Simple Ravioli Sauce Recipe: Magic in Every Spoonful

Weeknight dinners demand simple yet delectable solutions, and this quick ravioli sauce recipe delivers a burst of flavor that will have everyone at the table asking for seconds.

Rich, creamy tomato goodness blends seamlessly with classic Italian herbs and spices.

A handful of pantry staples come together in minutes to create something magical.

No complicated techniques or hard-to-find ingredients stand between you and a mouthwatering meal.

The sauce coats each ravioli perfectly, creating a comforting and satisfying dish that feels like a restaurant-quality experience.

With just a few steps, you can turn ordinary pasta into an extraordinary dinner that everyone will love.

Grab your ingredients and get ready to impress with this simple yet irresistible sauce.

Simple Instructions for Easy Ravioli Sauce

• Butter Magic Melt butter in a large skillet over gentle heat, releasing its golden richness.
• Garlic Whispers Add minced garlic and let it dance around the pan, releasing its aromatic charm.
• Flavor Foundation Sprinkle in flour, herbs, and spices, creating a delectable flavor base that will make taste buds sing.
• Liquid Symphony Slowly pour chicken broth and cream, stirring gently to create a smooth, velvety landscape of deliciousness.
• Cheese Embrace Fold in cream cheese and diced tomatoes, watching the sauce transform into a luxurious embrace.
• Pasta Perfection Cook ravioli until tender, then lovingly fold them into the sauce, coating each pillow with creamy goodness.
• Final Flourish Finish with a sprinkle of Parmesan and optional red pepper flakes, creating a dish that whispers comfort and excitement.

Ways to Punch Up the Flavor in Ravioli Sauce

• Adjust red pepper flakes to match your spice preference, from a gentle sprinkle to a bold dash for extra kick.
• Fold in cooked shredded chicken, crispy pancetta, or ground Italian sausage to transform this sauce into a heartier meal.
• Replace Parmesan with romano, asiago, or pecorino for unique flavor profiles that complement the creamy sauce.
• Swap chicken broth for vegetable broth and add roasted vegetables like zucchini, spinach, or bell peppers for enhanced nutrition and texture.
• Double the sauce recipe and freeze portions in airtight containers for fast weeknight dinner solutions that save time and effort.

Serving Tips for Ravioli Sauce on Pasta or More

• Serve with Crusty Bread: Grab a slice of warm, crusty Italian bread to soak up every delicious drop of this creamy ravioli sauce. The bread's crunchy exterior and soft inside perfectly complement the rich, velvety texture.
• Pair with Fresh Salad: Toss a light, crisp green salad on the side to balance the sauce's heaviness. A simple mixed greens salad with a tangy vinaigrette cuts through the richness and adds a refreshing contrast.
• Garnish with Fresh Herbs: Sprinkle chopped fresh basil or parsley on top just before serving. These bright green herbs not only add a pop of color but also bring a fresh, aromatic note to the already delectable sauce.
• Wine Pairing Suggestion: Select a medium-bodied white wine like Pinot Grigio or a light red like Chianti. These wines will enhance the sauce's flavors without overwhelming the delicate ravioli.

How to Save Extra Sauce for Later

• Refrigerate Promptly: Store leftover ravioli sauce in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
• Extend Sauce Life: Keep refrigerated sauce for 3-4 days, ensuring maximum flavor and quality when sealed tightly in a glass or plastic container.
• Smart Reheating Technique: Warm sauce slowly over medium-low heat, stirring frequently to prevent separation and maintain creamy consistency. Add a splash of chicken broth or half-and-half if sauce appears too thick.
• Freeze for Future Meals: Transfer cooled sauce to freezer-safe containers, leaving slight space for expansion. Freeze up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before gently reheating on stovetop.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 335 kcal

Servings: 5

What’s in Easy Ravioli Sauce

• Butter: Provides rich, smooth foundation for the sauce, choose high-quality unsalted for best taste control.
• Garlic: Adds intense aromatic depth, select fresh cloves for maximum flavor punch.
• Flour: Creates silky sauce texture and helps thicken, use all-purpose for smooth consistency.
• Tomato Paste: Delivers concentrated tangy essence, opt for premium brands for deeper color and taste.
• Onion Powder: Introduces subtle savory undertones, ensures even flavor distribution.
• Basil, Oregano: Brings classic Italian herb brightness, use dried for consistent seasoning.
• Mustard Powder: Provides subtle tangy kick, enhances overall sauce complexity.

