Description
Hearty crockpot ravioli lasagna combines classic Italian comfort with modern slow-cooking convenience, melding rich cheese-filled ravioli and savory meat sauce in one delightful dish. Layers of flavor simmer together, creating a crowd-pleasing meal that brings warmth and satisfaction to your dinner table.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Protein:
- 1 package (25 ounces/709 grams) frozen cheese ravioli
- 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef or turkey
Seasonings and Herbs:
- 2 teaspoons dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, diced
Sauces and Cheeses:
- 1 (24 ounces/680 grams) jar marinara sauce
- 1 (14.5 ounces/411 grams) can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 2 cups ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Brown the ground meat in a skillet over medium heat, breaking it into small crumbles and draining excess fat.
- Sauté diced onions and garlic in the same skillet for 2-3 minutes until they become translucent and fragrant.
- Incorporate marinara sauce, diced tomatoes, and seasonings into the skillet, allowing the mixture to simmer for 5-10 minutes to develop rich flavors.
- Prepare the crockpot by lightly coating the interior with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Create the first sauce layer at the bottom of the crockpot, ensuring complete coverage.
- Arrange a single layer of frozen cheese ravioli directly over the sauce base.
- Spread half of the ricotta cheese evenly across the ravioli layer.
- Distribute half of the shredded mozzarella cheese over the ricotta.
- Repeat the layering process with remaining sauce, ravioli, ricotta, and mozzarella cheese.
- Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over the top layer for additional flavor.
- Cover the crockpot and slow cook on low temperature for 4-5 hours until ravioli becomes tender and cheese melts completely.
Notes
- Choose lean ground meat like turkey or 93% lean beef to reduce overall fat content while maintaining rich flavor.
- Swap frozen ravioli for fresh or homemade versions for enhanced texture and more authentic taste.
- Customize herbs by using fresh basil and oregano instead of dried to boost aromatic complexity and brightness.
- Make it vegetarian by replacing meat with plant-based crumbles or sautéed mushrooms for protein and depth.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours (or 5 hours)
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 452 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 740 mg
- Fat: 23 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg