3-Ingredient Crockpot Vegetarian Ravioli (Easy Comfort Food)
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This 3-ingredient vegetarian crockpot ravioli is the ultimate solution for busy weeknights when you need a hearty meal without the hassle. By combining frozen cheese ravioli, your favorite jarred marinara sauce, and plenty of gooey mozzarella, you create a “lazy lasagna” style dish that tastes like it took hours to prepare. It’s a crowd-pleasing, meat-free comfort food dinner that requires practically zero prep time and delivers rich, cheesy perfection straight from your slow cooker.
We’ve all had those days where the idea of chopping vegetables or browning meat feels like a marathon. Last fall, during a particularly chaotic week, I discovered this 3 ingredient vegetarian crockpot ravioli, and it instantly became a staple in my rotation. It delivers all the warm, cheesy satisfaction of a baked pasta dish with literally five minutes of effort.
This recipe is magic because it transforms simple pantry staples into a cohesive, bubbling casserole. The frozen ravioli cooks directly in the sauce, absorbing the tomato and herb flavors while becoming perfectly tender, and the melted cheese on top creates that irresistible golden pull we all crave.
Why You’ll Love This Vegetarian Crockpot Recipe
This dish checks every box for a perfect weeknight dinner:
- True 3-Ingredient Magic: No hidden staples required—just pasta, sauce, and cheese.
- No-Boil Preparation: You use frozen ravioli straight from the bag. No boiling water or dirtying extra pots.
- Budget-Friendly: Costs a fraction of takeout and feeds the whole family.
- Kid-Approved: It’s essentially cheesy pasta, making it a hit with even the pickiest eaters.
- Vegetarian Comfort Food: A hearty, meat-free option that doesn’t sacrifice flavor or texture.
Ingredients for 3-Ingredient Ravioli
Quality matters when the list is this short. Here is what you need:
The Pasta:
25 oz bag Frozen Cheese Ravioli: Do not thaw them! Using them frozen ensures they hold their shape during the slow cooking process and don’t turn into mush. You can also use spinach and ricotta ravioli for extra veggies.
The Sauce:
24 oz jar Marinara Sauce: Since this provides the bulk of the flavor, choose a high-quality jarred sauce with good seasoning. A basil or garlic-infused marinara works wonders here.
The Cheesy Finish:
2 cups Shredded Mozzarella Cheese: Freshly shredded mozzarella melts best, but pre-shredded works perfectly fine for convenience. It creates that gooey, stretchy layer that holds the casserole together.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Grease the bottom and sides of a 4-quart or 6-quart slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray.
Spread about 1/3 of the jarred marinara sauce evenly across the bottom of the pot.
Arrange half of the frozen ravioli in an even layer over the sauce base.
Top the first layer of ravioli with another 1/3 of the sauce and 1 cup of mozzarella cheese.
Add the remaining ravioli in a second layer.
3-Ingredient Crockpot Vegetarian Ravioli (Easy Comfort Food)
Equipment
- 6-quart slow cooker, cheese grater (if not using pre-shredded), measuring cups, large serving spoon
Ingredients
Instructions
- 1
Start by preparing your slow cooker. Lightly grease the inside of the insert with non-stick cooking spray or olive oil. This prevents the pasta and cheese from sticking to the edges and makes cleanup much easier later.
- 2
Begin the layering process. Pour about 1/3 of the jar of marinara sauce into the bottom of the slow cooker and spread it out to coat the bottom evenly. This ensures the bottom layer of pasta has moisture and doesn't burn.
- 3
Add half of the frozen ravioli in a single layer over the sauce. It's okay if they overlap slightly, but try to keep them relatively even. Top this layer of ravioli with another 1/3 of the sauce and sprinkle with 1 cup of the shredded mozzarella cheese.
- 4
Repeat the layers with the remaining frozen ravioli and the remaining sauce. Make sure the top layer of ravioli is well-covered with sauce so the pasta edges don't dry out during cooking.
- 5
Cover the slow cooker with the lid. Cook on LOW for 3 to 3.5 hours, or until the ravioli is tender and cooked through. Avoid cooking on HIGH if possible, as it can cook the edges too fast while leaving the middle hard, or cause the cheese to separate.
- 6
About 10-15 minutes before serving, sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese over the top (if you didn't use it all in the layers) or simply let the top layer melt. Cover and let it sit until the cheese is completely melted and bubbly.
- 7
Serve warm, garnished with fresh chopped basil or parsley if desired. The sauce will thicken slightly as it cools, making it perfect for scooping onto plates.
Notes
Do not boil the ravioli beforehand; they cook perfectly in the sauce. If you prefer a meatier texture without the meat, use mushroom ravioli. For a ‘Baked Ziti’ style texture, stir the mixture gently halfway through cooking, though leaving it layered creates a nice lasagna-like presentation. If your slow cooker runs hot, check at the 2.5-hour mark.
Pro Tips for Perfect Crockpot Ravioli
Even with just three ingredients, a few tricks ensure success:
- Avoid Overcooking: Pasta in the slow cooker can go from perfect to mushy quickly. Check it at the 3-hour mark on LOW.
- Layering is Key: Don’t just dump everything in. Layering sauce, ravioli, and cheese ensures every piece of pasta cooks evenly and prevents sticking.
- Sauce Consistency: If your marinara is very thick, swirl 1/4 cup of water in the empty jar and add it to the pot. This gives the pasta enough moisture to hydrate without drying out the sauce.
- Grease the Pot: A quick spray of non-stick cooking spray makes cleanup significantly easier, as cheese tends to bond to the stoneware.
Serving Suggestions & Variations
While delicious on its own, you can easily round out this meal or tweak the flavors:
Pairing Ideas:
- A crisp green salad with vinaigrette to cut through the richness.
- Garlic bread or breadsticks for dipping.
- Steamed broccoli or green beans for a healthy side.
Variations:
- Sneak in Veggies: Layer fresh baby spinach or frozen peas between the ravioli layers.
- Spicy Kick: Use an Arrabbiata sauce instead of marinara or add red pepper flakes.
- Meat Lovers: If you aren’t strictly vegetarian, frozen meatballs can be tossed in with the ravioli.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Storing Leftovers: Allow the ravioli to cool completely, then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Best Reheating Method: Microwave individual portions for 1-2 minutes, or reheat in an oven-safe dish at 350°F covered with foil for 15-20 minutes until bubbly.
Freezing: This dish freezes well! Freeze individual portions in freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months.
More Easy Vegetarian Slow Cooker Recipes
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