Ravioli With Tomato And Cheese: Recipe & Wine Pairing Guide

Introduction

Few meals embody comfort and sophistication like Ravioli With Tomato And Cheese, a dish that bridges rustic Italian tradition with the adventurous spirit of American home cooking. Whether it's a cozy Tuesday night or a celebratory weekend dinner, this recipe delivers both ease and elegance. But what truly elevates the experience is choosing the right wine pairing—unlocking flavors, textures, and aromas that make every bite memorable. In this post, you'll discover not only a step-by-step recipe, but also expert wine recommendations and serving tips to help you create the perfect match for your next meal.

About This Dish

Ravioli With Tomato And Cheese sits at the crossroads of Italian heritage and American culinary creativity. While ravioli traces its roots to Northern Italy, its popularity in the United States has soared thanks to its adaptability and crowd-pleasing nature. In this recipe, plump ricotta-and-spinach-filled ravioli are bathed in a creamy tomato sauce, enriched with Parmesan and fresh basil. The result is a dish that’s both familiar and surprising: the salty, umami-rich cheese filling complements the brightness of ripe cherry tomatoes, while the silky sauce ties everything together.

For American home cooks and food enthusiasts, ravioli is more than just comfort food—it's a canvas for culinary exploration. This version is approachable, requiring no special equipment or advanced skills, and the ingredients are readily available at grocery stores across the U.S. Ravioli With Tomato And Cheese also offers incredible wine pairing potential, making it a favorite for those eager to deepen their appreciation for food and wine together.

Key Ingredients & Their Role

The magic of this dish lies in the interplay of a few high-quality ingredients:

Fresh Ravioli (Ricotta & Spinach): The creamy ricotta provides a rich, salty foundation, while spinach brings earthy undertones. Their mild flavor profile makes them adaptable to a wide range of wine pairings, from crisp whites to light reds.
Cherry Tomatoes: Bursting with natural sweetness and acidity, cherry tomatoes cut through the richness of the cheese and cream, providing freshness and a pop of color. Their acidity is key when considering wine pairing—wines with higher acidity will complement and echo these bright tomato notes.
Heavy Cream: Adds luxurious body to the sauce, mellowing the tomato’s tang and making the dish feel indulgent. Creamy components pair beautifully with wines that have good acidity to balance the richness.
Parmesan Cheese: Intensifies the umami and saltiness, bringing depth and a savory finish. Parmesan’s nutty notes interact well with both red and white wines—especially those with a touch of oak or minerality.
Olive Oil & Butter: These fats unify the sauce, carry flavor, and add silkiness. Wines with refreshing acidity or moderate tannins help cleanse the palate between bites.
Garlic & Basil: Garlic provides a fragrant backbone, while basil lends herbal brightness. These aromatics can accentuate similar herbal or floral notes in your chosen wine.

When selecting a wine for Ravioli With Tomato And Cheese, you’ll want to consider the dish’s salty, umami, and creamy elements, as well as the fresh acidity from the tomatoes. The best wine pairings will highlight these flavors without overwhelming them, creating a harmonious dining experience.

Recipe

Ingredients:

500g Fresh ravioli (filled with ricotta and spinach)
300g Cherry tomatoes
1 cup Heavy cream
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese (finely grated)
2 tbsp Olive oil
2 tbsp Unsalted butter
6 leaves Fresh basil leaves
2 Garlic cloves (minced)
To taste Salt
To taste Black pepper (freshly ground)

Instructions:

Prepare the mise-en-place: Halve the cherry tomatoes, finely mince the garlic, and finely grate the Parmesan cheese.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil for the ravioli.
In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat, then add the cherry tomatoes. Sauté the tomatoes for 5 minutes or until they slightly soften.
Add the minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for an additional 2 minutes until fragrant.
Pour the heavy cream into the skillet and stir until combined. Lower the heat and let it simmer gently for 5 minutes.
Add the Parmesan cheese to the sauce, stirring continuously until it melts and the sauce thickens. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
Cook the ravioli in the boiling water according to the package instructions (usually 3-4 minutes) until al dente. Reserve 1/4 cup of the pasta water before draining.
Add the cooked ravioli to the skillet with the sauce, tossing gently to coat. If the sauce is too thick, add a small amount of reserved pasta water to loosen it.
Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the unsalted butter for extra richness. Adjust seasoning if necessary.
Plate the ravioli elegantly on four dishes, ensure each plate has an even distribution of sauce and tomatoes. Garnish with fresh basil leaves and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.
Serve immediately for best flavor and presentation.

