The Gourmet Mama

These very tasty ravioli are very easy to make on your own, at home, but they sure add a nice touch to any Valentine’s dinner! Of course, the recipe can easily be used to make regular ravioli, as well, so this recipe can be used over and over. Use any filling you like . . . I made a few with cheese fillings and the majority with a beef filling, but anything goes!

Heart Shaped Ravioli

Pasta

2.5 c. flour (I used half white and half whole wheat)
4 eggs
salt

Mix the salt and flour together, make a well in the center and add the eggs. Knead until smooth. You can either use a pasta machine or roll the dough out very thin with a rolling pin.

Filling

1 lb ground beef
2 c. spinach, chopped
2 Tblsp. fresh parsley
1 red pepper
1 green pepper
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 Tblsp. oil

1 egg, beaten

Saute the garlic one minute in oil, add the peppers and meat. Cook until done, breaking the beef into small pieces. Add the parsley and spinach and cook another couple minutes.

Lay out a strip of pasta as wide as your heart shaped cookie cutter. 4″ works well. Place 1/4 c. filling every four inches. Brush around the filling with the egg and lay another strip of pasta on top. Press around the edges of the filling to get out all the air and seal the filling.

Now, cut out your hearts with a heart shaped cookie cutter. Alternatively, you could cut out the hearts first and then fill them . . . totally up to you!

To cook the ravioli, drop into a boiling pot of salted water for 5-8 minutes and serve with tomato sauce.