What Sauce Goes Best with Italian Sausage Ravioli? 7 Amazing Pairings

Italian sausage ravioli is a delicious filled pasta that combines the rich, savory flavor of sausage with the soft, tender pasta pockets But what sauce pairs best with this ravioli to complement and enhance the flavors?

The sausage filling provides plenty of seasoning, so the sauce you choose should balance and meld with the sausage’s taste. Consider flavors that are creamy, spicy, herby, garlic-infused, tomato-based, and more.

With so many sauce possibilities what should you serve with Italian sausage ravioli? Here are 7 sensational sauces to try with this filled pasta

1. Creamy Alfredo Sauce

Smooth and velvety Alfredo sauce makes a magnificent match for Italian sausage ravioli. The rich creaminess helps offset the spice and seasoning of the sausage filling. At the same time, the sausage enhances the luxurious texture of the sauce.

To make an easy Alfredo for ravioli:

• Melt butter in a skillet then add minced garlic and cook 1 minute.
• Slowly whisk in heavy cream, parmesan, salt, and pepper.
• Once thickened, toss with cooked ravioli for an indulgent pairing.

2. Spicy Arrabbiata Sauce

If you like heat with your sausage, go for a spicy arrabbiata sauce on your ravioli. This tomato-based sauce infused with chili flakes complements and intensifies the sausage filling.

For an arrabbiata:

• In olive oil, saute garlic, onion, and red pepper flakes.
• Add crushed tomatoes, basil, salt, and pepper.
• Simmer until thickened then mix with ravioli.

3. Fragrant Basil Pesto Sauce

Herby pesto is a fresh, fragrant sauce for Italian sausage ravioli. The basil, garlic, pine nuts, and olive oil brighten up the ravioli and keep it tasting light.

Make pesto by:

• Blending basil, garlic, pine nuts, parmesan, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
• Thin with pasta water for coating the ravioli.

4. Ooey, Gooey Cheese Sauce

For ultimate indulgence, coat your ravioli in an ooey-gooey cheese sauce. The velvety, stringy cheese paired with sausage makes a mouthwatering match.

Quick cheese sauce:

• Make a roux with butter and flour.
• Stir in milk, shredded cheese, and seasonings.
• Melt over low heat until creamy and smooth.

5. Garlicky Butter Sauce

Buttery garlic sauce is a fast, easy match with Italian sausage ravioli. The buttery richness with tons of garlic flavor melds deliciously with the seasoned sausage filling.

Whip up garlic butter:

• Melt butter in a pan and add minced garlic.
• Simmer 2 minutes then pour over hot ravioli.

6. Classic Italian Tomato Sauce

No-fuss Italian tomato sauce is a traditional pairing for sausage ravioli. The bright acidic tomato sauce balances the richness of the sausage.

For easy tomato sauce:

• In a pan, sauté garlic in olive oil.
• Add crushed tomatoes, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper.
• Simmer until thickened then mix with ravioli.

7. Carbonara Sauce

Smoky, salty carbonara sauce makes a stellar match with Italian sausage ravioli. The cured pork flavor mingles with the sausage for amazing synergy.

Carbonara sauce:

• Cook pancetta or bacon until crisp.
• Make sauce with egg yolk, parmesan, cream, garlic, pepper.
• Toss sauce with ravioli and pancetta.

Beyond these suggestions, almost any sauce complements and brings out the best in Italian sausage ravioli. Alfredo, tomato, pesto, butter, cheese sauces, and more all pair wonderfully whether you make it from scratch or use quality store-bought varieties for convenience.

With so many possibilities, you could enjoy sausage ravioli with a different sauce every night of the week!

Tips for Serving Sauces with Sausage Ravioli

Follow these tips to pick and prepare the perfect sauce for your Italian sausage ravioli:

• Match sauce intensity to ravioli filling. Try smooth, creamy sauces with very spicy sausage or tomato-based sauces with milder sausage.

• Keep sauce consistency slightly thinner than normal to coat ravioli versus traditional pasta.

