If you're looking for great side dishes for ravioli, you've come to the right place! Trying to decide what to serve with ravioli doesn't have to be difficult when you have this many delicious options to choose from.
Whether you're craving an Italian-inspired salad, vegetable dish, or bread - here you'll find the best ravioli sides.
All of these ravioli side dishes pair well with my favorite lobster ravioli with sherry cream sauce and when fall rolls around you can find pumpkin ravioli with fried sage or butternut squash ravioli on my dinner table.
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Italian Salads
1. Copycat Olive Garden Salad
One of my favorite side dishes for ravioli is this fresh, spring salad. Who can resist Olive Garden Italian dressing? It's tangy, bright, and tastes exactly like your favorite salad from the popular Italian chain restaurant.
2. Caprese Salad Skewers
This twist on a classic Italian dish is a great way to incorporate freshness into your meal. This refreshing salad on a skewer is a simple dish bursting with flavor. Simply combine mozzarella cheese, cherry tomatoes, and basil with a cheese tortellini for the perfect bite.
3. Lemon Parmesan Salad
This versatile green salad is easy enough for a busy weeknight and perfect for a special occasion. It's a perfect side dish for any ravioli dinner.
4. Italian Panzanella Salad
Panzanella is a popular summer bread and chopped tomato salad that is usually dressed with an oil and vinegar dressing. Homemade croutons are always a huge hit, so why not make a whole salad out of them? I like to serve this flavorful salad with a simple cheese ravioli.
5. Classic Caesar Salad
Perhaps the most famous and popular salad on the planet, Caesar is so simple, yet so tasty. This creamy sauce is made with olive oil, lemon juice, egg yolks, garlic, Dijon mustard, anchovies, Worcestershire sauce, parmesan, salt and black pepper. It's definitely one of the best side dishes for ravioli, or any pasta for that matter.
Italian Vegetable Side Dishes for Ravioli
6. Stuffed Mushrooms
Stuffed mushrooms can double as an impressive appetizer or delicious side dish. Win, win!
7. Roasted Carrots & Mushrooms
Roasting carrots and mushrooms gives them sweet flavors while the garlic and thyme pair perfectly with the veggies and boost their savory flavors. It's the perfect vegetable side.
8. Blistered Cherry Tomatoes
This unique side dish can also be served over ravioli coating them in a light tomato sauce. This simple recipe is a good choice if you're looking for what to eat with ravioli.
9. Roasted Vegetables
Oven-roasted vegetables are a classic when it comes to side dishes. Sweet potatoes, bell peppers, and broccoli are a wonderful combination of flavors. Throw in some Cipollini onions to the baking sheet for added sweetness. Answering the question what to serve with ravioli has never been easier.
10. Oven Roasted Broccoli
Baked broccoli is a healthy side dish that pairs well with any main dish! Other great sides similar to this would be roasted broccoli or broccoli rabe.
11. Oyster Mushrooms
You will want to dip your ravioli into the butter sauce on these mushrooms.
12. Roasted Asparagus
Easy roasted asparagus is a perfect pairing for those beautiful al dente pasta squares. This side dish is so simple, you'll have time to get ambitious and make your own homemade ravioli.
13. Roasted Eggplant
One of my favorite vegetables, eggplant is traditional in Italian cuisine. There are so many different ways to cook them. I like to sprinkle on a dash of red pepper flakes for added heat.
14, Seared Zucchini
This side dish is a great option if you're looking to impress. Beautifully seared zucchini makes for a lovely presentation and a delicious side for ravioli.
The King of Ravioli Sides: Bread
15. Focaccia Bread
A classic Italian bread - rosemary focaccia goes especially well with Italian food and, of course, ravioli dishes. Dip it in garlic or herb oils, or marinara sauce.
16. Garlic Bread
All pasta dishes will benefit from, and your taste buds will thank you for, serving crusty garlic bread. Other than a glass of white wine and pillowy-soft ravioli filled with ricotta cheese, I dare to say it's the best part of the meal. Sourdough rolls with garlic butter and also a good choice.
17. Bruschetta
Such a fun side dish or appetizer - bruschetta features a crostini topped with melted cheese and a rich marinated mix of ripe tomatoes, fresh basil and seasoning.
18. Parmesan Bread Bites
This recipe for Dominos copycat bread bites is a great side dish to serve with ravioli, or any type of pasta for that matter. Dunk these kid-friendly bites into marina sauce to complete your meal.
Air Fryer Sides for Ravioli
19. Calamari
Traditionally calamari is breaded and fried in vegetable oil, however, this recipe is a lightened up version as it's cooked in an air fryer. It's crispy and delicious, but without the extra oil from traditional frying.
20. Parmesan Green Beans
Throw fresh green beans in the air fryer for one of the easiest ravioli side dishes. Toss with parmesan cheese while the green beans are warm.
21. Parmesan Garlic Zucchini Fries
Perfect as a side or appetizer! This healthy dish is the best way to make fried zucchini without all of the oil. Serve with warm marinara sauce for dipping.
Drinks to Serve with Ravioli
If you're hosting a party or just having a cozy night at home, enjoy ravioli with a pairing of wine or a cocktail. Keep in mind that some drink choices may vary based on the flavor of ravioli filling.
Here are the best drinks to have with a ravioli dinner:
- Stick with the Italian theme and make an Aperol and Grapefruit Cocktail.
- Coffee is a classic Italian beverage, but turn it into a cocktail with a Coffee Martini.
- A medium-bodied Italian red wine like Merlot, Malbec, or Chianti.
- A bold white wine like a Viognier or Chardonnay.
Tips for Cooking Ravioli
- Salt your pasta water well; it should be as salty as seawater.
- Don’t overcook the pasta; al dente pasta will have a little bite left in it. Ravioli cooks much faster than spaghetti. Overcooked ravioli may break open and lose its filling.
- Gently stir the ravioli and remove it from the water with a slotted spoon to prevent the delicate pasta from bursting open.
- Ravioli will usually float to the top when it's finished cooking.
If you try any of these recipes or any recipe from Happy Honey Kitchen, please rate and leave a comment below! Bon Appetit!
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