes over each layer for extra heat.
- White Lasagna: Swap the marinara sauce for alfredo—pair with chicken sausage and spinach for a decadently creamy alternative.
- Cheese-Lovers’ Dream: Double up on mozzarella, or mix in provolone or fontina for ultra-gooey, restaurant-style cheese pulls.
How to Make Slow Cooker Ravioli Lasagna
Step 1: Brown the Meat & Onion
In a medium-sized non-stick skillet, cook ground beef and diced onion together over medium-high heat. Sprinkle in the salt, pepper, garlic powder, and dried oregano. Keep stirring and breaking up the meat—you want it thoroughly browned and fragrant. Leave a few tablespoons of the cooking juices in for added flavor and moisture later.
Step 2: Prep the Slow Cooker
Generously coat your slow cooker with non-stick spray to prevent sticking (and make cleanup fast!). This little step keeps the lasagna perfectly sliceable when it’s finished cooking.
Step 3: Layer It Up
Pour half the marinara sauce into the bottom of your slow cooker, spreading it out to cover. Arrange half of the frozen ravioli in a snug, even layer. Next, spoon the entire beef-and-onion mixture over the ravioli, followed by the rest of the ravioli, and finally, the remaining marinara. Lock in all that flavor with a generous blanket of shredded mozzarella cheese over the top.
Step 4: Slow Cook to Perfection
Place the lid on the slow cooker and set it to LOW. In about four hours, the ravioli will be tender, the cheese golden and bubbly, and the sauce perfectly melded. Your kitchen will smell incredible—get ready to dig in!
Pro Tips for Making Slow Cooker Ravioli Lasagna
- Keep Ravioli Frozen: Don’t thaw your ravioli before assembling—adding them straight from the freezer prevents mushiness and ensures perfect texture every time.
- Save a Splash of Beef Juices: Leaving a bit of the savory liquid from browning the meat helps keep the finished dish extra moist and flavorful.
- Pick Your Marinara Wisely: Use the best-quality marinara sauce you can—the better your sauce, the more delicious your Slow Cooker Ravioli Lasagna will be!
- Rest Before Serving: Once cooked, let your lasagna sit uncovered for 10–15 minutes. This makes it easier to slice and lets all the cheesy layers firm up beautifully.
How to Serve Slow Cooker Ravioli Lasagna
Garnishes
This dish loves a sprinkle of freshness! Shower each serving with torn basil leaves, a light dusting of grated parmesan, or a quick crack of black pepper. Fresh chopped parsley also instantly brightens every plate, making your Slow Cooker Ravioli Lasagna look as tempting as it tastes.
Side Dishes
You can’t go wrong with a crisp green salad drizzled in tangy vinaigrette, or a pile of garlicky roasted veggies on the side. And of course, a warm basket of garlic bread or focaccia is practically mandatory for soaking up all that luscious sauce!
Creative Ways to Present
For a dinner-party-worthy look, serve big, cheesy squares in individual ramekins or little cast-iron skillets. Or try “lasagna stacks” with extra cheese and a basil leaf on top for a fun twist. Bonus: sprinkle with toasted pine nuts or a drizzle of chili oil to impress your adventurous guests.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftovers of your Slow Cooker Ravioli Lasagna in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors only get deeper and more delicious overnight, and it holds together beautifully for next-day lunches or quick dinners.
Freezing
This recipe is a freezer champion! Cool completely, slice into portions, and wrap tightly or transfer to freezer-safe containers. Freeze for up to 2 months; simply thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
Gently reheat slices in the microwave (covered, with a splash of extra sauce if needed) or in a 350ºF oven until warmed through. If reheating from frozen, let it thaw first for even results—it’ll taste as gooey and fresh as the day you made it!
FAQs
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Do I need to thaw the ravioli before adding to the slow cooker?
Nope! In fact, the magic of Slow Cooker Ravioli Lasagna is that you use the ravioli straight from the freezer—the steam from the sauce and meat cooks them perfectly as they bake, so no need to thaw or pre-cook.
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Can I use a different type of ravioli or sauce?
Absolutely! Try spinach-ricotta, beef-filled, or even gluten-free ravioli; swap in tomato-basil, spicy arrabbiata, or any favorite marinara—they’ll all make your Slow Cooker Ravioli Lasagna uniquely delicious.
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How do I know when the lasagna is done?
The cheese should be melted and golden-bubbly around the edges, and a fork should go easily through the center of the dish. If in doubt, test one ravioli from the center to ensure it’s tender all the way through.
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Can I assemble the dish ahead of time and cook later?
Yes! You can layer everything in your slow cooker insert, cover, and refrigerate overnight. When you’re ready, just pop the insert straight into the slow cooker base and cook as directed (you may need to add 15–30 minutes to the total time).
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a super-satisfying, crowd-pleasing dinner that comes together with minimal effort, you can’t beat Slow Cooker Ravioli Lasagna! It’s warm, welcoming, and always hits the spot—give it a try and get ready for rave reviews from your family and friends!
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 Dish
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in this easy and delicious Slow Cooker Ravioli Lasagna recipe that blends the flavors of cheese-filled ravioli, savory ground beef, and gooey melted mozzarella. Perfect for a comforting family dinner!
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)
Sauce and Cheese
- 24 oz. marinara sauce (I use Rao’s)
- 8 oz. shredded mozzarella cheese (2 cups)
Instructions
- Cook the Meat: 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.
- Prepare the Slow Cooker: Spray the slow cooker with non-stick spray.
- Layering: 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.
- Cheese Topping: Sprinkle over the mozzarella cheese.
- Cook: Place the lid on the slow cooker. Cook on LOW for 4 hours.
- Serve: Serve and enjoy!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 890mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 27g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
