The heart-shaped ravioli are a spectacular and delicious first course, a totally romantic variant of traditional ravioli. They are, in fact, ravioli made with egg pasta and cut into heart shapes, making them perfect for a romantic dinner on occasions such as Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, or any special event.
Here’s how to prepare them: make the egg pasta and, after letting it rest for 30 minutes, roll it out using either a pasta machine or, alternatively, a rolling pin. Place small heaps of filling made with ricotta, cooked ham, grated lemon zest, and grated Parmesan on one sheet of pasta and cover with another. Using a heart-shaped cookie cutter, cut out many ravioli and place them on a floured tray as they are ready. For cooking, you can boil them in water or steam them and then dress them with butter, sage, and marjoram.
A dish that surprises with its beauty and goodness, there’s nothing left to do but try these heart-shaped ravioli. You can vary both the filling and the seasoning as we suggest in the article, and the result will still be a delicious dish!
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- Difficulty: Medium
- Cost: Very cheap
- Rest time: 30 Minutes
- Preparation time: 20 Minutes
- Portions: 4People
- Cooking methods: Steaming, Boiling, Stove
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: Valentine's Day, Mother's Day
Ingredients for Heart-shaped Ravioli
- 2 1/2 cups 00 flour
- 3 eggs
- salt
- 1 cup cups ricotta
- 3.5 oz cooked ham
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
- lemon zest
- 7 tbsp butter
- sage
- marjoram
- lemon zest
Tools for Heart-shaped Ravioli
- Food Processor
- Pasta Machine
- Cookie Cutter
- Pot
- Frying Pan
- Bowl
- Spoon
How to prepare Heart-shaped Ravioli
First, prepare the egg pasta for these ravioli by pouring the flour into a mixer with the eggs and a pinch of salt. Mix until you get a soft dough ball.
Then move to a work surface and knead it for about ten minutes until you get a smooth and homogeneous dough. Alternatively, you can prepare the egg pasta the traditional way by spreading the flour into a well in a bowl, cracking the eggs in the center, and working it with your hands for at least 10 minutes.
Cover the egg pasta with a dish towel or wrap it in plastic wrap and let it rest for at least 30 minutes at room temperature.
Meanwhile, prepare the filling: pour the ricotta into a bowl and add the chopped cooked ham, grated Parmesan, and grated lemon zest.
Mix with a spoon to combine the mixture well.
Take the egg pasta and roll it out finely with a rolling pin or a pasta machine.
Divide the obtained sheet in half and place small heaps of filling well spaced apart.
Cover with a second layer of pasta and gently press with your hands to release the air. You can slightly moisten the pasta with a little water before pressing them to close. Using a heart-shaped cookie cutter, cut out many ravioli. Press the edges of the hearts well so that the filling is well incorporated inside the ravioli, and as they are ready, place them on a slightly floured tray covering them with a dish towel so they do not dry out. Continue like this to obtain about 40 heart-shaped ravioli.
For cooking, you can proceed in the classical way by bringing plenty of slightly salted water to a boil and cooking the ravioli for about 3-4 minutes until they are tender. Or, as we did, you can steam them by placing them in a basket with parchment paper and placing the ravioli on top. Cover them and steam them for about 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, melt the butter in a large pan with the sage and marjoram, pour the ravioli directly into the pan, add a few tablespoons of the steaming water, and sauté the ravioli for a few minutes until they become slightly crispy and form a light cream.
Serve the heart-shaped ravioli with more melted butter and a grating of lemon zest.
Storage, tips, and variations
You can store cooked ravioli for at least one day in the fridge. When raw, you can also freeze them for up to two months. Place them on floured trays, and once frozen, transfer them to freezer bags.
Do not throw away the leftover egg pasta; instead, you can use it to make maltagliati to add to soups and vegetable stews.
For the filling, you can choose whatever you prefer, for example, you can replace the cooked ham with mortadella or speck, or with smoked salmon or tuna for a sea version, or alternatively, omit it to make a vegetarian variant. You can also choose the classic ricotta and spinach filling.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
How are heart-shaped ravioli made?
Heart-shaped ravioli are made just like regular ravioli but using a heart shape to get the desired form. You can make fresh pasta or use ready-made egg pasta sheets, fill them with your preferred filling (such as ricotta and ham, ricotta and spinach, meat or vegetables), and then cut them into heart shapes.
Can I use any filling for heart-shaped ravioli?
Yes, you can choose any type of filling you prefer beyond our suggestion: ricotta, meat, vegetables, fish, or even sweet fillings like chocolate or fruit for a dessert option.
Are heart-shaped ravioli suitable for Valentine’s Day?
Yes, heart-shaped ravioli are a great choice for Valentine’s Day because their shape makes them perfect for a romantic lunch or dinner.
Can I make heart-shaped ravioli with ready-made pasta?
Yes, if you don’t want to make pasta from scratch, you can use ready-made fresh pasta. Just fill it with your chosen filling and then cut it with a heart-shaped cutter.
Do heart-shaped ravioli cook the same way as traditional ravioli?
Yes, heart-shaped ravioli are cooked the same way as traditional ravioli. Bring to a boil in salted water and cook for about 2-4 minutes or until they float to the surface. Alternatively, you can try steaming them, which will allow you to get compact ravioli that do not open during cooking.
Can I freeze heart-shaped ravioli?
Yes, you can freeze heart-shaped ravioli. Place them on a floured tray in a single layer to prevent them from sticking together, then place them in a freezer bag or airtight container.
What sauces pair best with heart-shaped ravioli?
Butter and sage sauce is a classic pairing for ravioli, but alternatively, you can opt for a simple tomato sauce or a Parmesan-based cream.
