Ravioli is a delicious and versatile pasta dish that can be filled with a variety of ingredients, such as cheese, spices, or vegetables. they are a staple in Italian cuisine and I want to share the best way to enjoy them. But what should you serve with ravioli to make it a complete meal?
I make raviolis very often and depending on how many people are eating with us, I choose to make different sides to pair with them well. Here are my top choices!
Best Side Dishes to Serve with Ravioli
If you are having ravioli as your main dish you might want to add a little something on the side. Having a side dish paired with your fresh raviolis will complete the dinner table. Here are a few great dishes to add to your meal.
Bread
- Garlic Bread: This classic side dish is the perfect complement to any pasta dish, including ravioli. Spread butter and garlic on a baguette, and toast it in the oven for a warm and crispy side.
- French Baguette or Italian Bread: Try to find a fresh baguette or warm up your bread before serving, it makes it so much better! I love serving this with butter or an olive oil dipping sauce.
- Focaccia: Focaccia is one of my favorite breads, its rich and light all at the same time. If you have the time (and patience) to make this, it will be a hit! But you can also find it as some local bakeries or grocery stores.
Salads
- Easy Italian Salad: If I need to throw something together quick, I go for this Italian salad. It has a super easy homemade dressing made with ingredients I always have on hand. It's an easy recipe that is the perfect side dish for raviolis.
- Simple Kale Salad: This is another quick salad that pairs nicely with raviolis. It’s a little heartier than the Italian salad above but still made with very simple ingredients. It’s make with an easy vinaigrette, pecorino cheese, and croutons.
- Spinach and Arugula Salad with Apples and Pecans: If you want a little more to your salad try something like the spinach and arugula salad. It have roasted pecan, apples, and goat cheese. It’s a star dish on its own.
- Caesar Salad: A classic caesar salad is always a great go to salad. It typically includes romaine lettuce, croutons, Parmesan cheese, and a dressing made with anchovies, garlic, lemon juice, and olive oil. Caesar salad complements the flavors of many types of pasta, including ravioli.
- Tomato Salad: This is a perfect salad to have when serving a rich ravioli, such as an Alfredo cheese ravioli. The acidy from the tomatoes add a brightness to the main course. I love making a tomato salad with cherry tomatoes, basil, and balsamic vinegar. Here is a recipe that I come back to every summer: Tomato Salad.
Other Sides
- Oven-Roasted Vegetables: Roasted vegetables are a healthy and flavorful side dish that pairs well with ravioli. Try roasting vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, and mushrooms with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- Brussels sprouts: You can serve brussels sprouts as a salad or roast them and have a delicious side dish. I love making this Balsamic Roasted Brussel Sprouts recipe.
- Broccoli: Any type of roasted broccoli or even broccoli rabe is a great go-to as a side dish. Broccoli is very easy to find and a versatile vegetables.
- Soup: A bowl of soup is a comforting and filling side dish that goes well with ravioli. Try a classic Minestrone or Tomato soup for a cozy and satisfying meal.
Sauces to Serve with Ravioli
The best part about making raviolis is choosing what sauce to go with it. This can really change the flavor of the dish. From tomato sauce to a creamy sauce, you can pick which one is a good choice for you.
- Tomato Sauce: A classic tomato-based sauce, marinara is a popular choice for serving with ravioli. It’s an easy go to that is a perfect pairing! I love the Rao’s tomato sauce. If you are up for it you can even make your own! Check out this San Marzano Tomato Sauce. I make this every summer when I have loads of fresh tomatoes.
- Olive Oil: One of my favorite toppings is probably one of the simplest. I just use a drizzle of oil olive and top with parmesan, salt, and black pepper. My favorite olive oil for topping is Kosterina Olive Oil. It tastes amazing and the bottle pours so you get the perfect drizzle of olive oil every time. Maybe even add a little squeeze of lemon juice on top to finish it. This is a great option if you need something quick.
- Alfredo Sauce: This classic cream sauce everyone loves. Alfredo is a popular choice for serving with cheese-filled ravioli. This sauce is made with butter, cream, and Parmesan cheese. It is definitely a rich sauce so if serving with a side I love to do a little green salad or tomato salad on the side to balance out the richness.
- Pesto Sauce: A vibrant and flavorful sauce, pesto is a great choice for serving with vegetable-filled or cheese-filled ravioli. This sauce is typically made with basil, garlic, pine nuts, and Parmesan cheese. There are a few alternatives, you can make it with different types of nuts or you can add in other greens. I love this sauce because it gives a brightness to the dish and it is a great way to add in some extra veggies to your meal. I love making this kale pesto recipe, its a little less traditional but tastes amazing!
- Brown Butter Sauce: A nutty and rich sauce, brown butter is a great choice for serving with squash filled raviolis like pumpkin or butternut squash raviolis. To make this sauce, simply cook butter until it turns brown and has a nutty aroma. I love adding in nuts or sage to a brown butter sauce to add a depth of flavor. Try this sage brown butter sauce from this ravioli recipe.
- Balsamic Vinegar: You can drizzle balsamic vinegar on your raviolis before serving or use a balsamic reduction to have something a little thicker and sweeter. Use this sparingly, as balsamic has a strong flavor to it.
- White Wine Sauce: For a lighter ravioli sauce, go for a white wine sauce. This pairs really well with any type of seafood ravioli recipe.
Next time you make raviolis, try pairing it with one of these delicious sides or sauces. No matter what sauce you use, you can top your pasta with a little bit of parmesan cheese, red pepper flakes, black pepper, or a drizzle of olive oil. Your taste buds will thank you!
My favorite ravioli recipes
If you are looking to make homemade raviolis here are a few of my favorite recipes that I use time and time again.
Cheese Raviolis
If you have never made raviolis before, this is the perfect one to start with. Cheese raviolis are a classic and are a great base to start with. These cheese raviolis are made with ricotta cheese, parmesan, and salt, and pepper. They are delicious on their own, but you can also add in extra spices, vegetables, or cheeses to make them unique to you. Cheese raviolis go great with any type of sauce from this list above but I personally love them with a simple marinara sauce.
In this cheese ravioli recipe it makes about 60 raviolis so it is perfect for a crowd or you can make them and freeze them for later. This is something I love to do, so I can have homemade raviolis for a quick meal during the week.
Pumpkin Raviolis
When fall comes around, I love to switch up my ravioli recipe to make something a little more rich. These pumpkin filled raviolis, give a sweetness to the classic cheese recipe. They are topped with a sage brown butter but could also be served with just olive oil and parmesan.
A similar ravioli to this is a butternut squash ravioli. They also create a very sweet and rich filling that you will love!
Other Ravioli Variations
There are so many different types of raviolis you can make. A few of my other favorites are a beet and goat cheese ravioli, spinach raviolis, lobster ravioli, or mushroom raviolis. Let me know in the comments what some of your favorite ravioli flavors are yours.
Whether you have a store bought or homemade ravioli, you will have a great meal with these side dishes and sauces. There are so many different ways to enjoy a ravioli dinner.
