Slow Cooker Lasagna Recipe With Ravioli


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Using ravioli to make lasagna is the easiest meal ever, as the ravioli acts as the noodle and the ricotta layers! This slow cooker ravioli lasagna is my family’s favorite meal.

Easy casseroles are my favorite thing to make in the slow cooker. Also, try my chicken tater tot casserole, green chile chicken, and rice casserole.

close up of ravioli lasagna for pinterest
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I’ve tried using raw noodles (dried) in the slow cooker, and they always turn out chalky. There is something magical about how they make frozen ravioli noodles. Since frozen ravioli isn’t dried dough and instead has fresh dough, it cooks up perfectly in the slow cooker. No need to use uncooked lasagna noodles for this recipe.

You will love my version of lazy lasagna, and in fact, I know you’ll put this on your dinner menu often. This is a very comforting casserole! There is no need to add ricotta or cottage cheese to this dish; the ravioli has it covered in its cheese mixture filling. You may also like my slow cooker white lasagna soup.

Recipe Ingredients

ingredients for crockpot lasagna on table
  • Frozen Ravioli – Frozen ravioli for crockpot lasagna works best. I use the store brand, 5-cheese variety. If desired, you can use any flavor, such as spinach or portabella mushroom ravioli.
  • Marinara Sauce – I love Rao’s marinara for this recipe. It takes the recipe to the next level with authentic tasting sauce. It’s more expensive, though I can find it at Walmart for half the price of other stores.
  • Ground beef – Use whatever kind of ground beef your family uses; this recipe is very forgiving!
  • Seasonings – Raw onion, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and oregano are added while cooking the ground beef.
  • Cheese – I use whole milk mozzarella cheese to top the ravioli casserole. You can add a sprinkle of parmesan if desired as well.

Step-by-Step Directions

collage of ground beef before and after cooking

Step One – First, you will need to brown a pound of ground beef in a skillet, adding freshly chopped onion, garlic powder, oregano, salt, and pepper.

Step Two – Don’t drain off all the liquid. Leave about 2-3 tablespoons of liquid in the meat mixture; this will help keep the ravioli lasagna moist.

six image collage of how to assemble ravioli lasagna

Step Three – Add half of the jar of marinara to the bottom of your slow cooker.

Step Four – Top with half of the bag of frozen ravioli, spread them out into a single layer if possible, some overlapping is fine.

Step Five – Add the ground beef mixture.

Step Six – The remainder of the bag of frozen ravioli.

Step Seven – Pour over the remainder of the jar of marinara.

Step Eight – Sprinkle over the mozzarella cheese. Once you get the layering down the first time, you won’t even need to look at this recipe! It’s effortless!

done cooking ravioli in slow cooker

What to serve with this recipe

Choose one or more of these ideas for a complete meal for your crockpot lasagna.

  • Caesar salad – We love a homemade caesar salad with lasagna, or if I’ve had a long day, a caesar salad kit is lovely.
  • Green Salad – A fresh green salad with tomato, red onion, and a creamy dressing like ranch or blue cheese.
  • Garlic bread – Buy store-made garlic bread for an easy side dish! Start baking your garlic bread about 15-20 minutes before serving.
  • French Bread – The easiest side ever is a store bought loaf of French bread, served with butter. If you have a bread maker, you can start the bread maker about the same time as this recipe.

close up of ravioli in slow cooker with metal spoon in it.

Variations

  • Alfredo lasagna – Use 24 ounces of jarred alfredo instead of spaghetti sauce for alfredo lasagna.
  • Taco lasagna – Use 24 ounces of salsa instead of tomato sauce. Add taco seasoning to your meat and top with cheddar instead of mozzarella for an easy taco-inspired dish.
  • Veggie-packed lasagna – Add layers of fresh spinach to this dish instead of meat sauce for vegetable lasagna.
plate with ravioli and salad

Recipe FAQs

What kind of meat can I use instead of ground beef?

Ground sausage – Italian sausage or breakfast sausage such as Jimmy Dean.
Frozen meatballs – You can use a small bag of meatballs. These bags are usually about 20 ounces, and this will stretch your recipe to feed more.

How can I make this vegetarian?

