Fried Toasted Ravioli with Spicy Marinara Dip

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-11 · Updated 2026-05-11

Golden fried toasted ravioli served with a vibrant, spicy marinara sauce for dipping, capturing one of St. Louis’s iconic appetizers. This american-inspired snacks ready in about 35 minutes blends frozen cheese ravioli, all-purpose flour, large eggs into a versatile sauce that lifts everything from grain bowls and roasted vegetables to grilled proteins — a small-batch staple worth keeping in the fridge. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 4, so a small batch covers several meals across the week without taking over the fridge. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 24 pieces frozen cheese ravioli
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 large eggs
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 1/2 cups Italian seasoned bread crumbs
• for frying, about 4 cups vegetable oil
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 cloves minced garlic
• 1 cup crushed tomatoes
• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1/2 tsp dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 4 leaves, chopped fresh basil leaves

Instructions

1. Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 24 frozen cheese ravioli and cook for 2 minutes until they float; drain and pat dry with paper towels.
2. Step 2: In a shallow bowl, whisk 1 cup all-purpose flour. In another bowl, whisk 2 large eggs with 1/4 cup water. In a third bowl, place 1 1/2 cups Italian seasoned bread crumbs.
3. Step 3: Dip each ravioli first into flour, shaking off excess, then into the egg wash, and finally coat with bread crumbs, pressing gently to adhere.
4. Step 4: Heat 4 cups vegetable oil in a deep skillet to 350°F. Fry ravioli in batches for 2-3 minutes until golden brown and crisp. Drain on paper towels.
5. Step 5: For the spicy marinara, heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add 2 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
6. Step 6: Stir in 1 cup crushed tomatoes, 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes, 1/2 tsp dried oregano, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes until slightly thickened.
7. Step 7: Remove from heat and stir in 4 chopped fresh basil leaves. Serve the fried toasted ravioli hot with the spicy marinara dip.