Crab ravioli is a delicious pasta dish that combines tender pasta with a sweet crab filling. The delicate flavor of the crab meat really shines when paired with the right sauce. But with so many sauce options available it can be tricky to choose the perfect pairing. In this article, I’ll walk you through the most popular and delicious sauce options to serve with crab ravioli.
Overview of Crab Ravioli
Before diving into sauce pairings, let’s start with a quick overview of crab ravioli itself. This filled pasta is made by enclosing crab meat in a pasta wrapper. The filling typically contains crab meat, ricotta cheese, breadcrumbs, garlic, lemon zest, parsley and other fresh herbs. The tender pasta pillows are usually topped with some type of sauce that complements and enhances the sweet crab flavor.
Crab ravioli can be served as an appetizer or main course It’s a popular dish at Italian restaurants and also a favorite for home cooks. Making your own homemade crab ravioli takes time and skill, but buying ready-made ravioli is an easy shortcut Fresh or frozen ravioli can simply be boiled briefly and then tossed with your sauce of choice.
Now let’s look at 10 delicious sauce options to serve with your crab ravioli!
1. Lemon Butter Sauce
A lemon butter sauce is one of the most classic pairings for crab ravioli. The bright, citrusy flavor of the lemon cuts through the richness of the pasta and filling. To make it, simply melt some butter in a skillet over medium heat. Once foamy, add fresh lemon juice and the zest of one lemon. Let simmer for 2-3 minutes until thickened slightly. Toss the hot crab ravioli with the lemony butter sauce until coated. Garnish with extra lemon zest and chopped parsley.
2. Alfredo Sauce
For an ultra-rich and creamy pairing, try an alfredo sauce with your crab ravioli. Made from butter, heavy cream and parmesan, alfredo sauce is indulgent yet balances the sweetness of the crab. Feel free to add extras like sauteed mushrooms, spinach or even lobster meat. Keep it classic or get creative with your own twist. Just be sure not to overcook the crab ravioli, as the delicate pasta can get soggy.
3. Vodka Sauce
Another luxurious cream-based sauce for crab ravioli is vodka sauce. Made with tomato cream butter and vodka, this pink sauce has a subtle sweetness from the vodka and a slight kick. The creamy texture clings nicely to each tender pasta pillow. For fun, garnish it with some caviar on top for extra decadence!
4. Pesto Cream Sauce
For a fresh, herby flavor try mixing basil pesto into heavy cream or half-and-half to create a quick pesto cream sauce. The bright green color is so vibrant and summery looking next to the crab ravioli. And the nutty garlic basil flavors pair perfectly with the sweet crab filling. Add salt and pepper to taste.
5. White Wine Butter Sauce
Here’s an easy from-scratch sauce that comes together in minutes. Simply melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Once foamy, add minced shallots and garlic and cook 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Pour in some white wine (like a Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc) and allow to simmer until reduced by half. Turn off heat, add a splash of lemon and toss the crab ravioli right in the pan to coat in the sauce.
6. Tomato Cream Sauce
For a flavorful red sauce, make a quick tomato cream sauce by sautéing garlic in olive oil, then adding canned diced tomatoes, heavy cream, basil and parmesan. Let the sauce simmer until thickened. Season with salt and pepper. The sweetness of the crab ravioli works so nicely with the acidic tomato sauce. Garnish with fresh basil.
7. Brown Butter and Sage
This easy brown butter and sage sauce adds nutty, savory flavors that complement crab ravioli wonderfully. Simply cook butter in a skillet over medium heat until it turns a nice caramel brown color. Add fresh sage leaves and cook just until crispy. Toss the hot, crispy sage butter with the cooked ravioli. The rich brown butter sauce takes this dish to the next level.
8. Pink Sauce
Also called aurora sauce or blush sauce, this delicate pink sauce is made with tomato, cream and often cognac or marsala wine. Sauté shallots in butter, then add tomato puree or paste, heavy cream, wine and herbs. Simmer until thickened. The sweet, smooth sauce pairs elegantly with luxurious crab ravioli. Garnish with fresh chives.
9. Garlic Olive Oil
For a lighter sauce option, you can’t go wrong with a simple garlic olive oil topping. Sauté minced garlic in high quality extra virgin olive oil over medium-low heat until fragrant and light golden. Be careful not to burn the garlic. Toss the hot crab ravioli with the garlicky olive oil. Add freshly grated parmesan cheese and a squeeze of lemon for extra flavor.
