These delicate Italian ravioli are filled with rich, creamy ricotta, spinach, savory Parmigiano Reggiano cheese and a touch of nutmeg. To finish, my homemade ravioli are tossed in a simple butter sauce and extra cheese to serve.
2ouncesfinely grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese extra to serve((60 grams))
Instructions
Spinach Ricotta Filling
Wash the spinach and wilt in a skillet over medium heat. There’s no need to add any extra water.
Cool and squeeze out excess moisture.
Chop spinach finely.
Combine chopped spinach with the remaining filling ingredients.
Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
Pasta Dough
Important - Reserve a few tablespoons of flour to the side.
Tip the remaining flour onto the work surface and make a well in the middle.
Break eggs into the well in the flour
Using a fork (or fingertips) whisk the eggs like you’re making scrambled eggs. As you whisk, bring in a little bit of flour from around the edges and incorporate it into the eggs.
Keep working more flour into the dough. A pastry scraper is useful or just use your hands.
Add more flour as needed. The dough should not be sticky. If you are rolling by hand do not add too much flour.
If the pasta dough is too sticky, knead in a little more flour. If the pasta dough is dry and hard to knead, knead in a little water teaspoon by teaspoon. The more pasta dough you make, the more you'll be able to judge by the feel of the dough.
Knead the dough for 8-10 minutes or until it is smooth and you feel the change in the dough. Don't omit this kneading.
Put an upturned bowl over the dough or wrap in plastic wrap and allow to rest for 30 minutes or so.
Assemble the Ravioli
Line large baking sheets with parchment paper then sprinkle with semolina flour. You may need 3 or 4 baking sheets.
Divide pasta dough into 4 equal parts. Take one portion keeping the remaining dough covered.
Use either a hand cranked pasta machine or pasta attachment for a stand mixer. Set the pasta machine with the rollers at the widest setting.
Flatten the dough slightly then pass the dough through the rollers. Remaining on the widest setting, fold the dough and repeat until smooth. Dust with a little flour to prevent the dough from sticking and dragging through the rollers.
Reduce the roller width setting gradually, passing the dough through each time (or even twice) until the dough is about 1/16 inch in thickness. Or #7 on a KitchenAid pasta roller.
The pasta sheet should be at least 30 inches (75cm) long.
Lay the sheet onto a lightly floured surface. That could be your countertop, table or large cutting board. Cut the sheet in half to make two lengths of 15 inches (37.5cm) long. This will make it easier to fold over.
Place heaped teaspoons of filling (or use a piping bag) 1 inch (2 ½ cm) along each length of the pasta about ½ inch (a bit over 1cm) from the edge. You should have about 15 mounds. Tip: Keep the each mound closer to the one long edge so that the other long edge can be folded over to seal.
Fold the opposing long edge of pasta over the filling matching up the edges. Press around each mound of filling to seal. Tip: Begin in the middle of the pasta length working your way towards each end, press around each mound expelling the air as you go
Cut into squares with a fluted pastry wheel or a knife and arrange on the prepared baking sheets in a single layer. You should have made about 15 ravioli with one quarter of the pasta dough.
Repeat with the remaining dough and filling.
Bring a large saucepan of salted water to a boil. Add ravioli. Reduce heat to a gentle simmer; cook until ravioli float to the top and are tender which is about 3 minutes.
Drain. Spoon butter sauce over ravioli.
Combine gently with a rubber spatula.
Sprinkle with Parmigiano Reggiano cheese and combine again. Serve immediately.
Butter Sauce
Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat with a pinch of salt. You can take it to the browned stage or simply melt the butter.
Torn sage leaves can be added. I also like to sauté finely chopped garlic in the butter for a change.
Notes
If using measuring cups be sure to stir the flour and then spoon it in without packing the flour down.
Top Tips
Prepare by decluttering your work surface and ensuring you have space to work.
Be sure to gently smooth out the air bubbles out using your fingers.
Avoid the Spinach Ricotta Ravioli from sticking to the baking sheet or each other by lining with parchment paper and dust with semolina flour.
Uncooked ravioli can be frozen for up to two months. Arrange on parchment paper lined baking sheets in a single layer and freeze until solid. When frozen, bag into zip lock freezer bags. Cook from frozen. Frozen ravioli will take 1 or 2 minutes longer to cook. Taste to check.