Slow Cooker Ravioli Lasagna – The Easiest Comfort Dinner Ever

Some nights call for lasagna-level comfort, but not lasagna-level effort. That’s exactly where Slow Cooker Ravioli Lasagna shines. It delivers everything you love about classic lasagna—layers of pasta, rich sauce, creamy cheese, and cozy Italian flavor—without the fuss of boiling noodles, carefully layering sheets, or babysitting the oven.

This recipe is a true shortcut miracle. Frozen ravioli steps in as both the pasta and filling, cutting prep time in half while adding extra richness to every bite. The slow cooker does all the hard work, gently melding the sauce, cheese, and ravioli into a bubbling, spoonable masterpiece that tastes like it cooked all day—because it did.

Slow Cooker Ravioli Lasagna is perfect for busy weeknights, lazy Sundays, potlucks, and family dinners. It’s forgiving, customizable, and practically impossible to mess up. Once you try it, it’s bound to become one of those recipes you keep coming back to when you want maximum comfort with minimal effort.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef (or Italian sausage)
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 24 oz marinara sauce
• 1 (25 oz) bag frozen cheese ravioli
• 1½ cups ricotta cheese
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Fresh basil or parsley, chopped (for garnish)
• Cooking spray or olive oil for the slow cooker

Instructions:

1. Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up as it cooks.
2. Add the chopped onion and cook for 2–3 minutes until softened. Stir in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
3. Season with salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning. Drain excess fat if needed.
4. Stir the marinara sauce into the meat mixture and remove from heat.
5. Lightly grease the inside of the slow cooker with cooking spray or olive oil.
6. Spread a thin layer of meat sauce on the bottom of the slow cooker.
7. Add a layer of frozen ravioli, overlapping slightly.
8. Dollop ricotta cheese over the ravioli, then sprinkle with mozzarella and Parmesan.
9. Repeat the layers—sauce, ravioli, ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan—until ingredients are used, finishing with sauce and cheese on top.
10. Cover and cook on LOW for 4–5 hours or HIGH for 2–3 hours, until ravioli are tender and cheese is melted.
11. Turn off the slow cooker and let the lasagna rest for 10–15 minutes before serving.
12. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley and serve warm.

Slow Cooker Ravioli Lasagna

An easy crockpot lasagna made with frozen ravioli, rich meat sauce, and layers of creamy cheese.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 5 hours hrs

Total Time 5 hours hrs 15 minutes mins

Servings: 6 servings

Course: Dinner, Main

Cuisine: Italian-American

Calories: 540

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Meat Sauce

• 1 lb ground beef
• 24 oz marinara sauce
• 25 oz frozen cheese ravioli
• 1.5 cups ricotta cheese
• 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese, grated

Equipment

• Slow cooker
• Skillet

Method

 

1. Brown ground beef with onion and garlic; season and add marinara.
2. Layer sauce, ravioli, ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan in slow cooker.
3. Cook on LOW 4–5 hours or HIGH 2–3 hours.
4. Rest briefly before serving.

Notes

Let rest 10–15 minutes before serving for best texture.

Tips & Tricks

• Keep ravioli frozen—no thawing needed.
• Resting the lasagna helps it set and makes serving easier.
• Use whole-milk ricotta for the creamiest texture.
• Spray the slow cooker well to prevent sticking.

Variations

• Swap ground beef for Italian sausage or ground turkey.
• Use spinach or mushroom ravioli for a vegetarian version.
• Add a layer of sautéed spinach or zucchini for extra veggies.
• Make it extra cheesy with provolone or fontina.

Serving Suggestions

• Serve with garlic bread or breadsticks.
• Pair with a simple Caesar or green salad.
• Add roasted vegetables on the side for balance.
• Finish with a drizzle of olive oil or chili flakes.

Storage Information

• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
• Reheat in the microwave or oven until warmed through.
• Freezes well for up to 2 months.

FAQ

• Can I use fresh ravioli? Yes, but reduce cooking time slightly.
• Does this get mushy? No—layering and proper timing keep the texture perfect.
• Can I assemble it ahead? Yes, assemble and refrigerate up to 12 hours before cooking.

History / Fun Facts
Ravioli lasagna is a modern comfort-food shortcut that became popular with slow cooker cooking. By replacing traditional noodles and ricotta layers with filled pasta, home cooks created a foolproof version of lasagna that’s both hearty and incredibly easy