I find that there is something relaxing and soothing about making pasta by hand. I’m not Italian (but sometimes think I should have been), and making my own pasta is my way of channeling my inner Italian grandmother.
Ever since we planned our February Boston trip, I had been looking forward to the butternut squash ravioli and pumpkin tortellini from Giacomo’s in the North End. The thing is, when we had to cancel our Boston trip, my ravioli cravings only got stronger. I figured making my own ravioli was my only choice.
Instead of trying to duplicate the dishes I’ve had at Giacomo’s, I decided to use the flavor combinations as inspiration but make a dish of my own. I started out with some homemade ricotta cheese (thanks to Jennifer Perillo of In Jennie’s Kitchen) and used some pumpkin I had stockpiled in my pantry to make my own creamy ravioli filling.
I was thrilled with how the ravioli turned out. I served it in a brown butter sauce with some crispy sage leaves and Parmesan shavings on top. The butternut squash ravioli at Giacomo’s is served with asparagus in the sauce, so I decided to prepare some fresh asparagus to go with the ravioli. It was a big hit with my hubby, too. I’m glad I have some of the extras stashed in the freezer for another night!
Pumpkin Ricotta Ravioli with Brown Butter and Sage
For the pasta dough:
- 3 cups unbleached all purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 eggs
- 1/4 – 1/2 cup hot boiling water
For the filling:
- 1 batch homemade ricotta cheese (about 2 cups)
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
- Freshly grated nutmeg
For the sauce (to dress about 1/3 of the ravioli):
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 10 sage leaves (plus additional for garnish, if desired), chopped
- 1/2 cup of half and half
- Kosher salt
- Parmesan shavings
To prepare the pasta dough, start measure out the flour and the salt on a clean surface (my granite counter works great). Make a well in the center and add the eggs. Use your fingertips to break up the egg yolks and gently mix in the flour until the mixture is crumbly and resembles sand. Gradually add the hot water, a few drips at a time, carefully working it into the flour mixture until a dough forms (be careful not to burn yourself!). Knead the dough for about 6-8 minutes, until smooth. Shape the dough into a ball, wrap with plastic wrap, and let rest for at least 30 minutes (or refrigerate up to 24 hours).
While the pasta dough rests, combine the ricotta, pumpkin, egg, Kosher salt, and some freshly ground nugmeg in a mixing bowl. Set aside. Line a baking sheet with parchment or a silicon mat and lightly flour.
Once the dough has rested, use a pasta machine (or if you’re brave and strong, a rolling pin) to roll the pasta out into wide sheets. Place tablespoons of the filling on the dough, and top with another sheet of pasta dough.
Seal the edges around the filling and cut into ravioli. I used a ravioli maker (similar to this one) to do this, which makes the job much easier (and also yields pretty, perfectly shaped ravioli). Place the ravioli on the prepared baking sheet and refrigerate until ready to prepare.
To prepare the ravioli, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Boil for about 10 minutes, in batches, pushing the ravioli back down into the boiling water with a wooden spoon as it floats to the top. Drain the ravioli and set aside.
Meanwhile, brown the butter in a large skillet. Add the sage and cook for a few extra minutes. (You can also crisp up some sage leaves in the butter for garnish, if you like.)
Add the half and half, and stir until a sauce forms. Transfer the ravioli to the pan and toss in the sauce. Serve immediately topped with some shaved Parmesan cheese (with asparagus, if you please).
Note – I only prepared one third of the ravioli, and I froze two thirds of the batch in bags so that we can have ravioli again later! To freeze, simply place the baking sheet of ravioli in the freezer until frozen. Once the ravioli are frozen, transfer to ziplock bags (it helps to label them with the ravioli flavor in case you make multiple varieties) and return to the freezer!
I can’t believe how perfect they look! I really want to get a ravioli pan.
Those look amazing! Where did you get the pasta roller? I love the ravioli pan – never saw one of those before! Thanks :-)
Wendy – The pasta machine was a gift from my hubby for my birthday… but you can order it on Amazon.com or from Williams-Sonoma… The machine at W-S is red, but looks to be the same as mine otherwise.
