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Olive Garden-Inspired Ravioli Carbonara


  • Author: Olivia
  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale

For the Ravioli:

  • 1 (20-ounce) package cheese-filled ravioli (fresh or frozen)
  • 1 teaspoon salt (for boiling water)

For the Carbonara Sauce:

  • 4 ounces pancetta or bacon, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • ½ cup whole milk (or more cream for extra richness)
  • ½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
  • 2 large egg yolks, whisked
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

For Garnish:

  • ¼ cup extra Parmesan cheese, grated
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
  • Cracked black pepper, to taste

Instructions

Step 1: Cook the Ravioli

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
  • Add ravioli and cook according to the package instructions (usually 3-5 minutes for fresh, 8-10 minutes for frozen).
  • Reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain the ravioli and set aside.

Step 2: Cook the Pancetta or Bacon

  • In a large skillet over medium heat, cook diced pancetta or bacon until crispy (about 4-5 minutes).
  • Remove the pancetta from the pan and place it on a paper towel-lined plate.
  • Leave about 1 tablespoon of bacon fat in the pan for added flavor.

Step 3: Make the Carbonara Sauce

  • In the same skillet, melt butter and add minced garlic. Sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  • Lower the heat to medium-low and pour in the heavy cream and whole milk. Stir gently and let it warm up for 2-3 minutes.
  • Whisk in the Parmesan cheese, black pepper, and salt until the cheese melts completely.
  • In a separate bowl, whisk the egg yolks. Slowly add a few tablespoons of the warm sauce to the yolks while whisking (this prevents scrambling).
  • Slowly pour the tempered egg yolk mixture back into the skillet while stirring constantly.
  • Cook for another 2 minutes, stirring continuously, until the sauce thickens slightly.

Step 4: Combine Everything

  • Add the cooked ravioli to the skillet and toss gently to coat in the creamy sauce.
  • Stir in the crispy pancetta or bacon and mix well.
  • If the sauce is too thick, add a little reserved pasta water to loosen it up.

Step 5: Garnish and Serve

  • Sprinkle with extra Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley.
  • Add freshly cracked black pepper for a little extra spice.
  • Serve immediately and enjoy your homemade Olive Garden-inspired Ravioli Carbonara!
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 plate of ravioli carbonara
  • Calories: 620
  • Sugar: 3g
  • Fat: 36g
  • Carbohydrates: 52g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 22g