Ingredients
Meat and Sauce
- 1 pound ground beef
- 28 ounces marinara sauce
Pasta and Cheese
- 20 ounces refrigerated ravioli (any flavor or frozen)
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Prepare the slow cooker and sauté pan: Set out a 6-quart slow cooker and set a sauté pan over medium heat to begin cooking the ground beef.
- Brown the ground beef: Add the ground beef to the pan and break it into small pieces using a wooden spoon. Cook for 5-8 minutes until browned and no longer pink.
- Combine meat and sauce: Pour the marinara sauce over the cooked ground beef and stir to combine. Turn off the heat to prepare for layering.
- Layer the first ravioli and cheese: Ladle a large spoonful of the meat sauce into the bottom of the slow cooker. Arrange half of the ravioli in a single layer covering the bottom, then sprinkle with 1 cup shredded mozzarella and ¼ cup Parmesan.
- Add a second sauce layer and ravioli: Spoon another large scoop of sauce evenly over the cheese and ravioli layer, then arrange the remaining ravioli in a single layer on top.
- Top with remaining sauce and cheese: Pour the last of the meat sauce over the second ravioli layer to cover, then sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
- Cook in crockpot: Place the lid on the slow cooker. Cook on HIGH for 2 to 3 hours or on LOW for 4 to 6 hours until the ravioli is tender and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve and garnish: Once cooked, serve hot as is or garnish with Italian seasoning or fresh chopped parsley for added flavor and color.
Notes
- Use refrigerated ravioli for best texture, but frozen ravioli works well too.
- Cook time may vary depending on your slow cooker model; check for tenderness at 2 hours on HIGH or 4 hours on LOW.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute ground beef with plant-based meat or additional vegetables.
- To prevent sticking, you can lightly grease the slow cooker before layering.
- Leftovers store well refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheat nicely in the microwave or oven.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
