Serve Ravioli alongside Soft Spongy Italian Bread, Sweet Cipollini Onions, Crunchy Broccoli Rabe, Creamy Polenta, and Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus.
Soft Spongy Italian Bread
It may sound a bit unusual - serving pasta and bread.
For a lighter option, try Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus. Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus
This is not a very popular side dish, but if you think about it, it could be perfect.
Ravioli nights are special. They bring a touch of Italian flair right to your dining table.
With their rich fillings and soft pasta, you've got a crowd-pleaser.
Yet, the right side dishes transform it from good to unforgettable.
Every option ensures your meal shines brighter.
Want to make your ravioli dinner unforgettable?
7 Best Accompaniments for Ravioli Dishes
Here are some good choices when not sure what to serve with ravioli - including sides for lobster ravioli pairing ideas.
1 - Soft Spongy Italian Bread
It may sound a bit unusual - serving pasta and bread.
Indeed, the combo can be a bit heavy, but Italians have it all the time - why not?
After all, you are already having an Italian dish - you might as well embrace the Italian cuisine all the way.
So, what kind of bread do you need for ravioli? Opt for something soft and spongy that will soak up the sauce.
If you have an Italian bakery nearby, you can get some ciabatta or focaccia - or lean into surf-style sides like soft shell crab side ideas for coastal meals.
Otherwise, you can make everything yourself.
Italian bread is easy to prepare - salt, sugar, flour, and active dry yeast.
2 - Sweet Cipollini Onions
These onions are small and sweet. Their flavor is extremely intense.
How do you find them?
Go to a grocery store and look for the small, flat, and pale version of a classic onion - you may need to dig a little to find them.
They are sweet, too, so they are great when roasted.
It also depends on what you roast them in.
Opt for balsamic vinegar, and they will be both tender and caramelized.
You can also saute them in butter.
No matter what you choose, pair them with ravioli for an incredible harmony of flavors and aromas - they also complement bold dishes like sweet and sour meatballs side pairings.
3 - Crunchy Broccoli Rabe
This veggie is also known as rapini in Italy. You may struggle a bit to find it, but it is worth it.
Broccoli rabe is fully edible - leaves, buds, and stems.
It works well with certain types of ravioli - for example, butternut squash ravioli, and it also plays nicely with hearty mains like beef and broccoli side dishes for robust plates.
No matter what flavor you choose for ravioli, chances are it will be subtle, despite its richness.
You need to pair it with something more intense.
Broccoli rabe is also better when mixed with tomatoes and peppers - roast everything together, cover in a sauce, and you are ready to go.
4 - Creamy Polenta
You can never go wrong with the fulfilling polenta.
Some people eat it alone too.
It could also become a main dish if you mix it with certain meats or cheese.
Now, when used as a side dish, you need to keep it plain.
While ravioli is usually soft and tender, the creamy polenta will make it even better - plus, the sauce in your ravioli will mix in a delicious manner.
You can also sprinkle a bit of mozzarella on your polenta - for more texture and serving ideas, see creamy polenta side suggestions.
5 - Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus
This is not a very popular side dish, but if you think about it, it could be perfect.
It does not require too much work either - get some asparagus and prosciutto.
Steam the asparagus for a delicious side.
Wrap it in smoky prosciutto, and you have the best possible combo - green and fresh type of smokiness.
The dish is crispy but also savory.
It works with most types of ravioli too, but especially with vegetable options - similar smoky-sweet contrasts show up in bacon wrapped dates side ideas for sweet-savory bites.
Prosciutto will take over the meaty profile and add consistency to your meal.
6 - Crispy Over Roasted Vegetables
Roast some vegetables, and you will give your ravioli a rustic and intense flavor - whether you have a veggie or meat-based ravioli; roasted carrots side techniques for caramelized roots work particularly well.
Your best choices? Root crops, of course.
Bring in some sweet potatoes, turnips, carrots, parsnips, and beets.
All these veggies are naturally sweet.
Roast them in a bit of olive oil - add a bit of salt and pepper, too, and roast for about 20 minutes.
Slice the veggies in uniform sizes to ensure they all cook evenly at the same time.
Avoid overcrowding them, too - otherwise, they will steam instead of roasting.
7 - Frico Chips with Zucchini
Frico chips represent the ultimate side dish for your ravioli - not the most popular side dish out of Italy though.
What does it mean? Small blocks of Parmesan cheese that have been toasted or fried.
This is the type of snack that will cause instant addiction.
What makes it even better is a slight infusion with zucchini.
The is you can prepare everything yourself.
Combine the result with ravioli, and you have a great meal that no one can refuse - a mix of textured and aromas.
No matter how much of this side dish you prepare, it will go straight away - feel free to make more than what you think you will need.
Frequently Asked Questions
Soft Spongy Italian Bread It may sound a bit unusual - serving pasta and bread. Sweet Cipollini Onions These onions are basically small and sweet.
Most home cooks pick this because it adds contrast and rounds out the meal.
A leafy green or fiber-rich vegetable balances the meal best. This side dish is a good pick for adding color and nutrients.
Pairing a protein-heavy main with a lighter vegetable side keeps the meal from feeling too heavy.
Not always. A vegetable-only pairing works when the main course already includes starch.
Add rice, bread, or potatoes only if the meal needs more substance.
Roasted frozen vegetables, pre-cooked grains, or a quick pan sauté all come together in under 15 minutes with minimal prep and no special equipment needed.
mushroom ravioli side ideas work well with many of the same accompaniments. butternut squash ravioli side pairings offer alternatives when a sweeter, autumnal profile is preferred.