If you’re looking for a seafood pasta dish that absolutely wows every time, the Shrimp and Lobster Ravioli with Creamy Garlic Butter Sauce Recipe is your new best friend in the kitchen. This recipe marries tender, homemade ravioli stuffed with luscious shrimp and lobster to a rich, velvety garlic butter sauce that feels both luxurious and comforting. It’s a perfect meal to impress guests or just treat yourself to a restaurant-quality dinner at home with flavors bursting at every bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient in this recipe plays a vital role, from the fresh seafood bringing delicate sweetness to the creamy ricotta that adds softness, all the way to the fragrant garlic butter sauce that ties it all together. The balance of texture, flavor, and color is surprisingly simple to achieve with just a few essentials.
- Cooked shrimp (1/2 lb): Peeled, chopped shrimp add a sweet, tender seafood element to the filling.
- Cooked lobster meat (1/2 lb): This luxury ingredient offers a buttery richness that elevates the ravioli filling.
- Ricotta cheese (1/2 cup): Provides a creamy base that binds the filling together beautifully.
- Grated Parmesan cheese (1/4 cup): Adds a sharp, savory depth to the filling.
- Fresh parsley (1 tbsp, chopped): Offers a fresh herbal brightness.
- Lemon zest (1 tsp): Brings a zesty lift to the seafood mix.
- Salt and pepper: Essential seasonings to enhance all flavors.
- All-purpose flour (2 cups): For creating your smooth, elastic ravioli dough.
- Large eggs (2): The foundation that binds the dough together.
- Olive oil (1 tbsp): Adds a touch of richness to the dough.
- Water (as needed): To achieve the perfect dough consistency.
- Unsalted butter (1/2 cup): The star of the creamy garlic butter sauce.
- Garlic cloves (4, minced): Bring robust aroma and flavor to the sauce.
- Heavy cream (1/2 cup): Creates that luscious, silky texture you want in the sauce.
- Chicken broth (1/4 cup): Adds a subtle savory base to the sauce.
- Lemon juice (1/2 tsp): Balances richness with brightness in the sauce.
- Fresh parsley for garnish: Finishing touch for color and freshness on the plate.
How to Make Shrimp and Lobster Ravioli with Creamy Garlic Butter Sauce Recipe
Step 1: Make the Ravioli Dough
Start by cracking the eggs into a well of flour, add the olive oil and a pinch of salt. Gradually mix and knead everything together until a smooth, elastic dough forms — add water sparingly if the dough feels too stiff. Then wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and let it rest for 30 minutes. This resting period is key to allowing the gluten to relax, making the dough easier to roll out later.
Step 2: Prepare the Filling
While the dough rests, mix the chopped shrimp and lobster with ricotta, Parmesan, fresh parsley, lemon zest, salt, and pepper. This combination perfectly balances the sweet, briny flavors of the seafood with the creamy cheeses and zesty hints, creating a filling that’s simple yet incredibly flavorful.
Step 3: Assemble the Ravioli
Roll out your dough into thin sheets on a lightly floured surface. Spoon small dollops of the seafood mixture evenly spaced on one sheet. Carefully lay another sheet on top, gently pressing around each mound to seal. Use a fork to press the edges and cut out your ravioli shapes. This step is all about sealing in those delicious flavors and creating perfect little pillows.
Step 4: Cook the Ravioli
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and gently drop in your ravioli. They’ll be done in just 3-4 minutes when they float to the surface, soft and tender but keeping their shape. Drain them carefully to avoid breaking these delicate pockets.
Step 5: Prepare the Garlic Butter Sauce
In a skillet, melt the butter and add the minced garlic. Cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant without browning. Stir in heavy cream, chicken broth, and lemon juice, then season with salt and pepper. Let it simmer gently for a few minutes until the sauce thickens to that irresistible creamy consistency. This sauce is the perfect rich, garlicky complement to the seafood ravioli.
Step 6: Combine and Serve
Toss the cooked ravioli gently with the creamy garlic butter sauce. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a burst of color and freshness that elevates the entire dish. Serve immediately to enjoy it at its absolute best warmth and flavor-wise.
How to Serve Shrimp and Lobster Ravioli with Creamy Garlic Butter Sauce Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh parsley isn’t just for looks—it adds a whisper of herbaceous brightness that cuts through the richness of the creamy sauce. A final sprinkle of grated Parmesan right before serving provides a salty, cheesy finish that’s simply divine.
Side Dishes
Keep it light and simple: a crisp green salad with lemon vinaigrette or some sautéed asparagus pairs beautifully. The fresh, slightly acidic sides balance the indulgent shrimp and lobster ravioli with creamy garlic butter sauce recipe perfectly.
