Best Spinach Ricotta Ravioli Recipes

SPINACH AND RICOTTA RAVIOLI

Steps:

• Combine the flour and salt on a flat work surface; shape into a mound and make a well in the center. Add the eggs and 1 tablespoon of the olive oil to the well and lightly beat with a fork. Gradually draw in the flour from the inside wall of the well in a circular motion. Continue to incorporate all the flour until it forms a ball. Wrap the ball in plastic wrap and let rest 30 minutes.
• While the pasta is resting, prepare the filling. Steam the spinach and drain well, pressing the spinach to remove all excess liquid. Chop finely. Heat a large pan over medium heat. Add the olive oil and heat until hot but not smoking. Add shallots and cook for about a minute, stirring so that they do not brown. Add the shallots to the spinach, along with the ricotta, Parmesan cheese and egg. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt, pepper as needed.
• Cut the ball of dough in 1/2, cover and reserve the piece you are not immediately using to prevent it from drying out. Dust the counter and dough with a little flour. Press the dough into a rectangle and roll it through a pasta machine, 2 or 3 times, at widest setting. Pull and stretch the sheet of dough with the palm of your hand as it emerges from the rollers. Reduce the setting and crank the dough through again, 2 or 3 times. Continue tightening until the machine is at the second narrowest setting; the dough should be almost paper-thin.
• Dust the counter and sheet of dough with flour, lay out the long sheet of pasta, and brush the top surface with a little water, which acts as a glue. Drop 1 tablespoon of the filling on 1/2 of the pasta sheet, about 2-inches apart. Fold the other 1/2 over the filling like a blanket. With your fingers, gently press out air pockets around each mound of filling. Use a sharp knife to cut each pillow into squares and crimp the 4 edges with the tins of a fork to make a tight seal. A fluted pastry wheel also works well to make an attractive edge around the pasta. Dust the ravioli and a sheet pan with cornmeal to prevent the pasta from sticking and lay them out to dry slightly while assembling the rest. If not using within an hour or two refrigerate until needed.
• To prepare the sauce, heat the two tablespoons of oil in a heavy pot and cook the garlic for just a minute. Add the tomatoes, salt, pepper, and pepper flakes and cook over medium low heat for 10 minutes. Add the chopped basil, and mix well. Cook over low heat an additional 10 minutes. Keep warm while you cook the pasta.
• Cook the ravioli in plenty of boiling salted water until tender. They will float to the top when ready, so be careful not to overcrowd the pot. Drain the ravioli and return to the pot. Pour half of the sauce mixture into the pot and carefully stir until the ravioli is lightly coated. Serve the ravioli with a spoonful of additional sauce and a sprinkling of grated cheese. Serve hot.

RAVIOLI STUFFED WITH RICOTTA AND SPINACH

Steps:

• Spoon the ricotta into a large fine-mesh sieve or a colander lined with a double thickness of cheesecloth or a basket-type coffee filter. Set the sieve over a bowl and cover the ricotta well with plastic wrap. Let the ricotta drain in the refrigerator at least overnight or up to 24 hours. Discard the liquid in the bottom of the bowl.
• In a wide braising pan or deep skillet, heat the oil over medium-low heat. Add the leeks and scallions and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Stir in the chopped spinach and increase the heat to medium. Season lightly with salt and pepper and cook over moderate heat until the vegetables are tender and the liquid is evaporated, about 10 minutes. Set in a strainer and cool completely.
• Stir the fresh ricotta, Parmigiano-Reggiano, parsley, and sautéed greens together in a bowl. Season to taste with salt and pepper and stir in the egg. Chill thoroughly.
• While the filling is chilling, make the pasta dough and let rest.
• Form and cut the ravioli according to directions on page 190. The ravioli should be cooked immediately or refrigerated up to 4 hours. (The ravioli may also be frozen: Place the sheets of ravioli onto a freezer shelf and freeze until solid to the touch. Carefully transfer the ravioli to resealable plastic bags or airtight plastic containers.)
• Bring 6 quarts of salted water to a boil in an 8-quart pot over high heat. Slip the ravioli into the water a few at a time, stirring gently as you do. Cook until the edges of the pasta are tender but still firm to the bite and they rise to the surface, about 6 minutes after the water returns to a boil.
• While the ravioli are cooking, divide the tomato sauce, olive oil, and basil between two large skillets and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Fish out the ravioli with a wire skimmer or large flat slotted spoon, drain them well over the pasta pot, and slide them into the pans of sauce, dividing them evenly. Simmer, stirring gently with a spoon until the sauce is lightly reduced and the ravioli are coated. Remove the pans from the heat, check the seasoning, and add salt and pepper if necessary. Spoon the ravioli into warm bowls or onto a warm platter, sprinkle with the grated cheese, and serve immediately.
• Variation: Butter-Sage Sauce (Conditi all Burro e Salvia)
• Melt one stick (8 tablespoons) unsalted butter in a large skillet over low heat. (The heat should be low enough to melt the butter slowly, without its separating or turning clear.) Add eight to ten whole sage leaves and remove the skillet from the heat. Ladle out about 1 cup of the ravioli-cooking water before you drain them. Either fish the ravioli out of the pot with a large wire skimmer or drain them gently. Add the ravioli to the skillet. Pour in enough of the cooking liquid to make a sufficient amount of creamy sauce to coat the ravioli generously. Bring to a quick boil, then remove from the heat. Stir in grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, salt, and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Serve immediately.

