How to Cook Fresh or Frozen Ravioli Pasta (Instructions)- Ever wondered how they cook the perfect ravioli in Italy? Here are all the secrets with instructions so you can do it at home the next time you make homemade ravioli, or get some from the grocery store!
Making homemade ravioli is a labor of love. It is essential to cook them correctly so all your hard work doesn't go to waste.
Here is a guide for How Long to Boil Spaghetti (pasta)- Perfect Every Time that may also interest you!
If you've ever wanted to make homemade ravioli make to sure to read: How to Make Homemade Ravioli- Italian Recipe. This is a treasure family recipe.
Jump to:
- How to boil fresh ravioli (instructions)
- Does ravioli float when it is done?
- Why is my ravioli floating immediately?
- How do you boil ravioli without breaking it?
- How do you know if ravioli is overcooked?
- How long do you boil homemade pasta?
- Video- How to cook fresh ravioli
- Can you saute ravioli instead of boiling?
- How long do you cook Rana ravioli (frozen ravioli)?
- Should you thaw frozen ravioli before cooking?
- How long does uncooked ravioli last in the fridge?
- How do you properly freeze fresh ravioli?
- Equipment
- Cooking Ravioli FAQ's
How to boil fresh ravioli (instructions)
Boiling cheesy filled pasta correctly makes a huge difference in the final outcome of your pasta dish. Generally, fresh pasta cooks very quickly.
Best method for cooking spaghetti pasta:
- Start with a large pot of COLD water. Hot water from the tap often contains added minerals that can damage pots and alter taste.
- Typically: 4 quarts water, 2 tablespoons salt, and 1 pound of pasta
- Use a large pot (this is the one I use) to boil water and cook ravioli. This allows movement for the stuffed pasta (still good rule of thumb for short pasta)
- Make sure you have plenty of water in the pot.
- Salt the water. This is an Italian MUST to flavor the pasta from the inside out.
- Bring the water to a full boil, or rolling boil, before adding the fresh ravioli (or uncooked ravioli).
- Do NOT add olive oil to the water when cooking pasta.
- Stir occasionally with the proper utensil to keep the pasta from sticking.
- gently stir the ravioli so they don't break.
- As soon as the ravioli float to the top of the water- taste test the ravioli to make sure they are “al dente” before draining.
- Save a scoop of pasta water. Another Italian secret!
- Remove ravioli with a slotted spoon, add to a thin layer of sauce (add more on top), and serve immediately.
This is the best way to achieve perfectly cooked ravioli every time!
Does ravioli float when it is done?
As a general rule, yes, ravioli does float to the top when it is done cooking. Ravioli will float to the top when cooked so be careful not to overcrowd the pot.
Lift the ravioli from water with a large strainer or slotted spoon. Add to the bottom of baking pan prepared with sauce and top with cheese and even fresh parsley or basil.
Why is my ravioli floating immediately?
This generally happens with frozen ravioli. Frozen ravioli is denser than water, so it sinks. When ravioli cooks, its density decreases, which causes it to float on top of the water. When the food in a pot of water is less dense than the water, it floats.
Make sure to set a timer so you can judge if they started floating before they are actually finished! It may still need a couple of minutes.
How do you boil ravioli without breaking it?
The best advice for not breaking ravioli is stir gently with the proper pasta cooking tool. The more you vigorously stir the delicate pasta the easier it will break.
Another factor in ravioli pasta breaking is overcooking it. Once the ravioli are overcooked they become mushy and it is easy for them to fall apart, break, or bust open for the filling to end up in the water- yuck! You want to achieve perfect al dente pasta.
TIP: when cooking frozen ravioli do not break them apart if they are frozen and stuck together; they will naturally come apart during cooking.
How do you know if ravioli is overcooked?
If the ravioli begins to look bloated, or begins to come apart, then it may be slightly overcooked If the ravioli is still at all cold or frozen, keep cooking.
How long do you boil homemade pasta?
If you are making Authentic Homemade Pappardelle Pasta Recipe the same general rules apply- it doesn't take long to boil fresh pasta. It is different than dried pasta that takes longer to cook.
Homemade pasta typically takes minutes to cook after it hits the large pot of salted water.
