Description

This Easy Olive Garden-Inspired Ravioli Carbonara is a creamy, cheesy comfort dish made with tender cheese ravioli, crispy pancetta or bacon, and a luscious Parmesan cream sauce. It’s a restaurant-style dinner you can whip up in under 30 minutes with pantry staples and a few fresh touches.

Ingredients

1 package cheese ravioli (about 9 oz or 250g)

4 oz pancetta or thick-cut bacon, chopped

1 tablespoon butter

1 clove garlic, minced

1 cup heavy cream

1 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1 tablespoon chopped parsley (optional)

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Instructions

1. In a large nonstick skillet, cook pancetta or bacon over medium heat until golden and crispy. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside, keeping 1 tablespoon of fat in the skillet.

2. Add butter to the skillet, then garlic. Sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.

3. Pour in heavy cream. Simmer on medium-low for 3–4 minutes until slightly thickened.

4. Lower the heat. Stir in grated Parmesan cheese and black pepper. Mix until smooth and velvety.

5. In a medium pot, cook ravioli according to package directions. Use a slotted spoon to transfer directly into the sauce.

6. Gently toss ravioli to coat. Add crispy pancetta or bacon back in. Serve topped with parsley and extra cheese if desired.

Notes

For extra flavor, toast the garlic slightly golden before adding cream—but don’t burn it.

Use fresh ravioli for a quicker cook time and smoother texture.

Add a splash of pasta water to loosen the sauce if it thickens too much.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Pasta Dinner
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Italian-American

Nutrition

Serving Size: Approx. 1 cup
Calories: 520
Sugar: 2g
Sodium: 780mg
Fat: 38g
Saturated Fat: 20g
Unsaturated Fat: 16g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 28g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 18g
Cholesterol: 120mg