Creamy Date Night Broccoli Alfredo Ravioli
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Creamy Date Night Broccoli Alfredo Ravioli
Treat yourselves to a cozy and delicious dinner with our Creamy Date Night Broccoli Alfredo Ravioli. This comforting dish features cheese ravioli bathed in a rich homemade alfredo sauce, mingled with vibrant broccolini, and topped with a sprinkle of savory Parmesan cheese. It's the perfect recipe for a relaxed and romantic evening at home. Gluten-free, Vegan + Meat Options.
Ravioli has a special place in my heart—they're like little pillows of joy, full of your favorite fillings (mine being cheese, Haha)! Creamy Date Night Broccoli Alfredo Ravioli - Paired with homemade alfredo sauce, it makes for a quick + tasty skillet meal. This vegetarian pasta dish is packed with flavor and reheats like a dream, perfect for enjoying leftovers.
I've been obsessed with whipping up homemade alfredo sauce lately—it's become my go-to for quick and effortless weeknight or date night dinners. Whether it's Weeknight Creamy Chicken Alfredo, Creamy Salmon Alfredo Pasta, or Weeknight Shrimp Alfredo Bucatini Pasta!
Alright, let's dive back into this Creamy Broccoli Alfredo Ravioli. It's pure comfort in a bowl (or on a plate) with simple steps that you can totally customize. Whether you're into vegan or gluten-free ingredients, want to add some more greens for freshness, or prefer meat-filled ravioli, feel free to make it your own. And if you're not strictly vegetarian, go wild with toppings--- Enter candied bacon. Haha
Jump to:
- What is Alfredo?
- How To Make Creamy Date Night Broccoli Alfredo Ravioli
- Ingredients
- Why You Will LOVE Creamy Date Night Broccoli Alfredo Ravioli
- What Kind of Ravioli Fillings Work for this Creamy Pasta
- Topping Ideas for Creamy Date Night Broccoli Alfredo Ravioli
- Adding More Protein
- What Are Delicious Foods to Pair This Creamy Date Night Broccoli Alfredo Ravioli
- Creamy Date Night Broccoli Alfredo Ravioli Q + A's
- More Delicious Cozy Pasta Recipes
- MADE OUR RECIPE(S)?
- Creamy Date Night Broccoli Alfredo Ravioli
What is Alfredo?
Basically, Alfredo is a creamy pan sauce made form butter and Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese. As it has become popular, there have been several adaptations and substitutes to the ingredients, however, either way-----Alfredo sauce is usually best when made + eaten right away! Classically, Alfredo is often paired with Fettuccine or another pasta, but there are many ways you can use the sauce!
How To Make Creamy Date Night Broccoli Alfredo Ravioli
You have a couple of options: Either whip up your homemade Alfredo sauce or grab a premade one if you're short on time. Next, just cook your ravioli according to the packet instructions. I usually throw in a bit of salt and oil to prevent them from sticking together. While that's going on, sauté your broccolini. Once everything's ready, pour on the sauce, and voila—time to dig in and enjoy!
Ingredients
CREAMY RAVIOLI:
- Cheese ravioli. You can use your favorite type or even switch out for a different filling if you prefer.
- Broccolini or broccoli florets. Adds a nice crunch and some greens. Kale would also go well.
- Extra virgin olive oil. Feel free to use your favorite high-quality EVOO. My fave tried and trusted brand is California Olive Ranch.
- Homemade Alfredo Sauce. See the full recipe here--- or you can always use a premade one if you're short on time.
- Freshly-grated parmesan. To sprinkle on top.
- Fresh parsley. For garnish.
SHOP MY FAVORITE TOOLS FOR COOKING, ESPECIALLY FOR THIS DISH!
Here, I've curated a list of cooking + baking essentials that I use to achieve my favorite baked goods or cooked meals, especially with this Creamy Date Night Broccoli Alfredo Ravioli Everything from my fave baking sheet, dutch ovens, immersion hand-blender, mixing bowls, and more. SEE THEM HERE!
Why You Will LOVE Creamy Date Night Broccoli Alfredo Ravioli
- SO creamy, garlicky + oh-so-delicious!
- Loaded with cheese-loaded ravioli!
- Perfect for busy weeknights or a quick date night pasta--- ready in 30 minutes!
- A definite crowd-pleaser that will have everyone coming back for seconds!
- Loaded with cheesy flavors, velvety + spoonfuls of savory flavors.
What Kind of Ravioli Fillings Work for this Creamy Pasta
For this specific pasta recipe, I chose to use cheese stuffed ravioli. However, there are so many options (whether homemade or store-bought) that can help to elevate this entire dish based on the use of any of the following ravioli:
- Chicken
- Sausage
- Vegan filling options
- Spinach and Ricotta
- Lobster or Seafood stuffed
- Mushroom
- Four cheese
Topping Ideas for Creamy Date Night Broccoli Alfredo Ravioli
While I love this Creamy Date Night Broccoli Alfredo Ravioli recipe dinner as-is, straight from the pot--I like to add some extra texture to creamy pasta dishes so you can dress it up with toppings if you like.
For extra flavor, color, and texture, you can try:
- Candied bacon (If you eat meat)
- Chopped nuts, such as toasted pecans or walnuts
- Roasted pumpkin seeds for texture
- Homemade Croutons for a nice crunch
- Grated lemon zest --adds a zesty, citrusy twist that brightens up the dish.
- Chopped Homemade Texas Toast Garlic Bread
- More parmesan cheese
- Toasted panko bread crumbs
If you discover a new favorite topping idea, be sure to let me know in the comments section below!
Adding More Protein
If you'd like to add protein to this easy Alfredo sauce + ravioli, it's easy to do, regardless of your diet!