RICOTTA RAVIOLI WITH SPINACH PESTO

Steps:

• In a small bowl, mix together ricotta, 1/4 cup hazelnuts, nutmeg, lemon zest, and salt and pepper to taste. Lay several wonton wrappers on a work surface. Scoop a generous tablespoon of the ricotta filling into the center of each wrapper, and brush outside edges with egg white. Lay another wonton wrapper on top of each, and press firmly with fingertips to press out air and seal ravioli. Transfer ravioli to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Repeat with remaining wonton wrappers and filling, making 18 to 20 ravioli total. Cover baking sheet with a damp paper towel and transfer to refrigerator to set up, about 30 minutes.
• To make the spinach pesto:
• In a food processor, combine remaining 3/4 cup hazelnuts, lemon juice, spinach, garlic, parmesan, olive oil, and salt and pepper to taste and puree until smooth.
• Fill a large pot with water, salt liberally, and bring to a boil. Cook ravioli in three batches, until they are cooked and float to the top, about 2 to 3 minutes. Strain and transfer to serving bowls with a dollop of spinach pesto.

VALENTINO'S SPINACH-RICOTTA-PARMESAN RAVIOLI

Steps:

• For the pasta dough: combine 2 1/2 cups flour and the salt in a food processor. Combine the whole egg, yolks, oil and 5 tablespoons water in a cup and mix with a fork to blend. With the food processor running, add the egg mixture in a steady stream and process until the dry ingredients look like coarse crumbs. Stop and mix the ingredients to clear out any dry pockets of flour. Process until the mixture forms a dough that cleans the sides of the bowl. Turn out onto a work surface and knead about 10 times. If the dough is sticky, sprinkle with some flour and knead it in. Place the dough in a zip-top plastic bag and let it rest while starting the sauce and filling.
• For the basil-cream sauce: melt the butter in the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the onion. Sauté until softened and caramelized, about 8 minutes. Add the wine and 1 cup water and stir until boiling. Add half of the shredded basil and boil until reduced to 1 1/2 cups, about 20 minutes. Stir in the heavy cream and boil until reduced to 2 1/2 cups, about 15 minutes. Stir in the remaining shredded basil and season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
• For the filling: finely chop the spinach; place in a bowl. Add cheeses, egg, salt and pepper, and mix well.
• For the ravioli: roll out one-third of the pasta dough onto a lightly floured surface until paper-thin, or roll gradually through a pasta machine. Working with a 6-by-30-inch piece of dough, place heaping teaspoonfuls of filling on the upper half of the length of dough, making 2 rows of 10 mounds. Wet the pasta dough between the mounds with water and fold over the empty pasta half. Press from the fold to seal, trying to eliminate air pockets. Trim the pasta edges with a cutter or knife, and separate the individual raviolo. Repeat with the remaining dough and filling.
• Cook the ravioli in a stockpot of boiling salted water until the pasta is al dente, about 5 minutes. Drain and spread out into a large serving bowl. Reheat the sauce and pour on top. Gently toss to coat. Sprinkle with additional Parmesan and serve.

BAKED HERB & RICOTTA-STUFFED SPINACH RAVIOLI WITH TOMATO SAUCE

Steps:

• 1. Bring a large pot of salted wate to a boil and keep handy off to the side. 2. To make the filling, stir together the ricotta cheese, parmesan cheese, oregano, salt and pepper. Mix in the egg and set aside. 3. To prepare the sauce, mix together the tomatoes, garlic, basil, salt and pepper. 4. To assemble the ravioli, place about 2 teaspoons of the filling about 1 1/2 inches apart on a sheet of rolled out dough. Brush the egg wash around the filling. 5. Lay a 2nd pasta sheet on top, and cut around the filling with a ravioli stamp or pastry wheel. Be sure the edges are well sealed; use a dab of water if the dough is not sticking together. Place on a dry towel or a floured sheet tray. 6. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. 7. Boil the ravioli for about 3 minuts or until just al dente. While the ravioli are cooking spread a thin layer of the tomato sauce in the bottom of the baking dish. 8. Drain the ravioli and pour them into the baking dish. Top them with tomato sauce followed by fontina cheese. 9. Bake until the cheese has melted and is golden brown. 10 to 15 minutes.

