This slow cooker ravioli lasagna is the ultimate comfort food. There is no easier, faster way to make a hearty, cheesy pasta dinner. Just pop the frozen ravioli in the pot along with your sauce and some cheese, and you’re done! It’s almost like magic.
With only 4 ingredients, this dish is incredibly simple to make. It doesn’t take a lot of time and you don’t have to worry about making the dish ahead of time, either. It cooks completely in your slow cooker. Let me tell you though, the flavors come together and this tastes as if you spent hours making it. I really hope you try this soon!
Why You Will Love This Recipe
You are going to fall head over heels for the comforting, melt-in-your-mouth texture of this rich and delicious pasta bake. As the frozen ravioli cooks in the hot marinara sauce, it infuses with so much flavor and remains incredibly tender. The cheesy, gooey layer of mozzarella on top creates the perfect cheese pull, making this dish as satisfying as any lasagna.
The beauty of this recipe is also how easy it is to clean up after cooking. When you are so tired, there is nothing worse than having to wash up a bunch of dirty pots and pans. Since you simply layer the frozen pasta and sauce in your slow cooker, you can relax knowing that there’s very little mess to deal with. It’s the kind of easy dinner that you desperately need on a busy Monday night.
The Ingredients
For this recipe, I used these basic pantry ingredients. Here is what you’ll need: frozen cheese ravioli, a jar of your favorite marinara sauce, lean ground beef, and shredded mozzarella cheese.
Frozen Cheese Ravioli
Instead of using lasagna noodles, I opted to use frozen cheese ravioli. This saves so much time, and the pasta still comes out perfectly cooked! If you prefer beef ravioli or even sausage ravioli, you can use either of those instead.
Marinara Sauce
For this slow cooker pasta recipe, I used jarred marinara sauce. It’s quick and easy and adds a great flavor. Feel free to use whatever sauce you prefer! I also like to use a jar of vodka sauce, as it adds a nice creaminess to the dish.
Lean Ground Beef
The combination of browned ground beef and simple pasta creates the perfect foundation for this cheesy slow cooker pasta dish, and it’ll have you saving money at the store! Drain any excess grease from the ground beef before layering it into the slow cooker to keep your tomato sauce looking delicious and not oily. Substitutions of browned Italian sausage or even ground turkey work really well, too.
How to Make It
This cheesy slow cooker pasta couldn’t be easier to layer together, but let’s go through it anyway!
Brown the Meat
Over medium-high heat in a large skillet, brown the ground beef and break into small crumbles. Drain off any excess grease, then add the jar of marinara sauce.
Layer the Base
Lightly grease the inside of your slow cooker insert to prevent sticking. Spoon a thin layer of the warm meat sauce directly onto the bottom of the pot to create a savory bed for the pasta.
Add the Ravioli
Place half of the frozen cheese ravioli in a single layer on top of the meat sauce. Top the pasta with another layer of meat sauce, then add the shredded mozzarella cheese.
Repeat and Cook
Repeat with the remaining frozen cheese ravioli and meat sauce, saving the rest of the shredded mozzarella cheese for later. Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 3-4 hours.
Melt the Cheese
In the last 15 minutes of cooking, sprinkle the remaining shredded mozzarella cheese on top. Cover the slow cooker until the cheese is melted.
My Best Tips for Success
Before you layer the frozen cheese ravioli in the slow cooker, take the time to separate each piece if necessary. If you don’t, you may end up dropping a giant chunk of frozen pasta into the slow cooker and the pieces on the inside won’t cook at all. By separating the frozen ravioli first, you’ll ensure they all cook perfectly.
Don’t leave this slow cooker pasta recipe on low for eight hours like you would a typical roast or soup. Frozen pasta cooks quite quickly and if it stays on the heat for too long, it will disintegrate into mush. Three to four hours on the low setting is the sweet spot.
If your family needs more veggies, this recipe is a great way to sneak some in. Simply toss a handful of fresh baby spinach or finely diced zucchini in with the meat sauce before layering and they’ll cook away in the pasta. No one will know!
Easy Slow Cooker 4-Ingredient Ravioli Lasagna Recipe
Equipment
- 6-quart slow cooker
- Large skillet
- Spatula
Ingredients
- 1 lb. lean ground beef
- 1 jar marinara sauce 24 oz. jar
- 1 bag frozen cheese ravioli 25 oz. bag, do not thaw
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese divided
Instructions
- Coat the interior of a 6-quart slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray.
- In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium-high heat until no longer pink and well browned. Drain off the grease.
- Add the jar of marinara sauce to the cooked ground beef and stir. Remove from heat.
- Spread 1/2 cup of the meat sauce into the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Place half of the cheese ravioli in the slow cooker.
- Add the remaining meat sauce to the slow cooker and top with 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Add the remaining frozen ravioli to the slow cooker.
- Pour the rest of the meat sauce into the slow cooker and set aside the remaining 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 3-4 hours or until the ravioli is cooked through.
- During the last 15 minutes of cooking, sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese on top of the pasta. Cover and continue cooking until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve immediately.
Nutrition
Storage and Reheating
- To Store: Allow the pasta to cool completely before storing in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- To Freeze: Place the cooked leftovers into an airtight container and store in the freezer for up to 2 months. To reheat, allow the leftovers to thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
- To Reheat: Gently microwave individual portions or place portions in a skillet with a splash of water. Cooking the sauce too long will cause it to dry out.
What to Serve with This Pasta
- A hearty slice of buttery garlic bread for mopping up all that sauce.
- A fresh Caesar salad loaded with croutons and shredded parmesan.
- Roasted broccoli seasoned with sea salt and lemon juice.
- Garnish with fresh chopped basil and crushed red pepper flakes before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cook this on high?
Yes. If you’re short on time, you can cook the pasta in the slow cooker on HIGH for about 2 hours, just be sure to check the edges frequently to avoid burning the sauce in the slow cooker insert.
Do I need to thaw the ravioli?
No! The frozen ravioli must remain frozen while being cooked because thawing them beforehand will result in an overly mushy product. They will steam in the hot sauce.
Can I make this vegetarian?
Yes. Leave out the beef and use a chunky vegetable marinara instead. This makes a delicious, super easy vegetarian dinner perfect for Meatless Monday.
Leave a Reply