Slow Cooker Ravioli Lasagna Recipe

Key Ingredients:
Frozen Ravioli: Five-cheese ravioli brings a rich, cheesy element to this lasagna. Other flavors could also work well, such as spinach or meat-stuffed ravioli, for an extra twist.
Ground Beef: You can use half or all of the ground beef for mild Italian sauce for some extra flavor.

Marinara Sauce: Rao’s makes a high-quality marinara sauce, which adds depth of flavor to the dish. Store-bought sauce also does the trick if you like.

Shredded Mozzarella: Mozzarella makes for a perfect cheesy, gooey topping. (You can add some Parmesan or provolone for even more flavor, if you like.)

Seasonings: Garlic powder, oregano, salt, and pepper season the beef mixture perfectly, making this easy lasagna taste like classic Italian.
Instructions:
Prepare the Meat Mixture:
Hello, my name is Pia and I have a new mom life hack for you! Ground beef and diced onion.

Season and brown: Add salt, pepper, garlic powder and dried oregano. Cook until the beef has browned and the onions are translucent. Make sure the meat is completely cooked. Leave a few tablespoons of juices in the skillet to moisten the mixture for flavor.

Prepare the Slow Cooker:
Fry for 7 minutes until browned, then fry for another 5 minutes in some oil.

Layer the Ingredients:
Base Layer: Spread half of the marinara sauce across the bottom of the slow cooker.

Second Layer: Place half of frozen ravioli on top of marinara sauce, covering it completely.
Third Layer: Spread all of the cooked ground beef and onion mixture across the top of the ravioli.

Fourth Layer: Place remaining ravioli over beef mixture, making sure to use enough to cover.

Fifth Layer: Pour remaining marinara sauce on the ravioli and spread evenly.

Sixth Layer: Spread shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce, covering the very top layer.

Cooking:
Slow cooker is set on a LOW 4 hours. The low-and-slow cooking gives flavors a chance to meld, making for a rich, hearty lasagna.

Serving:
Check for Doneness: Once 4 hours has passed, the ravioli should be tender and the cheese should be melted and bubbly.

Rest: Switch off the slow cooker and allow the lasagna to rest for about 10 minutes. This makes for easy layered serving.

Serving Suggestions:
Garlic Bread: Offer garlic bread warmed on the side for dipping into the marinara sauce and for an extra boost of flavor.
Salad: Just a simple green salad with Italian dressing is perfect, balancing out the richness of the lasagna.

Fresh Herbs: Top it off with chopped fresh basil or parsley for a shot of color and fresh flavor.
Storage and Reheating Tips:
Refrigerate: Refrigerate any leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Freezing: This lasagna is freezer friendly. Let cool completely, divide into portions, and store in freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months. Defrost in refrigerator overnight, then reheat.

To reheat: Reheat in the microwave or stovetop over low heat, until warmed through. If you will be reheating a larger amount of this, it can be warmed up on low in the slow cooker until warmed through.

Variations:
Vegetarian Ravioli Lasagna: Swap the ground beef for chopped mushrooms with chopped zucchini or spinach for a veggie-filled recipe.

Cheese Lovers’ Lasagna: Add extra cheeses to the layers (ricotta, provolone, etc.) for more cheesy goodness.

Spicy Kick: Sprinkle some red-pepper flakes into the marinara sauce for a little heat.

Italian Sausage Option: Substitute mild Italian sausage for the ground beef for a spicy, more flavorful filling.
Herbed Ricotta Layer: Mix ricotta with Italian seasoning and add a layer of it between the ravioli layers for a creamy surprise.

Conclusion:
This Slow Cooker Ravioli Lasagna is the definition of comfort food, with cheesy, saucy and hearty flavor all rolled into one and made super easy. It’s ideal for those nights when you want something hearty and delicious in little time with little effort. And savor every cheesy, savory bite of this family-friendly dish!