Ravioli: A Delicious Italian Pasta Dish 

Ravioli is a beloved Italian pasta dish that has been enjoyed for centuries – and who can blame us? Delicious, pillowy pockets of pasta drenched in sauce and filled with flavor? Ummm, yes please. 

This pasta is typically made by filling two layers of thin pasta dough with a savory filling and sealing them together. The filling can vary from region to region and from cook to cook, but some of the most popular fillings include cheese, meat, and vegetables. The options are pretty much endless and can be customized to suit your palate and dietary needs.

If you’re looking to enjoy ravioli at home, there are a few things you should know. We’ll cover popular ravioli dishes, fillings, and sauces, as well as answer some commonly asked questions about this classic Italian pasta.

Popular Ravioli Dishes and Fillings

Ravioli is a versatile pasta that can be served in a variety of dishes. There are lots of different fillings, sauces, and twists which you can try so you’re not always making the same ricotta and spinach version. 

Here are a few popular ravioli dishes and fillings to try:

• Cheese Ravioli with Tomato Sauce: This is a classic dish that features ravioli filled with a mixture of ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, and herbs, served with a simple tomato sauce.

• Meat Ravioli with Bolognese Sauce: Meat-filled ravioli are typically served with a hearty Bolognese sauce made with ground beef, tomato sauce, and red wine.

• Spinach and Ricotta Ravioli with Brown Butter Sauce: For a lighter option, try ravioli filled with spinach and ricotta cheese, served with a brown butter sauce and topped with toasted pine nuts.

• Mushroom Ravioli with Cream Sauce: Mushroom-filled ravioli are delicious when served with a creamy sauce made with heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, and garlic.

Ravioli Sauces

When it comes to ravioli, the sauce can make or break the dish. There are some natural pairings (e.g. gorgonzola pairs well with beef and tomato pairs well with cheese) but you can be pretty flexible with what sauce and what filling you opt for. 

The important part? Make sure there’s enough sauce to give your ravioli a good coating – it’ll make the texture even better.

Here are a few classic ravioli sauces to experiment with:

• Tomato Sauce: This is a classic sauce that pairs well with most ravioli dishes. Simply simmer canned or fresh tomatoes with garlic and herbs for a delicious homemade sauce.

• Alfredo Sauce: This creamy sauce is made with butter, heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese. It’s perfect for ravioli dishes that feature cheese or vegetable fillings.

• Pesto Sauce: This sauce is made with basil, garlic, pine nuts, and Parmesan cheese. It’s perfect for ravioli dishes that feature cheese or vegetable fillings.

But don’t be limited just to these. Any sauce works. Browned or herby butter sauces, lemon and white wine sauce, mushroom or pepper sauces, gorgonzola sauces, romesco or roasted pepper are but a few of the other options.

Here are a few unusual but delicious ravioli recipes we love:

Ravioli lasagne

Crispy air fried ravioli
Ravioli with artichokes and lemon

Roasted garlic ravioli
Lobster ravioli

What is Ravioli Traditionally Served With?

In Italy, ravioli is typically served as a first course or a primi piatti. The dish itself is usually served with a light sauce, such as a simple tomato sauce or a light cream sauce. 

Ravioli can also be served with a side of vegetables or a salad if you want to make it a main course and round out the meal a bit. Much like lasagne, it also goes well with garlic bread – although you might want to add some leafy greens or other vegetables to make a more balanced and healthy plate. 

What Can I Put with Ravioli?

If you’re looking to add some extra flavor and texture to your ravioli dish, try topping it with some of these delicious ingredients:

1. Freshly grated Parmesan cheese

2. Toasted pine nuts or almonds

3. Freshly chopped herbs, such as parsley or basil

4. Crumbled bacon or pancetta

What Does Ravioli Mean in Italian?

The word ravioli comes from the Italian word “riavvolgere,” which means “to wrap.” This refers to the process of wrapping the pasta dough around the filling. Ravioli is a popular dish in Italy and is enjoyed by people all over the world.