15 Homemade Ravioli Fillings

Ravioli is a popular Italian dish of small pasta parcels brimming with a delicious filling. Although traditionally, ravioli is filled with a combination of ricotta, meat, cheese and vegetables, it couldn’t be easier to tailor the flavours to your tastebuds. In this recipe-packed article, we’ll guide you through some of our favourite ravioli fillings to inspire your next dinner party, date night or cosy meal for one.

Delicious Ravioli Fillings You Need To Try

Simple to make yet a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, ravioli is a wonderful dish for any occasion. Our mouthwatering filling ideas include meat-based, vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free recipes; there really is something for everyone!

If you’re a lover of Italian food, from pizza to pasta and more, why not pay us a visit at one of our restaurants in Milton Keynes or Northamptonshire? Our menu is full of delicious Italian dishes that can be tailored to accommodate all dietary requirements. Please do not hesitate to give us a call if you’d like to book a table or have any questions!

Ravioli Filling Ideas:

• Meat Ravioli Filling Ideas
• Seafood Ravioli Filling Ideas
• Cheese Ravioli Filling Ideas
• Vegetarian Ravioli Filling Ideas
• Vegan Ravioli Filling Ideas

Ravioli Making Tips:

• How To Make Ravioli Pasta
• How To Thicken Ravioli Filling
• How To Fill Ravioli

Meat Ravioli Filling Ideas

Get ready to tantalise your tastebuds with these mouthwatering meat ravioli fillings. Whether you’re a fan of rich, savoury flavours and the comforting goodness of meat, you’re in for a treat. These recipes are all about taking classic ravioli to a whole new level, infusing each bite with a burst of delectable tastes and textures.

1. Chicken Ravioli Filling

This one is for the chicken lovers! Hearty, herby and delicious, making this chicken ravioli filling is an excellent way to put leftover chicken meat from Sunday’s roast to good use. You can make it by chopping up your cooked chicken and combining it with mashed potato, freshly chopped chives, parmesan cheese, and oyster sauce before dividing the filling between your ravioli parcels. This dish is delicious when served with homemade chive butter and a sprinkling of parmesan cheese – enjoy!

2. Sausage Ravioli Filling

Versatile and enjoyable, this tasty sausage ravioli filling is bound to leave you wanting more! Imagine the tender embrace of sausage meat complemented by the earthy notes of spinach leaves, the creamy richness of ricotta and mozzarella, and the sweet and tangy richness of the fresh tomato sauce.

You even have the power to tailor this experience according to your preferences. Opt for the sweet allure of sausage meat that adds a touch of indulgence, or embark on a fiery journey by choosing spicy, tangy chorizo that promises an extra kick of excitement. Whether you buy it store-bought or create it from scratch if you have more time, this recipe caters to your busy schedule and culinary ambitions!

3. Beef Ravioli Filling

Picture this tender, succulent beef enriched with the aromatic flavours of mortadella, all infused with the nutty senses of parmesan, luxuriously melting away in your mouth. And the best part? Creating this culinary delight is as effortless as it is tasty.

Just sauté some chopped onion, garlic, and beef in a pan until the meat turns beautifully brown. Then, combine it with the staple parmesan and mortadella in a blender. Add this to your stretchy, soft dough and cook it as usual! Add the ravioli to a sauce of your choice – we love a traditional tomato sauce – and there you have it, a warm, delectable meal for all to enjoy!

Seafood Ravioli Filling Ideas

Get ready to treat your taste buds to some seriously delicious seafood ravioli filling ideas. These recipes are not only simple to make but also packed with flavours that will totally wow your guests and leave everyone craving more. So, if you’re on the hunt for some mouthwatering seafood ravioli inspiration, look no further!

4. Prawn Ravioli

If you’re a fan of seafood, you’ve got to try this prawn ravioli filling recipe! It’s simple to make and packed with flavour, thanks to the many fresh and fragrant ingredients it calls for. All you’ll need to do is combine prawns with tomato puree, olive oil, lemon juice, egg, chopped onion and garlic, and several delicious herbs and seasonings before thoroughly mixing your ingredients. Next, the filling is divided and wrapped in thin sheets of pasta dough shaped into parcels.

5. Crab Ravioli Filling Ideas

For this delicious crab ravioli recipe, all you will need is a whole crab and some black pepper – the meat will be naturally salty, so there is no need to add any extra salt. Simply boil the crab before removing both the white and dark meat. If you’re at all unsure of the best way to do this, head over to Great British Chefs for a guide to the best method and tools to use. Mix the meat together with a dash of ground black pepper, and your filling will be ready.

Cheese Ravioli Filling Ideas

Dive into a world of cheesy decadence with our enticing array of cheese ravioli fillings. Whether you’re a cheese connoisseur or simply someone who thrives in comfort food, get ready to embark on a journey of flavour and texture that’s bound to leave you craving more.

