Homemade ravioli is easier to make than you think! This cheesy ravioli recipe topped with a simple cream sauce is sure to impress everyone at your dinner table.
How to Make Ravioli
You'll find a detailed ingredient list and step-by-step instructions in the recipe below, but let's go over the basics:
Ravioli Ingredients
These are the ingredients you’ll need to make this homemade cheese ravioli recipe:
- For the dough: All-purpose flour, salt, eggs, water, and olive oil
- For the filling: Ricotta, Parmesan, mozzarella and provolone cheeses, an egg, and dried parsley
- For the sauce: Olive oil, garlic, prepared basil pesto sauce (you can use store-bought or homemade sauce), heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, and marinara sauce
How to Cook Ravioli
Here’s a brief overview of what you can expect when you make this easy ravioli from scratch:
- Make the dough: Make and knead the dough, then form it into a ball. Tightly wrap the ball and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
- Make the filling: Mix the filling ingredients together and set aside.
- Make the sauce: Cook the garlic and pesto in oil, stir in the heavy cream, and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer, then whisk in the Parmesan.
- Assemble the ravioli: Roll out the dough into sheets. Drop cheese filling onto the dough about an inch apart. Cover with the top sheet of pasta and make a seal around each portion of filling. Cut out individual ravioli, then seal the edges.
- Cook and bake the ravioli: Boil the ravioli in salted water until the dumplings rise to the top and the filling is hot. Drain well.
- Serve the ravioli: Divide the ravioli between bowls, top with the warmed marinara sauce, then finish with the sauce.
Test Kitchen Tips
- Sure, you could roll out the dough by hand — but it’s a CHORE to do so. I highly recommend using a pasta roller (you can get a basic model for less than 30 bucks, so it’s definitely an inexpensive investment that I’d suggest if you ever plan on making fresh pasta again).
- Substitute cheese as desired (within reason) for the filling. You’ll want to keep the ricotta as the creamy base that binds it all together, but feel free to sub asiago for provolone or pecorino for Parmesan, etc.
What to Serve With Ravioli
This hearty ravioli recipe is quite filling, so it will pair perfectly with a light side salad. For more serving inspiration, explore our collection of Italian Side Dish Recipes.
How to Store Ravioli
Store your leftover homemade ravioli in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stove.
Can You Freeze Ravioli?
Yes! Ravioli freezes quite well. Flash freeze the ravioli on a baking sheet for a few hours or up to overnight, then transfer the now-frozen ravioli to a zip-top bag or another freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to six months.
Allrecipes Community Tips and Praise
“It was great,” according to Gingerly Quiet. “I actually added shredded chicken with the cheese mixture and added a teaspoon of fresh rosemary. It is absolutely delicious. Definitely a hit with my family.”
“Wow, this is delicious,” raves Heidi Lee. “I replaced the provolone with extra cream cheese and added a quarter cup of Parmesan. Pasta was a gorgeous color and perfect texture.”
“This was a great recipe,” says Maria Hodge. “The dough was amazing and I followed the recipe exactly as written but added spinach to the cheese filling! I sautéed up some mushrooms, onions, peppers and Italian chicken sausage to serve with it and my whole family raved over it!”
Editorial contributions by Corey Williams
