Easy Ravioli Recipes for Kids

Ravioli makes an easy family dinner, but it can also become a fun hands-on cooking project for kids. Start with prepared ravioli and add a favorite sauce, turn it into toasted ravioli or a creamy pasta dinner, or make homemade ravioli dough and fillings from scratch.

On this page you'll find several of our favorite ravioli recipes, including Manti-inspired ravioli with yogurt sauce, toasted ravioli, cheesy ravioli with peas and step-by-step directions for making homemade ravioli with kids.

Different ravioli recipes and ways to serve ravioli

Start Here: Choose a Ravioli Recipe

Easy Weeknight Ravioli

Use refrigerated or frozen ravioli and pair it with a simple sauce. Try Ravioli with Yogurt Sauce or Cheesy Ravioli & Peas.

Fun Cooking Project

Coat prepared ravioli in breadcrumbs to make Toasted Ravioli, with an adult handling the hot cooking step.

Make Ravioli from Scratch

Ready for a bigger project? Jump to Homemade Ravioli to mix dough, prepare a filling, roll the pasta and shape individual ravioli.

Serve Ravioli Cold

Ravioli isn't only for hot dinners. Try our Ravioli Pasta Salad for another way to use filled pasta.

Kids Cooking Activities Teaching Materials

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Manti-Inspired Ravioli with Yogurt Sauce

My husband spent some time in Turkey and loved mantı served with yogurt sauce. We created our own easy family version using meat-filled ravioli. My kids often eat the ravioli without the yogurt sauce, while for special occasions we sometimes make the ravioli from scratch.

Ravioli served with garlic yogurt sauce

Ingredients

  • 1 package meat-filled ravioli, fresh or frozen
  • 1 cup plain yogurt
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons butter, melted
  • 1 teaspoon parsley
  • Pinch of salt

Red Pepper Butter

  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika or Turkish red pepper flakes (pul biber)

Directions

  1. Cook the ravioli according to the package directions until tender. Drain carefully.
  2. In a small bowl, stir together the yogurt, garlic, parsley and salt.
  3. Melt the butter in a small saucepan. Stir in the paprika or red pepper flakes and cook for about 20-30 seconds.
  4. Spoon the garlic yogurt over the warm ravioli, then drizzle the red pepper butter over the top. Sprinkle with parsley or dried mint, if desired.
Kid Cooking Tip: Kids can measure and stir together the yogurt sauce while an adult handles the boiling water and hot ravioli.

Toasted Ravioli with Pasta Sauce

Turn cheese ravioli into crispy bites that can be dipped in warm pasta sauce.

Crispy toasted ravioli served with tomato sauce

Ingredients

  • 1 package refrigerated cheese ravioli
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1 cup Italian-seasoned breadcrumbs
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, optional
  • Cooking spray or a small amount of olive oil
  • Warm tomato or pasta sauce, for dipping

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 425F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
  2. Pour the milk into a shallow bowl.
  3. In a second shallow bowl, combine the breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese, if using.
  4. Dip each ravioli into the milk, then coat both sides with breadcrumbs.
  5. Arrange the coated ravioli in a single layer on the baking sheet.
  6. Lightly spray or brush the tops with oil.
  7. Bake for about 12-15 minutes, turning once, until the coating is crisp and golden and the ravioli filling is hot.
  8. Serve warm with pasta sauce for dipping.
Air Fryer Option: You can also cook the breaded ravioli in an air fryer. Arrange the coated ravioli in a single layer in the air fryer basket and lightly spray the tops with cooking spray or oil. Air fry at 375F for about 7-9 minutes, turning halfway through, until crisp and golden and the filling is hot. Cooking time may vary depending on the air fryer and the size of the ravioli.
Kid Cooking Tip: Kids can set up the coating bowls, dip the ravioli and arrange them on the baking sheet. An adult should put the pan into the oven and remove it when finished. This is a good kids cooking lesson on coating and breading technique.