Amazing job on the ravioli, they look beautiful. I don’t think it was a good idea to keep the leftover ravioli in the freezer though, they should have been on their way to California. :)
I’d like reservations for 2 at Trattoria di Schall. Yes, I’ll have the pumpkin ricotta ravioli, please. I’ve been dying for it since I saw this post!
I have never made homemade pasta. Yours looks lovely and so easy. Of course I will need a pasta maker. I loved your photos, too.
Gorgeous perfectly shaped ravioli! And i love the filling with pumpkin and homemade ricotta!
They look perfect. We always make a big batch and freeze some too!
Wow that looks amazing! Would you consider shipping these bad boys???? :)
This looks delicious, thanks!
Gorgeous photos – and I so want a ravioli mould now!! Love the filling, it’s one of my favourites for ravioli!
Those look fantastic. I’ve been wanting to make my own pasta for a while, but haven’t had the chance to. Heh, I really need more counter space…
Nice. I need to get me a pasta roller. I made pasta from scratch once last year and had to do the rolling by hand. That was a totally arm workout right there!!! Fantastic job!! They totally look store bought. You fooled me there.
Big mistake looking at these around lunchtime. Pretty sure that was drool that just dripped from the corner of my mouth. A truly lovely look meal Jen—great job!
These look delicious, and I love how easy you make it look. There may be a run on pasta machines and ravioli presses after this post!
I came here from tastespotting to see how you made your ravioli. I have a pasta maker, but I don’t have a ravioli pan. I may have to remedy that now after seeing your creation. You did a beautiful job!
I have been waiting for you to post this. LOVE IT!!!!! I’m still craving them.
Oh wow Jen! I’ve been wanting to make my own pasta for some time. Still need a pasta machine and I love your ravioli maker. Those are some perfectly made ravioli’s!!
These are just gorgeous. Mouthwatering photos!
These are so pretty! I need a ravioli maker! =)
This looks wonderful..and I appreciate the tip about the ravioli maker.
I love making fresh pasta.This is a really lovely post.
I love that first photo with the ravioli all lined up like soldiers in a row. I’ve got to get myself one of those ravioli forms.
Jen, those are gorgeous ravioli!!!
If I close my eyes and think really hard about these ravioli, maybe they’ll just appear in my kitchen without me having to buy a pasta machine, puree a pumpkin, or make the homemade ricotta. :)
In other words, these look amazing and I can’t wait to try the recipe!
wow, these are amazing. I am Italian, but I haven’t made my own pasta in a long time. I used to do it with my grandmother with her old old old pasta maker. I think I need to whip that out and give it a try. Beautiful pictures too!
omg it looks beautiful!
The ravioli all look so perfect – beautiful job! The combination of pumpkin and ricotta sounds unusual, but delicious.
I just made ravioli for the first time yesterday so I know how challenging it is. Yours look gorgeous!
Homemade ravioli is my absolute favorite! Thanks for a new recipe to try out.
Your ravioli is beautiful! And I love pumpkin anything. And With crispy sage, I’m ready to buy that pasta maker.
Oh goodness this recipe looks amazing! What a great use of pumpkin! Last year was my year to experiment with pumpkin more and test it’s versatility. It is an amazing veg to work with!
Sooo pretty Jen!! I have to make these.
WOW! Jen WOW! That looks amazing! It looks exactly like something you would get out of an Italian restaurant! The next time I head to Boston, I am hitting up this restaurant!
You are one talented lady. These ravioli look picture perfect.
absolutely beautiful.
STUNNING ravioli! Mmmm, homemade ricotta makes EVERYTHING good too!
Your ravioli are seriously stunning Jen! I would have though they were store bought if I didn’t know any better. I’m going to keep begging hubs for that pasta maker…
I CANNOT believe I didn’t know ravioli makers existed. Our ravioli never come out with quite enough filling and this looks like it would solve our problem – thanks so much!
hello ? thanks for this ? but can you write this on Russian ? because i am eleven and i don`t know English very very well !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:)))
This is a great recipe! For added flavor I put a couple of crushed Amaretti cookies in the filling. Instead of canned pumpkin, i use fresh, roasted butternut squash. I also put toasted hazelnuts on top as a garnish. So yummy!!!