Lemon Butter Cheese Ravioli with Garlic Basil Breadcrumbs.
Lemon Butter Cheese Ravioli with Garlic Basil Breadcrumbs…truly THE best any night of the week dinner. Tossed in a lemon butter white wine pan sauce with spring asparagus and plenty of cheesy garlic breadcrumbs, this ravioli is delicious! Every bite is layered with delicious Italian flavors. When you’re in need of an easy, 30-minute dinner…make this ravioli!
When life hands you slightly wilted asparagus on its last leg, and a freezer full of ciabatta bread, you make cheese ravioli in a browned butter white wine pan sauce. Or at least that’s what I did, and it was surely one of my better decisions.
Guys, I’m telling you, this whole “avoid the grocery store” thing is working for me. It’s forcing me to get creative with the stockpile of ingredients that I have on hand. Don’t get me wrong, I can’t wait for the day when I can go back to my spur of the moment grocery store trips. But in an effort to see things in a positive way, I’m loving my new use what you got motto.
Case in point? This ravioli. I had one bunch of, on its last leg, asparagus that really needed to be used. Typically when it comes to asparagus, I roast it with a pat of butter and a little bit of lemon, just like my Nonnie used to do. Still,
I don’t often incorporate that method into many recipes. But then I got to thinking…pan-roasted asparagus with ravioli sounded pretty darn good.
I also knew I had two loaves of crusty ciabatta bread in my freezer. Naturally, breadcrumbs came to mind.
Lastly? Wine in the pantry? Obviously best used for a buttery white wine pan sauce. Yup, and there you go, I had my recipe all plotted out in my head…
Did you enjoy your quick glimpse into my brain? Just be happy it was quick…any longer and you’d be stressed.
The details on these lemon butter cheese ravioli…
Start with the ravioli. Mine are homemade because ravioli was something I didn’t have on hand. What I did have was flour, eggs, and cheese, so I made my own ravioli using my trusty stand mixer and ravioli attachment. It’s pretty easy but it does take time, so I’m telling you all to use your go-to store-bought ravioli.
Trust me, if I had a better store-bought option for cheese ravioli her in my mountain town, that’s what I’d be using. I recommend finding a simple cheese ravioli. Something with a tangy cheese filling like goat or gorgonzola would be delicious. But really just pick your favorite variety that you know you and your family will love.
Once you have your ravioli situation sorted out, make the breadcrumbs. You can use fresh breadcrumbs or store-bought Panko bread crumbs. Then simply add garlic, fresh or dried basil, and plenty of parmesan cheese. While breadcrumbs may seem like a simple addition, they add texture to the ravioli, and they taste just like your favorite garlic bread.
So. Very. Delicious.
Once the breadcrumbs are toasted, boil the ravioli, then move on to making the pan sauce.
First cook the asparagus in a little bit of olive oil. Then add the butter and brown. Next add plenty of fresh thyme, a touch of lemon, and a good splash of white wine. That’s the pan sauce…SO GOOD!
Now add the ravioli to the sauce, toss, and serve topped with the garlic basil breadcrumbs…does not get better, and so easy too.
And now the substitutions…
For the breadcrumbs, I took my frozen ciabatta bread and pulsed it in the food processor until it was a fine crumb. If you have day-old bread and a food processor, I would recommend taking the time to do this. It’s a five-minute step, but it’s flavor and texture are completely worth the extra effort. That said, good ole’ pantry friendly Panko breadcrumbs work amazingly well too, so use what’s best for you personally.
If you don’t have asparagus in the fridge, you can really use whatever quicker cooking vegetable you do have. Spinach, broccoli, kale, frozen peas, or even shredded brussels sprouts would all work, and all would be delicious.
And as always, you can swap the fresh herbs for dried. That always works wonderfully too!
To sum things up…
This recipe is all about the buttery white wine sauce, the asparagus, and those breadcrumbs.
The sauce is buttery, a touch lemony, and herby too. It’s my favorite (spring) combo.
