Want to know what to serve with ravioli to turn it into an impossibly-delicious meal? I’m serving up delicious pairings, from the most popular side dishes to protein add-ins and the tastiest ravioli sauces.

These should keep you inspired to serve ravioli year-round. Before you dive in, check out my step-by-step guide on how long to cook ravioli. Ok, let’s go! Looking for something specific? Click these links to jump to what you’re looking for:

• Best Ravioli Sauces
• Cooked Vegetable Side Dishes
• Salad Side Dishes
• Meat & Seafood to Serve with Ravioli

What to Serve with Ravioli: The Best Sauces

The sauce you choose to serve with your ravioli will depend on the filling of your little pasta pockets. The idea is to pair the right sauce with the filling to create balance. Light, cheesy ravioli pairs well with a rich, meaty sauce, while hearty meat-filled ravioli works better with something creamy or mild. This keeps the dish balanced so it’s not too heavy or boring.

Popular Ravioli Fillings and Sauce Pairings

The most common ravioli fillings you’re likely to find in the grocery store are:

• Ricotta and spinach → Pairs well with a slow-cooked meat ragu for richness or a simple butter and sage sauce to keep it light.
• Cheese → Fresh tomato sauce balances the richness, or try browned butter with crispy sage for a nutty contrast.
• Meat → A creamy mushroom sauce adds earthiness, while a classic tomato sauce brightens it up.
• Mushroom → Works beautifully with a truffle butter sauce or a light parmesan cream sauce.
• Butternut squash → Brown butter and sage bring out its natural sweetness, or a sausage ragu adds savory contrast.
• Lobster or crab → A light, buttery lemon sauce keeps it fresh, or a tomato cream sauce enhances its richness.
• Pumpkin → Complements browned butter and sage for warmth or a light, herby cream sauce for a fresh contrast.

Here are my top picks of sauces to serve with ravioli, considering the filling.

Garlic Butter Sauce

This easy, 3-ingredient Garlic Butter Sauce is probably the most versatile of my sauce picks. The rich, garlicky flavor pairs deliciously with any type of ravioli! Best part? It’s ready in 5 minutes.

Meat Sauce

You’ve got to try my recipe for the best meat sauce – it will change your life and have you batch-cooking it on repeat! This beloved (super kid-friendly sauce) is rich, savory and deeply tomatoey. I love topping a veggie ravioli with a heap of meat sauce (ragu in Italian).

Creamy Lemon Sauce

If you have a batch of lobster or crab (or any seafood filling) ravioli – try this fan-favorite, quick and easy lobster ravioli emon cream sauce! It is SO easy to make and has that restaurant quality about it. This is my special occasion dish (well, one of them), and it is always an absolute showstopper. I love it with a side of asparagus, a fresh salad, and…from time to time…a poached lobster tail.

Lamb Ragu

Another ragu? Yup…if you love lamb, like I do, this ragu is just gorgeous. Delicious over simple cheese ravioli – you’ll love its bold lamb flavor. It gets finished off with torn mozzarella for extra richness.

Crockpot Spaghetti Sauce

Pop it in the crockpot, and let’s go! Honestly, this crockpot spaghetti sauce is a dream! Deeply beefy and infused with so much flavor – pop it over literally any cheese, mushroom or veggie ravioli filling for the ultimate Italian flavor.

Butternut Squash Alfredo Sauce

How good does my butternut squash alfredo sound? I love it over pumpkin, mushroom or cheese ravioli – earthy, umami-loaded, and hearty.

Beet Pasta Sauce

This pretty in pink beet pasta sauce recipe is fresh, light and relatively quick to make. It looks so good – you’ve got to try it. Pair it with a simple ravioli filling like cheese or ricotta + spinach.

Classic Red Sauce

Nothing is easier and more delicious than a fresh and bright tomato sauce (Marinara sauce) made with garlic, olive oil, dried Italian herbs, and seasonings. Make sure it is well-balanced in flavor.

Browned Mushroom Sauce

Take inspiration from my mushroom pappardelle recipe and switch out the pappardelle for ravioli. This is a lovely vegetarian sauce that will double up on umami flavor and goodness.

Alfredo Sauce

Pull the Alfredo sauce recipe from my Penne Alfredo recipe and submerge your ravioli.

Basil Pesto

I just have to keep a stash of my basil pesto sauce in the freezer. It is a JOY on busy weeknights to whip out a pack of cheese or butternut squash ravioli and toss in bright green basil pesto. This fresh and simple Italian sauce is great if you grow fresh basil at home! The parmesan cheese gives it a more savory taste, and the basil is a blend of floral and herbiness. Sometimes, I serve a dollop of basil pesto with ravioli and tomato sauce – a duo of sauces; so perfect.

What to Serve with Ravioli: Vegetable Side Dishes

In Italy, ravioli are traditionally served as a first course (primo) rather than a main dish, so side dishes aren’t necessary. In North America, we’re more likely to serve it as a main dish, so bring on the sides!

Brussels Sprouts (Crispy) With Maple Bacon

Crunchy, sweet ‘n salty – my recipe for roasted Brussels sprouts + bacon is the perfect side dish  for a simple ravioli and tomato sauce. This is an easy way to bulk up the meal and add hearty flavor and texture. I especially love this with butternut squash or pumpkin ravioli!

Steamed or Pan-fried Asparagus

Here’s an easy guide to perfect pan-fried asparagus. Asparagus plays the perfect part if you want a light and mild veggie side to a rich ravioli. They also add a touch of elegance and feel like a grown-up side dish.

