When it comes to citrusy, creamy pasta dishes like lemon ricotta ravioli, the best sauce to pair with it can be a bit of a conundrum.
While tomato based sauces may seem like an obvious choice to many, there are subtle ways of adding the right amount of zest and sweetness to make this dreamy dish even more flavorful.
Whether you prefer something tangy or slightly sweet, finding the right sauce for lemon ricotta ravioli requires learning a few key techniques.
With a bit of knowledge and some creative flair, anyone can enhance the flavor profile of this classic Italian dish and enjoy every bite with just the right homemade sauce.
Why Spices Are Important for Lemon Ricotta Ravioli?
When it comes to adding flavor to your lemon ricotta ravioli, having the right spices and herbs on hand is essential.
Without them, the delicate ravioli will be bland and under-seasoned.
With a variety of spices such as onion powder, garlic powder, dried oregano, basil, parsley and thyme, you can jazz up your lemon ricotta ravioli with delightful flavor combinations.
In addition to their flavoring properties, these spices have anti-inflammatory properties that have been known to protect against some diseases.
Adding just the right amount of herbs and spices to the filling mixture or sauce before adding it to ravioli can be tricky.
Many people who prepare dishes with delicate flavors like lemon ricotta try a practice called ‘seasoning by taste’.
This technique involves sampling a small amount of food you are preparing (such as pureed filling) every few pinches of herbs or spices until desired taste is achieved.
Also consider which sauces go best with a delicate light-flavored dish such as lemon ricotta ravioli before attempting to season anything else – this will help ensure you pair your dish with complementary flavors that won’t overpower one another.
Criteria for Choosing the Best Sauces
When choosing the best sauces for lemon ricotta ravioli, there are certain criteria to consider.
Firstly, you’ll want to think about what kind of flavor and texture you are going for.
Will your dish be creamy or light? Should it be sweet or savory? If opting for a sweet sauce, you may want to consider something with a citrus flavor like an orange-scented sauce or even a tomato jam.
If you are looking for something more savory, consider a buttery sauce with some herbs and spices added in.
These special touches can bring the whole dish together.
In addition to flavor and texture, other considerations should include how healthful the ingredients in your chosen sauce may be.
For instance, if using cream-based sauces, try using lower fat options for lighter versions.
Also pay attention to sodium levels when selecting cheeses and condiments that will go into your chosen sauce recipe – these items can easily add up quickly.
But most importantly, have fun while experimenting with new flavors.
What Sauce Goes with Lemon Ricotta Ravioli? 10 BEST Options
Lemon ricotta ravioli is a delicious dish that pairs perfectly with a variety of different sauces – both creamy and acidic.
Whether you’re in the mood for a simple garlic-butter sauce or something with a bit more spice, there’s sure to be an ideal sauce to pair with your lemon ricotta ravioli.
Here are ten of the best sauces that work well with lemon ricotta ravioli:
1. Authentic Italian Tomato Sauce
Tomato sauce provides a classic accompaniment to ricotta ravioli, particularly when the ravioli is filled with lemon or other citrus flavors.
To make an authentic Italian tomato sauce at home, heat extra-virgin olive oil in a large pot and then add minced garlic and a pinch of chili flakes.
Sauté for a few minutes before adding canned whole tomatoes that have been lightly crushed.
Allow the sauce to simmer for approximately 25 minutes before seasoning with freshly chopped basil, salt and pepper.
This classic tomato sauce only requires a few ingredients but also yields big flavor — it’s no wonder it’s one of the best sauces to pair with ricotta ravioli.
2. Alfredo Sauce
Alfredo sauce is one of the most popular sauces to serve with lemon ricotta ravioli.
It has a rich, creamy taste that perfectly complements the delicate flavor of the ravioli.
Alfredo sauce is made from cream, butter, and parmesan cheese and can be easily made at home or purchased premade in jars.
The decadent texture of this sauce makes it an excellent choice for any pasta dish, and its velvety consistency pairs particularly well with ravioli.
A simple yet flavorful addition to any meal, Alfredo sauce will easily become a regular in any dinner spread.
3. Bolognese Sauce
For a classic Italian favorite, there’s nothing like Bolognese sauce to top off your ravioli.
This hearty sauce is made from a combination of beef, pork, tomatoes, and spices.
The beef and pork are simmered until tender before being combined with tomatoes and heated until the flavors meld together.
You may also add a dash of cream or grated cheese to make the sauce even tastier.
This savory combination pairs perfectly with lemon ricotta ravioli and can be enjoyed both hot and cold.
