Last updated: March 20, 2026
Quick Answer: March 20 National Ravioli Day is an annual food observance celebrated every March 20 in the United States, dedicated to one of Italy’s most beloved pasta dishes, the stuffed, pillow-shaped ravioli. On this day, food lovers cook homemade ravioli, visit Italian restaurants, and share their favorite recipes. The holiday has no single official governing body but is widely recognized across food calendars, restaurants, and social media communities.
Key Takeaways
- March 20 is National Ravioli Day, celebrated annually in the United States.
- Ravioli traces its origins to 14th-century Italy, with the earliest written records appearing in Venetian merchant documents.
- The holiday is informal but widely recognized, restaurants, food brands, and home cooks all participate.
- Classic ravioli fillings include ricotta and spinach, butternut squash, meat, and lobster.
- Homemade ravioli requires only flour, eggs, and a filling, no special equipment is strictly necessary.
- Many Italian restaurants and grocery chains offer deals and specials on or around March 20.
- A standard serving of cheese ravioli (about 1 cup cooked) contains roughly 200-250 calories, depending on filling and sauce.
- National Ravioli Day falls on the same date as the spring equinox, making it a natural reason to celebrate the season with a warm, comforting meal.
- If you enjoy food holidays, also check out February 7 National Fettuccine Alfredo Day for another Italian pasta celebration.
What Is National Ravioli Day?
National Ravioli Day is an unofficial American food holiday that celebrates ravioli, pasta parcels made from thin sheets of dough folded around a savory or sweet filling, then boiled and served with sauce. The day encourages people to cook, eat, and share ravioli in any form they enjoy, from simple ricotta-filled squares to elaborate restaurant preparations.
The holiday is informal, meaning no federal agency or culinary governing body officially sanctions it. That said, it appears on most major national food day calendars and draws genuine participation from home cooks, Italian restaurants, and food brands every year.
Why it matters: Food observances like this one serve a real purpose, they give people a reason to try a dish they might not make regularly, support local restaurants, and connect with culinary traditions that span centuries.
When Is National Ravioli Day Celebrated?
National Ravioli Day is celebrated every year on March 20. The date is fixed and does not shift based on the day of the week. In 2026, March 20 falls on a Friday, which makes it an especially convenient occasion to dine out or host a pasta dinner at home.
March 20 also coincides with the spring equinox in the Northern Hemisphere, the astronomical first day of spring. Celebrating with a warm, filling pasta dish is a fitting way to mark the seasonal transition.
Why Is March 20 National Ravioli Day? The History Behind the Date
The exact origin of why March 20 was chosen for National Ravioli Day is not definitively documented. Like many American food holidays, it likely emerged from food industry promotions or informal food calendar traditions in the late 20th century. No single creator or organization has been formally credited with establishing the date.
What is well-documented, however, is the history of ravioli itself:
- 14th century: Some of the earliest written references to ravioli appear in the letters of Francesco di Marco Datini, a Venetian merchant, dating to around 1383. These early versions were often made without pasta dough, the filling was wrapped in a thin cloth and boiled.
- Medieval Italy: Ravioli became associated with the Liguria region (Genoa) and the Veneto. Early fillings were simple, herbs, cheese, and pork fat.
- Renaissance period: Ravioli spread across Italian noble courts, appearing in banquet menus as a prestigious dish.
- 19th, 20th century: Italian immigrants brought ravioli to the United States, where canned versions became popular by the early 1900s. Chef Boyardee, founded in 1928, helped make canned ravioli a household staple.
- Today: Fresh, artisan, and restaurant-quality ravioli have seen a major revival, with chefs experimenting with fillings ranging from truffle and lobster to beet and goat cheese.
For fans of Italian-American pasta traditions, the Lasagna Cookbook guide on this site offers a deep dive into another beloved layered pasta dish with similarly rich roots.
Is National Ravioli Day a Real Holiday?
National Ravioli Day is a real and widely observed food holiday, though it carries no legal or governmental status. It does not result in school closures, federal recognition, or paid time off. Think of it as a cultural food observance, similar in nature to National Pizza Day on February 9 or National New England Clam Chowder Day on January 21.
Its legitimacy comes from community participation: thousands of people cook ravioli, restaurants run specials, and the hashtag trends on food-focused social platforms every March 20.
How Do People Celebrate March 20 National Ravioli Day?
People celebrate National Ravioli Day in several practical ways, from cooking at home to dining out and sharing on social media. The most common approaches include:
- Making ravioli from scratch at home, often as a family or group activity
- Visiting a local Italian restaurant and ordering a ravioli dish
- Buying fresh or frozen ravioli from a grocery store and upgrading the sauce
- Hosting a ravioli dinner party where guests bring different filling ideas
- Sharing photos and recipes on Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest using hashtags like #NationalRavioliDay
- Trying a new filling outside your usual comfort zone (lobster, truffle, or pumpkin, for example)
Best approach for beginners: Buy fresh pasta sheets from a grocery store and make a simple ricotta-spinach filling. This cuts prep time significantly while still giving the satisfaction of assembling ravioli by hand.
Best Ravioli Recipes for National Ravioli Day
The best ravioli recipes balance a well-seasoned filling with a complementary sauce. Here are five crowd-pleasing options suited to different skill levels:
| Recipe | Filling | Sauce | Skill Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classic Ricotta & Spinach | Ricotta, spinach, nutmeg, Parmesan | Marinara or brown butter | Beginner |
| Butternut Squash | Roasted squash, mascarpone, sage | Brown butter and crispy sage | Beginner |
| Beef & Pork | Ground beef, pork, garlic, herbs | Bolognese or tomato | Intermediate |
| Lobster | Lobster meat, cream cheese, tarragon | Light cream or bisque sauce | Advanced |
| Truffle & Ricotta | Ricotta, black truffle, lemon zest | Parmesan cream | Intermediate |
Quick tip: Whatever filling you choose, avoid overstuffing. About one teaspoon of filling per raviolo keeps the pasta from bursting during cooking.
For more pasta inspiration, the pasta cooking tips tag on this site covers technique fundamentals that apply directly to ravioli-making.
How to Make Ravioli From Scratch
Making ravioli from scratch is achievable in about 90 minutes with no special equipment beyond a rolling pin. Here is a straightforward process:
Basic pasta dough (serves 4):
- 2 cups (250g) all-purpose or 00 flour
- 3 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Pinch of salt
Steps:
- Mound the flour on a clean surface, make a well in the center, and crack the eggs into it.
- Beat the eggs gently with a fork, gradually incorporating the flour from the inner wall of the well.
- Once a rough dough forms, knead for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Wrap in plastic and rest at room temperature for 30 minutes.
- Divide the dough into four portions. Roll each as thin as possible, ideally 1-2mm thick.
- Place teaspoon-sized mounds of filling 2 inches apart on one pasta sheet.
- Brush water lightly around each mound, lay a second sheet on top, and press firmly around each mound to seal.
- Cut into squares or circles with a knife, pastry wheel, or ravioli cutter.
- Boil in well-salted water for 3-4 minutes until they float and the pasta is tender.
Common mistake: Skipping the resting step. Dough that hasn’t rested is too elastic to roll thin and will spring back constantly. The 30-minute rest is not optional.
Homemade Ravioli vs. Store-Bought: Which Is Better for Ravioli Day?
Both homemade and store-bought ravioli are valid choices for March 20 National Ravioli Day, the right pick depends on your time, skill, and goals.
Choose homemade if:
- You want full control over ingredients and filling quality
- You’re making it a social or family activity
- You have 1.5-2 hours available
- You want to avoid preservatives or excess sodium
Choose store-bought if:
- Time is limited (fresh grocery store ravioli cooks in under 5 minutes)
- You’re feeding a large group and need consistency
- You want to focus energy on a spectacular sauce rather than the pasta itself
The honest verdict: High-quality fresh ravioli from a specialty Italian grocery or pasta shop can rival homemade in taste. Refrigerated supermarket brands vary widely, look for products with short ingredient lists and a pasta-to-filling ratio that favors the filling.
Ravioli Filling Ideas Beyond the Basics
Classic cheese and meat fillings are reliable, but National Ravioli Day is a good opportunity to experiment. Consider these less common but highly rated options:
- Beet and goat cheese, earthy, sweet, and visually striking (the pasta turns pink)
- Crab and mascarpone, delicate and luxurious with a lemon-butter sauce
- Wild mushroom and thyme, deeply savory, pairs well with a Parmesan cream
- Pear and Gorgonzola, sweet-salty contrast that works as a starter
- Lemon ricotta, bright and fresh, excellent in spring when the holiday falls
- Chicken and sun-dried tomato, hearty and familiar with a twist
Edge case to know: Wet fillings (those with high moisture content, like poorly drained ricotta or cooked greens) will cause ravioli to burst during boiling. Always squeeze excess moisture from greens and drain ricotta through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth before using.
Where to Buy Ravioli on National Ravioli Day
Fresh and frozen ravioli are available at most major grocery stores, specialty Italian markets, and online food retailers. Here is where to look:
- Grocery store refrigerated section: Brands like Rana, Buitoni, and Trader Joe’s offer fresh ravioli with a short shelf life and better texture than frozen.
- Frozen food aisle: A reliable backup; quality has improved significantly in recent years. Look for brands with clean ingredient lists.
- Local Italian delis and pasta shops: The best option for quality. Many make ravioli fresh daily.
- Farmers markets: Some artisan pasta makers sell at weekend markets, especially in urban areas.
- Online specialty retailers: Sites like Goldbelly ship artisan pasta from acclaimed Italian-American restaurants nationwide.
National Ravioli Day deals and specials: Many Italian restaurant chains and local trattorias offer discounts or special ravioli menus on March 20. Check restaurant websites, Yelp, and Google listings in the days leading up to the holiday. Email subscribers to local restaurants often receive early notice of specials.