Creamy Tomato Ravioli & Peas

This easy ravioli dinner combines cheese ravioli and peas with a simple creamy tomato sauce. It is a good choice when you want to turn a package of ravioli into a more complete family meal.

Cheese ravioli and peas in a creamy tomato sauce

Ingredients

  • 1 package (9 ounces) cheese ravioli
  • 1 cup frozen peas
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 cup half-and-half
  • 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, pureed
  • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning or garlic-and-herb seasoning
  • 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

  1. Cook the ravioli according to the package directions.
  2. Add the frozen peas during the last few minutes of cooking. Drain the ravioli and peas.
  3. In a saucepan, whisk the flour and pepper into the cold half-and-half until smooth.
  4. Stir in the pureed tomatoes and seasoning.
  5. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the sauce begins to simmer and thickens.
  6. Add the cooked ravioli and peas and gently toss with the sauce.
  7. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and serve warm.
Kid Cooking Tip: Kids can whisk together the cold sauce ingredients and sprinkle on the Parmesan. An adult should supervise the stove and handle the boiling pasta.

How to Make Homemade Ravioli with Kids

Making ravioli from scratch takes more time than opening a package of prepared ravioli, but it is a great hands-on pasta lesson. Kids can help measure and mix the dough, knead it, prepare the cheese filling, roll pasta sheets and cut ravioli into different shapes.

Homemade ravioli made from fresh pasta dough

What Kids Practice

  • Measuring flour and other ingredients
  • Mixing and kneading pasta dough
  • Rolling dough into thin sheets
  • Measuring and mixing a filling
  • Brushing on egg wash
  • Cutting and sealing ravioli

Easy Homemade Cheese Ravioli

Rolling fresh pasta dough to make homemade ravioli

Pasta Dough

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons water
  • Pinch of salt

Egg Wash

  • 1 egg
  • 1 tablespoon water

Basic Cheese Filling

  • 1 cup shredded cheese
  • 1 container (8 ounces) ricotta cheese
  • 1 egg
  • Italian herbs, black pepper or lemon zest, as desired

Directions

  1. Place the flour and salt on a clean work surface or in a large mixing bowl.
  2. In a separate bowl, beat together the eggs, olive oil and water.
  3. Gradually mix the egg mixture into the flour until a dough begins to form.
  4. Knead the dough for about 8-10 minutes, adding a small amount of flour if it becomes too sticky. The finished dough should feel smooth and flexible.
  5. Wrap the dough tightly and refrigerate for about 1 hour.
  6. While the dough rests, mix together the ricotta, shredded cheese, egg and desired seasonings. Keep the filling refrigerated until ready to use.
  7. Whisk together 1 egg and 1 tablespoon water to make the egg wash.
  8. Divide the rested dough into smaller portions. Roll each portion on a lightly floured surface with a rolling pin or pasta machine until very thin.
  9. Lay one sheet of pasta on the work surface and brush it lightly with egg wash.
  10. Place small spoonfuls of filling several inches apart, leaving enough room between them to seal each ravioli.
  11. Place another thin pasta sheet over the filling.
  12. Beginning near the filling, gently press out air pockets and firmly seal the pasta around each mound.
  13. Cut the ravioli apart with a knife, cookie cutter or ravioli cutter. Press the edges firmly to make sure they are sealed.
  14. Bring a large pot of water to a gentle boil. Cook the ravioli in batches until the pasta is tender and the filling reaches a safe temperature.
  15. Remove with a slotted spoon and serve with your favorite sauce, olive oil, Parmesan cheese or Italian herbs.
Kid Cooking Tip: Kneading, rolling, filling and cutting ravioli are excellent jobs for kids. An adult should handle raw egg cleanup, boiling water and transferring the cooked ravioli.
Ravioli Filling Safety: If using meat in homemade ravioli, cook the meat completely before adding it to the filling. Keep fillings that contain meat, cheese or egg refrigerated until you are ready to assemble and cook the ravioli.

