- Prepare The Base:
- Pour a thin layer of pasta sauce across the bottom of your crockpot. This creates a non stick surface that prevents the ravioli from burning while adding moisture that helps cook the pasta to perfection. Make sure every inch of the bottom is covered, about half a cup of sauce.
- Create Your First Layer:
- Arrange frozen ravioli in a single layer across the sauce. No need to defrost them beforehand as they will cook perfectly in the slow cooker. Place them close together but not overlapping to ensure even cooking throughout.
- Add Meat And Cheese:
- Sprinkle a generous layer of browned ground beef over the ravioli, followed by a dusting of Parmesan and a liberal handful of mozzarella. The heat will slowly melt these ingredients together, creating pockets of cheesy goodness between the meat.
- Repeat Layers:
- Continue building your lasagna with sauce, ravioli, meat, and both cheeses until all ingredients are used. Aim for three complete layer repetitions, finishing with sauce and a final crown of mozzarella on top to create that beautiful golden finish.
- Cook To Perfection:
- Cover and cook on high for 2 hours or low for 4 hours until the cheese is completely melted and the ravioli is tender. Resist the urge to lift the lid during cooking as this releases essential heat and moisture needed for properly cooking the pasta.
- The first time I served this to my Italian grandfather, I was terrified he would scoff at my shortcut version of a classic. Instead, he asked for seconds and then requested the recipe for his weekly card game with friends. Sometimes the simplest dishes create the strongest connections.
Make Ahead Instructions
This ravioli lasagna shines as a prepare ahead meal. You can fully assemble all layers in your crockpot insert up to 24 hours before cooking, then simply store it covered in the refrigerator. When ready to cook, place the insert into your slow cooker base and add an additional 30 minutes to the cooking time to account for the chilled ingredients. This makes it perfect for busy mornings when you need dinner ready the moment you walk through the door.
Storage And Freezing
Leftover ravioli lasagna maintains its delicious flavor for up to 4 days when stored properly in airtight containers in the refrigerator. For longer storage, this dish freezes exceptionally well. Portion cooled leftovers into individual containers and freeze for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw overnight in the refrigerator then warm in the microwave until heated through or cover with foil and heat in a 350°F oven for about 20 minutes until bubbling.
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