Crockpot Ravioli Lasagna

Crockpot Ravioli Lasagna is a simple and delicious twist on the traditional lasagna recipe. This dish combines the ease of frozen ravioli with the rich flavors of a hearty meat sauce, all layered and cooked slowly in a crockpot for a comforting meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights. The result is a cheesy, savory lasagna that requires minimal prep but delivers maximum flavor.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef (or Italian sausage)
• 1 small onion, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 24 oz jar marinara sauce (or your favorite pasta sauce)
• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup ricotta or cottage cheese
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 package (25 oz) frozen cheese ravioli
• Fresh basil or parsley, for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

1. Brown the meat: In a large skillet, cook the ground beef (or Italian sausage) over medium heat until browned, breaking it apart as it cooks. Drain any excess fat.
2. Sauté the aromatics: Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet with the meat and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened and fragrant.
3. Make the sauce: Stir in the marinara sauce, diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Let the sauce simmer for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. Remove from heat.
4. Layer the lasagna in the crockpot: Spray your crockpot with non-stick cooking spray. Begin by spreading a thin layer of the meat sauce on the bottom of the crockpot. Add a layer of frozen ravioli over the sauce. Spread a spoonful of ricotta (or cottage cheese) over the ravioli and sprinkle with some mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Repeat the layers (sauce, ravioli, cheese) until all ingredients are used, finishing with a generous layer of cheese on top.
5. Cook: Cover the crockpot and cook on Low for 4-5 hours or on High for 2-3 hours, until the ravioli are tender and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
6. Garnish and serve: Once the lasagna is done, turn off the crockpot and let it sit for 10-15 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired.

Conclusion:

This Crockpot Ravioli Lasagna is the ultimate hands-off comfort meal. It’s quick to prep, super satisfying, and perfect for busy nights or when you need a comforting dish to feed the whole family. The layers of cheesy ravioli and rich meat sauce will make this a go-to recipe in your crockpot rotation. Enjoy it with garlic bread and a simple salad for a complete meal!