Dive into a delightful Creamy Tuscan Ravioli dish that's both easy and irresistibly flavorful. Infused with rich garlic, parmesan, and sun-dried tomatoes, this easy dinner promises to be a weeknight favorite with simple steps and incredible taste!
Tuscan-style Italian food is known for its simple yet robust flavors, emphasizing fresh and high-quality ingredients. This easy ravioli dish captures the essence of Tuscan cuisine by combining the richness of cheese ravioli with aromatic spices and wholesome ingredients like garlic, parmesan, spinach, and sun-dried tomatoes. And the best part is it’s easy to make!
This pasta dish uses pre-made cheese ravioli, which saves time and effort, making it a perfect choice for those who need a quick meal on a busy weeknight. Simply cook the ravioli according to the directions while getting started on the sauce. The creamy sauce is made by melting butter and sautéing garlic until aromatic, then whisking in heavy cream, spices, and parmesan cheese until smooth. The addition of fresh spinach and sun-dried tomatoes adds a burst of color, flavor, and texture. Once the sauce is ready, toss in the cooked ravioli for a delicious meal that comes together in minutes!
Serve these creamy ravioli with a side of Sheet Pan Breadsticks to soak up the sauce and elevate the meal. You can also serve it with a hearty green salad as a perfect complement. No matter how you enjoy it, this quick and easy Italian dinner is as easy to enjoy as it is to make it!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Utilizing pre-made cheese ravioli, this dish is a time-saver, perfect for busy evenings.
- The ingredient list is short and can be found in any grocery store.
- This recipe is easy for anyone to follow, whether you’re a chef or a beginner in the kitchen.
- The simple Tuscan-style flavors are both refreshing and nutritious.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Cheese Ravioli - These serve as the heart of the dish, offering a tender pasta filled with a rich and creamy cheese blend that melds beautifully with the sauce.
- Butter - Provides a velvety base for the sauce while cooking the garlic, ensuring it has a rich texture and buttery taste.
- Minced Garlic - Adds depth, creating that classic Italian warmth and inviting essence to the sauce.
- Heavy Cream - Offers a creamy consistency, transforming the sauce into something that coats the ravioli beautifully.
- Seasonings (salt, pepper, paprika, Italian seasoning) - These blend together to elevate the dish's overall flavor, bringing out a perfect balance of savory, spicy, and herby notes.
- Shredded Parmesan - Melts seamlessly into the sauce, providing a salty and umami-rich touch that enhances the flavor of the dish.
- Baby Spinach - Introduces a fresh, earthy element, contrasting the rich sauce while adding a healthy dose of greens.
- Sun-Dried Tomatoes - Offer a tangy bite and chewy texture, punctuating the dish with bursts of intense tomato flavor and a vibrant pop of color.
How To Make Creamy Tuscan Ravioli
Prepare the premade ravioli: Cook the ravioli according to the directions on the package. Drain and set aside.
Cook the garlic: In a large skillet over medium heat. Add butter and melt, then add garlic and cook for 30 seconds or until fragrant without burning.
Assemble the sauce: Pour in heavy cream while whisking. Add salt, pepper, paprika, and Italian seasoning. Whisk until the sauce starts to bubble. Continue to whisk while slowly adding in parmesan cheese until cheese is fully incorporated.
Add remaining ingredients: Add baby spinach and sun-dried tomatoes. Stir occasionally and cook until spinach is wilted. Pour the cooked ravioli into the sauce and toss to coat. Garnish with parmesan cheese, and enjoy!
Recipe Tips
- Ensure you don’t overcook the cheese ravioli; al dente is ideal, as they will continue to cook slightly when combined with the sauce.
- When sautéing the minced garlic in butter, watch for it to turn just golden – any longer, and it might become bitter.
- For a lighter sauce, you can dilute the heavy cream with a splash of milk or broth without compromising too much on the richness.
- When adding the shredded parmesan, sprinkle it in gradually while continuously stirring to ensure it melts evenly without clumping.
- Using fresh baby spinach is key; frozen varieties might make the sauce watery and dilute its flavors.
- Once you add the ravioli to the sauce, stir with care to ensure they don't break apart or stick to the skillet.
Variations
- Add cooked chicken breast slices or sautéed shrimp for an extra protein kick and a more filling meal.
- Swap the cheese ravioli for a mushroom or spinach-filled variety to change up the flavors while keeping it vegetarian.
- Add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice or zest to the sauce for a refreshing and tangy element.
- For those who like it spicy, incorporate red pepper flakes or a dash of cayenne to the sauce for an extra kick.
- Swap out the baby spinach for other leafy greens like arugula or kale, adjusting the cooking time as needed since kale may take a bit longer to wilt.
- Toast some pine nuts or walnuts and sprinkle them on top for an added crunch and a rich, nutty taste.
- Enhance the sauce with fresh herbs like basil, parsley, or rosemary, finely chopped and stirred in towards the end, or used as a garnish for an aromatic pop of color.
Storing & Freezing
Storing: Transfer cooled ravioli to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. Gently warm it up on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally to maintain the creamy consistency.
Freezing: Transfer cooled leftovers to a freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bags. Ensure all the air is pressed out to prevent freezer burn. The ravioli can be frozen for up to 2 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then reheat on the stovetop, adding a splash of cream or broth if needed.
FAQ
While ravioli adds a unique touch with its cheese filling, you can substitute it with fettuccine, penne, or any pasta of your choice. Just adjust the cooking time according to the pasta type.
If you're out of heavy cream, you can combine equal parts of milk and melted butter as a substitute. Another option is to use half-and-half or even a thicker yogurt for a tangy twist.
Yes, you can make the sauce in advance and store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. When you're ready to serve, reheat the sauce on the stovetop, adding a little extra cream or broth if it's thickened too much, then toss with freshly cooked ravioli.
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Creamy Tuscan Ravioli
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 (25 oz) package cheese ravioli
- 2 tbsp butter
- 3 tsp garlic (minced)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp paprika
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese (shredded)
- 1 cup baby spinach (washed and chopped)
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes (drained and chopped)
Instructions
- Cook the ravioli according to the directions on the package. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet over medium heat. Add butter and melt, then add garlic and cook of 30 seconds.
- Pour in heavy cream while whisking. Add salt, pepper, paprika, and Italian seasoning. Whisk until the sauce starts to bubble.
- Continue to whisk while slowly adding in parmesan cheese until cheese is fully incorporated.
- Add baby spinach and sun-dried tomatoes. Stir occasionally and cook until spinach is wilted.
- Pour the cooked ravioli into the sauce and toss to coat.
- Garnish with parmesan cheese, and enjoy!
Nutrition
*All nutrition information provided is automatically calculated and is an estimate and will vary based on ingredients, brands, and changes in cooking methods listed in the recipe. If you need exact numbers on your ingredients, I would recommend calculating them with your prefered nutrition calculator.
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