WordGarden.ioravioli
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /rˌævɪˈəʊli/
US
- /ˌræviˈoʊli/
Meanings
Noun
small stuffed pasta pieces served as food
Beyond the definition
Ravioli are like little pillows of pasta, usually square but sometimes round, filled with meat, cheese, vegetables, or other ingredients. Think of them as small pasta pockets that hold a tasty surprise inside. They are a classic part of Italian cooking and are often served with sauce, such as tomato, cream, or pesto. You can easily picture someone making them by hand, one by one, as a family tradition.
While "ravioli" is technically plural (the singular is raviolo), you'll almost always see it used to refer to multiple pieces on a plate. You might say, "I ordered the ravioli with ricotta and spinach," or "These homemade ravioli are incredible!" It's more than just food; it's a comforting, satisfying experience.
Ravioli are a type of pasta made by sealing a filling between two layers of thin dough. They come from Italy and are now enjoyed in many parts of the world. In most cases, they are small and square, but they can also be round or made in other shapes.
Traditionally, ravioli are made with an egg-based pasta dough and filled with ingredients like ricotta cheese, spinach, meat (beef, pork, or chicken), mushrooms, or vegetables. However, modern chefs have become incredibly creative, experimenting with fillings like lobster, butternut squash, or even sweet dessert variations!
Ravioli can be served in many ways: boiled and served with sauce, added to soup, fried until golden brown, or baked in a dish. They are often eaten as a first course in a traditional Italian meal, but in many places they are also served as a main dish.
In English, the word "ravioli" is almost always used in the plural form or as a general name for the dish. You may sometimes see the singular raviolo, especially in careful or formal food writing, but most people simply say "ravioli." The word usually refers to the pasta itself, the filled pieces on a plate, or the dish as a whole. It suggests something warm, rich, and comforting, and it is strongly connected with Italian food and home-style cooking.
Examples
- 1
Dinner
We had cheese ravioli with tomato sauce for dinner.
- 2
Quick lunch
She warmed up a bowl of ravioli for a quick lunch.
- Grammar
ravioli is often used without a/an: some ravioli, a bowl of ravioli
- 3
Handmade pasta
This restaurant makes its own ravioli by hand every morning.
See also
Similar
- stuffed pasta
- pasta dumplings
Shades of meaning
- agnolotti
- mezzelune
Contrast
Do not confuse
Used with (collocations)
- cheese ravioli
- spinach ravioli
- ravioli in tomato sauce
Word family
- raviolo
Explore
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- raviolinoun