6. Ricotta Ravioli Filling

This deliciously creamy cheese ravioli filling uses fresh ricotta cheese, which you can either buy from a supermarket or have a go at making yourself! If you do want to try your hand at whipping up your very own fresh ricotta, check out this simple recipe on She Loves Biscotti. To make your ravioli filling, you will combine your ricotta with grated hard Italian cheese, seasoning, and plenty of freshly chopped parsley and basil. The result is creamy, fragrant, earthy and truly delicious.

7. Goat’s Cheese Ravioli Filling

Crafted with care and expertise, this filling is a harmonious blend of the creaminess of goat’s cheese with the aromatic essence of fresh basil, the tangy allure of sun-dried tomatoes, and the nutty richness of pine nuts. To heighten this experience, imagine all these intricate flavours nestled in a roasted tomato and pepper sauce – a combination that takes the senses on a journey of taste and texture. This goat’s cheese ravioli filling offers a tantalising gourmet experience that will captivate your senses.

8. Burrata Filled Ravioli

Unforgettable and zingy, this recipe for a burrata filling is absolutely mouthwatering. Picture the luxurious creaminess of burrata cheese seamlessly intertwining with the flavours of savoury and slightly sweet tomato sauce, resulting in a compelling fusion of tastes and textures. As you dig into this delightful fusion of flavours and textures, get ready to be taken on a flavour adventure like no other. The ingredients create a combo that’s simply out of this world. Get ready to have your taste buds do a happy dance!

9. 3 Cheese Ravioli Filling

Get ready for a cheese lover’s dream come true! Our recipe combines parmesan, cream cheese, and goat cheese to create a medley of distinct cheesy and creamy flavours. But wait, there’s more! We’ve taken things up a notch by pairing this blend with a mixture of sautéed spinach, garlic and onions that adds a pop of colour and an aromatic punch.

The creamy cheeses, the earthiness of the spinach, and the warmth of the garlic come together to create a combination that’s hard to resist. So, get ready to create your own cheesy masterpiece – one that’s delightful to eat and a pleasure to make.

Vegetarian Ravioli Filling Ideas

Introducing you to a world of vegetarian delight with our captivating assortment of ravioli fillings. From the robust earthiness of roasted vegetables to the delicate elegance of creamy cheeses, each filling presents a unique narrative that speaks to the versatility of vegetarian cuisine.

10. Spinach & Cheese Filled Ravioli

This vegetarian ravioli filling recipe combines blanched spinach, dried herbs, grated cheese, and chilli flakes and is sure to satisfy. Fragrant and tasty with a little kick from the chilli, it can be used to create the perfect ravioli parcels to serve in a creamy tomato sauce with grated cheese and fresh basil to garnish. This dish is ideal for serving at a dinner party with guests – it’s delicious and filling and will enable you to show off your culinary skills with minimal effort!

11. Egg Yolk Filled Ravioli

The beauty of this creation lies in its simplicity; although it looks challenging and intricate, it is actually as easy to make as it is to eat. Encased within delicate sheets of pasta is a perfectly nestled egg yolk, which, with one satisfying cut, can release its smooth and tasty flavours, mingling amongst the velvety cheese. While the choice of cheese is totally up to you, we love the robust, sharp flavours of pecorino cheese that can elevate and accentuate the surrounding tastes without overpowering them. This recipe by FOOD52 is an absolute delight – why not have a go?

12. Courgette Ravioli Filling

This ravioli is filled with delicate shreds of courgette and velvety ricotta cheese, tossed in an irresistible basil-garlic sauce and then enriched with a touch of heavy cream for a luxurious dining experience.

Add the courgette to a medium-heated pan with olive oil and cook until tender. Add the garlic and cook for an extra minute to allow its flavours to integrate into the mixture. Transfer to a bowl and let cool completely. Stir in your ricotta and a shred of lemon zest, and season with salt and pepper. Add this filling inside the pasta sheets and form your ravioli shapes. Create a basil and garlic mixture by blending the two ingredients with olive oil, then warm the cream in a large pan on medium heat and stir in the mix! Toss the boiled ravioli through the mixture, and there you have it.

As you enjoy every mouthful, take in the wonderful blend of flavours, textures, and aromas coming together to craft a culinary masterpiece. For a full step-by-step recipe, take a look at this example by Williams Sonoma.

13. Mushroom Ravioli Filling

Gorgeously nutty and creamy, this mushroom and ricotta filling for ravioli is not too heavy or overpowering and instead offers its subtle powers to deliver a silky, irresistible taste. Begin by sautéing some onions, garlic and mushrooms until they have reduced in size and softened; let the mixture cool down and then add it to a blender with ricotta and parmesan and blitz it until it is smooth like a paste, a harmony of flavours and textures that are a true delight for the senses. From here, fill your pasta and cook the ravioli for about 4 minutes to bring this masterpiece to life. Choose from many different mushroom ravioli sauces – a world of possibilities awaits, from buttery sage to rich tomato-based options; then enjoy!

Vegan Ravioli Filling Ideas

While traditional ravioli might seem inseparable from meat and dairy, our innovative creations redefine what’s possible in the world of traditional ravioli; you can even create vegan pasta sheets! Our top vegan recipes combine exactly what you’re looking for – meatless, eggless and dairy-free – without compromising flavour.

