Ravioli is a delicious filled pasta that can be enjoyed in a variety of sauces. However, it can be time consuming to make fresh ravioli from scratch. Many people opt to buy pre-made ravioli that just needs to be boiled and served with your favorite sauce. If you end up with leftovers, you may be wondering if you can freeze the remaining ravioli and sauce for another meal.
The good news is that it is possible to freeze cooked ravioli with sauce! Freezing is a great way to save time and avoid food waste. When frozen properly, ravioli and sauce will keep for 2-3 months in the freezer.
Here are some tips on how to freeze cooked ravioli with sauce:
Should You Freeze Ravioli and Sauce Separately or Together?
When freezing ravioli with sauce, you have two options:
1. Freeze them separately in individual containers or bags.
2. Freeze them together in a large casserole dish or aluminum pan.
Freezing them separately gives you more flexibility. You can take out just the ravioli or just the sauce as needed. It also helps the ravioli avoid getting soggy when reheated later.
However, freezing together in a casserole dish means less containers to deal with. It also helps keep the flavor of the completed dish intact. The ravioli soaks up some of the sauce while freezing.
Here is a comparison of the pros and cons of each method:
Freezing Ravioli and Sauce Separately
Pros:
– Allows you to thaw just the ravioli or just the sauce as needed
– Avoids ravioli getting soggy when reheated
– Can portion into meal-sized amounts for easy reheating
Cons:
– Requires more storage containers
– Loses some of the combined flavor
Freezing Ravioli and Sauce Together
Pros:
– Keeps complete dish flavor intact
– Ravioli soaks up some sauce while freezing
– Less containers to deal with
Cons:
– Have to thaw whole dish even if you just want the ravioli or sauce
– Ravioli might get soggy
Ultimately it depends on your preferences and intended use. If you want to be able to grab just the ravioli or just the sauce, separate freezing is best. But if you want to keep the full flavor of the dish, freeze together.
How to Freeze Ravioli and Sauce Separately
If you opt to freeze the components separately, follow these steps:
For the ravioli:
1. Cook the ravioli according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process.
2. Let the ravioli cool completely, then arrange in a single layer on a baking sheet or plate. Freeze until firm, about 2 hours.
3. Transfer the frozen ravioli to freezer bags or airtight containers. Squeeze out excess air and seal.
4. Label with contents and freeze for up to 2-3 months.
For the sauce:
1. Prepare sauce and let cool completely.
2. Portion sauce into freezer bags, leaving 1-inch headspace. Squeeze out excess air and seal.
3. You can also freeze sauce in ice cube trays, then pop out cubes and store in bags.
4. Label bags with contents and date and freeze for up to 2-3 months.
Pro tip: Place a piece of plastic wrap directly on surface of sauce before sealing bags to prevent freezer burn.
How to Freeze Ravioli and Sauce Together
If freezing ravioli and sauce together, here are some tips:
1. Cook ravioli according to package directions. Drain and rinse with cold water.
2. Prepare desired sauce and let cool slightly. Mix cooked ravioli and sauce together in a casserole dish or aluminum pan.
3. Cover dish tightly with heavy-duty aluminum foil. Fold back corners for a tent shape so moisture can escape.
4. Freeze dish until completely solid, at least 12 hours. For faster freezing, place dish on a baking sheet for better cold air circulation.
5. Once frozen, you can overwrap dish with more foil or place dish in a freezer bag. Squeeze out excess air.
6. Label with contents and date. Frozen ravioli and sauce will keep for 2-3 months.
Pro tips:
– Undercook the ravioli slightly before mixing with sauce, as it will continue cooking when reheated later.
– Mix in a bit of starch from the ravioli cooking water to help thicken the sauce so it holds well when frozen.
How to Thaw and Reheat Frozen Ravioli and Sauce
When ready to enjoy your frozen ravioli and sauce, here are some thawing and reheating tips:
If frozen separately:
– Thaw ravioli in the refrigerator overnight.
– Reheat ravioli by boiling briefly in water or sautéing in olive oil over medium heat until warmed through.
– Thaw sauce in refrigerator overnight. Reheat gently on the stovetop or microwave until heated through, stirring occasionally.
– Combine the reheated ravioli and sauce together or keep separate for more flexibility.
If frozen together:
– There are two reheating methods: stovetop or oven.
– For stovetop: Thaw dish completely in refrigerator. Reheat gently over medium-low heat on stovetop, covered, until heated through, 15-20 minutes. Stir occasionally and add extra sauce or water if needed.
– For oven: Keep dish frozen. Preheat oven to 350°F. Bake frozen ravioli dish, covered, for about 1 hour until hot and bubbly, uncovering for the last 10-15 minutes.
– Let dish rest 5 minutes before serving. The ravioli may be immersed in sauce after thawing – stir gently to evenly distribute.
