Toasted Cheese Ravioli with Pizza Sauce Recipe

Sometimes the best food comes from taking something classic and flipping it on its head. Enter: Toasted Cheese Ravioli. This isn’t your nonna’s ravioli. We’re taking soft, cheese-filled pasta, giving it a crispy golden shell, and turning it into an irresistible finger food. Dip it in warm, garlicky pizza sauce, and you’ve got a dish that crushes the appetizer game or doubles as a fun main dish.

St. Louis made toasted ravioli famous, but we’re adding our own twist. This version keeps it meat-free but full of bold flavor. Each ravioli is coated in a seasoned breadcrumb crust, pan-fried to perfection, and served with a rich, herbed pizza sauce. Crunchy on the outside, melty in the middle — the texture contrast is pure bliss.

It’s perfect for serving at parties, during game night, or anytime you need a crowd-pleaser. Kids love them, and adults can’t stop at one. The best part? You can make them ahead and reheat in the oven or air fryer, and they stay crispy.

This recipe uses refrigerated or frozen cheese ravioli, so there’s no need to make pasta from scratch. It’s approachable and fast, but still delivers serious flavor. The breadcrumb coating is seasoned with garlic powder, Italian herbs, and a touch of Parmesan for an extra punch.

The pizza sauce? That’s where the magic comes in. Instead of plain marinara, we boost the flavor with garlic, crushed red pepper, and dried oregano. It’s bold, tangy, and perfect for dipping.

You can switch up the sauce, too. Try pesto, alfredo, or even buffalo ranch if you’re feeling adventurous. But honestly, once you try the pizza sauce, you may not want to change a thing.

This dish hits that sweet spot of nostalgic comfort food and crunchy, craveable snack. It’s great for feeding a group or elevating a casual dinner. And because you can prep everything ahead of time, it’s ideal for stress-free entertaining.

Pair it with a crisp salad or roasted veggies and you’ve got a complete meal. Or line them up on a platter for your next potluck or Super Bowl party. However you serve them, they’re always a hit.

You don’t need deep frying here either. A shallow fry in a pan with a bit of oil gets the job done and keeps it manageable for home cooks.

And if you’re cooking with kids? Let them help with the breading – it’s messy, fun, and makes them more likely to try it. Everyone wins.

This is the kind of recipe that feels like a treat but doesn’t take a ton of time or effort. Easy, cheesy, crispy goodness with big flavor payoff.

Servings: 4 (as appetizer) or 2 (as main)
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients:

For the Ravioli:

• 1 (9 oz) package refrigerated or frozen cheese ravioli (thawed if frozen)
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• 1 cup Italian-style breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
• Neutral oil for frying (vegetable or canola)

For the Pizza Sauce:

• 1 cup canned crushed tomatoes
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 tsp dried oregano
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Set up a breading station: place flour in one bowl, beaten eggs in another, and mix breadcrumbs, Parmesan, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning in a third.
2. Dip each ravioli in flour, then egg, then breadcrumb mixture. Press to coat well.
3. Heat 1/2 inch oil in a skillet over medium heat. When hot, fry ravioli in batches for 2-3 minutes per side, until golden brown. Drain on paper towels.
4. For the sauce: In a small saucepan, heat olive oil over medium. Add garlic and cook 1 minute. Stir in crushed tomatoes, oregano, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes.
5. Serve ravioli hot with warm pizza sauce for dipping.

Tips:

• Use panko for extra crunch.
• Air fry instead of pan-frying for a lighter version (400°F for 8 minutes).
• Try different fillings: spinach-ricotta or mushroom ravioli work well.
• Double the batch and freeze extras after breading for easy future meals.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe:

• It turns ravioli into a crispy, cheesy snack.
• Perfect for dipping and sharing.
• Customizable with different fillings and sauces.
• No fancy equipment needed.

Toasted Cheese Ravioli with Pizza Sauce is the ultimate crispy comfort food. Coated in seasoned breadcrumbs and pan-fried to golden perfection, each bite is a crunchy, cheesy delight. Served with bold pizza sauce, it’s a fun twist on a classic pasta dish that’s ready in just 30 minutes.