Slow Cooker Lasagna Recipe With Ravioli

Mar 04, 2022Updated Apr 25, 2024

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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

Recipe Ingredients
Step-by-Step Directions
What to serve with this recipe
Variations
Recipe FAQs
Slow Cooker Ravioli Lasagna Recipe Recipe
More slow cooker pasta recipes:

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!

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.

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

Cook Time: 4

Total Time: 4 20

Servings:

By: Sarah Olson

You won't believe how easy this cheat recipe for lasagna is! Just need ravioli, meat, seasonings and cheese!

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Equipment

Slow Cooker – 5 quart or larger (I own and use this one from Crock-Pot)

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

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

Made this recipe? Leave a comment below!