SPINACH AND RICOTTA RAVIOLI TOPPED WITH ASPARAGUS AND TOMATO SAUTé WITH FRESH CRAB AND PARMESAN

Steps:

• Cook the ravioli in salted water, per instructions. Drain ravioli reserving 3 tablespoons of pasta water.
• While the ravioli is cooking, heat two tablespoons of olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium heat. Add the asparagus and grape tomatoes along with the crushed red pepper flakes then cook, stirring occasionally, for 4-5 minutes, until the asparagus is crisp tender and the tomatoes are ready to burst. Add the minced garlic, remaining olive oil, and butter. Toss to mix well then gently add the cooked & drained ravioli to the pan along with a few tablespoons of pasta water; season with sea salt and freshly cracked pepper, to taste. Pour into a serving bowl then top with shredded Parmesan, toasted pine nuts, and fresh basil. Serve immediately. Enjoy.

SPINACH AND RICOTTA RAVIOLI

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients well.
• Chill until ready to make ravioli.

SPINACH AND RICOTTA RAVIOLI

Steps:

• Combine mozzarella, ricotta, basil, nutmeg, spinach, and salt and pepper in a bowl; refrigerate filling until ready to use.
• Heat oil in a 6-qt. saucepan over medium-high heat. Add garlic, onion, and carrot, and cook, stirring, until golden, about 6 minutes. Add fennel, chile flakes, and bay leaves, and cook for 1 minute. Add tomato paste, and cook, stirring, until caramelized, about 3 minutes. Add mushrooms, zucchini, and squash, and cook until soft, about 10 minutes. Add tomatoes and 1½ cups water, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium, and cook, partially covered and stirring occasionally, until thick and slightly reduced, about 2 hours. Season with salt and pepper and let sauce cool.
• Lay one pasta sheet on a work surface and lightly brush with water. Place 2 tsp. of the filling in the upper left-hand corner of the sheet, and repeat with three more portions, forming a grid of 4, each portion about 1" from the edge of the sheet and spaced about 2" apart from each other. Lay another sheet of pasta on top of the filling portions, and press down around the filling to press out any air and push the two pasta sheets together. Using a crimped pasta cutter or knife, trim the border of dough, and then cut a cross in between the 4 mounds of filling to create 4 ravioli. Repeat with remaining pasta sheets and filling to make 40 ravioli.
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add ravioli, and cook until al dente and filling is heated through, about 4 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer ravioli to serving bowls and spoon sauce over top of each serving; sprinkle with parmesan.

SPINACH RICOTTA RAVIOLI WITH SHRIMP

Steps:

• Rinse the shrimp and pat dry. In a large nonstick pan, heat the olive oil over medium-high. Once hot, add the shrimp and 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt and black pepper. Let cook 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, just until the shrimp is no longer translucent. Remove to a plate and set aside.Add the butter to the skillet and let it melt. Sprinkle the flour over the top and let cook 30 seconds, whisking the flour into the butter and letting it turn a nutty brown. Slowly pour in the chicken broth and then milk, a few tablespoons at a time, whisking constantly and breaking up any lumps. Stir in the garlic powder, onion powder, and red pepper flakes. Bring to a gentle boil, then add the Giovanni Rana Ravioli in a single layer. Let boil, stirring occasionally, until the ravioli is al dente, but still a little more firm, about 4 minutes. Be careful not to overcook. Reduce the heat to low.Stir in the Parmesan cheese, peas, and reserved shrimp. Stir just until warmed through, about 30 seconds to 1 minute more. Serve immediately, sprinkled with fresh parsley or basil, along with extra red pepper flakes, salt, or pepper to taste.

SPINACH & RICOTTA RAVIOLI

Steps:

• In a large skillet, heat up a drizzle of olive oil over medium heat. Add spinach and stir until partially wilted. Add shallots and garlic, cook until shallots turn translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Take off heat and allow to cool. Transfer contents to a cheese cloth and squeeze out any excess water/oil.
• In a bowl, combine the ricotta, spinach mixture, egg, and lemon zest. Season with salt and pepper.
• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil, if using foil spray with some cooking spray to make sure the raviolis do not stick. Arrange 10 wonton wrappers on a clean work surface. Top each with a rounded tsp. of filling. Moisten the edges with water, and working with 1 at a time, fold in half to form triangles; press down around the filling to seal (make sure they are firmly sealed or else you will have a heck of a mess when you boil them). Transfer the ravioli to your lined baking sheet in a single layer (try to avoid overlapping of ravioli, or else they will stick together). Repeat with remaining wrappers.
• In a large pot of boiling, salted water, drizzle some olive oil on top. Drop in the ravioli in batches, letting the water return to a boil between batches. Cook until the ravioli bob to surface, about 3 minutes per batch; strain. Return to baking sheet, ensuring they do not touch one another.
• In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat, swirling, until it browns and smells nutty, about 5 minutes. Turn off the heat immediately. Stir in the lemon juice, and capers.
• Divide the ravioli among plates, drizzle with the butter and lemon sauce.