• Chicken Broth: Builds savory liquid base, select low-sodium for better salt control.
• Half and Half: Creates creamy luxurious texture, select fresh for optimal smoothness.

• Cream Cheese: Adds luscious velvety richness, soften beforehand for seamless incorporation.
• Diced Tomatoes: Introduces fresh texture and brightness, drain well to prevent watery sauce.
• Parmesan Cheese: Delivers nutty, salty finish, grate fresh for most intense flavor.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Optional spicy accent, sprinkle judiciously for personalized heat level.

Tools to Whip Up Ravioli Sauce Fast

• Large High-Walled Skillet: Essential for creating the creamy sauce with even heat distribution.
• Silicone Spatula: Perfect for stirring ingredients and gently mixing ravioli without scratching the skillet.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Crucial for accurately portioning ingredients and ensuring recipe success.
• Colander: Needed to drain ravioli after cooking.
• Wooden Spoon or Whisk: Helpful for stirring sauce and combining ingredients smoothly.

Silky Ravioli Sauce Recipe

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4.6 from 35 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Homemade ravioli sauce delivers rich Italian comfort in minutes. Cheese, herbs, and cream blend seamlessly, creating a classic sauce perfect for pasta lovers who crave authentic flavors.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 20 oz refrigerated ravioli
• 10 oz Rotel tomatoes with green chilies, juices reserved
• 1.5 cups (360 ml) half and half
• 0.75 cup (180 ml) chicken broth
• 3 tbsps salted butter
• 3 tbsps cream cheese, softened
• 0.33 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsps all-purpose flour
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• 0.5 tsp onion powder
• 0.5 tsp dried basil
• 0.5 tsp dried oregano
• 0.5 tsp mustard powder
• 1 pinch red pepper flakes, optional

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Gather and organize all ingredients and kitchen tools for efficient preparation.
2. Butter Foundation: Melt unsalted butter in a spacious skillet over medium-low heat, creating a golden base for the sauce.
3. Aromatic Infusion: Introduce minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, developing a rich flavor profile without browning.
4. Roux Development: Dust all-purpose flour into the butter-garlic mixture, cooking briefly to eliminate raw flour taste and create a thickening agent.
5. Spice Layering: Integrate tomato paste, onion powder, dried basil, oregano, and mustard powder, stirring to distribute flavors evenly.
6. Liquid Integration: Gradually whisk in chicken broth and half-and-half, maintaining smooth consistency and preventing lumps.
7. Sauce Dynamics: Elevate heat momentarily to trigger a gentle boil, then reduce to a controlled simmer for flavor melding.
8. Creamy Transformation: Fold in cream cheese, allowing it to melt and create a luxurious, velvety texture.
9. Tomato Incorporation: Add diced tomatoes, preserving juice for potential sauce adjustment.
10. Cheese Finale: Sprinkle Parmesan cheese, stirring until fully integrated and sauce reaches desired consistency.
11. Ravioli Embrace: Cook ravioli according to package instructions, then delicately fold into the sauce using a silicone spatula.
12. Optional Heat: Garnish with red pepper flakes for a subtle spicy undertone, if desired.
13. Serving Preparation: Plate immediately while sauce remains warm and luscious.

Notes

• Prep Like a Pro: Organize all ingredients and tools before starting to streamline your cooking process and reduce stress.
• Watch That Butter: Melt butter slowly over medium-low heat to prevent burning and develop rich, nutty undertones.
• Whisk with Purpose: Continuously whisk when adding broth and half-and-half to prevent lumpy sauce and ensure silky smoothness.
• Cheese Melting Magic: Add cream cheese and Parmesan gradually, stirring constantly to create a luxuriously creamy sauce without clumping.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch, Appetizer
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 335
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 706 mg
• Fat: 21 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 27 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 10 g
• Cholesterol: 59 mg