Description
A vibrant and creamy Italian-inspired dish featuring delicate ricotta and lemon zest ravioli served with a luscious burst tomato sauce, melted burrata, and fresh basil. This comforting yet elegant recipe balances tangy citrus notes with rich, buttery garlic tomatoes, perfect for an impressive weeknight dinner or special occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Sauce and Toppings
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cups cherry tomatoes
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 2 tablespoons salted butter
- 5 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons basil, julienned
- 1 whole lemon, zested
- 1 tablespoon finishing olive oil
- Flaky salt, to taste
- Fresh cracked pepper, to taste
- 2 balls burrata
Pasta
- 2 boxes Trader Joe’s Ricotta & Lemon Zest Ravioli
- 1/2 cup reserved pasta water
Instructions
- Bring Water to Boil: Fill a large pot with salted water and bring it to a rolling boil to prepare for cooking the ravioli.
- Cook Tomatoes: In a heavy skillet, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat. Add 4 cups cherry tomatoes, 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, and a pinch of salt. Cook for 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tomatoes soften.
- Smash Tomatoes: Once tomatoes are softened, use the back of a spatula to gently smash any unburst tomatoes to release their juices and create a chunky sauce.
- Add Butter and Garlic: Stir in 2 tablespoons salted butter and 5 thinly sliced garlic cloves. Cook for another 5 minutes, allowing the garlic to infuse the sauce with flavor.
- Cook Ravioli: Add the ricotta and lemon zest ravioli to the boiling water. Cook until they float to the top and puff up, about 3 to 4 minutes.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Transfer the cooked ravioli using a slotted spoon directly into the tomato sauce. Add 1/2 cup of the reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce and help it coat the ravioli evenly.
- Toss and Simmer: Gently toss the ravioli in the sauce to coat thoroughly. Let the mixture simmer for another minute to meld the flavors.
- Finish and Garnish: Turn off the heat. Top the ravioli with torn burrata balls, lemon zest, julienned basil, 1 tablespoon finishing olive oil, flaky salt, and freshly cracked pepper according to taste.
- Serve: Serve immediately with crusty bread or a fresh salad for a complete meal experience.
Notes
- Reserve some pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency if it becomes too thick.
- Be careful not to overcook the ravioli to maintain their tender texture.
- Use fresh burrata for the best creamy topping experience.
- Red pepper flakes add a mild heat; adjust based on your preference.
- This dish pairs beautifully with a crisp white wine or sparkling water with lemon.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: ricotta lemon zest ravioli, burst tomatoes, burrata, Italian pasta recipe, easy ravioli dish, vegetarian pasta, tomato garlic sauce
