Description
This Easy Crockpot Ravioli Lasagna is a comforting, layered Italian-inspired casserole featuring frozen cheese ravioli, savory ground beef, rich pasta sauce, and a blend of melted cheeses. Perfect for a hands-off meal, this recipe uses a slow cooker to create a cheesy, hearty dish that’s simple to assemble and full of flavor, ideal for busy weeknights or casual family dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat
- 1 lb ground beef, browned and drained (use 2 lbs for extra meatiness if desired)
Dairy
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, shredded
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
Pantry
- 1 bag (25 oz) frozen cheese ravioli
- 1 jar (24 oz) pasta sauce
Instructions
- Brown the ground beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until it is fully browned, stirring occasionally. Drain any excess fat thoroughly and set the beef aside for layering.
- Prepare the crockpot: Lightly grease the bottom and sides of your crockpot with cooking spray or a small amount of oil to prevent sticking.
- Layer the ingredients: Begin by spreading a thin layer of pasta sauce evenly at the bottom of the crockpot. Place a single layer of frozen cheese ravioli over the sauce. Next, add a layer of the browned ground beef, followed by a sprinkle of shredded Parmesan and mozzarella cheeses. Repeat these layers—pasta sauce, ravioli, ground beef, and cheeses—until all ingredients are used, finishing with a top layer of shredded cheese for a bubbly crust.
- Cook the lasagna: Cover the crockpot with its lid and cook on low heat for 4-5 hours or on high heat for 2-3 hours. The dish is done when the ravioli is tender throughout and the cheese is melted and bubbly on top.
- Serve: Once cooked, serve the ravioli lasagna hot. Optionally garnish with additional grated Parmesan cheese or fresh herbs like basil or parsley for enhanced flavor and presentation.
Notes
- For a meatier version, increase the ground beef to 2 lbs as suggested in the ingredients.
- Make sure to brown and fully drain the ground beef to avoid excess grease in the final dish.
- Do not thaw the ravioli before layering; use it frozen for best texture.
- If your crockpot runs hot, check the dish earlier to prevent overcooking.
- Adding fresh herbs on top before serving adds freshness and color.