Spiced Roasted Butternut Squash

I love serving a tray of these maple, five spiced roasted butternut squash with a butternut or pumpkin filled ravioli bowl. Adding roasted butternut squash gives the dish an extra layer of effort and flavor. This is the perfect fall dish – top it with goat’s milk cheese or extra Parmesan and toasted walnuts. You could swap in sweet potatoes, but I find that a little bit heavy to serve alongside stuffed pasta, which is already quite filling.

Crispy Air Fryer Eggplant

An easy side or topping for any and all veggie pasta dishes, this eggplant recipe takes 20 minutes to whip up thanks to your trusty air fryer.

Quick-grilled Cherry Tomatoes

Toss bright red cherry tomatoes in olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and seasoning, and flash them under the grill until they pop and blister. If your tomatoes are a little pale, they might need a sprinkle of sugar to balance them out.

Roasted Vegetables

If you have a couple of lonely veggies in the fridge – roast them until golden and serve them as a side to your ravioli. All they need is a little salt and pepper, and they’re ready to go!

Charred Broccoli or Broccoli Rabe

Toss florets of broccoli in olive oil and char them in a skillet. Squeeze over some fresh lemon juice, red pepper flakes and serve them as a delicious side dish to your favorite ravioli dish.

Pan-fried Mushrooms

An easy 5-minute side dish for ravioli is to pan-fry sliced (or whole) mushrooms (like portabella or oyster mushrooms) with garlic. Season them well, and serve them with crumbled feta cheese and brown butter sauce over pumpkin ravioli!

Charred Zucchini

Cut zucchini lengthways, toss in oil, and char on a shimmering hot skillet. Serve them dredged in lemon or lime juice and olive oil.

Steamed Spinach

To steam spinach, wash and drain the leaves, then place them in a steamer over boiling water for about 2 minutes until wilted. Remove from heat immediately to preserve color and texture.

Parmesan Green Beans

Start by tossing 1 lb of trimmed green beans with 2 tbsp olive oil, 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1 tsp garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Spread them on a baking sheet and roast at 425°F for 20 minutes until tender and slightly charred. Once done, sprinkle a bit more Parmesan on top while they’re hot, give them a quick toss, and they’re ready to serve. I like to roast some mushrooms on the same pan and top with crispy onions.

What to Serve with Ravioli: Salads

Want to know what the best salads are to serve alongside ravioli? Here are my favorites:

Mixed Greens Salad

Try peppery arugula leaves with a simple lemon and olive oil dressing, like this lemon dressing for couscous salad (which works just as well for tossed salad). Add some cucumber and tomatoes (or pomegranate) for a pop of color.

Panzanella

A classic Italian bread and tomato salad, this recipe is the one to reach for if you have leftover focaccia (or any stale bread to turn into croutons). It is so easy and adds bulk and brightness as far as ravioli side dishes go.

Strawberry Caprese Salad

You could, of course, make a standard tomato caprese. Buf if you want a delicious spring salad to lighten up a heart ravioli? This is strawberry caprese is the one. I make this recipe the second I see ripe strawberries on the shelves – it’s loaded with sweet and salty balance and a fun alternative to the classic recipe. Try my peach caprese, too. You will forever LOVE this deliciously sweet and salty combo made with mozzarella cheese and ripe peaches. PS. You can swap tomatoes into either recipe in place of the fruit.

Caesar Salad

Caesar salad is a classic to pair with your ravioli dish. In my kale caesar salad, I’ve swapped romaine lettuce for shredded kale but you can go either way your taste buds prefer. With the simple homemade dressing, this is the recipe for you!

Best Breads to Go with Ravioli

I love to serve a platter of warm and toasty Italian bread with a ravioli dinner. Focaccia, ciabatta, and garlic bread are all delicious. Serve them with butter or olive oil + balsamic vinegar. You can also turn them into bruschetta and top them with simple Italian combinations like tomato and basil, Italian sausage with cheese etc. Here are a few of my favorite bread recipes to try out with a ravioli dinner:

No-knead Cheesy Garlic Bread Fingers

No need to knead with this cheesy garlic bread (LOL). This is a showstopper of a bread recipe and will not last long.

No Knead Bread in a Dutch Oven

What can be better than laying out a loaf of easy, no-knead bread on your table? I mean, nothing makes you feel more like a pro in the kitchen than a hot steaming bakery-style loaf. This one is SO easy to make

What to Serve with Ravioli: Meat, Fish and Protein Options

Want to add extra protein to your ravioli base? Here are some delicious options from my blog:

Tuscan Chicken

The ultimate creamy, tomatoey chicken to go with your storebought or homemade ravioli. It will elevate the whole meal and acts as a sauce and protein all in one.

Seafood with Creamy Sauce

Want to serve seafood with your ravioli? Use this sauce from my easy seafood pasta as your inspiration. Swap the angel hair for ravioli.

Crispy Baked Chicken Parmesan

Baked parmesan chicken has got so much going for it – this recipe has the EASIEST garlicky tomato sauce and is perfect popped on top of ravioli.

Crispy Air Fryer Salmon

Here’s how to add a portion of light and healthy salmon (also totally crispy and delicious) to your ravioli meal. The salmon gets cooked with some basic seasonings, and the air fryer does ALL the hard work.

Try These Yummy Italian Recipes Next:

Slow Cooker Lasagna

Seafood Pizza Pizza with Biscuit Dough Crust Lazy Lasagna with Just 3 Ingredients