Quick Answer
Yes, you can absolutely cook frozen ravioli directly in sauce. This method helps infuse the ravioli with flavor from the sauce, resulting in a tasty finished dish. The key is to adjust the cooking time to ensure the ravioli is fully cooked through. Start with the sauce simmering, then add the frozen ravioli and cook for 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally. The ravioli is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. Cooking frozen ravioli in sauce helps simplify meal prep by combining two steps into one.
Can Frozen Ravioli Be Cooked in Sauce?
Cooking frozen ravioli directly in sauce is a great way to streamline dinner prep while still ending up with a delicious pasta meal. The sauce helps add moisture and flavor to the ravioli as it cooks. Follow these tips for successfully cooking frozen ravioli in sauce:
- Start with simmering sauce – Bring your desired pasta sauce to a gentle simmer before adding ravioli. This helps ensure the sauce doesn’t cool down too much when you add the frozen ravioli.
- Adjust cooking time – Frozen ravioli takes longer to cook than fresh. Plan for 12-15 minutes of cooking time once the ravioli is added to the simmering sauce.
- Stir occasionally – Gently stir every 3-4 minutes to prevent sticking and promote even cooking.
- Check doneness – Cut into a piece of ravioli after 12 minutes. It should be hot throughout with no cold spots. Use an instant read thermometer to check – ravioli is done at 165°F.
- Add pasta water if needed – If the sauce starts to thicken too much or stick to the pan, add a splash of starchy pasta water to loosen it up.
- Finish with herbs and cheese – Stir in fresh basil, parsley, or other herbs right before serving. Top with grated parmesan or pecorino cheese.
As long as you follow these tips, cooking frozen cheese or meat ravioli directly in sauce results in a fast and flavorful pasta meal. The ravioli absorb sauce flavors during cooking, which adds more depth of taste.
What Kind of Sauce Can You Cook Frozen Ravioli In?
You have lots of sauce options when cooking frozen ravioli. Some good choices include:
- Marinara – The classic Italian tomato sauce pairs well with cheese or meat filled ravioli.
- Alfredo – For a creamy sauce, you can cook ravioli directly in Alfredo. Use store-bought or homemade.
- Pesto – Basil pesto is a fresh tasting sauce that works with cheese ravioli.
- Vodka sauce – Spicy vodka tomato sauce adds a fun twist to plain marinara.
- Bolognese – Hearty meat sauce clings nicely to frozen ravioli for added flavor.
- Rosé sauce – Made from tomatoes and cream, rosé sauce is nicely balanced with ravioli.
In general, any sauce with a good clinging consistency that can be simmered for 10-15 minutes will work well for cooking frozen ravioli. Thinner broth-based sauces may not have as much flavor absorption. But creamy, tomato-based, pesto, and meat sauces are all great options.
Tips for Cooking Frozen Ravioli in Sauce
Follow these tips and tricks for the very best results when cooking frozen ravioli in sauce:
Use High Quality Frozen Ravioli
Not all frozen ravioli is created equal when it comes to texture and flavor. Look for brands made with quality ingredients like homemade pasta, real cheese fillings, and recognizable ingredients. Avoid ravioli with lots of preservatives or fillers. High quality ravioli holds up better to cooking and has more authentic Italian flavor.
Cook at a Gentle Simmer
Adding frozen ravioli to already simmering sauce helps ensure the liquid stays hot enough to properly cook the ravioli. Boiling sauce can make ravioli overcooked and mushy on the outside. A gentle simmer between 180-200°F lets the ravioli heat through gradually for even cooking.
Stir Occasionally
Gently stirring the ravioli every 3-4 minutes as it cooks prevents sticking to the pan. This helps the ravioli cook more evenly. Use a rubber spatula or wooden spoon to carefully stir from the bottom up without breaking up the ravioli.
Add Pasta Water if Needed
Over time, some sauces can thicken up too much or stick to the pan when cooked. Add a splash of starchy pasta water as needed to loosen sauce that becomes too thick. The starch helps bind and evenly coat the ravioli.