Easy Ravioli Filling Ideas

Once you learn how to make and seal ravioli, experiment with different fillings. Avoid fillings that are very wet, since excess moisture can make the pasta difficult to seal.

Cheese

  • Ricotta and Parmesan
  • Ricotta and mozzarella
  • Four-cheese mixture

Vegetable

Meat

  • Cooked ground beef and cheese
  • Cooked Italian sausage and ricotta
  • Cooked chicken and Parmesan

Simple Flavor Add-Ins

Make Fun Ravioli Shapes

Homemade ravioli doesn't have to be square. Cookie cutters can turn pasta dough into circles, hearts, stars or other kid-friendly shapes.

My kids especially loved making dinosaur-shaped ravioli. Letting kids knead the dough, roll the pasta, choose fillings and cut their own shapes turns dinner into a cooking activity as well as a meal.

Tip: Whatever shape you choose, leave enough dough around the filling to press the edges together firmly. Press out trapped air before sealing so the ravioli are less likely to open while cooking.

What Sauce Goes with Ravioli?

The best sauce depends on the ravioli filling. You don't need a complicated sauce - a simple sauce often lets the filling stand out.

Ravioli Try It With
Cheese ravioli Tomato sauce, pesto, browned butter or Alfredo sauce
Meat ravioli Tomato sauce, garlic butter or yogurt sauce
Spinach ravioli Alfredo sauce, garlic sauce or tomato sauce
Squash ravioli Browned butter, Parmesan and herbs

Working with Dough Kids Cooking Activities

Keep exploring pasta recipes, homemade pasta projects and sauces that work well with ravioli.

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Ravioli pasta salad with vegetables

Ravioli Pasta Salad
Turn cooked ravioli into a colorful cold pasta salad for lunch, picnics or an easy side dish.

Homemade lasagna with sauce and cheese

Lasagna Recipes
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Baked manicotti filled with cheese

Manicotti
Practice filling pasta tubes and assembling a baked pasta dinner with sauce and cheese.

Homemade sauces for pasta and family meals

Homemade Sauces
Find tomato, cream and other homemade sauces to pair with ravioli, pasta and family meals.

Submit your favorite kids recipe

Do you have a favorite recipe your kids love to make? Or a recipe your kids ask you to make again and again? Share it with us!

Ravioli FAQ

Do you have to boil ravioli before adding sauce?
Most fresh and frozen ravioli are cooked in boiling water before being combined with sauce. Follow the package directions because cooking times vary by type and brand.
How do you know when ravioli is cooked?
Ravioli often float as they cook, but floating alone is not always the best test for doneness. Follow the package directions for prepared ravioli. For homemade ravioli, cook until the pasta is tender and the filling is heated through.
What sauce is good with cheese ravioli?
Cheese ravioli works well with tomato sauce, Alfredo sauce, pesto, garlic butter or a simple combination of olive oil, Parmesan cheese and herbs.
Can kids make homemade ravioli?
Yes. Kids can help measure ingredients, knead dough, mix filling, roll pasta, brush on egg wash and cut ravioli shapes. Adults should supervise raw egg handling and take care of boiling and draining the pasta.
Why does homemade ravioli open while cooking?
Ravioli may open if the edges are not sealed firmly, too much filling is used or air is trapped around the filling. Keep the filling away from the edges and press out air before sealing.
Can homemade ravioli be made ahead?
Yes. Homemade ravioli can be prepared ahead and kept chilled for a short time before cooking, or frozen for longer storage. Keep fillings containing cheese, egg or meat properly refrigerated while working.
What can you put inside homemade ravioli?
Popular fillings include ricotta and Parmesan, spinach and ricotta, squash, mushrooms, cooked sausage, cooked beef or cooked chicken. Avoid fillings that are excessively wet because they can make the ravioli difficult to seal.

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