30-Plus Appetizers, Salads, Sides, and Desserts
Looking for something to serve with ravioli? I’ve listed some of my favorite toppings, side dishes, salads, breads, and desserts.
Next time you wonder what side dish goes with ravioli, check out the list below. There are lots of options to choose from, whether you have cream sauce or tomato sauce. All of the choices will make the meal extra special!
Regardless of what sides and desserts you choose, don’t forget about the condiments. I like anything that enhances the flavor of my favorite ravioli.
Here are some to put on the dinner table so everyone can personalize their ravioli:
- Olive oil
- Parmesan cheese
- Balsamic vinegar
- Salt (sea salt, regular table salt, or Himalayan pink salt)
- Black pepper
- Red pepper flakes
- Feta cheese
- Small onions (chopped or strips of yellow onions or red onions)
- Sour cream
- Cream cheese
- Butter sauce
Types of Ravioli
One of the things to consider before choosing side dishes is the type of ravioli you’re serving. If the main dish is pasta stuffed with meat, you’ll want to keep the sides light. For example, lobster ravioli is delicious with a caesar salad.
On the other hand, if you’re serving cheese ravioli, you might want to have more substantial sides that are filling. I like cheesy homemade ravioli with a side of a hearty salad with some sort of protein.
When choosing foods to serve with an Italian dish, you can go full-on Italian. Another option is to have an international meal. I like to mix in some of my favorite southern foods that I find comforting.
Whether you make your ravioli from scratch or purchase it already made, it’s easy to get ready for the dinner table. I use a large pot filled with water. Bring the water to a boil on high or medium-high heat. Put the ravioli into the pot and turn the burner down to medium heat. Cook until the ravioli floats to the top.
Then cover it in your favorite sauce. I like either a creamy sauce or a tomato-based marinara sauce. If you like Alfredo sauce but don’t have time to make it from scratch, try starting with jarred Alfredo and adding a few ingredients to make it taste homemade.
One of my favorite things to stuff into the pasta is ricotta cheese. Then cover it in any red sauce with a sprinkling of sliced mushrooms and halved cherry tomatoes over the top. And then add a dash of grated parmesan. Such a yummy main course!
Appetizers
Although appetizers aren’t essential to a meal, they’re fun to serve. I almost always serve them when we have company.
Here are some of our favorite appetizers to serve with ravioli:
Guacamole Dip with Crackers
This classic guacamole dip has become a delicious comfort food for so many people. And there’s a good reason for it. It’s delicious, creamy, and so good for you! I like to serve it with chips. But it’s also wonderful on crackers or toast.
Bacon Wrapped Asparagus
We all know that asparagus is good for us. And in my mind, so is bacon—if for no other reason than it’s delicious! Wrap anything in bacon, and I’m all over it. You’ll love the fact that there’s lots of flavor in this wonderful treat.
Stuffed Dates
Do you ever wonder how to use the delightfully sweet fruit called dates? Stuffing them is a great way to incorporate them into your menu. Your family and guests will love the blend of flavors in this wonderful appetizer.
Crispy Zucchini Parmesan Chips
For me, zucchini is the perfect vegetable because you can use it so many different ways. I often serve it as a side dish, but these chips are a great option to include on your appetizer table. You’ll love the initial crunch and the flavor that follows.
Crunchy Ranch Chickpeas
Here’s another great addition to your appetizer selection. These crunchy ranch chickpeas are not only fun to eat while waiting for dinner. But they are also a nice alternative to popcorn while watching a movie because they’re loaded with protein, along with all kinds of yumminess. You can make them in your air fryer or oven. So give them a try!
Salads to Serve with Ravioli
A salad is the perfect side dish to serve with ravioli. I like one with a nice crunch and a lot of color to brighten up the meal even more.
Here are some salads we enjoy:
Watermelon Cucumber Salad
The red of the watermelon contrasts the green cucumber slices, making this an extremely colorful dish. It’s super refreshing and oh-so flavorful, making it ideal for your favorite ravioli meal.
Mason Jar Salad
I enjoy having some mason jar salad already prepped and in the fridge. Whether I’m eating them on the run or using them for an at-home dinner, they save a lot of time in the kitchen.
