Learn how to make ravioli

Is ravioli new to you? Italia has been crafting glorious stamps of goodness since way back in the fourteenth century. From humble beginnings, these crinkle-cut squares have taken the world by storm and now line supermarket shelves (top dollar for the fresh stuff). Have you ever thought of making your own?
All ravioli dishes require three parts: dough, filling and sauce. Here’s how to make it in 8 easy steps.

1. You will need to make your own pasta dough.

2. Set your pasta machine to its widest setting. Shape your dough into a rough square, flour both sides and roll it through your machine slowly. You may need four hands for this!

3. Repeat the process of rolling your pasta through the machine taking the setting down each time you do so until you’ve eventually rolled the pasta through the thinnest setting possible. Remember to flour both sides of your pasta each time you reduce the setting.
4. Divide your dough into two equal lengths. Lightly beat one egg to make an egg wash and brush one of your lengths of pasta with it. Use a ravioli cutter to lightly mark out your ravioli bases (do not cut through the pasta – this is just to help you place your filling).

TIP: Pasta dries quickly so it is best to cut your shapes as soon as possible.

5. Add a teaspoon of your filling (we used pumpkin and sage) into the center of each of your ravioli markings.
6. Lower the remaining length of rolled pasta gently onto the first layer and use your fingers to lightly tuck the pasta around each mound. Now for the fun part: punch out your ravioli with the cutter.
7. To cook your ravioli, half fill a frying pan with water, add a pinch of salt, then bring the water to the boil. All pasta needs a fair bit of space to cook, so only add a handful of raviolis to the pan at a time, then cook for 3-4 minutes until they rise to the top. Drain and set aside. Whilst cooking your ravioli, start on your sauce (we used burnt sage butter and roasted pine nuts).

8. Once your ravioli is cooked, pour over your sauce — and you’re ready to serve.

Roll up your sleeves, hit play on the Pavarotti, and prepare for a raviolishing time.

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