Ravioli may seem like one of the scarier and more difficult pastas to get the hang of making at home, but never fear! It is actually much simpler than you think. Basically, you just mix your ingredients together and wrap it up! When you have the right tools and suit it to your own tastes, ravioli can be as simple as 1,2, eat — or at least, it will be with time and a little practice.
Perhaps you are an experimental pasta lover, a lover of walnuts or basil cream, or maybe you are a more traditional meat-and-tomato foodie. Whatever your type, these easy tips and recipes will have you on your way to making delicious ravioli for you and your friends.
1. Have all your tools ready
Be prepared and have everything you need ready before you start. Have your ingredients, your pasta cutter, utensils, and bowls out.
Hint: have a plastic bag ready for your dough. When you are rolling it out, you will only use a bit at a time, so keep the rest wrapped up and moist.
2. Use quality dough
It is important that you use good dough. All you really need is eggs, flour, and salt. You can buy the dough readymade from the store (we recommend fresh homemade dough — it wins by a mile!) but if you want to try making it yourself, we recommend this incredible easy pasta recipe.
3. The filling is just as important
Don’t make your filling too runny and make sure it’s something you would eat on its own. The beauty is that you can choose whatever you like!
4. Invest in a ravioli cutter or press
It will save you time and energy. The process will be much easier and the outcome will be worth it.
5. Use lots of filling
Make the ravioli firm and full and try not to let any air in — but don’t worry too much about getting a little trapped air inside, you will get better with time and practice.
6. Be creative!
Pick whatever filling you like. You can start small and easy, but try new things — crush nuts, blended vegetables, or slow-cook meat! You may not always love the outcome, but you’ll never know until you try.
Filling Recipes To Try
Four Cheese:
This is a simple cheese ravioli recipe!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup cream cheese
- 1/2 cup mozzarella
- 1/2 cup provolone
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
Combine all ingredients and mix together thoroughly.
Mushroom and Spinach:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup chopped mushrooms
- 1/3 cup parmesan
- 1/2 cup cream cheese
- 1/2 cup cooked spinach
- 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese
- 1 tablespoon freshly chopped parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 tablespoon freshly chopped chives
- salt and pepper to taste
Beat the cream cheese until it is smooth, then mix in the rest of the ingredients. Add salt and pepper to taste!
Easy Beef:
Ingredients:
- 2 cups ground beef
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- a pinch of dried rosemary
- 1/3 cup parmesan cheese
- 1/3 cup mozzarella
- 1/3 cup ricotta
- salt and pepper to taste
Scramble meat over medium heat until it is cooked through. Heat the dry herb ingredients until aromatic, remove from heat and add all of the cheese ingredients. Serve with a tomato sauce of your choice.
Chicken in a Creamy Mushroom Sauce:
Ingredients:
- 250g cooked chicken mince
- 2 crushed garlic cloves
- 1 cup chopped mushrooms
- 2 sliced green onions
- 1/2 cup cooking cream
- 1 teaspoon chopped chives
Heat the chopped mushrooms, garlic, and sliced green onions in olive oil. When the onions soften, add your cooking cream and chopped chives. Bring to a boil and remove from heat.
Shape and cut the ravioli. Add your chicken filling. Heat a large saucepan of water and add a small amount of salt. Drop the ravioli in and cook until it’s tender (approximately 3-5 minutes). When your pasta is cooked, add your cream sauce. Serve sprinkled with chives. Bon appetit!
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