Broccoli Slaw
After trying a similar salad from the deli section of a grocery store, I decided to make my own. The one from the store is good, but this one is even better because I know exactly what’s in it. It’s colorful, crunchy, nutritious, and absolutely delicious!
Tomato Cucumber Corn Salad
Ever wonder what to do with all of those big, juicy cucumbers on the vine? Then make this salad. You only need a few ingredients to get a huge flavor payback!
Chickpea Salad
Add even more protein to your ravioli dinner with this yummy chickpea salad. It’s yummy and super good for you. In fact, I always make extra to eat for lunch the next day. It stores really well in in the refrigerator if you put it in an airtight container.
Greek Olive and Feta Salad
Ravioli practically screams for this yummy salad. It’s easy to make and has boatloads of deliciousness that will elevate any main dish … including most pasta dishes.
Side Dishes to Serve with Ravioli
In addition to all of the salads listed above, there are lots of great side dishes. I like practically any vegetable with my ravioli. I usually lean toward something green because of the color contrast. However, I’m not closed to something orange, red, or yellow.
The best side dishes are those that your family will eat and ask for again. Next time you serve ravioli, try one or more of these sides:
Sautéed Spinach and Tomatoes
How many ways can you say, “Yum”? This is one of those sides that will shock you by how delicious it is. It’s good with beef ravioli, cheese ravioli, or whatever kind of ravioli you choose to make. Your taste buds will thank you!
Enhanced Canned Corn
I’ve been known to open a can of corn and serve it on the side, especially when I have to scour my pantry for something. Since I don’t leave any food alone, I like to doctor it up a bit … well, okay, I doctor it up a bunch. You can create a butter sauce or simply drop a big dollop of butter into the saucepan of drained corn. Or you can try any of the other tips in this post to make canned corn taste better.
Air Fryer Butternut Squash
Butternut squash is so nutritious that I’ve been working on creating a variety of recipes around it. After all, health is the number one reason we should eat. Of course, taste comes in as a close second.
Roasted Brussels Sprouts
The ones that I roasted for this post were done in the oven. Since then, I’ve made the same recipe in my air fryer. They actually come out better—crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. I love that crunch that allows the flavor of the vegetable to explode in my mouth!
Air Fryer Carrots
If you like cooked carrots, you will absolutely love these. Cooking them in the air fryer brings out the natural sweetness of this veggie. They’re so good your kids will eat them like candy. Shh, don’t tell them how nutritious they are!
Garlic Zucchini Parmesan
Garlic lovers, rejoice! Grab some of that zucchini from the garden or off the grocery store shelf and make this delicious side dish. You can use fresh garlic cloves or garlic from a jar. Add even more delicious flavor with some garlic powder. This is such a wonderful side dish that complements any pasta dish, making it especially good to serve with ravioli.
Creamed Spinach
This is one of the best creamed spinach recipes I’ve made, which is why I’m sharing it here. I love the balance of creamy goodness with a vegetable that is so nutritious. Even if your kids don’t love spinach, have them try this. You and the kids might be shocked by how delicious it is.
Marinated Mushrooms
I like to serve these mushrooms with anything that has pasta sauce. You can eat it on the side or add it to the top of your pasta. In fact, if you want, you can add it to your favorite sauce while cooking.
Air Fryer French Fries
Fries with your pasta? Sure! Why not? As a French fry junkie, I’ll eat them with practically anything. And I know that these are better for me than the kind deep fried in a pan of grease.
Air Fried Sweet Potatoes
I’m also really into sweet potatoes. Not only do they taste wonderful, but they’re loaded with all kinds of vitamins and other nutritious elements. The big question is whether to add salt or a tiny bit of sugar. I prefer salt because I think they have enough sweetness on their own.
Breads to Serve with Ravioli
Before I had to follow a gluten-free diet, I would slice some Italian bread and slather it in garlic flavored butter. In my opinion, that’s the best garlic bread and so simple. There are other options that are good as well.
