This Sage Butter Pumpkin Cheese Ravioli Recipe is one of those comforting dishes that feels like an instant hug on a plate. I absolutely love how the nutty richness of browned butter and crispy sage leaves perfectly complement the creamy, subtly sweet pumpkin cheese filling. It’s a fantastic way to showcase fall flavors any time you want something that feels cozy, yet elegant.
When I first tried this recipe, I was amazed at how simple it is to transform store-bought ravioli into a restaurant-worthy meal. You’ll find that the touch of apple cider and a hint of nutmeg in the sauce add a bright, aromatic note that keeps it from feeling too heavy. Whether you’re serving a weeknight dinner or impressing guests, this Sage Butter Pumpkin Cheese Ravioli Recipe is a winner every time.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Fall-Inspired Flavors: The pumpkin and sage combo is a classic that brings warmth and comfort to your table.
- Simple Ingredients, Big Flavor: You don’t need fancy stuff to impress—just good butter, fresh sage, and quality ravioli.
- Quick & Easy Prep: Perfect for busy nights when you want something comforting without hours in the kitchen.
- Crowd-Pleaser: My family absolutely goes crazy for this dish—it’s a guaranteed hit for dinner parties or Sunday suppers.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Choosing the right ingredients really brings this Sage Butter Pumpkin Cheese Ravioli Recipe to life. Fresh sage, good-quality ravioli, and nutty manchego cheese are key, and you’ll want to pick a flavorful apple cider or white wine to balance the richness.
- Salted butter: I recommend using high-quality unsalted butter and salting to taste, but starting with salted butter adds that buttery depth right away.
- Garlic cloves: Crushing them gently releases just enough aroma without overpowering the sauce.
- Walnuts: Adds crunch and a toasty flavor; feel free to lightly toast them beforehand for extra oomph.
- Fresh sage leaves: Fresh is best here for that crispy, fragrant finish.
- Apple cider or white wine: I usually go for apple cider—it adds a lovely sweet-tart complexity that pairs beautifully with pumpkin.
- Apple cider vinegar: A splash brightens up the sauce and balances the richness.
- Kosher salt and black pepper: Season as you go! It’s better to start conservatively and adjust at the end.
- Freshly grated nutmeg: Just a touch goes a long way in adding warm spice without overwhelming the pumpkin.
- Pumpkin cheese ravioli: Fresh or refrigerated ravioli works best; I find the filling inside makes all the difference.
- Shaved manchego cheese: Use it to finish the dish with a nutty, slightly sharp bite.
Variations
I love tweaking this Sage Butter Pumpkin Cheese Ravioli Recipe depending on what I have on hand or the occasion. Feel free to personalize it to suit your taste or dietary needs—you can’t go wrong with this base!
- Vegetarian variation: This recipe is naturally vegetarian, but you can swap walnuts for pine nuts if you want a different crunch that’s a bit softer.
- Vegan twist: Try using vegan butter and a dairy-free cheese alternative; just be mindful the butter won’t brown quite the same way.
- Spice it up: Adding a pinch of red pepper flakes to the butter sauce gives it a lovely, unexpected kick—my kids enjoy this version!
- Seasonal swap: Swap pumpkin-filled ravioli for butternut squash or sweet potato ones for variety.
How to Make Sage Butter Pumpkin Cheese Ravioli Recipe
Step 1: Cook the ravioli gently
Start by bringing a large pot of generously salted water to a rolling boil. Add your pumpkin cheese ravioli and cook according to package instructions, usually around 3-4 minutes until they float and are tender but not mushy. Drain them carefully—use a slotted spoon if you want to avoid breaking them—and set aside, keeping the water boiling on the stove for later if needed.
Step 2: Brown the butter with garlic, walnuts, and sage
While the ravioli cooks, melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat with smashed garlic cloves, roughly chopped walnuts, and fresh sage leaves. Stir occasionally, watching carefully for the butter to turn golden brown and smell nutty—this usually takes about 4-5 minutes. Don’t walk away! Browning butter can go from perfect to burnt quickly. When the sage leaves turn crisp but not burnt, use a slotted spoon to remove them and set aside for garnish.
Step 3: Build the sauce with cider, vinegar, and spices
Lower the heat to low, then add apple cider (or your chosen white wine) and apple cider vinegar to the browned butter mixture. Season with freshly grated nutmeg, kosher salt, and black pepper. Let the sauce simmer gently for about a minute—this helps concentrate the flavors without boiling off too much liquid.
Step 4: Toss ravioli in the sauce and plate it up
Gently slide the drained ravioli into the skillet with the butter sauce. Toss carefully with a spatula or tongs to coat without breaking the delicate pasta. Remove the skillet from heat, then serve immediately topped with the crispy sage leaves and a generous sprinkle of shaved manchego cheese. The cheese adds a luxurious, nutty finish that ties it all together beautifully.
Pro Tips for Making Sage Butter Pumpkin Cheese Ravioli Recipe
- Don’t Skip the Butter Browning: That nutty aroma is what elevates this sauce—keep a close eye and stir often to avoid burning.
- Use Fresh Sage: Fresh sage crisps up beautifully and lends the perfect herbal contrast to the richness.
- Timing Is Everything: Have everything ready before you cook the ravioli so you can toss and serve immediately for best texture.
- Toss Gently: Pumpkin ravioli is delicate—handle with care to keep those beautiful pillows intact.
