Ingredients
Scale
Here’s everything you’ll need to make this delicious Crockpot Ravioli Casserole:
- 1 pound ground beef (or ground turkey for a lighter option)
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (24 oz) jar marinara sauce (or your favorite pasta sauce)
- 1 (15 oz) can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 (25 oz) bag frozen cheese ravioli (meat or cheese-filled)
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil or parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Brown the meat:
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef (or turkey) until it’s no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes. Break it up with a wooden spoon as it cooks. Once browned, drain any excess fat.
- Add the diced onion and garlic to the skillet and cook for another 2-3 minutes, until the onion is softened and the garlic is fragrant.
- Season the sauce:
- Stir in the marinara sauce, diced tomatoes (with their juice), Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Let the sauce simmer for about 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
- Layer the casserole in the crockpot:
- Now, it’s time to start assembling! Spray your crockpot with nonstick spray to prevent sticking.
- Spoon a thin layer of the meat sauce at the bottom of the crockpot. This will help prevent the ravioli from sticking to the bottom.
- Add a layer of frozen ravioli on top of the sauce. No need to thaw the ravioli beforehand—just toss them in straight from the freezer.
- Spread a layer of ricotta cheese on top of the ravioli. Use a spoon to dollop the ricotta evenly, then spread it out as best as you can.
- Repeat the layers:
- Continue layering the ingredients: another layer of meat sauce, ravioli, ricotta cheese, and a generous sprinkle of mozzarella cheese.
- Repeat this process until you’ve used up all the ingredients, finishing with a final layer of meat sauce and a topping of shredded mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
- Cook on low:
- Cover the crockpot with the lid and set it to cook on low for 4-5 hours. During this time, the ravioli will cook through, the cheese will melt, and the sauce will get wonderfully rich and flavorful.
- Check for doneness:
- Around the 4-hour mark, check the ravioli for doneness. They should be tender, and the cheese on top should be melted and bubbly. If the ravioli needs more time, cook for an additional 30-60 minutes.
- Serve and enjoy:
- Once the casserole is cooked through, turn off the crockpot and let it sit for about 5-10 minutes to set. This makes it easier to serve.
- Spoon the ravioli casserole onto plates and garnish with fresh basil or parsley for a pop of color and freshness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 450