PLANT-BASED PROTEIN OPTIONS:
- Crispy seared or baked tofu cubes
- Roasted chickpeas
- Crumbled stir-fried seitan
- Crumble vegan bacon on top
- Sautéed asparagus, Brussels sprouts, etc.
MEAT-BASED PROTEIN OPTIONS:
- Grilled or shredded chicken (See my Weeknight Creamy Chicken Alfredo recipe)
- Blackened chicken
- Sliced Italian sausage (spicy or mild)
- Chopped bacon, or pancetta
- Lobster or salmon (Try my Creamy Salmon Alfredo Pasta)
- Pan seared steak
- Homemade meatballs!
What Are Delicious Foods to Pair This Creamy Date Night Broccoli Alfredo Ravioli
Here's the thing ---- This Creamy Alfredo Ravioli is so delicious and flavorful that you can honestly enjoy it all by itself. Seriously, the fluffy, tender ravioli pillows stuffed with cheese + alfredo sauce is everything! So, feel free to dig in and savor every single bite. It's a dish that stands tall on its own!
But if you're anything like me (A huge bread lover.. Haha), then I recommend enjoying some crusty bread on the side. My faves are:
- Cheesy Kale Garlic Bread
- Homemade Roasted Garlic Bread
- Garlic Herb Biscuit
- Vegan Garlic Naan Bread
- Flaky Sweet Potato Biscuits
They are an amazing vessel for scooping up every last drop of saucy goodness.
If you want a little freshness, serve it with a salad on the side:
- Best Lemon Pepper Chicken Chopped Salad
- Fall Harvest BBQ Chickpea Kale Salad
- Fall Harvest Apple Kale Salad
- Best Buffalo Chickpea Kale Salad.
- Caesar Salad
It's like a fresh burst of flavor that complements this easy date night dinner beautifully.
Creamy Date Night Broccoli Alfredo Ravioli Q + A's
Any leftovers can be kept in a tightly sealed container and refrigerated for up to 3-4 days.
Of course --- You can use long pasta like Pappardelle, Fettuccine, etc. however, I would recommend tossing with tongs to ensure that pasta is fully manageable and fully coated. Otherwise, other pasta such as Penne, Rigatoni, Paccheri, Orecchiette, etc. are perfect.
To make this dish GF, simply use Gluten-Free ravioli and see the Alfredo sauce recipe for GF option.
To make this dish vegan, simply substitute the heavy cream with full-fat coconut milk, ensure that the ravioli is vegan-friendly, and the parmesan with vegan parmesan.
More Delicious Cozy Pasta Recipes
If you are a lover of all things pasta and coziness and loved this Creamy Date Night Broccoli Alfredo Ravioli recipe then definitely add these to your must-make next list!
- Creamy Roasted Garlic Kale Pasta with Parmesan
- Simple Walnut Pesto Bucatini Pasta
- Creamy Garlic Butter Pasta w/ Roasted Cauliflower
- Creamy Garlic Tomato Conchiglioni Pasta
- Roasted Butternut Squash Pasta w/ Parmesan Garlic Sauce
- Parmesan Garlic Shrimp Scampi with Linguine
- Savory Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta
MADE OUR RECIPE(S)?
If you tried this Creamy Date Night Broccoli Alfredo Ravioli recipe or any other recipe on my website, please please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how you go in the 📝 comments below. I love hearing from you.
Creamy Date Night Broccoli Alfredo Ravioli
Ingredients
CREAMY RAVIOLI:
- 2 (8 oz.) packages organic cheese ravioli
- handful of organic broccolini or broccoli florets
- 1 tablespoon Extra virgin olive oil
- 1 Homemade Alfredo Sauce (You can make my Alfredo sauce using this recipe)
GARNISH:
- Freshly-grated parmesan
- Fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
COOK THE PASTA:
- Cook pasta according to packaging. NOTE: ravioli doesn’t take a long time to cook, usually 4-5 minutes, depending on brand.
SAUTE THE BROCCOLI:
- In a medium-skillet (10 inch) over medium-high heat, add the broccolini or broccoli and drizzle with the olive oil. Using a fork or tongs, toss around and sauté until broccoli becomes a darker green color and slightly charred, about 3-4 minutes or so. Remove from heat and set aside.
MAKE THE ALFREDO SAUCE:
- Once you make the Homemade Alfredo Sauce, continue to have the sauce simmer on low heat and add in the cooked ravioli (drained) and broccoli, stirring until sauce fully coats + sticks to both the pasta + broccoli. Serve immediately with your favorite garlic bread, rustic bread, or salad.
Tips & Tricks
- STORAGE: Any leftovers can be kept in a tightly sealed container and refrigerated for up to 3-4 days.
- PASTA: You can use long pastas like Pappardelle, Fettuccine, etc. however, I would recommend tossing with tongs to ensure that pasta is fully manageable and fully coated. Otherwise, other pastas such as Penne, Rigatoni, Paccheri, Orecchiette, etc. are perfect.
- GREENS: To add a bit more flavor to this dish besides broccoli, you can always feel free to add in your favorite greens such as spinach, kale, collards, or asparagus.
- MEAT OPTION: If you'd like to switch things up and aren't restrictive to non-meat, feel free to add chicken breasts, salmon, shrimp, or lobster to this pasta for extra decadence.
- GLUTEN-FREE: To make this dish GF, simply use Gluten-Free ravioli and see the Alfredo sauce recipe for GF option.
- VEGAN OPTION: To make this dish vegan, simply substitute the heavy cream with full-fat coconut milk, ensure that the ravioli is vegan-friendly, and the parmesan with vegan parmesan.
Nutrition
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