Ravioli Simple Tomato Basil (Printable Version)

Tender cheese ravioli in vibrant tomato-basil sauce, ready in 20 minutes. Perfect weeknight comfort food.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 18 oz fresh or refrigerated cheese ravioli

→ Sauce

02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
04 - 1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes
05 - 1 teaspoon sugar
06 - Salt and black pepper, to taste
07 - ½ teaspoon dried oregano
08 - ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
09 - 1 small bunch fresh basil, chopped

→ Garnish

10 - ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
11 - Extra basil leaves, for serving

# How to Make It:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté 30 seconds, until fragrant.
03 - Stir in crushed tomatoes, sugar, oregano, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened.
04 - Add ravioli to the boiling water and cook according to package instructions (typically 3–4 minutes), until they float to the surface. Drain gently.
05 - Add chopped basil to the sauce, then fold in the drained ravioli, tossing gently to coat. Serve immediately, topped with grated Parmesan and extra basil.

# Expert Insights:

01 -
  • It comes together in 20 minutes flat but tastes like it simmered all afternoon
  • The sauce is versatile enough that you probably have everything you need right now
02 -
  • Fresh ravioli goes from perfect to mushy fast, so watch it like a hawk once it floats
  • The sauce will look thin at first but thickens beautifully as it simmers
03 -
  • Taste your sauce before adding the ravioli, adjusting salt or sugar as needed
  • Grate your Parmesan fresh from a block instead of using pre-grated cheese