Ravioli vs. Tortellini – What’s The Difference?

Eating a plate of pasta after a long day at work or after an exhausting session of taking care of your children just hits different. The warmth of the pasta combined with the smooth flavor of cheese and the tangy zest of the sauce can take your mood to another level. And there are many different kinds of pasta that you can choose from; There is short pasta like Penne, long pasta like spaghetti, and stuffed pasta. 

Stuffed pasta is unique because it has an added layer of complexity that makes your taste buds feel something that the other pasta can’t. This is helpful if you have been eating the same kind of pasta for a long time and want to try something different and refreshing. Stuffed pasta can be a change in routine for you.

Two of the most famous stuffed Pasta that almost everyone knows about are Ravioli and Tortellini. Both of these pastas have a lot in common and can be categorized under the same type. However, they have certain differences that set them apart, and not many people know about these differences. So, in this article, we will discuss these differences in detail and help you understand what separates Ravioli from Tortellini. 

Tortellini

Tortellini is a traditional kind of pasta with cultural bearings; It was first introduced in Emilia, a popular Italian landscape region. The Tortellini was not just another pasta made by chefs to gratify the needs of people. Instead, it was made in the name of the Roman goddess names Venus.

The shape of Tortellini was inspired by her navel (which resembles a ring), and for this reason, Tortellini is also called ombelico in Italian by many. The ring shape might sound odd, but it is the perfect shape for a bite and feels just right in your mouth. You can fill this versatile pasta with various different fillings, including cheese, eggs, Ricotta, and nutmeg,

But the options are not limited to this; you can fill it up with whatever you want. In fact, many different pasta companies have started filling their Tortellini with alternative fillings like vegetables and various sauces. The distinct feature of Tortellini is that it is almost always made in meat stock, this includes beef broth and chicken broth, but some people also like to cook it in vegetable stock too.

Ravioli

Ravioli is perhaps one of the most famous kinds of pasta, along with spaghetti and penne pasta. This Classic pasta is made with egg pasta that is cut in squares with a flat lower surface and then filled with all kinds of fillings and covered. The choice of fillings varies from individual to individual, and you can choose between various kinds of meats (chicken, beef, pork), Vegetables and mushrooms, and finally, cheese.

Most people prefer to use ricotta cheese, but it’s really up to you which kind of cheese you like. Ravioli does not have a meaningful story behind its origin, but it’s believed that the name Ravioli originated from the Italian word Riavvolgere, which translates to “wind” or “to wrap.” Ravioli is one of the most versatile kinds of pasta because the range of options you have for cooking it is diverse.

Ravioli is made in different ways depending on the region where it is being made. You can also serve this pasta differently depending on your personal preference. But the traditional way of serving Ravioli is with a broth of your choice because most people prefer to eat Ravioli during the winters, especially during Christmas.

Differences

Now that we have talked about these kinds of pasta individually, let’s talk about their differences.

Recipe

You can make Ravioli and Tortellini in the same way, but each of them taste better when served with a specific sauce and filled with certain fillings. For instance, Ravioli tastes the best when served with tangy tomato sauce and topped with basil leaves to give it an earthy flavor. Furthermore, Ravioli can also be served with butter or sage and then topped with cheese like parmesan and Ricotta.

Similarly, the best and most traditional way to make Tortellini is to make it in meat stock. This includes beef broth and chicken broth if you want to try something new and different. Boiling the pasta in water is discouraged as it can water down all the fillings inside and make the pasta taste bland.

Flavor

Ravioli and Tortellini have different flavors as they have different ways of making them. You can make both in the same way, but as we have already mentioned, it is best to make them in the specific way they were meant to be made. Ravioli is traditionally made to include a lot of fillings, including meat, vegetables, and cheese.

The meat is usually less than the vegetables to ensure its beautiful aroma. So, with so many fillings, you are bound to get more flavor from Ravioli than Tortellini. Speaking of which, Tortellini is traditionally made with fillings that include pork, ham, and parmesan cheese, which gives it a simple yet palatable taste. But today, it isn’t easy to find Tortellini made this way.

Most people are moving away from tradition and trying new fillings like tomato sauce, mozzarella, and mushrooms. You can also find Tortellini stuffed with ricotta cheese and spinach, making it taste the same as Ravioli.

So What’s the Difference Between Ravioli and Tortellini?

To sum up, everything we’ve covered so far, here’s a shortlist to summarize it:

• Ravioli is traditionally made to include a lot of fillings, including meat, vegetables, and cheese, while Tortellini is traditionally made with fillings that include pork, ham, and parmesan cheese.
• Ravioli is made with egg pasta that is cut in squares with a flat lower surface, while Tortellini is made in rings and resembles croissants.
• The Tortellini was first introduced in Emilia, a popular region of the Italian landscape, while Ravioli does not have any clear origin.

Sources

• Quora
• Greatist
• Paesana