Pan roasting the asparagus is a game-changer. The flavor stays intact, but the asparagus gets a little crisp on the edges…mmmm!
And the breadcrumbs? As I said, they taste like hints of garlic bread mixed with your ravioli. They add that garlicky, basily, salty touch that keeps everyone coming back for seconds.
Looking for some other ravioli ideas? Try these!
Brown Butter Brussels Sprout and Bacon Ravioli
Brown Butter Lobster Ravioli with Tomato Cream Sauce
Lastly, if you make this lemon butter cheese ravioli with garlic basil breadcrumbs, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Lemon Butter Cheese Ravioli with Garlic Basil Breadcrumbs.
When you’re in need of an easy, 30-minute dinner...make this ravioli!
Ingredients
- 6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs (see note)
- 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped or grated
- 3/4 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 3/4 cup fresh basil, finely chopped (or 3 tablespoons dried basil)
- 1 pound cheese ravioli homemade or store-bought
- 4 tablespoons salted butter
- 1 bunch asparagus, chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves (or 1 tablespoon dried thyme)
- zest and juice of 1 lemon
- 3/4 cup dry white wine (or low sodium broth)
- kosher salt and black pepper
- 1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes
Instructions
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1. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add 2 tablespoons olive oil, 2 cloves garlic, the breadcrumbs, and basil. Cook, stirring occasionally until the breadcrumbs are toasted all over, about 3 minutes. Add the cheese and cook another 2 minutes, until fried. Remove the breadcrumbs from the skillet. Season with salt and pepper. Set the breadcrumbs aside.
2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the ravioli according to package directions until al dente. Drain the ravioli.
3. Place the skillet back over medium heat. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil and the asparagus. Cook until tender, about 3-5 minutes. Add the butter, 1 clove garlic, the thyme, and lemon zest, and cook until the butter begins to brown, 3-4 minutes. Reduce the heat to low, add the wine and lemon juice. Season with salt, pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes. Simmer 2-3 minutes, until the sauce reduces slightly. Drop the ravioli into the sauce, gently tossing to combine.
4. Divide the ravioli between plates. Top with breadcrumbs and additional herbs, if desired. Enjoy!
Recipe Notes
To Make Fresh Breadcrumbs: Pulse torn bread in a food processor until roughly the size of peppercorns. I like to use ciabatta or crusty sourdough bread. If using fresh crumbs, toast them 3-4 minutes in the skillet first.
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Goat Cheese Ravioli
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups crumbled goat cheese
- 1/2 cup whole milk ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan
- black pepper
- 1 pound fresh pasta dough (or 40 wonton wrappers) (or 40 wonton wrappers)
Instructions
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1. In a medium bowl, mix the goat cheese, ricotta, parmesan, and season with salt and pepper.
2 Roll your pasta dough into lasagna sheets. Place 1 tablespoon of filling one inch apart over half the pasta sheets. Brush around the filling with water to moisten and then fold the sheet over the fillings, pressing down to seal. Cut into squares. Be sure to keep the ravioli covered as you work to prevent them from drying out. Repeat with remaining dough and filling. Alternately, you can make the ravioli in a ravioli press, or use this wonton wrapper method.
3. Freeze or use immediately as directed in recipe.
Our Favorite Recipes
Lemon Coconut Naked Cake with Whipped Vanilla Buttercream.
I really love your recipes and aesthetic! Can we get Easter Babka, Easter Kulich, Easter Paskha from you? It’s always great to try something new!
Thank you so much Inessa! I could try! xTieghan
what a delight these must be!!
Thank you! xTieghan
I want your ravioli recipe!
I hope you try it! Thank you Lori! xTieghan
Could you possibly share your cheese ravioli recipe for those of us who want to make it. I adore your recipes, and would love to make the fresh ravioli.
Hi Emily! I would suggest using a simple recipe with goat cheese for the filling! Please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Would you share your homemade ravioli recipe? Looks great!
