Slow Cooker Ravioli Lasagna
Ravioli Lasagna is perfect when you want lasagna but don't want all the work. It's called a lazy lasagna for a reason! Ravioli is the perfect substitute for lasagna noodles; you have the pasta and the ricotta built into every ravioli. It's simple to put together and requires minimal work.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2-2 lb ground beef 80-20 lean
- 1 medium yellow onion diced
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 45 oz jar pasta sauce
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese divided.
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
- ¼ cup fresh basil chopped, plus extra for garnish
- 40 oz frozen ravioli
- 16 oz fresh mozzarella shredded
Instructions
- In a medium or large sauce pot, brown the ground beef with 1 tbsp of olive oil with the onions and garlic. Break up the ground beef as it cooks while incorporating the onions and garlic into the beef. Cook for 8-10 minutes or until no longer pink. Drain the ground beef and return to the pot.
- Add in the Worcestershire sauce and simmer for 2 minutes. Stir in the sauce and 1/4 cup of parmesan cheese. Simmer for 5 minutes, or until heated through.
- Stir in the Italian season and basil, then remove from the heat.
- Spray the slow cooker with nonstick spray. Spread 1/3 cup of the sauce on the bottom.
- Layer with ravioli, sauce, and some mozzarella in that order. You should be finishing with the cheese on top. Sprinkle the remaining parmesan cheese on top.
- Cover with the lid and cook for 3 1/2 to 4 hours on low. Garnish with the remaining basil when the timer is up and serve.
Notes
Storage: Keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Freeze: Transfer to a freezer-safe container and freeze leftovers for up to 3 months, or make ahead of time to be frozen until ready to serve. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and then reheat in an oven-safe dish at 400F. Let it heat for 2 hours, then check to see if it's heated through. If it isn't, then cook in 30-minute intervals until heated through.
- Use a different sauce. You can use vodka sauce, arrabbiata sauce, or even Alfredo sauce.
- Use a meat-filled ravioli or cheese and spinach ravioli instead of regular cheese.
- Add in layers of ricotta instead of mozzarella for a super cheesy lasagna. Reduce the amount of mozzarella needed to 8 oz just for topping the lasagna. You will need about 24 oz of ricotta. If you have leftover ricotta, just dollop the rest on top when adding the mozzarella.
- Layer in some spinach for some fiber or add in sliced zucchini.
- Replace the ground beef with ground sausage or frozen meatballs that are broken up. Omit the ground beef entirely for a vegetarian dish, or use your favorite plant-based ground meat.