Nutrition Facts (per serving):

Calories: 550 kcal
Protein: 18.0g
Fat: 25.0g
Carbohydrates: 60.0g
Salt: 1.5g

Dietary Information: Contains gluten, Contains dairy, Nut-free

Perfect Wine Pairings

The right wine pairing will elevate Ravioli With Tomato And Cheese from a satisfying meal to an unforgettable experience. The trick is to find wines that balance the dish’s richness, complement the acidity of the tomatoes, and enhance the savory cheese.

What to Look For in a Wine for Ravioli With Tomato And Cheese

Medium body: Too light and the wine is overwhelmed; too heavy and it dominates the dish.
Bright acidity: Matches the tomato’s tang and cuts through the cream.
Moderate tannins: Gentle tannins play well with cheese and creamy sauces, while big, bold reds can clash with tomato’s acidity.
Aromatic complexity: Wines with herbal, floral, or subtle oak notes echo the basil and Parmesan.

Top Wine Recommendations

California Pinot Noir

A classic wine pairing for tomato-based pasta, California Pinot Noir (look for bottles from Sonoma or Santa Barbara, $18-30 at Total Wine or Trader Joe's) has lively red fruit, bright acidity, and subtle earthiness. Its gentle tannins and vibrant cherry notes complement both the tomato and the creamy cheese, making it a near-perfect match.

Italian Chianti Classico

This Sangiovese-based wine (find at BevMo or local shops, $15-25) brings high acidity, cherry and plum flavors, and a savory herbal edge. Chianti’s structure stands up to tomato’s tang while harmonizing with Parmesan’s umami.

Oregon Pinot Gris

For a white wine recommendation, try a crisp Oregon Pinot Gris (typically $16-22 at Total Wine or Trader Joe's). Its zesty acidity, green apple, and pear notes cut through the richness of the sauce, while its minerality echoes the cheese’s salty character.

Spanish Garnacha (Grenache)

A juicy, fruit-forward Garnacha (widely available, $15-20) offers soft tannins and a hint of spice, which pairs nicely with garlic and basil. The wine’s plush texture and berry flavors make it a crowd-pleasing red for this creamy pasta.

French Chardonnay (Unoaked)

If you prefer white wine, seek out an unoaked Chardonnay from Burgundy or California ($18-28), with vibrant citrus, stone fruit, and a clean finish. Its acidity refreshes the palate, while subtle savory notes team up with the cheese and cream.

Where to Buy

You can find excellent bottles at major U.S. wine retailers like Total Wine, Trader Joe’s, and BevMo, as well as local wine shops and larger grocery stores. Most recommended wines fall in the $15-30 range, offering great value and accessibility for American wine lovers. For more personalized suggestions, try using Vinomat—the app makes discovering your perfect match effortless and fun.

Cooking Tips & Techniques

Use fresh ravioli: Seek out fresh, high-quality ravioli in the refrigerated section for the best texture and flavor. Ricotta-spinach is classic, but other cheese fillings work well too.
Don’t overcook the ravioli: Ravioli cooks quickly (usually 3-4 minutes). Overcooking can lead to bursting or mushy pasta—check for al dente by gently pressing a raviolo with a spoon.
Reserve pasta water: The starchy cooking water helps adjust sauce consistency and encourages the sauce to cling to the pasta, creating a silky finish.
Balance the sauce: If your sauce is too thick after adding the cream and cheese, thin it with a bit of reserved pasta water. If it’s too thin, let it simmer a minute longer.
Season thoughtfully: Parmesan is salty—taste the sauce before adding extra salt. Freshly ground black pepper adds subtle heat and complexity.
Finish with fresh basil: Add basil just before serving to preserve its bright, aromatic qualities.
Presentation matters: Plate the ravioli gently to keep them intact and garnish with extra Parmesan and basil for visual appeal.

Serving Suggestions

To create an inviting dining experience, present the ravioli on warm, shallow bowls or plates to keep the dish at peak temperature. Garnish each plate with a few whole basil leaves and a generous sprinkle of finely grated Parmesan. For a restaurant-worthy touch, drizzle a few drops of quality olive oil over the top.

Pair the meal with a fresh green salad—think arugula with lemon vinaigrette—or roasted seasonal vegetables for color and crunch. Serve with a crusty baguette or garlic bread to soak up any extra sauce. Set the table with your chosen wine pairing, using proper glassware for red or white as appropriate. Soft candlelight and good company transform this simple meal into a special occasion.

Conclusion

Ravioli With Tomato And Cheese is more than a classic—it’s a canvas for flavor, comfort, and connection. By exploring wine pairing and embracing expert tips, you can elevate a weeknight dinner into a memorable culinary adventure. Whether you pick up your wine at Total Wine, Trader Joe's, BevMo, or your favorite local shop, let Vinomat guide you to the perfect match. Gather your ingredients, uncork your bottle, and savor the harmony of food and wine at your table.