Turn a fresh and summery Caprese salad into a main dish with this colorful Caprese Ravioli recipe. It’s perfect for a Meatless Monday in summertime.
Caprese salad is a great antipasto, or appetizer, before a meal. The vibrant tomatoes, fresh Mozzarella, and aromatic basil make a beautiful dish that I want to eat all summer long. Just adding some ricotta or sun-dried tomato ravioli to the dish turns it from an appetizer into a main dish that is light and addictive at the same time.
If you’ve ever been to Capri, Italy, you’ve probably tried a dish that this recipe is derived from. It’s called Ravioli Caprese and it’s ravioli stuffed with caciotta cheese (similar to Ricotta) and fresh marjoram leaves. The ravioli is then served with a little tomato sauce and a sprinkling of Parmigiano on the top. It’s a simple dish, but incredibly flavorful.
This dish is more a deconstructed version of the popular Caprese salad than an homage to Capri’s classic Ravioli Caprese, but it’s always good to know the roots of a dish.
» Psst, check out our strawberry Caprese skewers appetizer.
Ingredients You Need
- Ravioli – See below for some options for the type of ravioli to use. We use store-bought ravioli but you can also make your own if you want.
- Mozzarella balls – I use these small fresh mozzarella balls that can be used whole or cut in half for a smaller bite. Make sure it’s fresh mozzarella, not part skim.
- Cherry Tomatoes – Use the freshest, firmest cherry tomatoes you can find.
- Fresh Basil – Got basil in your home garden? Now’s the time to use it!
- High-quality extra virgin olive oil – This is the flavoring for the salad, so make sure it’s a nice high-quality, flavorful olive oil.
- Flake salt – Flake salt, like Maldon sea salt flakes are perfect for seasoning this salad and giving it a little crunch too.
- Parmesan cheese – Also use a high-quality Parm for the best flavor. Shredding it yourself from a block of cheese is the best way to go.
Helpful Tips
- Cheese ravioli works best with this recipe, but you can also use sun-dried tomato, spinach-filled, or even meat-filled, if you want.
- You can use homemade ravioli, if you want to make it yourself.
Caprese Ravioli
Ingredients
- 8 ounce (227 g) package ravioli
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) high quality extra-virgin olive oil
- 12 cherry tomatoes sliced in half
- 12 mini mozzarella balls sliced in half
- 10 basil leaves sliced in a chiffonade
- 1/8 cup (13 g) grated parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the ravioli according to the package instructions.
- When the ravioli is done, drain the water from the pot. Add a drizzle of high-quality Extra Virgin Olive Oil, salt and papper, and toss the pan to coat the ravioli in the oil. Then transfer the ravioli to plates.
- Top with the tomatoes, mozzarella and basil. Then finish with a grating of Parmigiano cheese.
Notes
- Cheese ravioli works best with this recipe, but you can also use sun-dried tomato, spinach-filled, or even meat-filled, if you want.
- You can use homemade ravioli, if you want to make it yourself.
Nutrition
What Ravioli to Use
This dish makes use of pre-made ravioli, to keep it extra simple, so you can use just about any kind of ravioli you like. I like to use a ricotta-stuffed ravioli, but I also enjoy the sun-dried tomato and mozzarella version I can sometimes find. Any type of cheese ravioli works, as does a spinach-filled one, in a pinch.
My favorite ravioli to use is Giovanni Rana 4 Cheese. Another great option is 365 Spinach Ricotta ravioli.
If you want to use a ravioli with meat filing, that’s cool too. We sometimes add prosciutto to the dish for fun.
» Here’s a great herb and ricotta ravioli recipe, in case you want to make it yourself.
What is Caprese Salad?
Caprese salad is a simple Italian salad that typically consists of sliced fresh mozzarella cheese, ripe tomatoes, and fresh basil leaves. The ingredients are arranged on a plate, drizzled with olive oil and seasoned with salt and pepper. It is a refreshing and delicious dish that is popular in Italy and around the world.
We’ve added one extra component to the salad – fresh ravioli – to give it a little twist and turn it into a more substantial main dish that’s perfect for summer.
Other recipes you might try
- Creamy Chicken and Potato Pasta
- Crack Chicken and Broccoli Casserole
- Easy Meatballs and Mashed Potatoes
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Laura is a home cook, with 25 years experience behind the stove, who spends an extraordinary amount of time in the kitchen cooking. She loves making new recipes and finding wonderful new things to eat, both at home or abroad. She spends a lot of time researching, crafting, and perfecting her recipes.