Thank you Kel! xTieghan
May I ask what the ravioli attachment for a mixer looks like? I want to try making some from scratch, as my MIL gifted me some special flour for making pasta that I haven’t used yet. I have all these things on hand and hope to try this out before the asparagus goes bad!
Hi Tiffani! I will link a video below of the attachemnt! I hope you love this recipe! Please let me know how it turns out for you! xTieghan
How do you always come up with the most perfect recipe? I just need to go buy ravioli for this meal, I can’t wait to make this recipe for my family soon. Thank you so much for coming up with inspiring, easy recipes that don’t require lots of special ingredients!
You are too kind! I am so glad you like this one, and I hope it turns out amazing for you! Stay well! xTieghan
Ahh.. that looks incredibly yummm…
Thank you so much Arpita! xTieghan
Going to try this over the weekend. I’m going all in to make it over the top. Homemade ricotta ravioli. Can’t wait!
Thank you so much! I hope you love this! xTieghan
I’m inspired! My family and I just did a curb side pickup at a small store that makes homemade pasta/sauces etc and picked up pasta sheets for ravioli and also fresh ricotta for the filling. Looking forward to making something similar this weekend.
Amazing! I hope you love this recipe, Danielle! Thank you! xTieghan
Delicious ravioli recipe! Thanks for giving substitutions, that is always so helpful! Your recipes are all sooooo good! The whole family loves them! Hard to pick a favorite!!!
We made this for dinner tonight! It was soooo good and easy! I took some to my neighbor and before I even got home she texted me saying – omg heaven! We’ll definitely make it again!!!
Wow that is so amazing to hear! I am so glad you all enjoyed this one, Heather! Thank you! Stay well! xTieghan
you are a creative genius, I’m so impressed with the creativity in these recipes, Saturday is my day for all the stuff I can’t ordinarily eat, this recipe just move to the front of that line, thank you!
Thank you Sabrina! xTieghan
This sounds really good, can’t wait to make. I am looking forward to also making fresh ravioli and other pastas. Would you please provide your cheese ravioli recipe. So great that you are coming up with such amazing recipes with what you have on hand and pantry ingredients. Thank you for sharing such wonderful food and recipes with us!
Hi Lou! Yes, I will have to! I hope you love this recipe! xTieghan
If you were going to add a salad as a side what side would you suggest doing?
Hi Caitlin! I would suggest doing a simple salad as a side so you do not take away from the flavor of the dish! I hope you love this! xTieghan
I made this tonight with some changes, to use what I had on hand, I used fresh broccoli instead if asparagus as i was out of it. I also used trader joes goat cheese and sundried tomato ravioli (YUM). I did not have panko or crusty bread so I used seasoned breadcrumbs, they did the job, but I know using the panko would have really made the difference! Thanks!!
Hi Anne! I am so glad this recipe turned out so well for you! Thank you for trying it! xTieghan
This is such a bright and beautiful spring dish. We made this for our Sunday family dinner night, which always happens to be some pasta dish for us, and it was a crowd pleaser. The zest and thyme really makes this recipe pop! Next time I would really like to make this with homemade ravioli because there’s really nothing better than homemade pasta! Thanks. : )
Pasta night is the best! I am really glad you all enjoyed this Megan! Thank you for trying it! xTieghan
Making this tonight and so excited! The “3/4 wine” – assuming you mean 3/4cup? Thanks!
Hi Sabrina! Yes that is correct! I hope you love this recipe! xTieghan
Can’t thank you enough on this recipe !! I did use store bought ravioli (sorry!!) but the sauce and bread crumbs are beyond amazing. Super easy and enjoyable to make. Not a drop left over !! Thank you so much. Be safe .. we need you around !!!
