In a method and apparatus for magnetic resonance imaging on the basis of a gradient echo sequence by excitation of nuclear spins and measurement of radio-frequency signals arising from the excited nuclear spins: (a) the magnetization of the spins is prepared by an inversion pulse; (b) a number of steps for spin excitation are implemented as well as acquisition of an RF response signal for a first image contrast, with the measurement data being acquired along a first two-dimensional slice, and this first two-dimensional slice being parallel to a plane spanned by two coordinate axes x, y standing orthogonal to one another; (c) implementation of a number of steps for spin excitation as well as acquisition of an RF response signal for a second image contrast, with the measurement data being acquired along the first two-dimensional slice that exist in (b); and (d) repetition of steps (a) through (c) for further two-dimensional slices that are offset parallel to the first two-dimensional slice along a third coordinate axis z that is orthogonal to the first two coordinate axes x and y.