Creative Ways to Present
For an elegant presentation, plate the ravioli in shallow bowls with a drizzle of extra garlic butter sauce around the edges. Top with edible flowers or microgreens for a restaurant-worthy touch that impresses visually and palatably.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftovers, place the ravioli and sauce in separate airtight containers. This keeps the ravioli from getting soggy and preserves the sauce’s silky texture. Stored properly in the fridge, they’ll stay good for up to 2 days.
Freezing
You can freeze uncooked ravioli by laying them flat on a baking sheet until firm, then transferring them to a freezer bag. Frozen ravioli maintain their quality well for up to 2 months. The sauce is best made fresh, but you can freeze any extra sauce in small portions for convenience.
Reheating
Reheat ravioli gently by simmering in boiling water for a few minutes until warm, or microwave briefly with a splash of water. Warm the garlic butter sauce separately over low heat, stirring frequently to prevent separation. Combine just before serving to keep that luscious texture.
FAQs
Can I use store-bought ravioli instead of making my own?
Absolutely! While homemade ravioli make this dish feel extra special, using high-quality store-bought ravioli filled with seafood can speed things up without sacrificing too much flavor. Just be sure to adjust cooking times accordingly.
What type of lobster meat works best for this recipe?
Cooked lobster tail meat works wonderfully due to its tender, sweet flavor. You can also use claw meat if you prefer a slightly firmer texture—the key is to have cooked and chopped pieces ready to mix into the filling.
Is the garlic butter sauce very rich? Can I make it lighter?
The sauce is rich but balanced with lemon juice and chicken broth to keep it from feeling too heavy. To lighten it, try reducing the butter or cream slightly and adding a splash more broth. It’s all about tuning it to your preference.
How do I know when the ravioli are cooked perfectly?
The best indicator is when the ravioli float to the surface of boiling water, usually after 3-4 minutes. At this stage, they should be tender but not falling apart—just right for enjoying with the sauce.
Can I prepare the filling in advance?
Yes! The filling can be prepared a day ahead and stored in the refrigerator. This allows the flavors to meld beautifully and makes assembling the ravioli quicker the next day.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly magical about making Shrimp and Lobster Ravioli with Creamy Garlic Butter Sauce Recipe at home — it’s comfort food elevated to a whole new level, perfect for special occasions or whenever you crave a seafood pasta dish that feels like a warm hug. Trust me, once you try this, you’ll want to make it over and over again to delight your taste buds and impress everyone lucky enough to share it with you.
Print
Shrimp and Lobster Ravioli with Creamy Garlic Butter Sauce Recipe
- Prep Time: 35 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Description
This elegant Shrimp and Lobster Ravioli with Creamy Garlic Butter Sauce combines tender homemade pasta filled with succulent seafood and ricotta, served in a rich, flavorful garlic butter cream sauce. Perfect for a special dinner, this dish showcases the best of seafood and Italian cuisine with a silky, savory sauce that complements the delicate ravioli.
Ingredients
For the Ravioli Filling
- 1/2 lb cooked shrimp, peeled and chopped
- 1/2 lb cooked lobster meat, chopped
- 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Ravioli Dough
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Pinch of salt
- Water (as needed)
For the Garlic Butter Sauce
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Make the Ravioli Dough: Crack the eggs into a well made in the flour, add olive oil and a pinch of salt. Gradually mix the flour into the eggs and knead until a smooth, elastic dough forms, adding water if needed. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and let it rest for 30 minutes.
- Prepare the Filling: In a bowl, combine the chopped shrimp, chopped lobster meat, ricotta cheese, grated Parmesan, chopped parsley, lemon zest, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined and set aside.
- Assemble the Ravioli: Roll out the dough into thin sheets. Place small spoonfuls of the seafood filling onto one sheet of dough, leaving space between each. Lay another sheet of dough on top, pressing around each filling mound to seal the ravioli. Cut out individual ravioli and press the edges with a fork to further seal.
- Cook the Ravioli: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Carefully add the ravioli and cook for about 3-4 minutes, or until they float to the surface. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside.
- Prepare the Garlic Butter Sauce: In a skillet over medium heat, melt the unsalted butter. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned. Stir in heavy cream, chicken broth, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Let the sauce simmer gently for 3-5 minutes until slightly thickened. Adjust seasoning as needed.
- Combine and Serve: Toss the cooked ravioli gently in the garlic butter sauce to coat them thoroughly. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Ensure the dough is rolled out very thinly for delicate ravioli that cook evenly.
- Use fresh seafood for the best flavor; precooked shrimp and lobster can also be used for convenience.
- Be careful not to overcook the ravioli; they will float to the surface when done.
- The garlic butter sauce can be prepared ahead and gently reheated before serving.
- For a vegetarian variation, substitute the seafood filling with a mixture of ricotta and sautéed mushrooms or spinach.
