This ravioli sauce is sure to be your go-to for quick and easy meals. Combine it with fresh pasta for a gourmet-style dish that is ready in just 10 minutes.
Excellent sauce for ravioli- light, packed with flavor, easy to prepare... - Allen
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I often turn to pasta when I need a fast and satisfying meal. Dishes like ravioli with sun-dried tomatoes and spinach alfredo tortellini are full of flavor and come together in minutes.
This easy ravioli sauce is no exception. It is the secret to making a luxurious pasta dish at home, and the indulgent flavor is achieved in a matter of minutes.
Ravioli is a delicate pasta that deserves a delicate sauce. I love this sauce because it is wonderfully light yet rich at the same time.
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Why This Recipe Works
- Fresh (or frozen) ravioli cooks quickly, and the sauce comes together while the pasta is cooking.
- The sauce is creamy yet light. It's infused with herby flavors, and Pecorino cheese brings a salty bite. The result is a gourmet taste that can be prepared easily at home.
- Dinner with ease! To complete the meal, serve it with ciabatta bread, garlic bread, and a house salad. Be sure to check out all of my ideas for sides and salads to serve with ravioli.
Ingredient Notes
- Pasta: I love using fresh (refrigerated) ravioli, but frozen can also be used. I use Giovanni Rana spinach and ricotta ravioli or cheese ravioli. Feel free to use your favorite variety.
- Chicken broth combined with heavy cream keeps the sauce light yet decadent.
- Pecorino Romano adds a wonderful salty flavor. Parmesan is another great option.
- Seasonings: Shallots, thyme, and sage pair wonderfully with the creamy sauce. Garlic can also be added if desired.
Please refer to the recipe card for complete instructions and ingredient amounts.
Variations and Substitutions
- Swap in tortellini in place of ravioli.
- Add cooked chicken or shrimp for heartier appetites.
- For a richer sauce, omit the chicken broth and double the amount of cream called for in the recipe.
- Make this dish vegetarian by using vegetable broth in place of chicken broth.
How to Make Easy Ravioli Sauce
Step 1: Cook the pasta in well-salted water per the package directions. Reserve some of the pasta water before draining. Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add butter and shallots and sauté for 2-3 minutes until soft.
Step 2: Add the chicken broth, cream, and seasonings and whisk to combine. Slowly add in the cheese, whisking to incorporate after each addition.
Step 3: Add the ravioli to the sauce, toss, and cook for a few minutes while the sauce thickens. Use the pasta water to bring the sauce together or thin it out if necessary. Serve immediately.
Expert Tips and Variations
- Cook the pasta in salted water to flavor the pasta itself.
- When cooking pasta, always reserve some of the pasta water. The starch in the pasta water helps to bring the sauces together.
- Use freshly grated cheese for the best flavor and optimal melting quality.
Recipe FAQs
Ravioli sauce is best eaten immediately. If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat them slowly over low heat to help prevent the sauce from separating. If using the microwave to reheat smaller portions, heat in 30-second intervals until warm.
Ravioli with sauce can be served as a main course with salad and bread or as a side dish with beef, pork, or chicken.
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📖 Recipe Card
Easy Ravioli Sauce
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Ingredients
- 10 ounces refrigerated (fresh) ravioli (or frozen)
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 shallot (sliced)
- ⅓ cup low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
- ⅓ cup heavy cream
- ½ teaspoon fresh thyme
- ½ teaspoon ground sage
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup grated Pecorino Romano
Instructions
- Cook the ravioli in salted water according to package directions. Reserve ¼ cup of pasta water before draining.10 ounces refrigerated (fresh) ravioli
- Meanwhile, melt the butter in a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add the shallots, and cook them for 2-3 minutes until soft.1 tablespoon butter, 1 shallot
- Add the chicken broth, heavy cream, thyme, sage, and pepper. Whisk to combine. Turn the heat to medium-low and add the cheese in small batches, whisking until melted before adding more.⅓ cup low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth, ⅓ cup heavy cream, ½ teaspoon fresh thyme, ½ teaspoon ground sage, ¼ teaspoon black pepper, 1 cup grated Pecorino Romano
- When the cheese is incorporated, add the ravioli. Toss together and simmer for 1-2 minutes to thicken the sauce. If the sauce becomes too thick, use the pasta water to thin it out. Serve immediately.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimate and will vary depending on the exact amounts and specific ingredients used.
Kristin Sofen says
This is absolutely amazing!!! And easy! Tastes like a 5 star restaurant.
Abbey McDermott says
Kristin,
Thank you so much! I'm so happy you enjoyed this recipe.
Me o725 says
That was an excellent sauce. The flavors of the herbs were so delicious and fresh. I never thought to use sage with savory food. I usually use it as a tea, especially, for stomach ache. it was right on flavor. thank you
Abbey McDermott says
I'm so happy you enjoyed this recipe! Thank you.
Sarah Barker says
Can you explain the 800+ calories? Is that for the whole sauce or for individual serving?
Abbey says
The nutritional information is per serving and includes both the ravioli and the sauce. This information is based on a nutritional calculator and is an estimate which will vary depending on the actual product/brands/amount used.
MH says
I added a bit of hot pepper and Kale, used fusilli, and served it with seared chicken breast. a great sauce.
Abbey McDermott says
Sounds delicious! I'm so happy you enjoyed this.
Allen says
Excellent sauce for ravioli--light, packed with flavor, easy to prepare. I used Parmesan instead of Pecorino Romano and added just a little more butter at the end to give the sauce a glossier finish. These were minor adjustment, I thought, and easy. I will make this again. I could see it with homemade fettucini and a scattering of leek or mushroom sauté on top. Everybody loved it. A find. I will look at more recipes at this site. Thanks!
Abbey says
I'm so happy you enjoyed the recipe. Your additions sound delicious. Thanks so much!
Coffee2 says
Delicious! I made this tonight for dinner. I had a 20oz bag of ravioli so I doubled the recipe. The seasoning is perfect and the cheese adds an extra special flavor. So yummy and delicious!
Abbey says
Thank you so much! I'm so happy you enjoyed this recipe!