Simple Crockpot Ravioli
This straightforward crockpot recipe delivers a comforting Italian-inspired meal with minimal effort. It combines frozen cheese ravioli, pre-cooked ground turkey sausage, marinara sauce, and mozzarella cheese, layered and slow-cooked to perfection. Ideal for a busy weeknight, it yields a hearty dish for the entire family.
Equipment
- 1 Slow Cooker A 6-quart slow cooker is ideal for this recipe.
- 1 Large Spoon For layering and stirring ingredients.
- 1 Serving Ladle For easily portioning the cooked ravioli.
Ingredients
Main
- * 1 bag frozen cheese filled ravioli
- * 1 pound fully cooked ground turkey sausage
- * 1 jar marinara sauce
- * 8oz shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Lightly grease the inside of your slow cooker to prevent the ingredients from sticking during cooking.
- Spread a thin, even layer of marinara sauce across the bottom of the prepared slow cooker.
- Arrange approximately half of the frozen cheese ravioli over the sauce in a single, even layer.
- Evenly distribute half of the fully cooked ground turkey sausage over the layer of ravioli.
- Spoon another generous layer of marinara sauce over the sausage and ravioli.
- Sprinkle about half of the shredded mozzarella cheese over the marinara sauce.
- Repeat the layering process with the remaining ravioli, turkey sausage, and marinara sauce.
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 2-3 hours, or on high for 1-1.5 hours, until the ravioli is tender.
- During the final 30 minutes of cooking, sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese over the top, cover, and allow it to melt until bubbly and slightly golden.
- Serve hot directly from the slow cooker, optionally garnished with fresh basil or additional grated Parmesan cheese.
Notes
To achieve optimal texture, layer the ingredients carefully. Start with sauce, then ravioli, sausage, and repeat to ensure even cooking and prevent the pasta from sticking. While the recipe calls for fully cooked sausage, consider browning fresh ground turkey sausage with some diced onion and garlic beforehand for a more robust flavor profile. Add about half of the mozzarella cheese within the layers, reserving the rest for the final 30 minutes of cooking to create a beautiful, melted cheese crust. Monitor cooking time closely to avoid mushy ravioli; slow cookers can vary. Finish with a sprinkle of fresh basil or grated Parmesan for an aromatic lift.