For added flavor and texture, you can also add mushrooms or peppers to this sauce as well.
If you’re looking for an easy meal that everyone will love, look no further than Bolognese Sauce.
4. Gorgonzola Cream Sauce
Gorgonzola cream sauce is a rich, flavorful option for lemon ricotta ravioli.
It is made with gorgonzola cheese, cream, broth and garlic.
The cheesy flavor of the gorgonzola pairs perfectly with the delicate lemon ricotta filling in the pasta, making it a popular choice.
For added texture and flavor, add some chopped hazelnuts to your sauce or top with fresh basil.
Serve alongside a delicate green salad or roasted vegetables for a delicious meal.
5. Mushroom Sauce
Mushroom sauce is a great way to bring out the creaminess and zesty flavor of lemon ricotta ravioli.
This sauce is best made with a combination of button mushrooms and porcini, both of which bring an earthy, woodsy flavor to your dish.
To make the sauce, start by sautéing some minced garlic in butter with a pinch of salt.
Then add sliced mushrooms and cook until they are soft and tender.
Add white wine or sherry and allow it to reduce before stirring in heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese until thickened.
Finish the sauce with fresh herbs like thyme or sage, and serve over hot ravioli.
6. Quick Parmesan Cream Sauce
For a fast and easy ravioli sauce, try this parmesan cream sauce.
To make it in record time, heat olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat and sauté minced garlic for 1 minute.
Pour in white wine and cook for another minute or so until the wine has nearly evaporated completely.
Add heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper to the pan.
Simmer until the sauce is thickened to your liking.
Serve this creamy Parmesan sauce warm over lemon ricotta ravioli for an easy meal sure to please everyone at the table.
7. Basil Pesto Sauce
Basil pesto is a classic Italian sauce that pairs perfectly in pasta dishes.
It is made with a blend of fresh basil, garlic, olive oil and pine nuts, making it one of the simpler sauces to make.
Basil pesto can be made vegan by omitting the parmesan or substituting it with nutritional yeast.
Adding some roasted vegetables or fresh herbs will bring extra flavor to your basil pesto sauce.
Combine it with lemon ricotta ravioli for a delicious and filling dinner that your whole family will love.
8. Creamy Garlic White Sauce
Creamy garlic white sauce is an ideal accompaniment to lemon ricotta ravioli.
The smooth, creamy texture of the sauce along with the hint of garlic and the citrus-infused ricotta is a match made in pasta heaven.
Preparing this delicious sauce couldn’t be easier.
All you need is butter, olive oil, garlic cloves, dry white wine or chicken stock, heavy cream and Parmesan cheese.
Sauteed mushrooms, shallots and herbs may also be added to create a more complex flavor profile.
Once the ingredients are combined they all come together in one pan for a truly delicious meal that both kids and adults will love.
9. Basil Chimichurri
Basil Chimichurri is a slightly spicy sauce that is perfect for pairing with Lemon Ricotta Ravioli.
This delicious green sauce is made from freshly chopped herbs, such as basil, oregano, and parsley; olive oil; garlic; and red wine vinegar.
Its complex flavor adds the perfect balance of heat and acidity to the creamy Ricotta Ravioli, making it a great accompaniment to this classic Italian dish.
Additionally, Basil Chimichurri has the added benefit of being packed with antioxidants and vitamins.
10. Spicy Arrabbiata Sauce
Spicy Arrabbiata Sauce is a traditional Italian sauce made of garlic, tomatoes, and red chili peppers.
The sauce has a robust flavor that pairs perfectly with the creamy texture of the ricotta ravioli.
It packs just enough heat to add an extra layer of flavor without overpowering the dish.
Arrabbiata is also a great choice for making vegan dishes since it does not contain any animal products.
To serve, ladle about ⅓-½ cup of sauce over each bowl of ricotta ravioli and top with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of basil leaves, if desired.
Conclusion
After evaluating a variety of sauces, here is our conclusion of the best-tasting and most traditional sauces for lemon ricotta ravioli.
For a classic Italian flavor, combine ravioli with alfredo or pesto sauce.
Our top pick for adding a refreshing flavor to your dish is simple lemon butter sauce, as this captures the essence of the ravioli’s ricotta and lemon flavors.
As for adding additional proteins to your meal, cream-based sauces such as alfredo and carbonara are ideal options.
Lastly, when you’re aiming to add a new twist to an old favorite, opt for lightly seasoned options such as pesto or tomato-based sauces.
Leave a comment