Make the Pasta and Filling

Making ravioli from scratch is relatively easy to do and is very impressive to your dinner guests. More importantly, ravioli from scratch tastes worlds better than anything you can buy in the store. Basically, you just need to make a simple fresh pasta and then you can stuff it with almost anything―cheese, meat, vegetables, and even fruit!

Make the Pasta and Filling

Make the ravioli filling. You can fill the ravioli with almost anything. For this lesson, we are using the butternut squash and pear filling. You could also use:

• shredded chicken or beef with some grated Parmesan cheese
• chopped shrimp with ricotta and chopped herbs
• steamed spinach and chopped mushrooms
• cooked diced apples with cinnamon and nutmeg

Follow the instructions for making fresh pasta through step 8.

Cover the pasta sheets with a damp towel until you are ready to use.

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Tools for Making Ravioli

You don't need anything special to make ravioli from scratch. For making ravioli, you will need a knife, a brush, and a bowl of water. A ravioli maker press is a useful tool to have but not necessary. A small round cookie cutter can also be used.

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Forming Cups for the Ravioli Filling

Place one sheet of pasta over the ravioli maker. Gently press the plastic mold into the pasta to form cups.

Alternatively, cut the pasta into 1 1/2 to 2-inch squares or cut out circles with a cookie cutter.

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Place the Filling in the Pasta

Using two spoons, place about a tablespoon of filling into each pocket. Scoop with one spoon and scrape off the filling with the other.

You want enough filling in each ravioli to have a nice shape, but not so much that you will have trouble sealing the edges of the pasta.

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Brush the Pasta With Water

Brush the edges of the pasta lightly with water. This will help the ravioli to have a tight seal and not break when boiled.

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Place Another Sheet of Pasta Over the Filling

Place another sheet of pasta over the ravioli filling. This will actually form the bottom of the ravioli.

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Cutting the Ravioli

Use a rolling pin to press the two layers of pasta together. Start with gentle pressure to press out any air and to form a seal. Then go over the pasta a second time, using more pressure to cut the pasta into individual ravioli.

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Remove the Ravioli From the Ravioli Maker

Turn the ravioli maker over and tap the edge against a firm surface such as your work table. The ravioli should fall out of the maker.

Examine each ravioli to be sure it is properly sealed around the edges.

Place the ravioli in a single layer on a parchment-lined cookie sheet. Do not throw the ravioli together in a bowl. It will stick together.

At this point, if you want to freeze the ravioli for later, place the entire cookie sheet into the freezer. Once the ravioli has frozen, you can remove the pasta and put them into bags.

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Cook the Ravioli and Serve

Generally, fresh pasta cooks very quickly. Cook the ravioli in salted boiling water for 3 to 4 minutes.

Serve hot with sauce and garnish.