How to Serve Sage Butter Pumpkin Cheese Ravioli Recipe
Garnishes
I love topping this ravioli with crispy fried sage leaves for that wonderful crunch and aroma, along with plenty of freshly shaved manchego cheese. Sometimes, I’ll add a light drizzle of high-quality extra virgin olive oil or a little cracked black pepper to bring out all the flavors even more.
Side Dishes
My go-to sides usually include a simple green salad with a tangy lemon vinaigrette or roasted Brussels sprouts with a balsamic glaze. Either keeps the meal balanced and refreshing alongside the rich ravioli.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I like serving the ravioli in warm pasta bowls with a sprinkle of toasted walnuts and a few sage leaves placed artfully on top. Pair it with a chilled glass of crisp white wine to really impress your guests.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover sage butter pumpkin cheese ravioli stores nicely in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. I find that keeping the sauce separate (if possible) helps maintain the pasta’s texture better.
Freezing
I’ve frozen leftover cooked ravioli before with decent results—just lay the ravioli flat on a parchment-lined tray to freeze individually, then transfer to a freezer bag. Reheat gently to avoid them turning mushy.
Reheating
To reheat, warm the ravioli gently in a skillet with a little butter or reserve some sauce and toss everything over low heat. Microwave works too but can make the ravioli a bit soft, so stovetop reheating is my preferred method.
FAQs
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Can I make this Sage Butter Pumpkin Cheese Ravioli Recipe from scratch?
Absolutely! If you enjoy homemade pasta and ravioli-making, you can prepare your own dough and fill it with a pumpkin and cheese mixture. However, this recipe works beautifully with store-bought ravioli, making it quick and accessible for busy cooks.
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What can I substitute for pumpkin cheese ravioli?
If you can’t find pumpkin cheese ravioli, try butternut squash, sweet potato, or even mushroom and cheese ravioli. Each gives a slightly different profile but pairs wonderfully with the sage butter sauce.
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How do I prevent the sage from burning in the butter?
Cook the butter over medium heat and watch closely. Remove the sage leaves as soon as they turn crisp and just start to brown to avoid any bitterness. You want that golden crispy texture but not charred.
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Can I make the sauce ahead of time?
It’s best to make the butter sauce fresh when the ravioli is cooked. The browned butter flavor is at its peak when fresh, and the crispy sage garnish loses its texture if made too early.
Final Thoughts
This Sage Butter Pumpkin Cheese Ravioli Recipe is a comfort-food dream that brings out the best of fall into a simple but elegant dish. I love how easy it is to make, yet how special it feels on the plate. If you’re looking to impress your family or just treat yourself to a cozy, flavorful dinner, I seriously can’t recommend this enough. Give it a try—you’ll soon find it becoming one of your favorite go-to meals for the season!
PrintSage Butter Pumpkin Cheese Ravioli Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Sage Butter Pumpkin Cheese Ravioli recipe combines the rich flavors of browned butter, crispy sage, and toasted walnuts with delicate pumpkin-filled ravioli. Finished with a splash of apple cider and topped with nutmeg and manchego cheese, this comforting dish offers a perfect balance of savory and slightly sweet notes ideal for a cozy fall meal.
Ingredients
Ravioli and Sauce
- 1 pound pumpkin cheese ravioli
- 1 stick (8 tablespoons) salted butter
- 2 cloves garlic, smashed
- 1/4 cup roughly chopped walnuts
- 16 fresh sage leaves
- 1/2 cup apple cider, or use a white wine such as Pinot Grigio
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
Garnish
- 1/3 cup shaved manchego cheese
Instructions
- Boil the Ravioli: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the pumpkin cheese ravioli and cook according to the package directions, usually 3-4 minutes, until they float to the surface. Drain carefully and set aside.
- Brown the Butter with Sage and Walnuts: In a large skillet over medium heat, melt together the butter, smashed garlic cloves, roughly chopped walnuts, and fresh sage leaves. Stir occasionally and cook for about 4-5 minutes until the butter begins to brown and the sage leaves become crisp. Remove the crispy sage leaves from the butter and set aside for garnish.
- Prepare the Sauce: Reduce the heat to low and add the apple cider or white wine along with apple cider vinegar to the browned butter mixture. Season with freshly grated nutmeg, kosher salt, and black pepper to taste. Allow the sauce to simmer gently for 1 minute to meld the flavors.
- Toss Ravioli in Sauce: Add the cooked pumpkin ravioli into the skillet with the butter sauce. Gently toss the ravioli to coat evenly with the sauce without breaking them. Remove the skillet from the heat.
- Serve: Plate the ravioli and spoon the buttery walnut sauce over the top. Garnish with the crispy sage leaves and a generous sprinkle of shaved manchego cheese. Serve immediately and enjoy your flavorful meal.
Notes
- Use fresh sage leaves for the best flavor and crispiness.
- To prevent the ravioli from sticking after draining, drizzle with a small amount of olive oil and toss gently.
- Substitute apple cider with a dry white wine like Pinot Grigio to add subtle acidity and depth.
- For a nuttier flavor, lightly toast the walnuts before adding them to the butter.
- If pumpkin ravioli is unavailable, butternut squash ravioli can be used as an alternative.
- Serve immediately as the butter sauce thickens upon cooling.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approximately 1/6 of recipe)
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 45mg