For all the tips on homemade pasta dough follow my recipe and achieve the best pasta every single time! You can't beat these fresh pasta noodles!
Video- How to cook fresh ravioli
Cook the ravioli in salted boiling water for 3 to 4 minutes. then drain and toss with your favorite sauce. My favorite pasta sauce- homemade tomato sauce (marinara sauce). The same method applies to frozen ravioli (the cook time will increase by about 2-3 minutes).
Add a layer of sauce on the bottom of a baking pan, layer with uncooked ravioli and then spoon a little more sauce on top.
Can you saute ravioli instead of boiling?
Some may say you can actually cook fresh ravioli with just a pan and sauce, but as you know Italians (including myself) are not fans of "one pot pasta meals".
Since fresh pasta takes minutes to boil it is worth getting the al dente taste and texture by taking the extra step of boiling them in water.
Feeling hungry? Try this great way to enjoy ravioli: Easy Ravioli Piccata with Mushrooms and Asparagus.
How long do you cook Rana ravioli (frozen ravioli)?
Follow the general rules in the "how to boil ravioli instructions" at the beginning of this post. Do not separate uncooked pasta if it sticks together; it will naturally separate while cooking. Make sure you stir ravioli a few times during cooking.
Cook for about 3 minutes and drain. Add 1 minute for a softer bite. Toss with a tasty sauce such as- Brown Butter Basil Pasta Recipe- (Video), and top with mozzarella cheese or parmesan (parmigiano cheese).
Here is why I prefer to grate my own cheese: TOP 5 Reasons Why You Should Grate Your Own Cheese.
Need a quick pasta dinner? Try this recipe: BEST Lobster Ravioli Sauce with Lemon Brown Butter
Video- Lobster ravioli lemon brown butter sauce
Should you thaw frozen ravioli before cooking?
You do not need to thaw frozen ravioli. Whether you made ravioli from scratch and froze it, or bought frozen ravioli from the grocery store you should not freeze it before boiling and cooking.
If you thaw frozen ravioli shells before cooking it the pasta will get mushy from the extra liquid acquired in the thawing process.
If you made homemade ravioli and froze the leftovers, you don’t need to thaw it before cooking. Boil it a little longer, about six-ten minutes total.
See boiling instructions on package as cheese ravioli and meat ravioli may vary in cooking times. Some ravioli may take longer while others will cook in less time.
How long does uncooked ravioli last in the fridge?
This information apply's to fresh ravioli that is in an unopened package.
Unopened fresh ravioli may be kept refrigerated for about 2 to 3 days after the “sell-by” date on the package if it has been properly stored. If the package is open and touched the open air that will change the freshness.
How do you properly freeze fresh ravioli?
A good technique is to - sprinkle the ravioli with semolina flour. Lay them flat on cookie sheet in an even layer and freeze. Once they are frozen transfer them to a freezer safe bag. Store up to 2 months.
Don't forget to learn how to make ravioli on your own! They taste amazing: How to Make Homemade Ravioli- Italian Recipe. These ones have my favorite spinach and ricotta cheese filling!
Equipment
Here are my favorite tools:
- Slotted spoon- this is helpful when transferring the cooked ravioli to a pan with sauce, or transfer to a strainer.
- Use a large pot this will prevent the ravioli from sticking together when cooking.
- Stir occasionally with the proper utensil to keep the pasta from sticking.
*this post contains affiliate amazon links.
Cooking Ravioli FAQ's
Ravioli is always best fresh! If you are storing leftovers, or not going to eat them right away, toss in your favorite sauce before storing. This will stop the ravioli from sticking together. Wait for the ravioli to cool, then place them in shallow airtight containers and store in the fridge. Consume within 2-3 days.
Add a little water to a microwave safe container or bowl. Add your leftover pasta. Heat for 30-60 seconds, remove, stir well, add a little extra sauce, heat again, and repeat until well heated. The steam from the water will revive your pasta and give you a more even heating. Heating in segments and stirring often will cook the leftover pasta evenly.
The sealing process is key to bursting. Press around each mound to seal, then press outward toward edges, pushing out any air pockets. Getting the air out of the ravioli when you seal it is IMPORTANT, otherwise it might burst in the water or cook unevenly. See recipe for more. 
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