Toasted Ravioli – A St. Louis Staple
Crispy, golden, and packed with flavor, this St. Louis-style toasted ravioli is a fun appetizer or main dish. Whether you're feeding a crowd or making a cozy meal for two, this recipe has you covered with both family-sized and empty-nester portions!
Ingredients
- 1 20-oz package fresh or frozen ravioli
- 2 eggs
- ¼ cup milk
- 1 cup Italian-style breadcrumbs
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- Vegetable oil for frying
- Marinara sauce for serving
- Fresh parsley chopped (optional)
Instructions
Make the Breading Station:
- In one bowl, whisk eggs and milk. In a ziplock bag (or another bowl), combine 1 cup breadcrumbs, ½ cup grated Parmesan, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, ½ teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon black pepper.
Bread the Ravioli:
- Dip each ravioli into the egg mixture, then coat with the breadcrumb mixture.
Fry the Ravioli:
- Heat oil to 350°F in a deep skillet. Fry in batches for 2–3 minutes per side, until golden brown. Drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
Serve:
- Sprinkle with extra Parmesan and fresh parsley, then serve with warm marinara sauce.
Baked or Air-Fried Option
- If you want a lighter version, you can bake the ravioli at 400°F for about 12-15 minutes or air fry them at 375°F for 8-10 minutes. Just give them a light spray of cooking oil before baking or air-frying to help them crisp up.
Notes
For years, I was used to cooking for a full table—two growing boys with big appetites, plus my husband and me. Now that we’re empty nesters, I’ve had to rethink the way I cook. Scaling down recipes isn’t always as simple as cutting everything in half, and I don’t always want a fridge full of leftovers. At the same time, I don’t want to give up the meals we’ve always loved. That’s why I write my recipes both ways—one for a family-sized portion and one designed just for two. Whether you’re still cooking for a crowd or figuring out how to make your favorite dishes work in a smaller household, I want my recipes to be flexible and practical for wherever you are in life.
Toasted Ravioli for Two (Empty Nester Version)
Serves: 2Ingredients
- 10 oz fresh or frozen ravioli (about 12 ravioli)
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoons milk
- ½ cup Italian-style breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Vegetable oil (for frying)
- Marinara sauce, for serving
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Follow the same steps as the family-sized recipe.