Use soy crumbles instead of ground beef if desired in this slow cooker lasagna. Or you can omit the ground beef entirely. Alternatively, you can add thinly sliced zucchini to the middle layer for a meaty texture.

Should I thaw the ravioli?

Do not thaw the ravioli. This recipe has been tested over and over with frozen ravioli and will work perfectly.

Can I use refrigerated-style ravioli instead of frozen?

I recommend using frozen for this recipe if at all possible. If you can not find frozen, you can use the refrigerated style. You can cut down on the cooking time by an hour.

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up close image of ravioli lasagna in slow cooker

Slow Cooker Ravioli Lasagna Recipe

4.77 from 17 votes
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 4 hours
Total Time: 4 hours 20 minutes
Servings: 5
You won't believe how easy this cheat recipe for lasagna is! Just need ravioli, meat, seasonings and cheese!

Ingredients 
 

  • 25 oz. frozen ravioli – DO NOT THAW, (I use 5 cheese)
  • 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)
  • 24 oz. marinara sauce, (I use Rao's)
  • 8 oz. shredded mozzarella cheese, (2 cups)

Instructions 

  • 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.
  • Spray the slow cooker with non-stick spray.
  • 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.
  • Sprinkle over the mozzarella cheese.
  • Place the lid on the slow cooker. Cook on LOW for 4 hours.
  • Serve and enjoy!

How to Video

Sarah’s Notes

Should I thaw the ravioli?
  • Do not thaw the ravioli.
  • This recipe has been tested over and over with frozen ravioli and will work perfectly.
Can I use refrigerated-style instead of frozen ravioli?
  • I recommend using frozen for this recipe if at all possible.
  • If you can not find frozen, you can use the refrigerated style. You can cut down on the cooking time by an hour.
How can I make this vegetarian?
  • Use soy crumbles instead of ground beef if desired.
  • Or you can omit the ground beef entirely.
  • Alternatively, you can add thinly sliced zucchini to the middle layer for a meaty texture.
What kind of meat can I use instead of ground beef?
  • Ground sausage – Italian style or breakfast sausage such as Jimmy Dean.
  • Frozen meatballs – You can use a small bag of meatballs. These bags are usually about 20 ounces, and this will stretch your recipe to feed more.
Variations 
  • Alfredo lasagna – Use 24 ounces of jarred alfredo instead of spaghetti sauce for alfredo lasagna.
  • Taco lasagna – Use 24 ounces of salsa instead of tomato sauce. Add taco seasoning to your meat and top with cheddar instead of mozzarella for an easy taco-inspired dish.
  • Veggie-packed lasagna – Add layers of fresh spinach to this dish instead of meat sauce for vegetable lasagna.

Nutrition

Calories: 769kcal | Carbohydrates: 55g | Protein: 52g | Fat: 38g | Saturated Fat: 20g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 171mg | Sodium: 1906mg | Potassium: 867mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 1212IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 531mg | Iron: 19mg

Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.

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Recipe Rating




69 Comments

  1. Michelle says:

    5 stars
    Easiest lasagna recipe ever! I would have another jar of sauce heated to add over the plated lasagna, because this was a little dry, and then top with Parmesan and chopped flat leaf parsley.

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      Great idea Michelle!

  2. Martha Wilson says:

    Can I use beef ravioli instead of regular ravioli?

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      As long as they are the frozen variety (that’s what is tested for this recipe).

  3. Donnaa says:

    5 stars
    This is fantastic!!! Perfect meal for the 2 of us for 2 days. So happy I tried it.I did add some pepperoni s!ices over the top layer of raviolis only because I had less than 1/2 pack I really needed to use not loose Probably about 16/18 slices cut in half Can’t wait to try another recipe

  4. Donna says:

    I’m probably one of your oldest followers and I don’t usually comment but, this was perfect for the 2 o

  5. Amy Newell says:

    Can you substitute frozen tortellini instead of ravioli, and if so, how does that change the cooking time?

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      It most likely will be the same amount of time, maybe 30 minutes less.

  6. Amanda says:

    I added the sauce to my meat mixture after it was browned and drained. It worked great. It kept the hamburger moist and added flavor.
    I love easy crockpot meals.
    We use to make this in our Dutch oven when we were camping and the kids loved it