Pairing a meal with the perfect accompaniment can make or break your average dinner for friends and family. Fortunately, we've brought together a list of 50 foods that go great with homemade ravioli to help gourmet-up any dining experience.
Ravioli originated in the Italian region of Emilia, particularly in the area known as Piacenza where raviolo (meaning "large reed" in reference to the shape) was mentioned for the first time ever by name in 1570.
From that moment on, it spread throughout Italy and then around the world. It has since become one of America's favorite dishes, enjoyed both inside homes and at restaurants nationwide.
The Italian dish is known for being paired with bold white wine or a casual red wine.
In general, fresh ravioli is served in either chicken broth or with a tomato sauce.
Ravioli is mostly served in a delicious sauce, with the option of adding melted ricotta cheese on top. It can also be served topped with another great dish, such as meatballs or sausage.
Best Side Dishes
It can be baked in the oven with extra mozzarella cheese making it cheese ravioli, or even mixed with broccoli and olive oil or vegetable oil into an Italian pasta salad.
If you are looking for a quick pasta dinner, Chef Boyardee may be the way to go, since you can never have too much sauce. But, with some prep time, you can make your favorite ravioli dish even better by adding some extra flavor!
Here's the scoop on what to serve with ravioli!
1. Side Salad
A side salad, like a spring salad, is a great option to pair with ravioli because it's light and will help clean the palate between bites. Don’t forget to add balsamic vinegar!
2. Garlic Bread
Another classic accompaniment to ravioli is garlic bread because when dipped in marinara sauce or sour cream, it tastes absolutely delicious! We also recommend sourdough rolls to add to the main course.
3. Spaghetti
If you're looking to add a little meat to your meal, spaghetti pairs perfectly with ravioli and can be mixed together or served separately on two plates for guests who may prefer different dishes.
If you are looking for a meat dish, you can even add Italian sausage. Make sure to avoid the tomato paste, and go for some homemade sauce with cherry tomatoes instead.
4. Meatballs
For those who love their meals juicy and tender, adding meatballs is a tasty choice that will boost any ravioli dish. You can even dip it in your cream sauce or add creamy polenta! It’s the best way to spice up this cheesy filled pasta.
5. Garlic Knots
Breadsticks are also an excellent companion to ravioli because they help clean the palate between bites without being as filling as a full serving of bread. You can even dip them in your cheese sauce. This is truly a great side dish!
6. Charred Sugar Snap Peas
If you're looking for a healthy and delicious side dish, charred sugar snap peas are the perfect option. They're sweet and crispy, making them a great addition to any meal!
7. Garlic Cheese Bread
One bread is not enough! If you want to kick it up a notch, try garlic and cheese bread at once for double the flavor. Garlic Cheese Bread is the perfect side dish to serve with ravioli, especially if your ravioli doesn't have cheese.
8. Onion Rings
For something that's a little bit different, try onion rings. They're a great alternative to french fries and can be served with ketchup or ranch dressing.
9. Oven-Roasted Vegetables
Give your perfect side dish some added flavor with oven-roasted vegetables. It’s best if made over medium heat. They're simple to make and can be tailored to your liking!
10. Roasted Peppers
Another great roasted side dish is peppers. They're a simple dish to make on a large skillet and add a lot of flavor to your meal.
11. Cheesy Tortellini Bake
While many people enjoy eating their pasta plain, others prefer theirs with extra cheese and bread crumbs. It’s best made over medium-high heat. This casserole is perfect for those who love to mix in toppings!
12. Cheese Bread
This wouldn’t be a blog post about ravioli sides without mentioning this fan favorite! Dip this cheese-covered bread into your creamy sauce for a delicious treat that will have you licking your fingers after every bite. It’s an easy Italian bread recipe!
13. Pizza
No list of best side dishes would be complete without pizza. It's a classic for a reason and can be served with any type of pasta for the most delicious meal.
14. Roasted Cherry Tomato Caprese Salad
If you're looking for a salad that's a little bit different, try the roasted cherry tomato Caprese salad. It's simple to make and includes all of your favorite flavors! Depending on the time of year, you can also add some healthy toppings like red onions or fresh green beans!
15. Grilled Cheese
Grilled cheese is the perfect side dish for those who want something cheesy and comforting. It's an easy recipe to make and can be paired with any type of pasta, and will really make your taste buds tingle.
16. Cheese and crackers
Adding a little extra crunch to your meal is the perfect way to cleanse your palate between bites of ravioli, and cheese and crackers are a classic Italian pairing for a reason! Not to mention it can be found at any grocery store.
17. Cheesy Potatoes
Is there anything quite as comforting as potatoes? This side dish will remind you of home. You can also turn it into a creamy potato gratin. Even the worst home cook could make this easy dish.
18. Greek Salad
If you're looking for a salad with a lot of flavors, try a Greek salad. It's made with fresh ingredients and is perfect for any meal. Don’t forget your lemon juice for just a touch of acidity!
19. Roasted Leeks
Leeks are a great side dish because they're both healthy and flavorful. They're simple to make and can be roasted in the oven. It's a great addition to your dinner table.
20. Zucchini Pasta
What if you're looking for a gluten-free option? No problem! Try zucchini pasta with meatballs or shrimp instead! Add some red pepper flakes or black pepper to add amazing flavor.
21. Corn Panzanella Salad
One of the most unique and tasty ravioli side dishes is the corn Panzanella salad. It's made with roasted corn, bread, and fresh tomatoes (no tomato puree please), and is the perfect pairing for a summer BBQ.
