Ravioli are delicate pasta pillows, traditionally filled with ricotta, spinach, or meat and served with a flavorful sauce. This recipe guides you through making fresh pasta and a delicious ricotta-spinach filling from scratch.
Ingredients:
For the Pasta Dough:
✅ 300g all-purpose flour (or “00” flour for a silkier texture)
✅ 3 large eggs
✅ ½ teaspoon salt
✅ 1 tablespoon olive oil (optional, for elasticity)
For the Filling:
✅ 250g ricotta cheese (or a mix of ricotta and Parmesan)
✅ 100g fresh spinach (blanched and finely chopped)
✅ 1 egg yolk (for binding)
✅ 50g grated Parmesan cheese
✅ ½ teaspoon salt
✅ ¼ teaspoon black pepper
✅ A pinch of nutmeg (optional, for depth of flavor)
For Cooking & Serving:
✅ 1 liter water with salt (for boiling)
✅ 2 tablespoons butter (for serving, or your favorite sauce)
✅ Fresh sage leaves (optional, for butter sauce)
✅ Extra Parmesan cheese (for garnish)
Instructions:
Step 1: Make the Pasta Dough
1️⃣ Place the flour on a clean surface, forming a well in the center.
2️⃣ Crack the eggs into the well and add salt and olive oil.
3️⃣ Gradually mix the flour into the eggs using a fork, then knead for 8-10 minutes until smooth.
4️⃣ Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and let it rest for 30 minutes.
Step 2: Prepare the Filling
5️⃣ In a bowl, mix the ricotta, spinach, Parmesan, egg yolk, salt, pepper, and nutmeg until smooth.
6️⃣ Keep the filling in the fridge while rolling out the pasta.
Step 3: Roll & Fill the Ravioli
7️⃣ Divide the dough into two pieces and roll each one into a thin sheet using a rolling pin or pasta machine.
8️⃣ Place small teaspoons of filling 2-3 cm apart on one sheet.
9️⃣ Brush the edges with a little water and place the second pasta sheet on top.
🔟 Press around the filling to seal, then cut into squares with a ravioli cutter or knife.
Step 4: Cook the Ravioli
1️⃣1️⃣ Bring salted water to a gentle boil and add the ravioli.
1️⃣2️⃣ Cook for 2-3 minutes, until they float to the surface. Drain carefully.
Step 5: Serve & Enjoy!
🌿 Toss the ravioli in melted butter with sage or serve with tomato sauce or creamy Alfredo. Sprinkle with extra Parmesan for the perfect finishing touch. Buon appetito! 🇮🇹🍽️