Nothing beats homemade pasta. Especially a classic dish like homemade ravioli. It’s just so flavorful, elegant and comforting. I have fond memories from my childhood of sitting down to the dinner table and Mom opening a can of Chef Boyardee.
Okay, so maybe canned gloopy “pasta” doesn’t count as true ravioli. But there are lots of ingredients out there that can help you create a stunning pasta dish on a dime. Sure, nothing quite captures the eloquence of homemade pasta dough – it’s pretty incredible. But sometimes there just isn’t time (or energy) to start from scratch.
In fact, using ready made products for the “noodle” can not only save time, but create a new and exciting pasta experience for your dinner guests. We recommend even telling them what you’ve done, rather than try to hide it. Using unique ingredients to create classic dishes is the very epitome of kitchen creativity and innovation and you know how much we’re into that. Plus you’ll create enthusiastic dinner conversation amongst your table when your diners find out what you’ve done… And how delicious it tastes.
Try using Wonton Wrappers. Seriously. Wonton Wrappers. They have a fantastic thickness that emulates traditional ravioli sheets and their flavor is subtle, allowing for the filling to shine (keep reading for those).
Or, lasagna sheets! While thicker than Wonton Wrappers, most people have lasanga sheets in their cupboards already and they’re slightly closer to traditional pasta in texture than wonton wrappers are.
Whichever method you choose, both noddles will poach quickly in gently boiling salted water and rise to the surface when done. Easy, right? Plus you just saved yourself about 5 hours of labor.
So now you’ve got your conversation-starting-delicious-tasting-noodles, what do you put inside? The only thing better than being served homemade ravioli is discovering what’s inside those little pasta packages of culinary deliciousness. This is where you really get to be creative! Sure, the standard – yet classic – ricotta and spinach filling is always a winner. But we want you to take your dinner to the next level and create real wow moments! You know the ones – when a diner experiences something so uniquely tasty and interesting that perceptions shift. Those are the meals we remember – let’s make this one memorable.
Here are 6 homemade ravioli fillings for right now that will do just that:
- Ravioli with Sweet Potatoes & Thyme via Real Simple
- Sausage & Broccoli Raab with Roasted Tomato Sauce via Fine Cooking
- Pumpkin Ravioli with Brown Butter Sauce via Savory Simple
- Ravioli with Goat Cheese, Spinach and Parmesan Cream Sauce via Julia’s Album
- Mushroom Ravioli Filling via Better Homes and Gardens
- Caprese Ravioli Filling via Proud Italian Cook
What other “noodles” do you use for ravioli? Do you make your pasta from scratch? Ever had homemade pasta? How does it compare to store bought? What goes into your ravioli? What shouldn’t go into ravioli? What’s your favorite pasta? Share your thoughts below or join the conversation on our Facebook page!
