Best Spinach Ricotta Cavatelli With Tomato Sauce Recipes

RICOTTA CAVATELLI RECIPE

Steps:

• In a bowl mix together flour, salt, ricotta and water with hands. At first the dough may seem sticky, but work the dough squeezing it together for about 2 minutes.
• After 2 minutes the dough should be relatively formed together - enough that you can make a big ball.
• Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for another 1-2 minutes. This helps the dough to become much smoother.
• Set the dough aside and add more flour to your surface.
• Take about 2 tablespoons of dough and roll into a thin strip (about ½ inch thick)
• Using a scissor or knife cut the strips into small balls (smaller than a dime)
• Toss the balls with flour and then use the pasta tool or fork to shape (see above for step by step tutorial.)
• We use the pasta block and press firmly with our pointer or thumb, rolling the pasta downward. Be liberal with the flour when rolling/shaping!
• Place the cavatelli on a floured baking sheet as you're making them - shaking the sheet every few minutes to make sure they're not sticking to one another
• Put the cavatelli on the baking sheet in the freezer for 1 hour.
• When the cavatelli are frozen, pour them into a mesh strainer. Shake the excess flour off of them. *Do not skip this step, if you do you will wind up with gummy pasta water that is not tasty!*
• Store in a ziploc bag or container in the freezer until ready to eat.
• When ready to cook - boil water. Add cavatelli to boiling water and cook for about 4-5 minutes, or until cavatelli float to the top of the pan.
• Serve however you like!

CAVATELLI WITH TOMATO SAUCE AND RICOTTA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the cavatelli and cook as the label directs. Reserve 1/4 cup cooking water, then drain.
• Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt and the red pepper flakes and cook until the garlic is soft but not browned, 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in the basil and tomatoes with their juice. Increase the heat to high and cook until the sauce is thickened, about 10 minutes.
• Add the cavatelli and the reserved cooking water to the skillet; cook, tossing, until warmed through, 2 to 3 minutes. Divide among bowls and top with the ricotta and pecorino. Season with salt and pepper.

RICOTTA AND SPINACH TORTELLONI IN TOMATO SAUCE

Steps:

• Heat 3 tablespoons oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and half of garlic; sauté 5 minutes. Add tomatoes and 3/4 cup basil. Cook 15 minutes to blend flavors, stirring often and adding water if dry. Season with salt and pepper. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Chill.)
• Heat 2 tablespoons oil in large saucepan over medium heat. Add remaining garlic; sauté; 1 minute. Add spinach; cook until most of liquid evaporates, stirring often, about 5 minutes. Drain and cool. Squeeze out liquid.
• Place spinach in processor. Add ricotta and blend well. Blend in 1/2 cup Parmesan. Season filling to taste with nutmeg, salt and pepper.
• Place 1 wonton wrapper on work surface. Brush edges with water. Place 1 scant tablespoon filling on 1 half. Fold diagonally in half, forming triangle. Press edges to seal. Overlap 2 ends together; press to adhere. Repeat with remaining wrappers, water and filling. Place in single layer on floured baking sheet. (Can be made 4 hours ahead. Cover with plastic; chill.)
• Working in batches, cook tortelloni in pot of boiling salted water until just tender but still firm to bite, stirring occasionally, about 3 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer to bowls.
• Meanwhile, bring sauce to simmer. Spoon over pasta. Sprinkle with 1/4 cup basil.