14. Spinach & Tofu Filled Ravioli

Whether you’re vegan, vegetarian, egg-free, lactose-free, or are simply trying your hand at plant-based cooking, this delicious vegan ravioli filling will not disappoint! Made with spinach, tofu, seasoning and vegan mozzarella, the filling is packed into ravioli parcels, which are cooked and topped with a mouthwatering garlic butter sage sauce. This dish is perfect for the whole family: it’s delicious, nutritious, and kid-friendly!

15. Butternut Squash Filling For Ravioli

Indulge in the comfort of a cosy autumn meal with this exquisite butternut squash ravioli. It marries the tangy sweetness of the roasted butternut squash with the aromatic essence of sage, complemented by the delightful crunch of walnuts and the zing of tangy apple cider vinegar.

After roasting the garlic, sage, shallots, and squash, combine all the ingredients and fill your ravioli pasta with this delicious mixture. The beauty of this dish lies not only in its savoury blend but also in the fact that the flavours are so compelling and rich that you won’t even need a sauce; however, should you desire one, then we recommend a creamy bechamel sauce as an excellent complement. Love&Lemons have a fantastic example of this recipe, have a go!

How To Make Ravioli Pasta

At our Italian restaurant in Milton Keynes, all of our pasta is made from scratch – we even offer gluten-free alternatives! If you’re feeling inspired to do the same from the comfort of your home, here is a super simple ravioli pasta recipe.

What You Will Need:

• About 400g of plain flour
• 3 eggs
• Pinch of salt

The Recipe:

Prepare The Dough:
Create a mound with the flour on a clean surface or in a mixing bowl. Make a well in the centre, crack the eggs into the well, and add a pinch of salt. Using a fork or your hands, gradually incorporate the flour into the eggs until a dough forms.

Knead The Dough:
Begin kneading the dough by folding it over itself and pressing it down with the heel of your hand. Turn the dough a quarter turn and repeat for about 8-10 minutes or until the dough becomes smooth and elastic.

Rest the Dough:
Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and let it rest for at least 30 minutes. This allows the gluten to relax, making the dough easier to roll out.

Rolling Out the Dough:
Use a rolling pin to roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface. Roll it thin, but not too thin that it tears easily.

Delicious Ravioli:
From here, you can fill your ravioli with whatever you like, choose from our list of the best ravioli fillings, cook the ravioli and eat until your heart’s content!

If your kitchen adventures aren’t your strong suit and you’d rather indulge in some expertly crafted, mouthwatering ravioli, we invite you to join us at our restaurant in Newport Pagnell. Let our skilled chefs take care of crafting delectable ravioli dishes that will tantalise your taste buds and provide you with a memorable dining experience.

How To Thicken Ravioli Filling

When it comes to making ravioli, there’s nothing more frustrating than a filling that’s too runny! Thankfully, there are several things that you can do to thicken up your ravioli filling to avoid difficult-to-fill and leaky parcels:

• Stick it in the fridge – put your ravioli filling in a bowl and cover it with a plate. After a couple of hours, your filling will firm up and make for a far easier time when filling your pasta.
• Use a cheesecloth – place your filling in the centre of a cheesecloth or clean dishtowel before gathering the edges and twisting them together to create a small bundle. Place the bundle in a colander in the sink and put something heavy on top of it. This will strain out excess liquid and leave you with a nice, thick filling!
• Add breadcrumbs – by adding breadcrumbs to your filling, you will make it thicker since the crumbs will soak up excess moisture. This is also a good way to bulk out your batch of ravioli filling a little, should you discover that you have not quite made enough!

How To Fill Ravioli

These delicious ravioli filling recipes are all well and good, but how do you fill ravioli? There are actually several ways in which you can do this, which you can check out below:

• Use a ravioli cutter – a ravioli cutter can be used to divide your rolled-out pasta dough into squares or circles, which you can dollop filling onto before sandwiching together or folding over to make the perfect parcels.
• Use a ravioli mould – ravioli mould trays could not be simpler to use: you simply lay a sheet of pasta dough over them, pop your filling into each well, and place another pasta sheet over the top. You will then roll over the tray with a rolling pin, and voila!
• Make tortellini – while not technically ravioli, tortellini can be made using the same pasta dough and filling and are perfect for those looking for a little challenge! You can find out how to fill tortellini over on Pasta Evangelists.

Simple Ravioli Filling Recipes

Ravioli is a truly delicious dish that can and should be enjoyed by all, regardless of age or dietary requirements. We hope that our ravioli filling ideas have provided you with plenty of inspiration for your next culinary concoction! For even more food inspiration, take a look at our blog page. However, if you’d rather leave the ravioli-making to the professionals, why not pay us a visit at Murati’s? Our restaurants in Milton Keynes offer a tastebud-tantalising array of menu options that you simply must try! Feel free to get in touch with us if you have any questions or would like to book a table. We hope to see you soon!