Aw you are too kind! I am so glad this recipe turned out so well for you, Judi! xTieghan
I smiled at your “one bunch of, on its last leg, asparagus” reference having faced that sad bunch of asparagus I witnessed yesterday morning. I tried this delightful recipe last night and I am pleased to let you know that your recipe is now part of my “go to crowd pleasing fare”. My son was going to take a pass on dinner until he caught a whiff and a look at the end result. His best endorsement for my cooking is, “…it doesn’t matter the time of day…dinner, breakfast, middle of the night…this is a feast for all occasions…”
Thank you for sharing such a lovely recipe.
Oh wow that is so great to hear! It is so perfect for using up the last of the veggies! Thank you so much for trying this Darren! xTieghan
lemon butter cheese ravioli with garlic basil breadcrumbs: What a fabulous dinner. We ended up buying the raviolis from Whole Foods. They weren’t as wonderful as homemade, but they were delicious. As we cooked the brown butter, and added the other ingredients, the kitchen smelled wonderful. Making breadcrumbs and having the ‘toasted’ crunchy flavor added to the taste of the dish. My husband and. I could have eaten the entire dinner. Yummy!!! Thank you for yet again, another amazing recipe
Wow I am so glad you both loved this recipe, Monica! Thank you so much for trying this! xTieghan
Do you think a gnocchi would be a good dairy free and gluten free option?
Hi Meredith,
Yes gnocchi would be great with this recipe! I hope this helps, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Your recipe hit all the things I love and I could almost smell it while reading. I made it exactly as written, even down to the homemade breadcrumbs. I took a photo and then tried it. It was waaay too intense a combo of flavours. I couldn’t enjoy it, the family didn’t like it, and the leftovers reheated were worse. But. I also had about a 1/3 cup of unused whipping cream left over from Easter that needed to be used up, so…. I poured it into the leftovers and, lo and behold, the flavours sang and it was delicious without being overpowering. This was the first recipe I made of yours that wasn’t perfect in its original state. The cream addition was truly the only way to save it, though. Thanks so much for your inspiring recipes! I’ve been following you for years.
Hi Jane! I am sorry this did not turn out well for you. Please let me know if there are any questions I can help you with! I hope you continue to enjoy other recipes of mine! xTieghan
Fabulous!! The only change I made was to only use the juice of half a lemon. Love love love the homemade basil-parmesan-garlic breadcrumbs!
Thank you Bethany! xTieghan
I made this recipe last night without the asparagus bc we didn’t have it (boo, quarantine!). It was absolutely incredible! My husband and I devoured it with some fresh crusty bread and I will be having the leftovers for lunch. Quick and delicious. Thanks so much!
Thank you Jen! I am so glad this recipe turned out so well for you! xTieghan
This was an amazing recipe! What an excellent way to dress up the cheap cheese ravioli I had in my freezer! I loved your idea of goat cheese, so we sprinkled it over top of the dish for just a hint of creaminess. So good!
I grow Lemon Thyme in my herb garden (Thymus citriodorus), and if you haven’t tried it yet, you absolutely should! It is shockingly lemon-scented, but smooth and floral like regular time, and it goes especially well in beef dishes – it’s my secret ingredient in my brother’s favorite mushroom tater tot hotdish, and my signature steak marinade.
Wow I definitely need to try that! Thank you so much for making this, Kate! I’m glad this turned out so well for you! xTieghan
Such great flavor! This is an excellent recipe.
Thank you so much Zoe! xTieghan
I don’t like asparagus but HBH always posts a recipe each spring that prompts me to buy a bunch and give it a try. I still don’t love asparagus, but this recipe was just lovely. I am on a lemon butter kick recently (based on making another lemon butter recipe from another site). I ended up using a full package of frozen ravioli. The Parmesan breadcrumbs are really what made this recipe for me. I accidentally scorched the breadcrumbs so I had to start over, but it was so good. If you are thinking about skipping the breadcrumbs, don’t. They are what take this dish to the next level. Another restaurant worthy pasta recipe from Teighan.
That is so amazing!! I am so glad this recipe turned out so well for you, Rachel! Thank you so much for trying this one! I hope you continue to enjoy others as well! xTieghan
Made this last night and it was the most delicious thing I have ever tasted! I just recently discovered your blog and I’m obsessed! You are so creative and have amazing recipes and ideas. Trying your crock pot carve asade tacos tonight!
