16 Secret Ingredients for the Perfect Ravioli Filling

Ravioli is a versatile dish that can be filled with just about anything your heart desires. The key is to think outside the box and experiment with flavors and ingredients you might not typically associate with pasta. By stepping away from traditional fillings, you can discover new taste combinations that will surprise and delight your palate. By exploring these unconventional fillings, you can elevate a simple pasta dish into a gourmet experience. Here are the secret ingredients you should be using in creating a flavor profile that’s both surprising and satisfying.

Butternut Squash and Sage

The natural sweetness of butternut squash pairs beautifully with the earthy flavor of sage. Roasting the squash beforehand brings out a caramelized depth, making for a warm and comforting filling.

Here is a simple recipe that you can try to make this stuffing:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
2. Toss cubed butternut squash with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
3. Roast for 25 minutes until tender.
4. Mash the roasted squash and mix with chopped sage.
5. Season with salt and pepper.

Truffle Mushroom

Combining mushrooms with a hint of truffle oil adds an elegant, umami-rich taste. This filling brings a luxurious, gourmet twist to your ravioli.

Here’s how you can make this filling:

1. Chop mushrooms and sauté in butter until browned.
2. Add truffle oil, salt, and pepper.
3. Let the mixture cool.

Ricotta and Lemon Zest

Fresh ricotta cheese mixed with lemon zest creates a light and zesty filling. It’s refreshing and balances well with a simple butter or olive oil sauce.

In just two steps, you can make Lemon Zest Ricotta stuffing:

1. Mix ricotta cheese with lemon zest and lemon juice.
2. Season with salt and pepper.

Spinach and Feta

The tanginess of feta cheese combined with the nutritious spinach makes for a vibrant and flavorful filling. This combination offers a Mediterranean flair to your dish.

To make this, you only have to follow 3 steps:

1. Sauté spinach until wilted.
2. Drain and chop finely.
3. Mix with crumbled feta cheese and a pinch of nutmeg.

Lobster and Mascarpone

This makes a rich and creamy lobster filling mixed with mascarpone cheese. The sweet, delicate flavor of lobster blends with the smooth, buttery texture of mascarpone, adding a touch of sophistication and luxury to your ravioli.

Just follow these simple steps to make the filling:

1. Combine lobster meat with mascarpone cheese.
2. Add salt, pepper, and lemon juice.

Pumpkin and Amaretti

Pureed pumpkin combined with crushed Amaretti cookies gives a sweet and nutty flavor. This filling is perfect for a fall-inspired dish, offering a delightful contrast of creamy and crunchy textures, with a hint of spiced sweetness.

Here’s a two-step guide to make this filling:

1. Mix pureed pumpkin with crushed Amaretti cookies.
2. Add a pinch of nutmeg and salt.

Goat Cheese and Beetroot

The creamy tang of goat cheese paired with the earthy sweetness of beetroot creates a visually stunning and delicious filling. The tanginess of the cheese complements the beets’ natural sweetness, offering a unique and vibrant flavor combination.

Follow these steps for a vibrant ravioli filling:

1. Roast beetroots, peel, and puree.
2. Mix with goat cheese and salt.

Wild Boar Ragu

For a hearty and robust option, use a slow-cooked wild boar ragu. This filling is packed with deep, savory, and slightly gamey flavors, providing a rich and intense taste that stands out, especially when paired with a rich tomato sauce.

Here’s all you need to do to make this savory stuffing:

1. Slow-cook wild boar with chopped onion, garlic, red wine, and tomatoes for 3-4 hours.
2. Shred the meat and reduce the sauce until thick.

Caramelized Onion and Gruyère

Sweet caramelized onions blended with nutty, slightly salty Gruyère cheese provide a luscious and gooey filling. This combination is reminiscent of French onion soup, offering a comforting and familiar flavor in ravioli form.

Follow these easy steps to make this stuffing:

1. Caramelize onions in butter until golden brown.
2. Mix with shredded Gruyère cheese.

Pear and Gorgonzola

This filling has the sweetness of ripe pear matched with the pungent, creamy flavor of Gorgonzola cheese. It’s a perfect blend of sweet and savory, ideal for a gourmet ravioli experience.

It’s as easy to make as these steps:

1. Peel and finely dice pears.
2. Mix with crumbled Gorgonzola cheese.

Lamb and Mint

Ground lamb seasoned with fresh mint provides a unique and flavorful filling. The rich, slightly gamey taste of lamb is complemented by the refreshing, cool flavor of mint, creating a filling that’s both hearty and refreshing.

Here’s a simple way to make this filling:

1. Cook ground lamb with chopped onion and garlic until browned.
2. Stir in chopped fresh mint.

Prosciutto and Fig

Salty prosciutto and sweet figs make a delightful pairing. The prosciutto’s savory, salty, and slightly smoky flavor complements the natural sweetness and jammy texture of figs. This dynamic filling can elevate your ravioli to a gourmet level, making it a standout dish for a dinner party or a romantic meal.

In just two steps, you can have a delightful ravioli stuffing:

1. Chop prosciutto and figs finely.
2. Mix together and add a pinch of black pepper.

Artichoke and Parmesan

Blending tender artichoke hearts with sharp Parmesan cheese results in a savory and slightly tangy filling. The earthy, slightly nutty flavor of the artichokes is complemented by the sharp, salty taste of the Parmesan, perfect for those who enjoy vegetal flavors.

To make this stuffing, follow these easy steps:

1. Chop artichoke hearts finely.
2. Mix with grated Parmesan cheese.

Basil and Burrata

Fresh basil leaves and creamy burrata cheese create a simple yet luxurious filling. The burrata’s rich, buttery texture pairs beautifully with the aromatic, slightly peppery basil, offering a decadent and fresh combination.

You can make a delightful stuffed ravioli simply by following these steps:

1. Mix shredded burrata cheese with chopped fresh basil.
2. Fill the ravioli dough with the burrata mixture.

Smoked Salmon and Dill

The smoky, savory taste of the salmon is enhanced by the bright, slightly tangy flavor of the dill, perfect for a unique and elegant ravioli.

Just follow these simple steps to make a ravioli perfect for a dinner date:

1. Chop smoked salmon finely.
2. Mix with fresh dill and ricotta cheese.

Short Rib and Red Wine Reduction

Slow-cooked short ribs in a red wine reduction make for a rich and savory filling. The deep, robust flavors of the tender meat are enhanced by the rich, slightly sweet and tangy red wine sauce, offering a hearty and satisfying meal.

Here’s a simple way to make this:

1. Slow-cook short ribs with chopped onion, garlic, and red wine for 3-4 hours.
2. Shred the meat and reduce the sauce until thick.

These secret ingredients can elevate your ravioli and bring delicious results that come with thinking outside the traditional pasta box.

This article originally appeared on RetailShout.

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