• For convenience, use high-quality jarred sauces, but enhance with fresh ingredients.

• Toss cooked ravioli gently in sauce to avoid breaking delicate pasta pockets.

• Sprinkle with herbs, parmesan, or red pepper flakes to finish.

• Make extra sauce to allow generous, thorough coating without running out.

• Prep components ahead for quick assembly. Make pesto or cook pancetta early.

With so many sauce possibilities, you can enjoy Italian sausage ravioli night after night without tiring of it. Try pairing ravioli with a creamy Parmesan Alfredo one night, herby walnut pesto the next, and spicy tomato arrabbiata later in the week. The options are endless for this versatile filled pasta.

Cooking the Ravioli Perfectly

Whichever sauce you select, be sure to cook the ravioli properly for the ideal pasta texture:

• Use plenty of salted water for cooking ravioli to allow even movement.

• Carefully add ravioli to gently boiling water and stir immediately to prevent sticking.

• Cook just until tender yet slightly chewy, about 2-4 minutes usually.

• Drain immediately, reserving some pasta water for thinning sauce.

• Avoid overcooking, which can make ravioli mushy.

• Gently mix sauce and ravioli together versus dumping to avoid breaking.

No matter what sauce complements your Italian sausage ravioli, follow these cooking steps for tender pasta and fabulous results.

Sample Full Meals with Italian Sausage Ravioli

Here are some full meal ideas featuring Italian sausage ravioli paired with a delicious sauce:

Italian Sausage Ravioli with Creamy Tomato Alfredo – Top ravioli coated in Alfredo with shaved parmesan and fresh basil. Serve with garlic bread and a spinach salad.

Sausage Ravioli with Spicy Arrabbiata Sauce – Toss ravioli in tomato and chili arrabbiata. Add meatballs on the side along with roasted broccoli.

Pesto Sausage Ravioli Bake – Cover ravioli in basil walnut pesto then bake with mozzarella on top. Enjoy with crusty bread.

Sausage Ravioli Carbonara – Mix ravioli with creamy egg carbonara sauce and crispy pancetta. Serve with a Caesar salad.

Sausage Ravioli with Garlic Breadcrumbs – Top ravioli coated in garlic butter sauce with toasted panko, parmesan, and parsley. Alongside add steamed green beans.

With so many sauce possibilities, you could make a different sausage ravioli dish every week and never get bored! Try out flavor combinations until you find your favorites.

Italian Sausage Ravioli Deserves an Amazing Sauce

Don’t settle for boring jarred pasta sauce on your Italian sausage ravioli. Take the extra time to make or pick a sauce that really complements and enhances the flavors of the filling. Creamy Alfredo, herbaceous pesto, spicy arrabbiata, rich carbonara, garlicky butter, and fresh tomato sauce all pair magnificently.

Ravioli stuffed with savory sausage deserves an outstanding sauce. Choose flavors that balance, accentuate, and meld with the seasoning of the filling. With so many options, you could enjoy this pasta in a new way every night!

Whichever sauce you select, be sure to gently toss the tender ravioli to avoid breaking. Then finish with a garnish like parmesan, red pepperflakes, or fresh herbs. Your tastebuds will rejoice with every bite of amazing Italian sausage ravioli and sauce pairing.

Frequently Asked Questions About Sauces for Italian Sausage Ravioli

Here are answers to some common questions about picking the perfect sauce for ravioli:

What is the most popular sauce with sausage ravioli?

Traditional tomato sauce and creamy Alfredo sauce are likely the most popular pairings. But pesto, cheese sauces, and butter sauces are also favorites.

Can I use store-bought sauce with ravioli?

Yes, you can use high-quality jarred pasta sauce for convenience. Look for brands without a lot of added sugar. Enhance flavor with fresh herbs, garlic, or sausage.

Is vodka sauce good on sausage ravioli?

Yes! The creamy tomato flavor of vodka sauce is delicious with Italian sausage ravioli