Embrace the flavors of Italy in your kitchen with this delightful Costco spinach ravioli recipe. This dish is a real crowd-pleaser, featuring the rich and creamy texture of ravioli filled with a lush blend of spinach and cheese, all wrapped up in a silky pasta shell. It’s a perfect blend of rustic Italian tradition and modern convenience, thanks to the readily available spinach ravioli from Costco.
Whether you’re cooking for a casual weeknight dinner or an elegant dinner party, this recipe delivers a mouthwatering meal that’s surprisingly easy to prepare. So, let’s dive into the world of Italian cuisine and discover how to bring this delicious dish to life!
What is Costco spinach ravioli?
Costco spinach ravioli is a delicious Italian dish that features cheese-filled ravioli enveloped in a silky pasta shell. This dish can be enjoyed as an appetizer, main course, or side dish. It’s traditionally made with fresh spinach and ricotta cheese, but it can also be made with frozen spinach and other types of cheese.
The ravioli is usually served with a marinara or alfredo sauce, but it can also be enjoyed on its own. No matter how you enjoy it, Costco spinach ravioli is sure to become a favorite in your house!
Why You’ll Love this Costco spinach ravioli?
Costco spinach ravioli is a great way to enjoy the classic Italian flavors of spinach and cheese without having to prepare a lengthy or complicated dish. The ravioli itself is pre-made, so all you have to do is heat it and pair it with your favorite sauce.
Additionally, this recipe makes use of ingredients that are easy to find and affordable, so it’s perfect for busy families on a budget. And the dish itself is surprisingly versatile; you can eat it as an appetizer, side dish, or main course. It’s sure to please both children and adults alike!
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The Ingredients
- Four-cheese ravioli: This is the star of the dish. The combination of four different cheeses brings a unique and rich flavor. Ravioli is a classic Italian pasta, and the cheese-filled variety adds a creamy texture that complements the other ingredients.
- Baby spinach: Spinach adds a healthy and flavorful twist to the dish. It pairs well with the creaminess of the ravioli and adds nutritional value, including iron and vitamins.
- Heavy cream: It’s used to create a rich and creamy base for the sauce. It gives the sauce a smooth texture and helps meld the flavors together.
- Whole milk: This lightens the sauce a bit compared to using all heavy cream. It also adds a slightly sweet undertone.
- Unsalted butter: Butter is used to sauté the garlic and flour, creating a roux as the base for the sauce. Using unsalted butter allows you to control the salt level in your dish.
- Flour: Flour is used to thicken the sauce, giving it a more robust and satisfying texture.
- Garlic: Minced garlic provides a strong, aromatic flavor that’s a staple in Italian cuisine. It adds depth to the sauce.
- Italian seasonings: These add traditional Italian flavors that complement the cheese and spinach. They typically include herbs like basil, oregano, and rosemary.
- Parmesan cheese: Freshly grated parmesan has a sharp, nutty flavor that enhances the creaminess of the sauce and adds an extra layer of complexity.
- Shredded mozzarella cheese: Mozzarella melts beautifully, adding a stretchy, gooey texture. Its mild flavor doesn’t overpower the other ingredients.
- Red chili flakes: These add a touch of heat to the dish, balancing out the rich and creamy elements. However, they can be adjusted or omitted according to personal preference.
- Salt & Pepper: These basic seasonings are essential for bringing out the flavors of the other ingredients. They’re added “to taste,” so you can control how salty or peppery your dish is.
- Fresh basil: Used as a garnish, fresh basil adds a pop of color and a burst of fresh flavor right at the end. It’s a classic herb in Italian cooking and pairs perfectly with the other ingredients in this dish.
Step by Step Instructions
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F. This crucial step ensures that your dish bakes to perfection.
Step 2: Sauté the Garlic
Heat a large skillet over medium heat, and melt the butter. Once it’s sizzling, add the minced garlic and sauté for approximately 1 minute until the kitchen is filled with its delightful fragrance.
Step 3: Create the Roux
Introduce the flour to the skillet, stirring it constantly for 1-2 minutes. This combines the flour with the butter and garlic, forming a roux that will serve as the foundation for your creamy sauce.
Step 4: Craft the Creamy Sauce
Incorporate the heavy cream, whole milk, and Italian seasonings into the roux. Let this mixture simmer over low heat for 3-4 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken and the flavors to meld together.
Step 5: Melt the Parmesan Cheese
Add the grated Parmesan cheese to the skillet and stir until it melts seamlessly into the creamy sauce, creating a lusciously cheesy base.
Step 6: Introduce the Spinach
Remove the skillet from heat and gently fold in the minced baby spinach until it’s well combined with the creamy sauce. This introduces a touch of vibrant green and freshness to the dish.
