Ravioli NudiDelicate fresh greens brighten these rich and tender ricotta dumplings.

Ravioli nudi are an unexpected surprise: stripped-down ravioli, hence "naked" by name. The only tricky part to this simple recipe is using the least amount of flour needed to keep the dumplings intact as they cook. Avoid using pre-grated parmesan cheese which often contains added starches and preservatives.

  • Serves

    4

  • Time

    50 minutes

Ingredients

  • Kosher salt
  • 1 lb. fresh baby spinach
  • ½ lb. whole-milk ricotta, drained
  • 4 large egg yolks
  • 1 cup finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano, plus more, for sprinkling
  • ½ tsp. finely grated lemon zest
  • Cayenne pepper
  • Freshly grated nutmeg
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 Tbsp. all-purpose flour, plus more as needed
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted

Instructions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil over medium-high heat. Add the spinach and cook until wilted and very tender but still bright green, 8–10 minutes. Drain the spinach, discarding the cooking liquid, then transfer to a clean kitchen towel; squeeze to extract as much liquid as possible. (If there is too much moisture on the leaves, the ravioli will fall apart during cooking.) Finely chop the spinach and and set aside.

Step 2

In a large bowl, stir together the ricotta, egg yolks, Parmigiano-Reggiano, and lemon zest. Add the reserved spinach and toss to combine, then season to taste with cayenne, nutmeg, salt, and black pepper. Add the flour and stir gently just until incorporated.

Step 3

Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a simmer over medium heat. With wet hands or a 1-tablespoon scoop, shape the spinach mixture into 1-inch balls. Drop one ball into the simmering water and cook until it floats to the top; if it holds its shape, continue with the remaining mixture. If the ball falls apart, add additional flour to the mixture, 1–2 teaspoons at a time, until it holds together in the water. Cook the dumplings in batches. As they float to the top, use a slotted spoon to transfer them to a large plate and tent with aluminum foil to keep them warm as you continue cooking the rest. To serve, drizzle with melted butter, top with additional Parmigiano, and serve warm.
  1. Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil over medium-high heat. Add the spinach and cook until wilted and very tender but still bright green, 8–10 minutes. Drain the spinach, discarding the cooking liquid, then transfer to a clean kitchen towel; squeeze to extract as much liquid as possible. (If there is too much moisture on the leaves, the ravioli will fall apart during cooking.) Finely chop the spinach and and set aside.
  2. In a large bowl, stir together the ricotta, egg yolks, Parmigiano-Reggiano, and lemon zest. Add the reserved spinach and toss to combine, then season to taste with cayenne, nutmeg, salt, and black pepper. Add the flour and stir gently just until incorporated.
  3. Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a simmer over medium heat. With wet hands or a 1-tablespoon scoop, shape the spinach mixture into 1-inch balls. Drop one ball into the simmering water and cook until it floats to the top; if it holds its shape, continue with the remaining mixture. If the ball falls apart, add additional flour to the mixture, 1–2 teaspoons at a time, until it holds together in the water. Cook the dumplings in batches. As they float to the top, use a slotted spoon to transfer them to a large plate and tent with aluminum foil to keep them warm as you continue cooking the rest. To serve, drizzle with melted butter, top with additional Parmigiano, and serve warm.
Recipes

Ravioli Nudi

Delicate fresh greens brighten these rich and tender ricotta dumplings.

  • Serves

    4

  • Time

    50 minutes

Spinach and Ricotta Dumplings (Ravioli Nudi)
CHRISTOPHER TESTANI

By SAVEUR Editors


Updated on April 28, 2023

Ravioli nudi are an unexpected surprise: stripped-down ravioli, hence "naked" by name. The only tricky part to this simple recipe is using the least amount of flour needed to keep the dumplings intact as they cook. Avoid using pre-grated parmesan cheese which often contains added starches and preservatives.

Ingredients

  • Kosher salt
  • 1 lb. fresh baby spinach
  • ½ lb. whole-milk ricotta, drained
  • 4 large egg yolks
  • 1 cup finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano, plus more, for sprinkling
  • ½ tsp. finely grated lemon zest
  • Cayenne pepper
  • Freshly grated nutmeg
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 Tbsp. all-purpose flour, plus more as needed
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted

Instructions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil over medium-high heat. Add the spinach and cook until wilted and very tender but still bright green, 8–10 minutes. Drain the spinach, discarding the cooking liquid, then transfer to a clean kitchen towel; squeeze to extract as much liquid as possible. (If there is too much moisture on the leaves, the ravioli will fall apart during cooking.) Finely chop the spinach and and set aside.

Step 2

In a large bowl, stir together the ricotta, egg yolks, Parmigiano-Reggiano, and lemon zest. Add the reserved spinach and toss to combine, then season to taste with cayenne, nutmeg, salt, and black pepper. Add the flour and stir gently just until incorporated.

Step 3

Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a simmer over medium heat. With wet hands or a 1-tablespoon scoop, shape the spinach mixture into 1-inch balls. Drop one ball into the simmering water and cook until it floats to the top; if it holds its shape, continue with the remaining mixture. If the ball falls apart, add additional flour to the mixture, 1–2 teaspoons at a time, until it holds together in the water. Cook the dumplings in batches. As they float to the top, use a slotted spoon to transfer them to a large plate and tent with aluminum foil to keep them warm as you continue cooking the rest. To serve, drizzle with melted butter, top with additional Parmigiano, and serve warm.
  1. Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil over medium-high heat. Add the spinach and cook until wilted and very tender but still bright green, 8–10 minutes. Drain the spinach, discarding the cooking liquid, then transfer to a clean kitchen towel; squeeze to extract as much liquid as possible. (If there is too much moisture on the leaves, the ravioli will fall apart during cooking.) Finely chop the spinach and and set aside.
  2. In a large bowl, stir together the ricotta, egg yolks, Parmigiano-Reggiano, and lemon zest. Add the reserved spinach and toss to combine, then season to taste with cayenne, nutmeg, salt, and black pepper. Add the flour and stir gently just until incorporated.
  3. Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a simmer over medium heat. With wet hands or a 1-tablespoon scoop, shape the spinach mixture into 1-inch balls. Drop one ball into the simmering water and cook until it floats to the top; if it holds its shape, continue with the remaining mixture. If the ball falls apart, add additional flour to the mixture, 1–2 teaspoons at a time, until it holds together in the water. Cook the dumplings in batches. As they float to the top, use a slotted spoon to transfer them to a large plate and tent with aluminum foil to keep them warm as you continue cooking the rest. To serve, drizzle with melted butter, top with additional Parmigiano, and serve warm.

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