If you’re craving a comforting, restaurant-style dinner without leaving home, this Easy Olive Garden-Inspired Ravioli Carbonara is exactly what you need. Inspired by the creamy pasta dishes from Olive Garden, this recipe delivers rich flavor, silky sauce, and tender ravioli in under 30 minutes—perfect for busy weeknights or a cozy night in.
Why You’ll Love This Easy Olive Garden-Inspired Ravioli Carbonara
- Quick & simple: Ready in about 25 minutes from start to finish
- Creamy comfort food: A parmesan cream sauce that clings to every bite
- Family-friendly: Easy to adapt with turkey or beef bacon alternatives
- Restaurant vibes at home: Feels indulgent without complicated steps
- Perfect for Pinterest-worthy dinners: Elegant but approachable
This dish is ideal when you want something that feels special but doesn’t require hours in the kitchen.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s everything you need to make this Olive Garden-inspired ravioli carbonara at home:
- 1 package cheese ravioli
- 6 slices bacon (or turkey/beef bacon)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ¾ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 1 egg yolk
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
How to Make Easy Olive Garden-Inspired Ravioli Carbonara
Step 1: Cook the Ravioli
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the cheese ravioli according to package instructions until tender. Drain and set aside.
Step 2: Crisp the Bacon
In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon until crispy. Remove from the pan and place on a paper towel-lined plate. Once cooled slightly, chop into bite-sized pieces. Reserve about 1 tablespoon of the drippings in the pan.
Step 3: Sauté the Garlic
Add minced garlic to the reserved drippings and sauté for about 30 seconds, just until fragrant. Be careful not to let it brown.
Step 4: Make the Cream Sauce
Lower the heat to medium-low and pour in the heavy cream. Warm gently, stirring occasionally. In a small bowl, whisk together the egg yolk and parmesan cheese. Remove the skillet from heat and slowly stir the egg-cheese mixture into the cream to create a smooth, silky sauce.
Step 5: Combine Everything
Season the sauce with salt and black pepper. Add the cooked ravioli and gently toss until evenly coated. Sprinkle in the chopped bacon and fresh parsley.
Step 6: Serve
Serve immediately while warm, with extra parmesan on top if desired.
Tips & Variations
- No pork option: Use turkey bacon, beef bacon, or sautéed mushrooms with smoked paprika
- Extra creamy: Add 2–3 tablespoons of pasta water to loosen the sauce
- Protein boost: Add grilled chicken or shrimp for a heartier meal
- Cheese swap: Try pecorino romano for a sharper flavor
- Fresh finish: A squeeze of lemon brightens the richness beautifully
Serving Ideas & Storage
Serve this ravioli carbonara with a simple green salad or garlic bread for a complete meal. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop with a splash of cream or milk to restore the sauce’s texture.
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Easy Olive Garden-Inspired Ravioli Carbonara
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
Easy Olive Garden-Inspired Ravioli Carbonara is a rich, creamy, restaurant-style dinner you can make at home in under 30 minutes. Tender cheese ravioli get tossed in a silky parmesan cream sauce with garlic, black pepper, and crispy bites for the ultimate weeknight comfort food.
Ingredients
1 package cheese ravioli (about 18–24 oz)
6 slices bacon (or turkey/beef bacon), chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup heavy cream
3/4 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
1 egg yolk
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook ravioli according to package directions until tender. Drain and set aside.
2. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook bacon until crispy. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate. Reserve about 1 tbsp drippings in the skillet.
3. Add minced garlic to the skillet and sauté about 30 seconds, just until fragrant (don’t brown).
4. Lower heat to medium-low. Pour in heavy cream and warm gently, stirring.
5. In a small bowl, whisk egg yolk and Parmesan until smooth.
6. Remove skillet from heat. Slowly stir the egg-Parmesan mixture into the warm cream until silky and smooth.
7. Season with salt and black pepper.
8. Add cooked ravioli and gently toss to coat. If needed, loosen with a splash of warm pasta water.
9. Top with crispy bacon and parsley. Serve immediately with extra Parmesan if desired.
Notes
No pork option: Use turkey bacon, beef bacon, or sautéed mushrooms with a pinch of smoked paprika.
For extra silky sauce: Always remove the pan from heat before adding the egg-Parmesan mixture to prevent scrambling.
Make it heartier: Add grilled chicken or shrimp.
Storage: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container up to 2 days. Reheat gently with a splash of cream or milk.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1 1/2 cups)
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 17 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 155 mg
Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | ~520 |
| Protein | 18g |
| Carbohydrates | 38g |
| Fat | 32g |
| Fiber | 2g |
| Sodium | 720mg |
Final Thoughts
This Easy Olive Garden-Inspired Ravioli Carbonara proves you don’t need a reservation to enjoy a creamy, comforting pasta dinner. With simple ingredients and big flavor, it’s a recipe you’ll come back to again and again—whether you’re cooking for family or treating yourself to a cozy night in.