Ravioli

20^th March Ravioli Day

Information about ravioli including how to make fresh ravioli, flavoured  ravioli dough recipes, ravioli filling recipes and ravioli sauce recipes

Jump to:-   What is Ravioli?  |   Equipment  |  How to make Homemade Ravioli Pasta |  General Tips  |  Flavoured Ravioli Dough  |  Ravioli Fillings  | Assembling and Cooking Ravioli  |   Ravioli Sauces  | Freezing Fresh Ravioli

See also:   History of Ravioli

What is Ravioli?

Ravioli is a type of Italian pasta which consists of a filling sealed between two thin layers of pasta dough. They are traditionally either square,  round or half moon in shape and can vary in size from 2.5cm/1-inch to 10cm/4-inches wide. 

The fillings can be any mixture of  meat, poultry, fish, seafood, vegetables, herbs and other seasonings or cheese and there are even sweet versions and once the little parcels are cooked, they tend to resemble little pillows.  

It is customary to serve some kind of sauce with the cooked ravioli. This can range from simple melted butter often flavoured with fresh herbs to a  sauce often vegetable or cream based, depending on the filling used.  There is also a long tradition of cooking and serving the ravioli in a clear broth - Al Brodo.

NB  The word "ravioli" not only refers to the type of pasta but also to the finished recipe though this is usually extended e.g. "mushroom ravioli".  Whilst Ravioli is a plural word i.e. referring to more than one,  the singular word 'raviolo' isn’t used that often as it is very rare to only serve one due to the size.

Equipment needed to make Ravioli

At its most basic, the only equipment you will need is a mixing bowl, rolling pin and knife or biscuit cutter. However there is additional equipment available which can make forming the parcels easier.

For detailed information see  Equipment  needed to make ravioli

How to make Fresh Ravioli

Although ready made ravioli can be easily obtained in fresh, frozen and even tinned forms, it is likely that the choice will be limited. With homemade ravioli, your choices are endless and only bound by the confines of your own imagination.

Not only is the choice of filling and sauce unlimited, but the pasta dough can also be enhanced with the addition of extra ingredients. So, between the three elements, it is possible to create your own unique ravioli recipe to suit your own tastes.

There are three basic steps to making Ravioli