10. Cheese Sauce
Indulge in an outrageously cheesy sauce for your crab ravioli! Make it as simple or complex as you like by choosing your favorite melted cheese or combination of cheeses. A basic cheese sauce is made with butter, flour, milk and lots of shredded cheese. But you can also add wine, mustard, hot sauce and other mix-ins. Smother your crab ravioli in gooey, velvety cheese sauce for the ultimate comfort food dish!
Complementary Garnishes and Sides
Don’t forget to finish off your crab ravioli with some fresh garnishes! Chopped parsley, chives, basil, lemon wedges and parmesan cheese add nice pops of color and flavor. Crispy pancetta or bacon bits also pair nicely.
Some tasty vegetable side dish options include sauteed spinach, roasted asparagus, broccolini or a fresh mixed green salad. Garlic bread is perfect for dunking in any leftover sauce. And don’t forget a glass of white wine, like Pinot Grigio or Chardonnay.
Tips for Cooking and Serving Crab Ravioli
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Always start by cooking the crab ravioli very briefly in generously salted boiling water, just 1-3 minutes until al dente. Be careful not to overcook.
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Warm your sauce in a skillet while the ravioli cooks for perfect timing.
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Use tongs to gently transfer the cooked ravioli directly from the pot into the skillet with the sauce.
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Toss gently to coat the ravioli evenly with the sauce while still hot.
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Serve crab ravioli in warm shallow bowls or on plates. Spoon any extra sauce over the top.
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Garnish each dish with fresh herbs, cheese, or other toppings. Enjoy immediately while hot!
From buttery and bright to rich and indulgent, there are so many fantastic sauce options for crab ravioli. Lemon butter, pesto cream, tomato vodka and brown butter sage are just a few mouthwatering ideas. Play around and have fun with different sauce combinations and garnishes. With a delicious sauce, fresh homemade or store-bought crab ravioli is elevated into an elegant, restaurant-worthy meal that will impress any dinner guests.
Testing and Blogging about today’s recipes for the home cook….
Ravioli is one of my favorite dishes….little pockets of pasta filled with all kinds of delicious fillings. It’s almost like a blank canvas…you can literally create your own “art” to stuff right inside those little puffy bites. However, I don’t really enjoy making homemade pasta. I find it kind of messy and time consuming. The solution? Wontons! They are easy to manipulate, taste great, and even better, no mess!
Filling these with seafood is how I prefer them the most so I came up with my own creation using my favorite seafoods…lobster and crab! Perfect partners in Crime! They are cooked in browned butter with shallots, garlic, parsely, lemon, and red pepper flakes for an extra punch. It is a winning combination that along with the Tomato Basil Cream Sauce on the side, will wow your taste buds! Check out the video link from this mornings cooking segment on Mornings with Fox 43 for a close up look on making them.
Crab Ravioli in a Pink Champagne Sauce
FAQ
What goes with crab ravioli?
Oven-Roasted Vegetables: Roasted vegetables are a healthy and flavorful side dish that pairs well with ravioli. Try roasting vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, and mushrooms with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Brussels sprouts: You can serve brussels sprouts as a salad or roast them and have a delicious side dish.
What sauce goes with seafood ravioli?
Garlic butter sauce, lemon butter sauce, and white wine sauce for ravioli are the most popular choices. In this recipe, all of these flavors and warm, earthy sage combine for what I believe to be the best lobster ravioli sauce – buttery, bright, and wonderfully balanced.
What is the best sauce to use for ravioli?
Classic, Smooth Marinara Sauce
It’s one of the best sauces for ricotta and spinach ravioli. Ravioli on a bed of fresh marinara sauce garnished with parmesan cheese. It is technically marinara as it contains vegetables where tomato sauces called sugos or ragus may not include anything more than garlic or onion, if that.
What kind of sauce is good with crab?
Now once you have your crab cooked and picked, here are my favorite dipping sauces to go with the crab meat. A simple Garlic Clarified Butter dipping sauce, Avocado Wasabi Mayonnaise dipping sauce and a Curry Mustard dipping sauce; all three are very different from each other but totally delicious.