When you think of ravioli, you probably think of pasta topped with cheese. However, this traditional Italian dish can be served in many different ways. In this blog post, I’ll explore some simple and delicious ways to serve ravioli. Keep reading to learn more!
What are some recommendations to serve with Ravioli?
Ravioli is a delicious Italian dish of pasta filled with cheese, meat, vegetables, or other fillings. When served with the right accompaniments, ravioli can make for a delicious and satisfying meal. A classic combination for ravioli is a simple tomato sauce.
Sauces
To make this, sauté onions, garlic, and some herbs in olive oil, then add canned tomatoes and simmer until thickened. For a richer flavor, add a bit of cream or butter at the end. Other sauces that pair nicely with ravioli include pesto, cream sauce, garlic-wine sauce, and Alfredo.
Sides
In addition to a sauce, a side of vegetables can round out the meal. Roasted vegetables like asparagus, mushrooms, or bell peppers are a good option, as are steamed or sautéed green vegetables like spinach, kale, or broccoli. You can also add some crunch to the meal with a side of garlic bread, a green salad, or a Caesar salad. For a heartier meal, serve ravioli with a side of Italian sausage or grilled chicken.
Wine & Desserts
Finally, no Italian meal is complete without good wine. For a red, try a Chianti or a Barbera, and for a white, try a Soave or a Verdicchio.
For dessert, you can’t go wrong with a classic Italian tiramisu or a creamy panna cotta. With the right sides and drinks, ravioli can make for a delicious and complete Italian meal.
Let’s dive deep for some of the sides you can serve with Ravioli in the next section
1. Italian Bread
Italian bread is a classic accompaniment to ravioli, providing a crunchy and delicious textural contrast to the soft, pillowy pasta. Baked with either white or whole wheat flour, Italian bread can be served either in slices or as a loaf. When served in slices, Italian bread is best enjoyed with a little butter or olive oil and makes a perfect side dish for a homemade ravioli dish.
For those looking for something a little more decadent, focaccia is an excellent pairing for ravioli. Focaccia is an Italian flatbread usually made with olive oil and a variety of herbs that adds a pleasant herbal aroma to the meal. Baked in an oven, focaccia can be served in individual slices or as a full loaf. Its slightly sweet flavor and chewy texture make it an excellent foil for soft ravioli.
For a more traditional Italian pairing, ciabatta is an excellent choice. Ciabatta is a rustic Italian white bread that is made with flour, yeast, water, and salt. It is traditionally formed into a flat oval shape, making it ideal for cutting into slices or tearing into pieces to enjoy alongside a plate of ravioli. The slightly tangy and chewy texture of ciabatta complements ravioli beautifully, making it a popular choice for Italian meals.
2. Polenta
Polenta is a creamy, traditional Italian dish that is a great accompaniment to ravioli. It is a savory porridge made from cornmeal, salt, and water, and it is usually boiled until it is thick and creamy. Polenta’s texture can vary depending on the ratio of ingredients used, the amount of boiling time, and the type of cornmeal used. It can be served creamy, firm, or even in slices. The creamy version is best suited to accompany ravioli, as its texture complements the soft pasta. To serve, the creamy polenta is usually topped with a few tablespoons of butter and freshly grated Parmesan cheese before being served as an accompaniment to ravioli.
The firm version of polenta can also be used to accompany ravioli, but it requires a few extra steps. After the polenta has been cooked and cooled, it can be cut into slices and then lightly fried in butter or olive oil. This gives the polenta slices a crunchy exterior and a creamy interior. The fried polenta slices can then be served with ravioli for added texture and flavor.
Polenta is a versatile dish that can be served in a variety of ways. It can also be used as a base for toppings such as mushrooms and tomatoes, or it can be served with a variety of sauces. No matter how it is served, polenta is a great accompaniment to ravioli and helps to enhance the flavor and texture of the dish.
3. Oven-Roasted Vegetables
Oven-roasted vegetables are a great addition to any meal, but they are especially delicious when served with ravioli. Oven-roasting is a simple method of cooking vegetables that brings out their natural sweetness and enhances their flavor.
To make oven-roasted vegetables, start by preheating the oven to 425°F. Cut your vegetables into uniform pieces, and toss them with oil, salt, and pepper. Spread the vegetables in a single layer on a baking sheet, and roast them for 20-30 minutes, stirring once halfway through.
The vegetables are done when they’re fork-tender and lightly browned. The vegetables will have a delicious, caramelized flavor that perfectly complements the savory flavor of ravioli.
Though you can use any vegetables you like, some especially good options for roasting are zucchini, bell peppers, eggplant, tomatoes, and onions. Oven-roasted vegetables are a great way to add flavor, nutrition, and texture to any meal – and especially ravioli!
4. Frico Chips With Zucchini
Pairing the perfect side dish with a scrumptious plate of ravioli can be a challenge. One great option that offers both delicious flavor and nutrition is Frico chips with zucchini. These chips are made by baking grated cheese and spices together to form crispy chips. Zucchini adds a fresh and juicy element to the dish. When combined, the two ingredients make for an incredibly tasty side dish.
To make Frico chips with zucchini, you’ll need to grate a generous amount of cheese, such as parmesan or pecorino. Sprinkle the cheese with your favorite spices, such as garlic powder, onion powder, or red pepper flakes.
Place in a preheated oven and bake until the cheese has melted and is golden brown and crispy. Cut thin slices of zucchini and mix in with the cheese. Bake for an additional few minutes until the zucchini is tender. Serve alongside your favorite plate of ravioli for a truly unique and flavorful meal.
