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Close-up of Olive Garden Ravioli Carbonara, showcasing the creamy sauce and pasta.

Olive Garden Ravioli Carbonara Easy

Recreate the magic of Olive Garden's Ravioli Carbonara at home with this easy recipe. This dish features tender cheese ravioli coated in a creamy, cheesy carbonara sauce with savory bacon, perfect for a comforting and satisfying meal.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian-American
Calories: 650

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound cheese ravioli, fresh or frozen
  • 4 ounces bacon or pancetta, diced
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 cup heavy cream
  • Salt to taste
  • Black pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped optional
  • 1/2 cup reserved pasta water

Equipment

  • large pot
  • skillet
  • Medium bowl
  • whisk
  • Paper towel-lined plate
  • colander
  • Measuring spoons
  • Measuring cups
  • knife
  • cutting board

Method
 

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
  2. Add the ravioli and cook according to the package directions until al dente. Drain, reserving about 1 cup of the pasta water.
  3. While the ravioli is cooking, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
  4. Add the bacon or pancetta and cook until crispy. Remove the bacon from the skillet and set aside on a paper towel-lined plate to drain, leaving the rendered bacon fat in the skillet.
  5. Add the minced garlic to the skillet with the bacon fat and sauté for about 30 seconds, or until fragrant.
  6. In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, Parmesan cheese, and heavy cream. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  7. Reduce the heat to low. Add the cooked ravioli to the skillet with the garlic and bacon fat. Gently toss to coat the ravioli.
  8. Remove the skillet from the heat. Slowly pour the egg mixture over the ravioli, tossing constantly to coat. The residual heat from the pasta will gently cook the eggs, creating a creamy sauce.
  9. If the sauce is too thick, add a little of the reserved pasta water, one tablespoon at a time, until it reaches your desired consistency.
  10. Crumble the cooked bacon over the ravioli. Toss gently to combine.
  11. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan cheese, if desired.

Notes

Temperature control is key to prevent scrambled eggs. Don't overcook the ravioli. Use high-quality ingredients. Season generously. Customize to your liking by adding sautéed mushrooms, peas, or asparagus. A squeeze of fresh lemon juice at the end can brighten up the dish. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of milk or cream to prevent it from drying out. If the eggs scramble, it means the skillet was too hot; next time, remove the skillet from the heat completely before adding the egg mixture.