Easy Homemade Ravioli
How to Make Homemade Ravioli
Creating homemade ravioli is a culinary adventure that promises to elevate your pasta game. Whether you choose to go the traditional route with homemade pasta sheets or opt for the convenience of wonton wrappers, the process shares fundamental steps. Here’s a quick guide to crafting your own delectable ravioli from scratch:
Step 1: Prepare the Pasta Dough
If you’re diving into the traditional method, start by making your pasta dough. Combine all-purpose flour, eggs, and a pinch of salt in a bowl. Knead the mixture until it forms a smooth, elastic dough. Let it rest, covered, for at least 30 minutes to allow the gluten to relax. This step is crucial for achieving tender pasta.
For the wonton wrapper method, this step is blissfully skipped, as the store-bought wrappers save you time and effort.
Step 2: Prepare the Filling
Regardless of your pasta choice, the filling is the soul of your ravioli. For a classic cheese ravioli, mix ricotta and Parmesan cheeses with finely chopped herbs like basil and parsley. Add a pinch of salt and pepper for seasoning. Feel free to get creative – spinach, garlic, or lemon zest can add delightful twists to your filling.
Step 3: Roll Out the Dough or Assemble Wonton Wrappers
For traditional pasta sheets, roll out the rested dough into thin sheets using a pasta machine or a rolling pin. Ensure the sheets are of uniform thickness to achieve consistent cooking.
If you’re using wonton wrappers, lay them out on a clean surface. Each wrapper serves as a pre-made, perfectly thin pasta sheet, ready for your delectable filling.
Step 4: Fill and Shape Your Ravioli
Whether working with pasta sheets or wonton wrappers, the filling and shaping process remains similar. Spoon a small amount of the filling onto your chosen pasta base, leaving enough space around the edges. Moisten the edges with water to help seal the ravioli. If you’re feeling artistic, experiment with different shapes – squares, circles, or even folded designs.
Step 5: Cook to Perfection
Once your ravioli are filled and sealed, it’s time to cook them. Boil a pot of salted water and carefully drop the ravioli in. Traditional homemade pasta cooks in a few minutes, while wonton-wrapped ravioli cooks even faster. Keep a close eye on them – as soon as they float to the surface, they’re ready to be enjoyed.
Step 6: Sauce and Garnish
The final touch is pairing your ravioli with the perfect sauce. Whether it’s a classic marinara, a rich brown butter and sage, or a vibrant Pomodoro Sauce, the choice is yours. Top it off with a sprinkle of Parmesan and fresh herbs to enhance both the flavor and presentation of your homemade ravioli.
Final Thoughts: Mastering the Art of Wonton-Wrapped Ravioli
With our easy homemade ravioli recipe using wonton wrappers, you’ve just unlocked the secret to gourmet dining without the fuss. The marriage of Italian and Asian cuisines may seem unconventional, but the results are undeniably delicious. So, the next time you’re craving a plate of comforting ravioli, skip the pasta-making stress and embrace the wonton wrapper magic.
Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a kitchen novice, this recipe promises to be a game-changer in your culinary repertoire. Elevate your pasta game and impress your guests with the simplicity and sophistication of homemade ravioli – made easy with wonton wrappers.
Easy Homemade Ravioli
Homemade cheese ravioli with wonton wrappers is a fun and easy pasta night recipe.
Ingredients
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 ounce goat cheese, room temperature
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 eggs, divided
- 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley, or chopped fresh herbs of your choice
- 1 package wonton wrappers (found in refrigerated Asian/tofu section)
- Favorite sauce, more Parmesan, fresh herbs, and/or micro greens for serving
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, mix the ricotta, goat cheese, Parmesan, 1 of the eggs, and parsley until combined.
- Lay one wonton wrapper on the work surface. Lightly press the cookie cutter into the wrapper just so that you can see the shape when the cutter is removed, not so that it cuts all the way through. This will help you to know how much filling to add. Spoon a dollop of filling onto the center of the heart shape on the wonton wrapper. Make sure to leave plenty of borders all the way around for the top layer to adhere to.
- Lightly beat the second egg in a small bowl with one tablespoon of water to make an egg wash. Brush the egg wash onto the bottom layer of the wonton sheet around the filling. Gently place the top sheet over the filling and press around the filling mound to stick the top and bottom layers together. Use the cookie cutter to cut through the ravioli.
- Firmly press the edges together and set aside. Continue until all the wonton wrappers have been used.
- Refrigerate ravioli or cook right away.
- To cook fresh ravioli, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Gently drop ravioli into the water and boil until cooked through (they should be puffed up and floating at the top), 3-5 minutes.
- Serve with your favorite sauce, grated Parmesan, fresh herbs, and/or microgreens.