Crock Pot Lasagna - Spend With Pennies

This recipe for Ravioli Lasagna lets you come home to everyone’s favorite set-it-and-forget-it meal.

Slow-cooker lasagna has all the rich and meaty, cheesy goodness of regular lasagna but uses ravioli in place of pasta and ricotta cheese—no boiling required!

cheesy Crock Pot Lasagna with a portion taken out of the pot

It’s so delicious that it’s featured in my cookbook (you can order a copy here)!
This recipe can be quickly prepped before an outing and it’s ready to enjoy when you come home.
It’s super convenient! There is no need to pre-cook lasagna noodles, and no layering is required.
It uses fewer ingredients but the flavor you love from a traditional lasagna cheesy, meaty lasagna recipe.

marinara , onion , parmesan , beef , diced tomatoes , garlic , ravioli , cheese , italian seasoning , salt and pepper with labels to make Crock Pot Lasagna

What You Need For Ravioli Lasagna

Meat: I use ground beef to create a meaty sauce for this ravioli lasagna recipe. Ground turkey or ground sausage are also great.

Ravioli: I use cheese ravioli or spinach and cheese ravioli in this recipe to replace the ricotta cheese layer and traditional pasta. There’s no need to thaw or cook the pasta in advance.

Pasta Sauce: Use a jar of spaghetti sauce or marinara sauce (I love this brand). You can also make homemade marinara sauce.

Cheese: Loads of melty mozzarella add a creamy texture, and parmesan cheese adds flavor. Preshredded cheese works just fine in this recipe!

Variations

Use half beef and half Italian sausage for even more flavor.
Add vegetables like bell peppers, sliced mushrooms, or zucchini to the meat sauce. Ensure they cook in the skillet so the sauce isn’t watery.
Tortellini can be substituted for the ravioli.
Garnish herbs like fresh basil or parsley.

adding meat sauce to pot to make Crock Pot Lasagna

adding ravioli to pot to make Crock Pot Lasagna

How to Make Slow Cooker Lasagna

Brown beef, add the sauce and simmer a few minutes to thicken.
Add the meat/sauce mixture, ravioli, and cheese to a crock pot (recipe below).
Top with cheese. Rest uncovered before serving.

Serve with garlic toast and a fresh green salad.

Did you know you can get crisp edges and browned cheese in a slow cooker?

Rest paper towel over the top of the slow cooker without allowing it to touch the cheese. This will absorb moisture and result in more browning on the edges.

adding paper towel and lid to pot to make Crock Pot Lasagna

Storing and Reheating

This easy crockpot lasagna recipe can be kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Top portions with extra mozzarella and parmesan before reheating.
Freeze leftovers in freezer-safe containers for up to one month. Reheat in the microwave or stovetop until heated through.
Or reheat and serve crowd-pleasing ravioli lasagna straight from the crock pot. Serve with a basket of garlic bread for soaking up all that savory sauce.

More Quick Prep Crock Pot Recipes

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Ravioli Lasagna

This Ravioli Lasagna recipe is easy to make with a zesty meat sauce, frozen cheese ravioli, and loads of cheese.

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 3 hours 20 minutes

Resting Time 15 minutes

Total Time 3 hours 50 minutes

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

In a large skillet, brown the beef, onion, and garlic over medium-high heat until no pink remains. Drain fat.
Add marinara sauce, drained tomatoes, and Italian seasoning. Simmer uncovered over medium heat for 5 to 7 minutes or until slightly thickened. Season with additional salt and pepper if desired.
Spray the inside of a 6 qt crock pot with cooking spray.
Add 1 cup of the meat sauce to the bottom of the slow cooker. Top with half of the frozen ravioli, 2 cups of sauce, and 1 ¼ cups of mozzarella cheese. Add the remaining ravioli, the remaining sauce, and the remaining mozzarella cheese. Top with parmesan cheese.
To absorb excess moisture, Place a double layer of paper towel over the top of the slow cooker, ensuring it doesn’t touch the cheese.
Cover and cook on low for 3 to 4 hours.
Once cooked, turn the slow cooker off, remove the lid, and rest for 15 to 20 minutes before serving.

Pasta Sauce: It’s okay if your jar of pasta sauce is a little bit larger, the lasagna will just be slightly more saucy.
Ravioli: Cheese and spinach ravioli are also great in this recipe. Optionally, you can add 5 oz of fresh chopped baby spinach to the layers.
Paper towel: Adding paper towel to the top of the slow cooker is optional; however it absorbs moisture, creating more crispy browned bits on the edges.
Check it early: Slow cookers can vary, check the lasagna early to ensure it doesn’t overcook. If it is done early, remove the lid and let it rest—it will hold the heat for a very long time.
To bake ravioli lasagna: Add 1 cup of sauce to a greased 9×13 baking dish. Top with half of the ravioli, half of the sauce, and half of the cheese. Repeat the layers and cover with aluminum foil. Preheat the oven and bake at 375°F covered for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake for an additional 15 minutes.

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

Course Beef, Dinner, Main Course, Pasta, Slow Cooker

Cuisine American, Italian

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