Spinach & Ricotta Ravioli with Sage Butter Recipe
Introduction
This spinach and ricotta ravioli is a delightful homemade pasta dish that combines creamy filling with the fresh taste of spinach and a touch of spice. Finished with a fragrant sage butter sauce, it’s a comforting meal perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients
- 400g ’00’ pasta flour, plus extra for dusting
- 4 large eggs
- 200g spinach
- 500g ricotta
- 1⁄2 tsp chilli flakes
- 1⁄4 tsp nutmeg
- 50g parmesan, grated
- 100g butter
- 12 sage leaves
- 50g parmesan, finely grated (for serving)
Instructions
- Step 1: Tip the flour onto a clean work surface and make a well in the centre. Crack the eggs into the well and use a fork to combine the ingredients. When a dough begins to form, use your hands to shape it into a ball and knead for 5–10 minutes until smooth. Form into a neat ball, cover, and set aside to rest for 30 minutes.
- Step 2: Boil a kettle of water. Place the spinach in a colander and pour the boiling water over it to wilt. Let cool slightly, then squeeze out excess water using a clean towel. Finely chop the spinach and transfer to a bowl. Add ricotta, chilli flakes, nutmeg, grated parmesan, salt, and pepper. Mix well with a fork, cover, and chill in the fridge.
- Step 3: Once rested, divide the dough into four pieces. Flatten each piece slightly. Working with one piece at a time (keep the others covered), roll the dough through a pasta machine starting at the thickest setting. Gradually reduce the thickness setting, dusting with flour as needed, until the dough is very thin. Repeat with remaining dough.
- Step 4: Dust a work surface with flour and lay out the pasta sheets. Place teaspoons of filling down the centre of one sheet, leaving about 2cm between each. Brush the edges of the pasta with water, then place another sheet on top. Press down around each mound of filling to remove air and seal. Trim edges and cut out individual ravioli. Arrange on a floured baking tray.
- Step 5: Bring a large pan of salted water to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Carefully add the ravioli and cook for 4–5 minutes until they float to the surface.
- Step 6: Meanwhile, melt butter in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add sage leaves and cook until the butter is foaming and lightly golden. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the cooked ravioli to the sage butter and gently toss to coat.
- Step 7: Serve the ravioli hot, scattered with finely grated parmesan on top.
Tips & Variations
- For a smoother filling, press the ricotta through a sieve before mixing.
- Add a little lemon zest to the filling for a fresh twist.
- If you don’t have a pasta machine, roll the dough with a rolling pin as thin as possible.
- Substitute sage with fresh thyme or basil for a different herb flavor.
Storage
Store uncooked ravioli on a floured tray covered loosely with cling film in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Cooked ravioli can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in a pan with butter or in simmering water to avoid breaking.
How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use frozen spinach instead of fresh?
Yes, use thawed and well-drained frozen spinach to avoid excess moisture in the filling.
How do I prevent the ravioli from sticking together?
Dust both the work surface and the ravioli generously with flour and place them apart on a tray. Also, avoid overcrowding the boiling water when cooking.
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Spinach & Ricotta Ravioli with Sage Butter Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This homemade Spinach & Ricotta Ravioli recipe features delicate fresh pasta stuffed with a flavorful spinach and ricotta filling, seasoned with chilli flakes and nutmeg. Served with a fragrant sage and butter sauce, and finished with grated parmesan, this dish offers a classic Italian comfort meal that’s both elegant and satisfying.
Ingredients
For the Pasta Dough
- 400g ’00’ pasta flour, plus extra for dusting
- 4 large eggs
For the Filling
- 200g spinach
- 500g ricotta cheese
- ½ tsp chilli flakes
- ¼ tsp nutmeg
- 50g parmesan, grated
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
For the Sage Butter Sauce
- 100g butter
- 12 fresh sage leaves
- 50g parmesan, finely grated, to serve
Instructions
- Make the Pasta Dough: Tip the pasta flour onto a clean work surface and form a well in the centre. Crack the eggs into the well and use a fork to gradually combine the flour and eggs. When a dough begins to form, use your hands to shape it into a ball. Knead the dough for 5-10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. Form into a neat ball, cover with cling film or a damp cloth, and set aside to rest for 30 minutes.
- Prepare the Filling: Boil a kettle of water and blanch the spinach by pouring the hot water over it in a colander. Allow it to wilt, then cool slightly. Transfer the spinach to a clean towel and squeeze out excess moisture thoroughly. Chop the spinach finely on a chopping board. In a bowl, combine the ricotta, chopped spinach, chilli flakes, nutmeg, grated parmesan, and season generously with salt and pepper. Mix well with a fork, then cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
- Roll the Pasta Sheets: Divide the rested dough into four quarters. Flatten one piece slightly with your palm, keeping the others covered. Using a pasta machine, pass the dough through starting at the thickest setting. Gradually move through the settings, reducing thickness each time and dusting with flour as needed, until the dough reaches the thinnest setting. Repeat this process for the remaining dough pieces to create thin pasta sheets.
- Assemble the Ravioli: Dust a clean work surface with flour and lay out all pasta sheets. On one sheet, place teaspoons of filling spaced about 2cm apart down the centre. Brush the edges of the pasta around the filling with water, then carefully layer another sheet of pasta over the top. Starting at one end, press down around each filling mound to remove air and seal the ravioli. Trim the edges with a knife or pasta cutter and cut out individual ravioli pieces. Place them on a floured baking tray to prevent sticking.
- Cook the Ravioli: Bring a large pan of salted water to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Gently add the ravioli and cook for 4-5 minutes until they float to the surface and are tender. Meanwhile, melt the butter in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add the sage leaves and cook until the butter is foaming and turns lightly golden, infusing the sage flavor into the sauce.
- Toss and Serve: Using a slotted spoon, transfer the cooked ravioli directly into the sage butter pan. Gently toss to coat the ravioli evenly with the flavorful butter sauce. Serve immediately, garnished with finely grated parmesan sprinkled over the top.
Notes
- Ensure spinach is thoroughly drained and squeezed dry before mixing to avoid soggy filling.
- Resting the pasta dough is crucial for elasticity and easier rolling.
- Keep unused pasta sheets covered to prevent drying out.
- If you don’t have a pasta machine, roll the dough out thinly by hand with a rolling pin.
- You can prepare the ravioli ahead of time and freeze them before cooking, separating layers with parchment paper.
- Adjust seasoning in the filling according to taste, especially salt and chilli flakes.
- Prep Time: 50 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: spinach ravioli, ricotta ravioli, fresh pasta, sage butter sauce, homemade ravioli, Italian pasta recipe, vegetarian pasta