22. Southwest Chicken Pasta Salad
Why serve your salad cold when you can warm it up? Our southwest chicken pasta salad is an easy weeknight meal that's perfect for lunch or dinner, and you can customize it with your favorite ingredients – just leave out any veggies that your family doesn't love.
23. Broccoli Salad
A classic side dish that's always a hit is broccoli salad. It's made with fresh broccoli, bacon, and cheese, and is perfect for any occasion.
24. Kale Caesar Salad
If you're looking for a side dish that's both healthy and delicious, try a kale caesar salad. They're simple to make and are a great alternative to french fries and other dishes.
25. Parmesan Baked Cauliflower
If you're looking for a side dish that's both healthy and delicious, try Parmesan baked cauliflower. It's simple to make and is a great alternative to broccoli salad. Plus, who doesn’t love fresh parmesan cheese?
26. Cranberry Pecan Salad
Another great salad option is a cranberry pecan salad. It's made with fresh cranberries, pecans, and greens, and is perfect for a fall meal.
27. Parmesan Creamed Spinach
Ravioli tastes even better when you add more cheese! Add some veggies to your entree by pairing it with creamed spinach. You can also have parmesan green beans.
28. Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Give your pasta a veggie boost that's both creamy and crunchy with roasted brussels sprouts. You can't go wrong with hearty brussels sprouts!
29. French Onion Soup
For those who want something that's more savory, nothing beats getting all of the flavors in one medium bowl. French onion soup is full of flavor, making it the perfect dish for chilly days or nights when you want something warm but aren't looking for anything too heavy.
Cipollini onions are a great addition to this soup!
30. Zucchini Parmesan Chips
Another great way to enjoy zucchini is by making chips! They're a healthier alternative to potato chips and taste amazing with parmesan cheese. It’s the easiest way to add a fun side to your main dish!
31. Asparagus
For those who want something that's more healthy, asparagus is a simple side that can be spiced up with breadcrumbs. It's truly one of the best sides!
32. Roasted Red Potatoes with Garlic and Rosemary
Give your side some added flavor with some roasted red potatoes that are both delicious and filling. It is a really easy way to surprise your guests!
33. Blackbean soup
If you want something a little more exotic, black bean soup is a great option. It's rich and satisfying, while also being healthy.
34. Spinach Quiche
Want a twist on chicken quiche? Try adding some fresh spinach to the mix for a dinner that feels fancy but takes minimal effort.
35. Roasted Baby Carrots
For something that's both healthy and delicious, try roasted baby carrots. They're simple to make and pair well with any type of pasta.
36. Cauliflower Parmesan
If you're looking for a healthier alternative to french fries, try cauliflower parmesan fries. They're baked, not fried, and are full of flavor!
37. Fruit Salad
For something that's more juicy, try fruit salad, which is fresh and healthy and can easily be added to any meal for a sweet treat!
38. Green Bean Casserole
Make it a home cooked meal with a green bean casserole recipe, which is simple to make and delicious to eat! It’s one of many great new recipes to add to your cookbook.
39. Buttered toast
Toast is a quick and easy side dish, which is perfect for busy nights when you don't have time to think about cooking. It will quickly become the best part of the meal.
If butter isn’t your thing, cream cheese is always a great substitute.
40. Broccoli
If you're looking for a healthy option that also tastes great, try the broccoli rabe recipe. It's simple to make and includes all of your favorite veggies.
41. Quinoa Salad
Looking for an alternative to pasta salad? Our quinoa salad offers the same flavors but in a protein-packed meal that will keep you full longer. It is a really easy dinner recipe!
42. Roasted Tomatoes with Parmesan Cheese
Want a healthier take on tomatoes? Try adding them to your side dish tonight, by roasting them in parmesan cheese. You'll get a crispy tomato with amazing flavor!
43. Creamed Corn
Looking for something that's more savory than sweet? Try some creamed corn, which is rich and creamy, making it a great alternative to other veggies on the side. It’s a great addition to your fantastic main dish.
44. Scalloped potatoes
For those who want something with a little bit of texture, try scalloped potatoes. You'll get all the flavors you love, but in many different ways!
45. Peas and Carrots
For those who want something healthy and tasty, nothing beats peas and carrots. This dish is perfect for kids and adults alike!
46. Caprese salad
Want something a little lighter? Try pairing your pasta with a Caprese salad, which is fresh and flavorful.
47. Cesar salad
Looking for something with a lot of flavor? Cesar salad is the perfect option. It's simple to make and tastes amazing!
48. Roasted Cabbage Wedges
For those who want more than just veggies, try our roasted cabbage wedges. This dish is great for both adults and kids alike!
49. Breadsticks
Looking for a carb that doesn't have any additional flavors or richness? Try breadsticks, which are healthier than fried options but still tasty! This is a great addition to lobster ravioli!
50. Cornbread
Perfect for stuffing your ravioli in! Make some cornbread today, so you have a delicious side dish with dinner.
A Guide to Side Dishes with Ravioli
We hope you enjoyed our compilation of ravioli side dishes! These are all great options to serve with ravioli. Remember, similar to its Italian counterpart, ravioli are served in either broth or with another ravioli sauce like butter sauce or basil pesto.
But, no matter the type of sauce, what makes ravioli special is what’s inside! Ravioli filling can range anywhere from meat, like ground beef, to cheese, like ricotta ravioli!
Ravioli dishes are one of the most famous Italian pasta dishes, made from stuffed pasta envelopes – typically square, but sometimes round – usually served as an appetizer. It’s found in fine dining restaurants across the world!
Enjoy your ravioli and remember that you can serve it with any of these great and delicious side dishes!
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