Here are some breads we enjoy with ravioli:
Cheesy Garlic bread
Flavor abounds in this cheesy garlic bread from Julia’s Simply Southern. So why settle for plain old garlic bread when you can have this one that will make your taste buds so happy?
Sourdough Rolls
I’ve been a fan of sourdough since the first time someone gave me some sourdough starter. These rolls from TheSpruce are easy to make and absolutely delicious! After you make these, share with others! I’m talkin’ about south the starter and the rolls!
2-Ingredient Biscuits
Biscuits aren’t just for breakfast. As a southerner, I grew up eating them with every meal of the day. You can add other ingredients, such as cheese, garlic, and Italian seasoning if you want more flavor. But you don’t have to because they’re delicious as-is.
Southern Style Cornbread
In my family, cornbread was served at every meal, regardless of the main course. My great-grandmother passed her recipe down to my grandmother … and then to my mom. This southern style cornbread is and always will be my favorite!
Almond Flour Tortillas
Although a tortilla is typically served with Mexican food, it’s also good with everything else. The nutty flavor adds an extra element of flavor to your meal. Slather them with butter or dip them in seasoned olive oil for a delicious taste sensation.
Basic Chaffle
These waffle-shaped bread substitutes are wonderful with anything. In addition to using them for sandwiches, they’re good with a hearty Italian dinner. I love scooping marinara sauce with a chaffle. Mmm, so yummy!
Soft Dinner Rolls
With this wonderful dinner roll recipe from Back to My Southern Roots, you no longer have to be intimidated by baking bread. These rolls are so soft they’ll melt in your mouth. Make extras for your meal. Oh, and they’re also good for making sliders!
Cloud Bread
As the name implies, this cloud bread is light and fluffy. I like to make enough for a few meals because they’re good with whatever you want to use them for. These little clouds of deliciousness are also wonderful with a light drizzle of seasoned olive oil.
Delicious Desserts
Don’t forget about dessert. Whether you’re hosting a dinner party or preparing a special family dinner, it’s always a good idea to have a little sweet treat to wrap things up.
Here are some we enjoy:
Lemon Bars
The blend of tart and sweet is the perfect way to end any Italian meal. No one has to know that you only used 3 ingredients to make these delicious lemon bars.
Microwave Scotcheroos
Chocolate and peanut butter meet again in these yummy scotcheroos. You, your family, and your guests will enjoy the crispy crunch and peanut-chocolate sweetness. Make sure you have enough for the next day … and the next, because you’ll crave more after you eat the first one.
Oreo Pudding Pie
Make this no-bake Oreo pudding pie and put it in the refrigerator to set while you work on the rest of the meal. It’s easy and absolutely delicious!
Brownie Waffles
I make these with a mini Dash waffle maker. But you can use whatever waffle maker you happen to have. This recipe is super easy, and the results are amazing! Top it with ice cream, frozen yogurt, or whipped cream.
Pineapple Dump Cake
The term “dump cake” doesn’t do this delicious dessert justice. Pineapple lovers will appreciate the tropical flavors mixed with the crunchy cake topping. This is another one I love to serve with ice cream.
Oatmeal Strawberry Jam Bars
Would you believe there’s actually a dessert that’s good for you? This is one that we enjoy when we want something light. And then we’ve been known to have it for breakfast the next day.
Peanut Butter Marshmallow Bars
This is a yummy dessert for peanut butter lovers! You’ll love how easy it is to make. In fact, it doesn’t even require baking, so you won’t heat up the kitchen. It’s a sweet treat that doesn’t require a spoon or fork, so it’s great for both adults and kids.
Drinks to Serve with Ravioli
When you’re hosting a dinner party, you need to consider what drinks to serve your guests. I always include water.
Iced tea and lemonade are both great options. When it comes time for dessert, offer a choice of regular or decaf coffee.
If you want something alcoholic, white wine is good with cheese stuffed ravioli with a creamy sauce. For beef stuffed ravioli with a marinara sauce, I would offer a choice of white or red wine.
Most Important Thing to Serve with Ravioli
The main thing to serve with ravioli is fun. If you’re sitting around the table with people you enjoy, the meal will be wonderful! The best part about the meal will be the conversation and memories you’ll make with everyone at the table.