Finish with Fresh Herbs and Cheese
Stirring in chopped Italian parsley, basil, or other fresh herbs right before serving helps add flavor. Grated parmesan, pecorino romano, or ricotta salata cheese on top adds a nice creamy, salty finish.
Serve with Garlic Bread or Salad
Complete your frozen ravioli in sauce meal with crusty garlic bread for dipping or a fresh green salad tossed in Italian dressing. This adds some crunch, herbs, and vegetables to balance the rich, saucy pasta.
Common Questions About Cooking Frozen Ravioli in Sauce
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about making this easy frozen ravioli dinner:
How long does it take to cook frozen ravioli in sauce?
Plan on simmering frozen ravioli in sauce for 12-15 minutes to fully cook through. Check for doneness at 12 minutes. The inside should be hot with no cold spots.
Can you put frozen ravioli straight into simmering sauce?
Yes, it’s fine to add frozen ravioli directly to simmering sauce. The sauce should be gently bubbling, not boiling rapidly, to prevent overcooking.
Do you have to thaw frozen ravioli before cooking in sauce?
It’s not necessary to thaw ravioli before cooking in sauce. Cooking from frozen may help prevent mushiness. Just add a couple extra minutes to the cooking time.
Should I boil ravioli before adding to sauce?
It’s not needed to parboil ravioli separately. Cooking in sauce helps infuse more flavor. Just make sure to cook at a gentle simmer and stir occasionally for even cooking.
What temperature should sauce be to cook frozen ravioli?
Aim for a sauce temperature between 180-200°F when adding frozen ravioli. This gently simmering sauce prevents boiling the pasta too fast. Check sauce temp with a thermometer.
Tips for Storing and Reheating Leftovers
Cooking up a big batch of ravioli in sauce? Here’s how to store and reheat any leftovers:
- Let cool completely before storing. Transfer to an airtight container.
- Store in the refrigerator up to 4 days.
- Reheat gently in a saucepan over medium-low heat with a splash of water or sauce to loosen up.
- Or reheat individual portions in the microwave at 50% power for best texture.
- Add fresh herbs and cheese again just before serving.
- Avoid boiling or overheating leftovers to prevent mushiness.
With proper storage and reheating, you can enjoy your homemade ravioli in sauce for several days after cooking.
Recipe Ideas for Cooking Frozen Ravioli in Sauce
Ready to try this easy and flavorful ravioli dinner? Here are some recipe ideas to get you started:
Cheese Ravioli in Tomato Cream Sauce
- Cheese ravioli
- Marinara sauce
- Heavy cream
- Fresh basil
- Parmesan cheese
Simmer ravioli in marinara, then stir in cream and basil. Top with parmesan.
Meat Ravioli in Vodka Sauce
- Meat ravioli
- Vodka tomato sauce
- Sauteed onions and garlic
- Fresh parsley
- Mozzarella cheese
Cook ravioli in spicy vodka sauce with onions and garlic. Garnish with parsley and melted mozzarella.
Lobster Ravioli in Dill Cream Sauce
- Lobster ravioli
- Alfredo sauce
- Chopped fresh dill
- Lemon zest
- Parmesan cheese
Prepare a rich dill Alfredo sauce for the ravioli. Finish with lemon zest and parmesan.
Butternut Squash Ravioli in Brown Butter Sage Sauce
- Butternut squash ravioli
- Brown butter
- Fresh sage
- Toasted pine nuts
- Shaved parmesan
Cook ravioli in nutty brown butter sauce with sage. Top with pine nuts and parmesan.
Conclusion
Cooking frozen ravioli directly in sauce is an easy dinner shortcut that infuses the pasta with big flavor. Simmer ravioli gently in your desired sauce for 12-15 minutes until heated through. Creamy, tomato, pesto, vodka, and meat sauces all pair well with filled pasta. Top with herbs and cheese for a complete meal. Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated later in the week. Now go enjoy a simple, yet satisfying ravioli dinner with your favorite sauce!