Tips for Freezing Ravioli and Sauce
Follow these tips for best results freezing ravioli and sauce:
– Use freshly made or high-quality, preservative-free store-bought sauce. Sugary jar sauces don’t freeze as well.
– Undercook the ravioli slightly before freezing so it doesn’t get mushy when reheated later.
– Rapidly chill ravioli first before freezing for food safety. Don’t freeze hot ravioli.
– Portion ravioli and sauce in amounts ideal for one meal before freezing.
– Use durable freezer bags, airtight containers, or heavy foil to prevent freezer burn. Remove as much air as possible.
– Label everything with contents and date before stashing in freezer. Use oldest items first.
– Avoid refreezing any thawed ravioli or sauce. Only refreeze if never thawed.
– Add cream, cheese, or herbs just before serving, as dairy doesn’t hold up as well frozen.
With proper freezing methods, you can enjoy delicious ravioli with sauce for months after making it. Freezing cooked ravioli and sauce is a great way to save time and reduce food waste.
Different Sauce Options for Frozen Ravioli
Ravioli is so versatile – it can be paired with all kinds of sauces beyond just marinara. Here are some delicious sauce ideas to try with your frozen ravioli:
Pesto – Make or use store-bought pesto sauce. The basil and Parmesan flavors pair perfectly with ravioli.
Alfredo – A creamy alfredo sauce is divine with cheese-filled ravioli.
Vodka sauce – This pink sauce has a kick from vodka and red pepper flakes.
Bolognese – For a heartier meal, top ravioli with rich, meaty bolognese sauce.
Roasted red pepper – Blend jarred roasted red peppers into a creamy sauce for ravioli.
Lemon butter – Sauté lemon, butter, garlic, and herbs for a bright sauce.
Tomato cream – Make tomato sauce luscious by stirring in cream cheese or heavy cream.
White wine butter – Simmer ravioli in garlic butter, olive oil, white wine, and parsley.
Creamy mushroom – Sauté mushrooms in olive oil and garlic, then add cream.
The options are endless for yummy freezer-friendly sauces for ravioli!
Serving Suggestions for Frozen Ravioli and Sauce
Once thawed and reheated, frozen ravioli with sauce makes a fast, filling meal. But consider these serving suggestions to round out the dish:
– Crusty bread: Serve with slices of warm, crusty bread like Italian loaf or baguette for dipping in the sauce.
– Steamed veggies: Pair with quick-cooking vegetables like broccoli, green beans, or spinach sautéed in garlic and olive oil.
– Salad: A fresh green or Caesar salad adds welcome crunch and nutrients.
– Garlic bread: Toasted or grilled garlic bread provides an additional layer of flavor.
– Protein: Add cooked chicken, shrimp, or sausage to make it a heartier meal.
– Cheese: Top with shredded mozzarella, Parmesan, or feta for a cheesy boost.
– Herbs and spices: Garnish with chopped parsley, basil, oregano or red pepper flakes.
– Wine: A glass of Chianti, Pinot Grigio or other Italian varietal pairs perfectly.
With a few simple sides and garnishes, your frozen ravioli and sauce becomes a fabulous home cooked Italian meal. Get creative with ingredients you have on hand!
Storing and Reheating Leftover Frozen Ravioli
Leftovers are one of the best parts of cooking frozen ravioli and sauce. Here are tips for storing and reheating any remaining portions:
– Let leftover ravioli and sauce cool completely before storing. Divide into shallow airtight containers.
– Leftovers will keep 3-4 days refrigerated. Make sure to consume within this timeframe for food safety.
– When reheating, aim to reach 165°F internal temperature. You can reheat in the microwave but covered and with a splash of water to prevent drying out.
– For more even reheating, put leftovers in a skillet over medium-low heat until warmed through, stirring occasionally. Add extra sauce or moisture if needed.
– Or reheat in a 350°F oven until hot, about 15-20 minutes covered. Finish under the broiler to brown cheese if desired.
– Do not re-freeze any leftovers after thawing and reheating initially. Only refreeze portions that have never been thawed.
– Add new sides and garnishes like sautéed spinach or fresh grated Parmesan before serving leftovers.
With proper storage and reheating, you can continue enjoying your frozen ravioli for several days after initially cooking it. Creative ways to change up the flavors for leftovers prevents boredom!
Conclusion
Freezing cooked ravioli and sauce is an excellent make-ahead strategy for busy home cooks. You can customize the flavor pairings and have a quick, hearty Italian meal ready anytime. Separate freezing allows flexibility but together retains the combined dish flavors. Apply proper freezing, thawing, and reheating techniques for best results. And get creative repurposing leftovers into fresh new meals. With a freezer stash of ravioli and sauce ready to go, you’ll always have access to a satisfying homecooked dinner.