Thank you so much Sarah! xTieghan
Another simple and delicious recipe. The fresh herbs and lemon really elevate the dish and the crunch of the breadcrumbs takes the recipe to another level. So good!
Thank you so much Ann!! I am really happy to hear that this turned out so wonderful for you! xTieghan
Yum! I made this for my little family, plus my mom and sister had some and everyone was raving. It was so easy but so fancy and delicious at the same time!
Thank you so much Camille! xTieghan
I made this and substituted the asparagus for mushrooms because that’s what I had and it worked perfectly and was so delicious, I will definitely be making this again instead of just using a can of red sauce with my ravioli. So good.
Yes!! I am so glad this turned out so well for you, Julia! xTieghan
This was a great and easy recipe that looks like a professional meal but fast enough for a weeknight.
I adjusted the recipe down.to four people, and felt like there were twice as many breadcrumbs as needed.
We have our own lemon tree, so I suspect my lemon was larger than what you used, as the sauce was puckering. We are a lemon loving family, but I made a note to use half the lemon juice next time.
Thank you for a great new addition to our meal playlist!
Thank you Kathleen!! xTieghan
Yet another keeper recipe from you! I made it as written except that my breadcrumbs stuck together after adding the cheese so I gave them a whirl in the food processor. It was easy and delicious! I love how the crumbs add flavor and texture. If you wanted to add a protein to it sometime, what would you choose? prosciutto? Pancetta? Thanks for sharing this recipe!
Hi Karen,
I am so glad you enjoyed this recipe! I think prosciutto or pancetta would be great with this dish or even sausage. I hope this helps! xTieghan
This was outstanding with the homemade ricotta ravioli. Pain in the tush, but worth the effort. Breadcrumbs are amazing. I put them on tons of stuff (when I’m not just snacking on them). Tomorrow I’m going to use it for a dredge coating with chicken Parmesan. I’m betting that will be really fabu.
Thank you so much K! I am really glad this turned out so well for you! xTieghan
I made the lemon butter sauce and garlic basil breadcrumbs from this recipe and paired it with my own 5 cheese ravioli (A recipe I got while taking a cooking class in Rome). Both the sauce & breadcrumbs were delicious and the perfect accompaniment to the ravioli. The recipe is a keeper 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
Yes!! So glad you loved this one, Amy!! Thank you! xTieghan
The breadcrumbs really make a diff with (what can be) drab store bought ravioli. The sauce was delicate yet flavorful, I used some leftover beef broth that I had. I hardly like asparagus, but def enjoyed with this dish!
I am really glad this turned out so well for you, Thy Le! Thank you for trying it! xTieghan
Absolutely delicious! I used a package of Ricotta Ravioli and Goat Cheese Ravioli for Trader Joes and brussels sprouts. YUM!!!
Thank you so much Sarah! xTieghan
So, so good. It was a simple and quick dinner and after a long day really nice. The breadcrumbs were a nice bit of crunch that I enjoyed way more than I thought I would. Although I’ve never had a bad recipe from here so I’m not surprised.
Hi Samantha! I am really glad this recipe turned out so well for you! Thank you for trying this one! xTieghan
Tieghan, I’d love your homemade ravioli recipe from this dinner! (Step-by-step!) We’re beginners here…just got the kitchen aid attachment! Our first try at the dough wasn’t good!
Hey Sarah,
This is the recipe I use for my homemade pasta dough:
https://dev.halfbakedharvest.com/extra-cheesy-classic-homemade-lasagna/#bo-recipe
I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Phenomenal! Will definitely make it again.
Hey Elizabeth,
So great to hear! Love that this recipe was enjoyed and thanks so much for making it! Have a great week🌟 xTieghan
Hi is there a substitution for wine?
Hey Shemna,
You could use broth in place of the wine. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan