This Olive Garden Ravioletti and Mushroom Walnut Sauce is a creamy pasta dish with mushrooms, toasted walnuts, and a rich Parmesan cream sauce. It’s super simple, cozy, and comes together fast — great for when you want something that feels a little fancy but requires like… no effort.
Jump to RecipeQuick Summary
- Prep time: 5 mins
- Cook time: 15 mins
- Flavor: Savory, creamy, nutty
- Great for: Date nights, lazy weekends, impressing yourself
Why I Like This Recipe
Honestly? I was hungry and had a bag of frozen ravioletti and zero mental energy. Tossed it with cream, mushrooms, and whatever nuts I had (walnuts, luckily). Didn’t expect much — ended up licking the spoon. It’s fast, feels kinda elegant, and makes you look like you tried. Win-win.
Ingredients
- 12 oz ravioletti or tricolor tortellini
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 8 oz sliced mushrooms
- ¼ cup chopped walnuts
- ¾ cup heavy cream
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ½ cup grated Parmesan
How To Make Ravioletti and Mushroom Walnut Sauce
- Warm the oil: Start with olive oil in a skillet, medium heat. Let it get nice and warm — not smoking.
- Cook mushrooms + walnuts: Add mushrooms and chopped walnuts. Sauté till mushrooms go golden and smell earthy (8–10 mins). Don’t rush this part — it makes the sauce taste deeper.
- Add cream: Pour in the cream and stir. Let it simmer for about 5 mins until it starts to thicken a bit.
- Lower heat + cheese time: Once it’s not bubbling like crazy, turn heat low and add black pepper + Parmesan. Stir gently till smooth. No boiling here — it’ll split.
- Boil pasta: Meanwhile, cook your ravioli/tortellini as the package says. Drain and toss with the sauce.

Tips for Success
- Let mushrooms brown fully — don’t crowd the pan
- Chop walnuts small for even texture
- Wait for cream to thicken before adding cheese
- Keep heat low once cheese is in — prevents grainy sauce• Don’t use canned mushrooms… just don’t
Storage and Reheating
- Fridge: Let everything cool down first. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Reheat: Skillet > microwave. Add a splash of cream or milk, stir on low till smooth again. Don’t boil or it might get weird.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What can I use instead of ravioletti?
Tortellini, ravioli, even gnocchi works. Use whatever’s around. - Can I use canned mushrooms?
Wouldn’t. They don’t brown properly and turn the sauce kinda mushy. - Is there a nut-free version?
Yep, just skip the walnuts or sub in toasted sunflower seeds for crunch. - What kind of cream works best?
Heavy cream. Half-and-half might be too thin unless you cook it down longer. - Can I make this vegetarian?
Easily. Just check your pasta filling and cheese — Parmesan isn’t always veggie-friendly.
Common Mistakes and How to Dodge Them
- Overheating the cheese: Cheese + high heat = grainy sauce. Add it after the cream stops bubbling and stir gently.
- Skipping the mushroom browning: If you just steam them, you miss out on that rich flavor. Give them space and time.
- Using big walnut chunks: Chop them fine so they blend in and don’t overpower each bite.
- Rushing the cream: Let it thicken on its own. If it’s too thin when you add cheese, it’ll break.
- Not seasoning the pasta water:
Salted water makes the pasta taste like… food. Don’t skip it.
Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)
- Calories: 608 kcal
- Total Fat: 41g
- Saturated Fat: 17g
- Cholesterol: 115mg
- Sodium: 745mg
- Potassium: 257mg
- Total Carbohydrate: 39g
- Dietary Fiber: 3g
- Sugars: 3g
- Protein: 20g
You Might Also Like:
- Stuffed Mushrooms – Easy Olive Garden Copycat
- Chicken Alfredo Pizza – Easy Olive Garden Copycat
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- Florentine Lasagna – Easy Olive Garden Copycat
Ravioletti and Mushroom Walnut Sauce – Easy Olive Garden Copycat
Course: DinnerCuisine: ItalianDifficulty: Easy4
servings5
minutes15
minutes608
kcalCreamy mushroom walnut sauce over soft pasta — rich, cozy, and quick enough for weeknights.
Ingredients
12 oz ravioletti or tricolor tortellini
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
8 oz sliced mushrooms
¼ cup chopped walnuts
¾ cup heavy whipping cream
¼ tsp black pepper
½ cup grated Parmesan
Directions
- Heat olive oil in a skillet.
- Sauté mushrooms and walnuts till golden.
- Add cream and cook 5 mins to thicken.
- Lower heat, stir in pepper and cheese.
- Boil pasta, drain, and toss with sauce. Serve hot.
Notes
- Brown mushrooms fully for max flavor
- Chop walnuts fine so they blend into the sauce
- Let cream thicken before adding cheese
- Low heat after cheese = smooth, non-grainy sauce