Step 7: Arrange the Ravioli
Place the ravioli neatly in an oven-safe baking dish, preparing them for their journey into the oven.
Step 8: Pour and Sprinkle
Pour the creamy spinach and cheese sauce generously over the ravioli, ensuring they are thoroughly covered. For an extra kick of flavor and a hint of spice, sprinkle mozzarella cheese and optional red chili flakes over the top.
Step 9: Bake to Perfection
Slide the baking dish into the preheated oven and bake for 18-20 minutes, or until the cheese is tantalizingly melted and begins to bubble.
Step 10: Garnish and Serve
With a sense of accomplishment, remove your delightful creation from the oven. To add a final touch of freshness and visual appeal, garnish the dish with fragrant fresh basil leaves.
Notes
- The recipe can be adapted to personal preference: add more or less red chili flakes depending on how spicy you’d like the dish, or omit them entirely.
- For a heartier meal, consider adding cooked chicken or beef, vegetables, or even more cheese!
- Consider pairing your ravioli with a light side salad for a complete and balanced meal.
Nutrition Information
How to store Costco spinach ravioli?
This delicious dish can be stored in the refrigerator for up to four days, so feel free to make a big batch and enjoy it throughout the week! To store, allow your ravioli to cool before transferring it to an airtight container. When reheating, either microwave or bake in the oven at 350°F until warmed through. For best results, do not freeze the dish.
Variations
- For a vegan variation, use vegetable stock instead of heavy cream and replace the Parmesan cheese with nutritional yeast.
- To make it gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta and a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend in place of regular wheat flour.
- To switch up the flavor, try using different herbs or spices like oregano, and thyme- For an extra cheesy dish, add more Parmesan cheese or incorporate other types of cheese like cheddar or provolone.
- If you’re feeling adventurous, try adding cooked chicken, mushrooms, or even sun-dried tomatoes for a heartier meal!
Costco Spinach Ravioli Recipe
Ingredients
- 36 oz four-cheese ravioli
- 16 oz baby spinach
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1.5 cups whole milk
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 tbsp flour
- 2 tsp garlic
- 2 tsp Italian seasonings
- 1 cup parmesan cheese
- 1 full cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 tsp red chili flakes
- 1 tsp each Salt & pepper
- Fresh basil To garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, melt butter. Sauté minced garlic for 1 minute. Stir in flour to create a roux.
- Add heavy cream, whole milk, and Italian seasonings. Simmer for 3-4 minutes until the sauce thickens. Stir in grated Parmesan cheese until melted. Remove from heat and mix in minced baby spinach.
- Place ravioli in an oven-safe dish. Pour the creamy spinach sauce over them, ensuring full coverage. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese and optional red chili flakes. Bake for 18-20 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Take the dish out of the oven and garnish with fresh basil leaves. Your creamy spinach and cheese ravioli bake is ready to be enjoyed.
Notes
- The recipe can be adapted to personal preference: add more or less red chili flakes depending on how spicy you’d like the dish, or omit them entirely.
- For a heartier meal, consider adding cooked chicken or beef, vegetables, or even more cheese!
- Consider pairing your ravioli with a light side salad for a complete and balanced meal.
FAQs
Q: What type of pasta should I use?
A: For this recipe, we recommend using Costco’s Spinach Ravioli. This delicious type of ravioli is filled with a blend of spinach, ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, and roasted garlic. However, you can use any type of ravioli or pasta that you prefer!
Q: How do I make sure my ravioli is cooked through?
A: To ensure your ravioli is cooked properly, it’s important to bake it until the cheese melts and starts to bubble. This usually takes about 18-20 minutes. If you’re unsure if the dish is done, use a thermometer to check the internal temperature of the ravioli.
Q: Is Costco Spinach Ravioli healthy?
A: Yes, this dish is a great source of protein and fiber thanks to its hearty ingredients. It’s also low in fat and calories, making it a delicious but nutritious meal! For added nutrition, consider adding vegetables like mushrooms or cooked chicken.
Wrapping Up
Costco Spinach Ravioli is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is sure to impress! With a few simple ingredients, you can create a rich, creamy meal with an irresistible cheesy texture. Plus, it’s easily customizable – adding or omitting ingredients according to your taste preferences. So why not try this recipe for yourself and explore the endless possibilities of Costco Spinach Ravioli?
Also, please share this guide with friends and family, and don’t forget to leave a comment below and let us know how your dish turned out!
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My name is Lori Walker. I’m a registered dietitian, food blogger and food enthusiast. I share easy healthy, delicious recipes on my blog and review necessary kitchen items. The recipes I share take less… Read more