How Many Ravioli Per Person?
Ravioli is a type of stuffed pasta that resembles a dumpling and is served with ragù sauce or broth. There are many varieties of ravioli that include cheese ravioli, filled ravioli, baked ravioli, mushroom ravioli, and ravioli giganti.
They can vary in size, from very small to very big, depending on how big they have been rolled out and what they are filled with.
The issue with them is that people often get confused regarding their serving size and end up serving too little or too much ravioli per person.
Luckily, there are some basic techniques to help you determine how much ravioli to cook for each individual so that it doesn’t end up going to waste or leave you unsatiated.
So, how many ravioli should you make per person? Generally speaking, you should make 5-6 normal-sized ravioli per person, but this number depends on several factors such as the size and type of ravioli and the appetite of the people in question.
Read on for a detailed guideline to help you determine the number of ravioli for various numbers of people, including larger ravioli, smaller ravioli, tortellini, and more!
How Is Ravioli Made?
Ravioli is a type of pasta that hails from Italy, specifically Northern Italy, and consists of a wrapping made using egg pasta that is then stuffed with meat, cheese, and vegetables.
They are made by rolling out a thin, almost transparent sheet of pasta, either by hand using a rolling pin or using a pasta machine, and can be homemade as well as commercially produced.
They can either be served with light butter sauces with sage, cheese, cream, tomatoes, or in a rich meat broth.
Guidelines For Ravioli Serving Size
While 5-6 regular-sized ravioli should be enough per person, the right serving size depends on several factors.
These include the size of the ravioli, the filling, the type of ravioli you are cooking, whether it is the main course or side dish, and the appetite of the people you are serving.
As a general rule, if you are unsure, it is always better to overestimate and make some extra ravioli rather than ending up with a ravioli shortage since there are several easy ways to store them for later use.
The next time you make ravioli, you need to keep a few things in mind so that you can make an informed decision about the serving size. Also, don’t be afraid to make some extra pieces in case your guests want to go for a second helping.
Here is a breakdown of the different types of pasta and their average serving per person:
| Pasta Type | Serving Per Person |
|---|---|
| Dried Pasta | 3-4 oz |
| Fresh Pasta | 4-5 oz |
| Filled Pasta (like ravioli, cappelletti, or tortellini) | 6-7 oz |
Ravioli Size
Ravioli come in several different shapes and sizes, with square-shaped and circle-shaped ravioli being the most common.
You can either get them from the supermarket or make them yourself at home using ravioli wheels, stamps or cutters, and ravioli makers.
These shapes can range from small 1-inch ravioli to much larger ones that are almost 2.5-inches big.
Giant ravioli, also called ravioli giganti, is the size of 10 regular ravioli, which means that even one should be more than enough for a person.
The amount of filling that goes into a regular-sized ravioli is usually 1 teaspoon. However, it will depend on the size of the ravioli, with bigger ones requiring more filling.
As is obvious, larger ravioli is heavier and more fulfilling, which means that a smaller serving size would be required as compared to smaller ravioli.
Ravioli Filling
Typically stuffed with meat, ricotta cheese, and vegetables, when it comes to ravioli fillings, the sky is the limit, especially when you are preparing them at home!
Ground meat, mushrooms, ricotta, spinach, herbs, and even lobster make some delicious homemade ravioli fillings, and there are no restrictions to what you can or cannot stuff ravioli with.
You can create flavorful combinations with your choice of sauces, whether they are tomato, wine, or cream-based, or include a rich broth.
That being said, the heavier the filling of the ravioli, the less the serving size will be.
Most people won’t be able to eat a lot of ravioli filled with meat and cheese served with a cream-based sauce, as compared to one made with a simple filling and served with a light sauce.
Side Dishes
Ravioli is a rich and delicious pasta dish that is truly a godsend, and although it tastes pretty good on its own, its taste can be elevated with a wide array of sauces and side dishes.
If you are serving only ravioli as the main dish, with no accompanying side dishes, you need to pay attention to its quantity and serving size since all the focus will be on the ravioli, being the only thing to eat on the table.
However, if you choose to serve it with sides, depending on the type of side dish you choose, the serving size might come down from 5-6 ravioli per person to maybe 3-4.
Some popular side dishes to serve with ravioli include roasted vegetables, spring salad, Caesar salad, broccoli rabe, Cipollini onions, prosciutto-wrapped asparagus, and green beans.
Appetite
In addition to all the factors mentioned above, the right serving size for ravioli will depend mainly on the appetite of the people in question and how hungry they are.
As a host, you should have an idea about your guests’ appetite and how much you expect them to eat.
For instance, a group of teenagers coming straight from a basketball game will, for obvious reasons, require more ravioli than adults who are watching their diet or just had a few drinks.
If you’re expecting to serve kids, it is best to count them as ½ a person instead of one since they eat about half of the regular adult serving size.
Related Questions
Now that you know how much ravioli you should make per person and some of the most important factors to consider when deciding the amount, here are a few additional questions we thought you might have!
How long does cooked leftover ravioli last in the fridge?
For times when you mess up the calculation and end up with more ravioli than you can finish, you can always keep it in the fridge.
If stored properly in an airtight container and within 2 hours of cooking it, it should last around 3-5 days in the refrigerator.
How long can you leave cooked ravioli at room temperature?
As with any other type of cooked food, it is not advisable to leave cooked ravioli at room temperature for long periods of time.
Since it is considered a perishable food item, it shouldn’t be left in the temperature danger zone (between 40°F and 140°F) for longer than 2 hours.
Can you freeze cooked ravioli?
If you have a big batch of leftover ravioli that you wish to preserve for a long time, it is best to freeze it.
Although you can freeze ravioli for an indefinite time, the longest time that it can retain its quality depends on the contents of the ravioli, with sauce-based ravioli freezing better than dry ravioli that becomes mushy when thawed.
On average, you can freeze ravioli for 1-2 months without compromising its quality. Any longer than that and you risk ruining its taste and texture.
How do you freeze cooked ravioli?
When freezing ravioli with a sauce, all you have to do is transfer the ravioli and sauce into an airtight container or freezer-safe bag and place it in the freezer.
For dry ravioli, you need to first place them on a baking tray lined with a single layer of parchment paper and freeze them this way for about 30 minutes, or until they are frozen solid.
Once frozen, transfer them into an airtight container or bag and put them in the freezer.
Make sure to label the containers or bags with the date so that you know how long they will be good for. Also, if you have a big batch, it is always best to divide it into smaller batches when freezing since it makes defrosting much easier.
How do you thaw frozen ravioli?
The best way to thaw frozen ravioli is to leave it in the fridge for a few hours, preferably overnight. The slow thaw helps retain the texture of the pasta better as compared to a quick thaw.
However, if you are short on time and need to thaw the ravioli fast, you can also use the microwave or the oven.
You can reheat the frozen ravioli in the oven straight from the freezer. Preheat the oven to 350°F, put the ravioli in an oven-safe dish, cover it with aluminum foil, and let it heat for 15-20 minutes, or until it is warm enough.
