Top Ten Nuovo Ravioli

Rated by the Professional Eaters at Marx Foods

It’s a hard job, but someone has to do it. Since we have a freezer full of Nuovo ravioli left over from our most recent photo shoot, Justin suggested that as a staff, we taste and rate each of them.

It wasn’t a 100% scientific taste test because first off, we didn’t have every flavor available and secondly, we honestly tuckered out after tasting the 17th ravioli a.k.a. WE WERE STUFFED! You may be thinking to yourself, “what a bunch of wimps,” but keep in mind some of the varieties are huge, or “Maximus” as Nuovo refers to them.

I would guess the “condiment” options we have on hand are not products you’d find in a typical office. Katy pulled truffle oil, white truffle cream, salsa tartufi and balsamic vinegar syrup from the pantry. Marinara, Parmesan, Camelina seed oil and pesto came out of the fridge. Justin caramelized onions, toasted pine nuts and browned butter. We had plenty of sauce options on the table and so the tasting began!

Here are our results.

Top Ten Staff Picks

And the winner is…

#1 – Cremini & Portabello Pansotti: this item has been discontinued.
This truly gets first place, not only because of its cool triangle shape striped in mushroom brown and egg pasta and fabulous taste, but this was the last one we tried. We had extremely full bellies at this point, but it still knocked our socks off! It had a great mushroom flavor and was not too cheesy. We were collectively so impressed, that this pansotti is going to make the menu at Katy’s wedding this fall. Score: 9.25 out of 10

#2 Point Reyes Blue Cheese Girasole Gigante: this item has been discontinued.
For a blue cheese lover, this is heaven in a ravioli. We can see why Nuovo suggests serving it over steak, it would be an experience—as soon as you cut into it, blue cheese oozes and flows! Tasted great alone or would be fabulous with caramelized onions and candied nuts. Score: 8.75 out of 10

#3 Pan Roasted Asparagus, Asiago & Shrimp Maximus Ravioli: this item has been discontinued.
This was another enormous one filled with nice big chunks of asparagus and dotted with whole shrimp. It tasted very fresh and was great plain or topped with Parmesan cheese and pine nuts. Mighty tasty! Score: 8.5 out of 10

#4 Frutti Di Mare Girasole Gigante: this item has been discontinued.
Stuffed with whole shrimp and large pieces of scallop this huge gigantic ravioli was excellent by itself. One ravioli would be more than enough as a single appetizer serving. We dotted it with the balsamic reduction syrup. Score: 8.5 out of 10

#5 Veal Bolognese Ravioli Gigante: This was delicious! Large pieces of veal with a bit of a spicy kick filled a really pretty pink peppercorn pasta. Score: 8.3 of out 10

#6 Fire Roasted Vegetable & Herb Ravioli Gigante: Nice big chunks of flavorful vegetables filled this pretty herb flecked square ravioli. We thought it tasted great naked or topped with pesto. Score: 8.25 out of 10

#7 Pear & Cheese Sacchette: this item has been discontinued.
This beautiful pasta captured the perfect combination of pears and cheese. It was unique and would be an impressive appetizer or would be the perfect way to add flair to squash soup. Score: 7.75 out of 10

#8 Four Cheese Sacchette: The blend of cheeses stood out as a clear mélange of flavors vs. the “mush” you typically find in cheese ravioli. We also noticed the pasta is really good. Tasted great plain or with browned butter and caramelized onions. Score 7.5 out of 10

#9 Gorgonzola Sacchette: this item has been discontinued.
The Sacchette, or beggars purse shape of pasta, were obviously a big hit, because all three flavors unanimously made our top ten list. This was filled with a mild-flavored gorgonzola cheese and tasted great with out sauce. Score: 7.37 out of 10

#10 Grand Marnier Roasted Duck Large Round Ravioli: this item has been discontinued.
We found this to be very bright with a pronounced sweet orange flavor. Topped with a few caramelized onions, we attained the perfect marriage of salty and sweet. Score: 7 out of 10