Italian Sausage Homemade Ravioli Made Easy

There’s something magical about making ravioli from scratch. The process of kneading the fresh pasta dough, rolling it thin on a lightly floured surface, and sealing in a savory filling is pure Italian comfort food.

This dish is the definition of how to make ravioli from scratch. It’s a homemade pasta dough rolled thin, filled with Italian sausage and ricotta, for a fresh recipe. You can adapt it with other ravioli filling ideas, but this version highlights traditional Italian ravioli. Using a pasta machine with 00-flour pasta dough, you’ll have beautiful ravioli that tastes restaurant-worthy. This is the recipe card you’ll come back to again and again.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Gather your ingredients.

Step One: Start by cooking your Italian sausage. In a skillet or frying pan on a stovetop over medium-high heat, add 1 lb of ground sausage. Break up and brown all the way through.

Step Two: Once the meat is cooked, add the seasoning and combine: 1/2 tsp basil, 1/2 tsp oregano, 1/2 tsp parsley, 1/2 tsp fine sea salt, and 1/2 tsp ground pepper. Set the filling aside to cool as you prepare the pasta.

Step Three: On a clean counter, pour 2 1/3 cups of 00 flour into a crater-like shape. Add 4 eggs, 1/2 tbsp olive oil & 1/2 tsp fine sea salt to the bowl, then shape into the flour. Carefully whisk the wet ingredients until combined.

Step Four: Once combined, use your hands to mix together the flour and wet ingredients. Once the dough forms, knead it until it becomes soft. This takes about 10 minutes of kneading.

Step Five: Cover the dough with plastic wrap and allow it to rest for 30 minutes.

Step Six: After resting, break the dough into 4 even pieces. Roll one piece of dough at a time on a lightly floured surface, leaving the other pieces covered with plastic wrap so they don’t dry out. Once you’ve rolled out the piece of dough, pull out your pasta maker and roll it out until it’s thin. To do this, start on a thick setting, roll the dough through, move the setting to the next notch or two, and repeat until you reach your desired thinness.

Step Seven: Once rolled out, cut the thin pasta dough into your desired ravioli shape. You need a piece for the bottom and a piece for the top to sandwich in the filling.

Step Eight: Combine the cooled cooked Italian sausage with 1 cup of ricotta and 1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese.

Step Nine: Scoop out 1 tbsp of filling per ravioli (or less if your ravioli shape is too small). Using a pastry brush and water, wet the edges of the dough and place the second piece of dough on top. Press the dough together along the edges. Place the done ravioli on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper in the fridge until you are ready to cook them all.

Step Ten: When ready to boil, place a large pot of water on the stove over high heat. Once the water is boiling, drop 4-5 ravioli in the pot at a time and boil for 3 minutes or until opaque.

Step Eleven: In a saucepan over high heat, add 16 oz. canned crushed tomatoes, 1 tsp minced garlic, 1 tsp basil, 1 tsp oregano. Stir while the sauce heats and reaches a simmer.

Step Twelve: Serve the ravioli with a large scoop of warm marinara sauce and a sprinkle of parmesan cheese.

Serving Suggestions

For classic presentation, serve sausage ravioli with warm tomato sauce, a sprinkle of parmesan cheese, and fresh basil. Pair with garlic bread, focaccia bread, or artisan bread for soaking up extra sauce. A simple crisp garden salad or Caesar salad adds brightness and balance. For variety, try a brown butter and sage drizzle instead of tomato sauce- it’s an elegant twist. For drinks, serve with a refreshing cucumber mint lemonade, sparkling lemonade, or a glass of chilled white wine. Use a wide, shallow bowl to prevent ravioli from stacking and tearing, and garnish with fresh herbs or red pepper flakes for extra flavor and visual appeal. Whether you serve it with tomato paste-based marinara or creamy tomato sauce, this ravioli recipe always feels like a celebration.

Seasonal Serving Suggestions

Homemade ravioli fits perfectly into fall comfort food recipes and cozy Italian dinner ideas. Around the holidays, it’s a beautiful Christmas dinner idea since it can be made ahead of time. It’s also trending on TikTok, with many cooks showing off their ravioli tutorial skills. For weekends, it’s a beloved Sunday dinner recipe. And if you’re planning a special night in, it makes a romantic dinner at home. With its rustic flavors and freezer-friendly convenience, it also appeals to anyone seeking freezer-friendly homemade ravioli.

Cooking Tips

This Italian sausage ravioli recipe combines tender homemade pasta with a rich, cheesy sausage filling, finished with a simple tomato sauce that brings everything together. Whether you’re looking for a cozy Italian dinner idea, a rustic Sunday dinner recipe, or a festive Christmas ravioli dish, this traditional Italian recipe is the kind of meal that impresses the whole family.

Storage Tips

Store leftover cooked ravioli in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet with a splash of tomato sauce or olive oil to keep them moist.

Freezer- Arrange uncooked ravioli in a single layer on a parchment-lined sheet of dough and freeze until solid. Transfer to freezer bags and cook straight from frozen, adding 1-2 minutes to cook time.

Make Ahead- You can prepare the sausage filling a day ahead and refrigerate it in an airtight container. Pasta dough can also be made the night before and wrapped tightly in plastic wrap. Assemble ravioli the day of cooking for best results, or freeze for longer storage.

Fresh Homemade Ravioli from Scratch

Homemade ravioli is a project, but it’s one of the most rewarding kitchen adventures you can try. The combination of homemade pasta dough, seasoned Italian sausage, and creamy ricotta wrapped in tender pasta sheets creates a dish that feels special every single time. Whether you’re preparing a rustic Italian dinner for Sunday family meals or making a romantic dinner at home, this ravioli recipe is a beautiful way to celebrate tradition. The best part? Once you get the hang og it, ravioli becomes easier each time- soon you’ll be experimenting with new flavors and sauces. Give it a try, and you’ll see why homemade ravioli is the kind of recipe that becomes a family favorite for generations.