There is nothing more pleasant and enticing than a lovely lunch carefully prepared for a relaxing day-off, or simply for a family Sunday together. That’s why, today, we offer you a wonderful recipe for stuffed pasta – ravioli – a true Italian classic that seems to be designed specifically for those occasions when you want to spend time together with your family. Sunday, in fact, is a perfect day for not stressing or running hither and thither; indeed, it’s just the right moment to enjoy a lovingly made plate of light ravioli. Following our recipe you’ll be able to make a dish of ravioli that will be a triumph for those who love vegetables or, as an alternative, you could use fish; in short, anything except meat.
* approximate values per serving
Prepare the dough as for homemade pasta. Finely chop the endive and the mushrooms. Chop up the onion and fry together with the endive and mushrooms. Once the veg are cooked, put them in a bowl and add a tablespoon of ricotta. Grate a little parmesan into the mixture. Add a little salt and pepper, chop up the herbs and mix them in too. Now roll out the pasta dough and place little balls of the filling at regular intervals, depending on how many ravioli you want to have in the end. Top with another sheet of pasta dough and then seal the dough around the fillings. Cut out the ravioli with a pastry cutter. Flour the ravioli and place them on trays, ready to be cooked. Serve topped with butter, sage and Parmesan.
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Finely chop the mushrooms
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Finely chop the onion
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Fry the onion, endive and mushroom
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Once cooked, transfer to a bowl and add a tablespoon of ricotta
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Grate a little parmesan into the mixture
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Add just a little salt to the mixture
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Add plenty of ground pepper
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Chop up the fresh herbs finely and add to the mixture
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Roll out a sheet of pasta and place a little ball of the filling mixture at regular intervals, to make as many ravioli as you want to end up with
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Cover with another sheet of pasta and seal the part around the fillings
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With a pastry cutter, cut out the ravioli
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Flour the ravioli and put them on a tray, ready for cooking
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The ravioli are ready, dressed with butter, sage and parmesan
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Light Ravioli can be customized with a rich and flavorful filling, such as one made with escarole and mushrooms. To prepare this variant, start by finely chopping the escarole and champignon mushrooms, sautéing them in a pan with a bit of onion. Once the vegetables are well cooked, mix them with ricotta and grana, adding a pinch of salt and plenty of pepper to enhance the flavors. You can also enrich the filling with a mix of aromatic herbs, such as thyme and marjoram, for a enveloping aroma. Roll out the egg pasta and fill the ravioli, sealing them well to prevent the filling from leaking during cooking. This variant is ideal for those who love delicate yet pronounced flavors, perfect for a family Sunday lunch.
In Emilia Romagna, Light Ravioli are often served dressed with butter and sage, a pairing that enhances the delicacy of the fresh pasta and filling. For this preparation, after cooking the ravioli in salted water, drain them and sauté them in a pan with melted butter and sage leaves. The heat from the butter will release the aromas of the sage, creating a simple yet flavorful dressing. This dish, typical of the Emilian tradition, is perfect for those who wish to savor the ravioli in a more rustic and traditional version. The combination of butter and sage not only enriches the dish but makes every bite a true homage to regional cuisine, keeping the flavors of the filling intact.
For those who desire a lighter version of Light Ravioli, it is possible to use low-fat ricotta instead of traditional ricotta. This choice significantly reduces the calorie content of the dish while still maintaining the creaminess and flavor of the filling. You can prepare the filling following the original recipe, simply replacing regular ricotta with the light version. Additionally, you can opt for egg pasta made with whole wheat flour, which offers a greater supply of fiber and nutrients. Dress the ravioli with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and a splash of lemon to enhance the flavor without weighing down the dish. This version is ideal for those following a balanced diet without giving up the taste of tradition.
Ricotta, the main ingredient of Light Ravioli, is a fresh cheese with very interesting nutritional properties. It is rich in protein and low in fat compared to other cheeses, making it an excellent choice for those looking to maintain a healthy diet. Additionally, it contains calcium, which is essential for bone health, and B vitamins, important for energy metabolism. A plate of Light Ravioli, prepared with regular ricotta, can contain about 400-500 calories per serving, depending on the amount of butter or dressings used. By choosing fresh and quality ingredients, you can enjoy a nutritious and balanced dish, perfect for a family lunch or dinner.
Yes, Light Ravioli can be frozen to preserve their freshness and flavor. It is advisable to freeze them before cooking, in order to maintain their texture. To do this, arrange the ravioli on a tray in a single layer, ensuring they do not touch each other, and place them in the freezer. Once they have solidified, you can transfer them to a freezer bag, labeling it with the date. When you wish to consume them, there is no need to thaw them: just cook them directly in boiling salted water for a few minutes longer than fresh ravioli. This way, you will always have a dish of fresh and tasty pasta ready in just a few minutes.