Taste just like a standard pasta dish with a delicious filling wrapped up inside, similar to tortellini just with a different shape, ravioli is rich in flavor and goodness.
The beauty of this dish is that the taste can be elevated by incorporating an array of cheesy, buttery or tangy sauces. Since the stuffing may contain meat, cheese, vegetables, cheese, or sauces, this dish complements with a variety of sides.
What to eat with ravioli? Depending on the stuffing and sauces, ravioli can be paired with many side dishes. Serve ravioli with Italian, garlic, or sourdough bread, as well as roasted vegetables including onions, broccoli rabe, green beans, snap peas, asparagus, and zucchini.
Some other choices to add on a ravioli dish are polenta and fresh salads such as caesar or spring mix salad with lots of fresh herbs tossed in.
Raviolis come in a square, semicircle or circular shape that is loaded with a filling in the envelope of the pasta pouch. Traditionally served with sauce or in broth, the raviolis have a subtle taste that does not conflict with the sauce and can be paired with a variety of foods.
Depending on the personal preference, ravioli pairs nicely with vegetables, meat, and baked goods. This article will discuss the best way to serve ravioli and the sides that go well with it.
What is the best way to serve ravioli?
The best way to serve ravioli is with selecting the correct ingredients to make side dishes or to add inside the actual raviolis. From vegetables to fruits, bread, meat, seafood, wine, and cheese, use the ingredients listed below to create your own ravioli dish that maximizes enjoyment.
- Vegetables: broccoli rabe, green beans, snap peas, asparagus, zucchini, cauliflower, carrots, squash, cipollini onions, pumpkin, spinach, kale, leek
- Cheese: ricotta, cream cheese, ricotta cheese, mascarpone cheese, mozzarella, parmesan
- Fruits: peach, lemon, prune, fig, blackberries, apple, strawberries, pomegranate
- Bread: Italian, garlic, sourdough
- Meat: beef chuck, ground pork or beef, sausage, pork, veal
- Seafood: lobster tails, prawn, shrimp, sea scallops
- Nuts: pecans, almonds, pine nuts, walnuts, peanuts
- Herbs: sage, mint, rosemary, basil, tarragon
- Spices: cinnamon, pepper flakes
- Wine: Chianti, Barbera, Pinot Noir, Soave, Chardonnay, Pecorino, Fiano
What sauce goes well with ravioli?
From tomato to cream or olive oil and herb based, there are so many options to toss delicious raviolis with. Ultimately, the fillings and sauce pairing will impact the taste of the whole dish.
The preferred sauces that go well with raviolis include:
- tomato sauce
- marinara
- pesto
- bolognese
- mushroom cream sauce
- brown butter sauce
- white wine sauce
With a wide variety of sauces, there is no surprise if a person finds it difficult to pick a favorite sauce.
What protein goes well with ravioli?
Ravioli can be paired with both plant and animal protein. Not only does adding protein to ravioli boost nutritional value of the dish, but also improves the flavor with a meaty touch.
- Animal protein: chicken, steak, salmon, shrimp, beef
- Plant based protein: walnuts, beans, peanuts, edamame, soybeans, lentils, chickpeas, almonds, chia seeds, quinoa, potatoes, seitan, tofu, hemp seeds
What sides to eat with ravioli?
Ravioli dishes are plain enough to add nutritious items on the side. Use these classic sides to select a favorite.
Classic sides to be eaten with ravioli include:
- oven-roasted vegetables
- Italian bread
- roasted cipollini onions with balsamic
- polenta
- sautéed broccoli rabe
- asparagus wrapped in prosciutto
- fresh garden or caesar salad
Eat with Ravioli: Conclusion
Ravioli is full of surprises from the hidden filling that will explode in every bite. Whether it has meat, cheese, or vegetable filings inside the pasta, the subtle and mild taste is enjoyable with sauces, cheese, vegetables, proteins or all on its own.
Raviolis tend to have a lot of calories, sugar and fat, but they are an excellent source of carbohydrates. If the fillings are carefully chosen, they can serve as a complete balanced meal in itself.
The ravioli fillings are sealed between two thin layers of the egg pasta dough and then served with the most delicious cream-based or tomato sauce. So dipping in Italian, sourdough or garlic bread is the best combination to serve with ravioli.
On the other side, ravioli can be served with fresh chopped Italian, caesar, or mixed greens salad. Additionally, pair with oven roasted or sauté vegetables including cipollini onions, broccoli rabe, zucchini, green beans, snap peas, and asparagus as a side dish.
Whether you are pouring tomato or cream based sauce with healthy meat and seafood or plant-based protein, consider these food pairing ideas to enjoy ravioli at any time.