Ravioli Nutrition Facts
A standard serving of cheese ravioli (approximately 1 cup or about 5-6 pieces, cooked, without sauce) contains roughly:
- Calories: 200-250 kcal
- Protein: 9-12g
- Carbohydrates: 30-35g
- Fat: 6-9g
- Sodium: 300-500mg (varies significantly by brand and filling)
These figures change substantially based on filling type and sauce. A lobster ravioli in cream sauce will carry far more calories than a spinach-ricotta version in marinara. Meat-filled ravioli tends to be higher in protein and fat than cheese-only versions.
For those tracking nutrition: Homemade ravioli gives the most control. Using part-skim ricotta, adding more greens to the filling, and choosing a tomato-based sauce over cream keeps the dish lighter without sacrificing flavor.
National Ravioli Day Deals and Specials: What to Expect in 2026
Deals for March 20 National Ravioli Day in 2026 are likely to come from three main sources:
- Local Italian restaurants, watch for prix-fixe ravioli menus, buy-one-get-one offers, or featured ravioli specials not on the regular menu.
- Grocery chains, some stores discount fresh pasta or offer bundled deals (pasta + sauce + wine) around food holidays.
- Food delivery apps, DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub occasionally feature restaurant promotions tied to food holidays. Check the app on March 20 for same-day offers.
How to find deals: Search “National Ravioli Day [your city]” on Google in the week before March 20. Follow local Italian restaurants on Instagram, they typically announce specials 2-5 days in advance.
If you enjoy tracking food holiday deals, the February 6 National Frozen Yogurt Day guide on this site shows a similar pattern of how food brands and restaurants participate in these observances.
FAQ: March 20 National Ravioli Day
Q: What day is National Ravioli Day? National Ravioli Day is always March 20. In 2026, that falls on a Friday.
Q: Who created National Ravioli Day? No single verified creator has been formally credited. Like most American food holidays, it emerged organically from food industry calendars and popular culture, likely in the late 20th century.
Q: Is ravioli Italian or American? Ravioli is Italian in origin, with documented roots in 14th-century Italy. It became widely popular in the United States through Italian immigration and commercial canning in the early 20th century.
Q: Can ravioli be made gluten-free? Yes. Substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend designed for pasta. The texture will differ slightly, but the result is still enjoyable. Rice flour blends tend to work better than almond flour for pasta applications.
Q: What is the difference between ravioli and tortellini? Both are stuffed pasta, but ravioli is typically flat and square or rectangular, while tortellini is ring-shaped and smaller, traditionally folded around a meat or cheese filling. Tortellini is associated with Bologna; ravioli has broader regional roots across Italy.
Q: How long does homemade ravioli last? Fresh homemade ravioli should be cooked the same day or refrigerated on a floured tray for up to 24 hours. For longer storage, freeze them on a tray until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag. Frozen ravioli keeps well for up to 2 months.
Q: What sauce goes best with ravioli? It depends on the filling. Cheese and vegetable fillings pair well with brown butter, marinara, or light cream sauces. Meat fillings suit Bolognese or robust tomato sauces. Seafood fillings work best with light butter, cream, or bisque-style sauces.
Q: How do I prevent ravioli from sticking together? Dust freshly made ravioli generously with semolina flour and lay them in a single layer on a parchment-lined tray. Do not stack them until they are fully frozen. When boiling, use plenty of water and stir gently in the first minute.
Q: Are there sweet ravioli? Yes. Sweet ravioli (ravioli dolci) is a tradition in parts of Italy, particularly during Carnival. Fillings include ricotta with sugar and cinnamon, chestnut paste, or chocolate, and the pasta is often fried rather than boiled.
Q: What other pasta food holidays are celebrated near March 20? February 7 is National Fettuccine Alfredo Day, another Italian pasta celebration that falls about six weeks before National Ravioli Day. You can also explore the full national food observances calendar for more dates throughout the year.
Conclusion
March 20 National Ravioli Day is more than a novelty on the food calendar, it is a genuine opportunity to engage with one of Italy’s most enduring culinary contributions. Whether the goal is making pasta from scratch for the first time, trying a new filling combination, or simply supporting a local Italian restaurant, the holiday offers something concrete for every level of home cook and food enthusiast.
Actionable next steps for 2026:
- Mark March 20 on your calendar now and decide in advance whether you are cooking at home or dining out.
- If cooking at home, make the pasta dough the night before and refrigerate it, then assemble and cook on the day.
- Follow local Italian restaurants on social media this week to catch early deal announcements.
- Try one filling you have never made before, lemon ricotta or beet-goat cheese are both low-risk and impressive.
- Share your ravioli on social media with #NationalRavioliDay to connect with the broader food community.
For more food holiday guides and pasta inspiration, browse the national food holidays tag or explore the Pizza Cookbook resource for Italian cooking ideas that pair naturally with a ravioli dinner.