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