Frico chips with zucchini are a great way to add a tasty and nutritious side dish to any meal. The combination of the smoky cheese and the fresh zucchini create a complex and delicious flavor that is sure to please.
With a few simple ingredients and a quick baking time, you can have a delicious side dish to go along with your ravioli in no time.
5. Broccoli Rabe
Broccoli Rabe is an excellent dish to serve alongside ravioli. This strong-flavored, nutrient-dense green is a member of the cruciferous family and its scientific name is Brassica rapa. It is a highly nutritious vegetable, as it is rich in vitamins A, C, and K, as well as dietary fiber, calcium, iron, and magnesium. Broccoli Rabe has a slightly bitter flavor that stands up well to the rich flavor of ravioli.
When preparing Broccoli Rabe, it is important to trim off the tough ends of the stems. The stalks can then be blanched in boiling water for a few minutes, after which they should be drained and rinsed in cold water.
The stalks can then be cooked in a skillet with some garlic and oil, or they can be steamed and served with a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of salt and pepper. The leaves of the Broccoli Rabe can also be cooked and served as a warm side dish.
Broccoli Rabe is a great accompaniment to ravioli, as its flavor complements the richness of the dish. It is also a healthy addition to any meal and is an excellent source of vitamins and minerals. With its slightly bitter taste and high nutritional content, Broccoli Rabe is an ideal side dish for ravioli.
6. Simple Egg-Free Caesar Salad
This simple egg-free Caesar salad is the perfect accompaniment to ravioli. It’s a light yet delicious side dish that balances out the creamy sauce in ravioli. It’s also a great way to add a bit of crunch and freshness to your meal.
The main ingredients in this egg-free Caesar salad are romaine lettuce, croutons, Parmesan cheese, and a creamy Caesar dressing. The romaine adds crunch and texture, the croutons add a nice crunchy texture, and the Parmesan adds a nutty flavor.
The creamy Caesar dressing is made with mayonnaise, lemon juice, garlic, olive oil, and Worcestershire sauce. It’s a delicious combination that provides the perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors.
To prepare the salad, simply mix together the lettuce, croutons, and Parmesan cheese in a large bowl. Then, in a separate bowl, whisk together the dressing ingredients until they are fully combined.
Finally, pour the dressing over the salad and toss it until everything is evenly coated. Enjoy this light and flavorful egg-free Caesar salad with your favorite ravioli dish.
7. Braised Leeks
Braised leeks are a fantastic side dish to serve with ravioli. Leeks are mild, sweet, and delicate vegetables that have a wonderful flavor when cooked. When braised, they are cooked in a flavorful liquid, such as stock, white wine, or even beer. The leeks slowly absorb the liquid as they cook, producing a dish that is full of flavor and tenderness.
To prepare Braised Leeks, the vegetables must first be trimmed and washed. After this, the leeks are cut into pieces and placed into a pot. The liquid is added and the pot is covered and placed onto the stove. The heat must be kept at a gentle simmer to prevent the leeks from becoming too mushy.
As the leeks cook, the liquid will reduce and the flavor will become more concentrated. The leeks should be cooked until they are tender and the liquid has reduced.
Braised Leeks are a great way to add flavor and texture to any plate of ravioli. They are easy to prepare, yet have a complex and enticing flavor that pairs wonderfully with the pasta. They are a great way to add variety to the plate, while still keeping it simple and elegant.
8. Garlic Parmesan Green Beans
Garlic Parmesan Green Beans are a delicious side dish that pairs perfectly with ravioli. These crisp-tender green beans are tossed in a buttery garlic Parmesan sauce that adds a subtle nutty flavor to the dish.
The garlic and Parmesan complement the creaminess of the ravioli and create a balanced meal. The green beans are cooked with a combination of butter, garlic, and Parmesan, adding flavor and texture.
The Parmesan contributes nutty, cheesy flavor and a crunchy texture, while the garlic adds a distinct aroma and flavor.
Topping the green beans with freshly chopped parsley adds a vibrant color and a fresh herbal flavor. The green beans are a great accompaniment to the ravioli, as well as other Italian dishes. They are also a great addition to any dinner table.
9. Zucchini Crisps
Zucchini Crisps are a delicious and healthy accompaniment to ravioli. These crispy snacks are prepared with thin slices of zucchini that are lightly coated with olive oil and seasoned with salt and pepper.
Once cooked, they become crunchy and flavourful, making them the perfect side dish for Ravioli. The zucchini slices are also packed with nutrients such as vitamin C and magnesium, making this dish a great addition to any meal.
To prepare Zucchini Crisps, start by preheating the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Slice the zucchini into thin slices, place them on a baking sheet and brush with olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and bake for about 15 minutes until golden brown and crispy. Serve the Zucchini Crisps alongside your ravioli for a delicious, healthy meal. For an extra zesty kick, try adding a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese or a squeeze of lemon juice.
The combination of the crispy zucchini slices and ravioli makes for a delicious and satisfying meal. Whether for an appetizer or side dish, Zucchini Crisps provide a healthy and tasty addition to any meal. They are easy to prepare and can be enjoyed by everyone.
Wrapping Up
Now that you know how to serve ravioli, it’s time to get cooking. Some delicious and easy ravioli recipes include Zucchini Crisps, Garlic Parmesan Green Beans, Polenta.
So, what are you waiting for? Get in the kitchen and start making ravioli! Maybe one day you’ll even share a recipe of your own in the comments of this post.
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