Handmade Ravioli & Cannelloni from Scratch

Handmade Ravioli & Cannelloni from Scratch is a medium Italian recipe that serves 4. 350 calories per serving. Recipe by Homestead Wife Life on YouTube.

Prep: 59 min | Cook: 25 min | Total: 1 hr 39 min

Cost: $14.40 total, $3.60 per serving

Ingredients

  • 1 large Yellow Onion (peeled and roughly chopped)
  • 2 cloves Garlic (minced)
  • 1/2 cup White Wine (dry, such as Sauvignon Blanc)
  • 12 oz Bulk Italian Sausage (removed from casing, preferably high‑quality)
  • 2 cups Fresh Spinach (stems removed, roughly chopped)
  • 1/2 cup Ricotta Cheese (full‑fat, well‑drained)
  • 1/4 cup Pecorino Romano (freshly grated)
  • 1 pinch Nutmeg (freshly grated using microplane)
  • 2 tbsp Olive Oil (extra‑virgin)
  • 1 Egg (beaten with 1 tbsp water for egg wash)
  • 2 tbsp Semolina Flour (for dusting pasta sheets, prevents sticking)
  • 1 batch Fresh Pasta Sheets (homemade, rolled thin)
  • to taste Salt
  • to taste Black Pepper

Instructions

  1. Prep Ingredients

    Chop the onion, mince the garlic, remove the sausage from its casing, and roughly chop the spinach stems off.

    Time: PT10M

  2. Sauté Garlic

    Heat the skillet over medium, add olive oil, then add the minced garlic. Cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.

    Time: PT2M

    Temperature: Medium

  3. Caramelize Onions

    Add the chopped onion to the pan. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions turn golden and start to caramelize.

    Time: PT5M

    Temperature: Medium

  4. Deglaze with Wine

    Pour in the white wine, scraping up any browned bits (fond). Reduce the liquid until it is almost completely evaporated.

    Time: PT5M

    Temperature: Medium‑Low

  5. Cook Sausage

    Add the bulk sausage to the pan. Break it up with the wooden spoon and cook until it is mostly browned with only a little pink remaining.

    Time: PT5M

    Temperature: Medium

  6. Wilt Spinach

    Add the spinach to the pan, turn the heat down, and stir until the leaves wilt and collapse, about 2 minutes.

    Time: PT2M

    Temperature: Medium‑Low

  7. Season and Cool

    Season the mixture with salt, pepper, and a pinch of freshly grated nutmeg. Remove from heat and let the filling cool to room temperature.

    Time: PT15M

  8. Chill Filling

    Spread the cooled filling on a sheet pan lined with parchment and refrigerate for 15 minutes to firm up.

    Time: PT15M

  9. Blend Filling

    Place the chilled filling in the food processor. Add ricotta, Pecorino, and the beaten egg wash. Pulse until the mixture is smooth and homogeneous.

    Time: PT5M

  10. Prepare Pasta Sheets

    Lay out the fresh pasta sheets on a clean surface. Lightly dust both sides with semolina flour to prevent sticking.

    Time: PT5M

  11. Fill & Seal Ravioli

    Place a spoonful (or cookie‑scoop amount) of filling on one sheet, brush the surrounding edges with egg wash, fold the sheet over, press gently from the center outward to expel air, and seal the edges.

    Time: PT10M

  12. Cut Ravioli

    Using a round cutter or a sharp knife, cut individual ravioli, leaving a small border for the seal. Trim edges if desired.

    Time: PT5M

  13. Flash Freeze

    Arrange the cut ravioli on the parchment‑lined sheet pan, ensuring they do not touch. Place the pan in the freezer uncovered for 1–2 hours until the ravioli are solid.

    Time: PT2H

  14. Package for Storage

    Transfer the frozen ravioli to a labeled zip‑bag, remove as much air as possible, and store in the freezer.

    Time: PT5M

Nutrition Facts

Calories
350
Protein
15 g
Carbohydrates
45 g
Fat
12 g
Fiber
3 g

Dietary info: Contains meat, Contains gluten

Allergens: Egg, Dairy, Wheat, Sausage (pork)

Last updated: April 15, 2026

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Handmade Ravioli & Cannelloni from Scratch

Recipe by Homestead Wife Life

A step‑by‑step guide to making fresh Italian ravioli filled with sautéed sausage, wilted spinach, ricotta and Pecorino Romano. Includes tips for smooth filling, proper sealing, flash‑freezing, and serving suggestions.

MediumItalianServes 4

Shop all ingredients on Amazon in one click • Printable PDF with shopping checklist

Source Video
3h 7m
Prep
22m
Cook
25m
Cleanup
3h 54m
Total

Cost Breakdown

$14.40
Total cost
$3.60
Per serving

Critical Success Points

  • Reduce the wine until almost completely evaporated to develop fond flavor.
  • Cook the sausage fully before adding spinach; raw meat will not finish cooking in boiling water.
  • Cool the filling completely before processing to avoid a greasy texture.
  • Seal each ravioli with an egg wash and press out air pockets to prevent blow‑outs.
  • Flash freeze before bagging to keep ravioli from sticking together.

Safety Warnings

  • Hot oil and wine reduction can cause splatter – use a splatter guard.
  • Handle the hot skillet with oven mitts to avoid burns.
  • When using a food processor, keep fingers away from the blade.

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about this recipe

Q

What is the cultural significance and history of homemade sausage, spinach and ricotta ravioli in Italian cuisine?

A

Ravioli originated in medieval Italy as a way to encase flavorful fillings between thin pasta sheets. Sausage and cheese fillings are traditional in northern regions, while spinach adds a seasonal green that reflects the Italian love of fresh garden produce.

cultural
Q

What are the traditional regional variations of ravioli in Italian cuisine?

A

In Emilia‑Romagna, ravioli are often filled with meat and Parmigiano‑Reggiano; in Tuscany, ricotta and spinach are common; in the south, seafood or pumpkin fillings appear. The sausage‑spinach‑ricotta combo blends northern meat‑richness with central garden flavors.

cultural
Q

How is homemade ravioli traditionally served in Italy?

A

Fresh ravioli are usually boiled briefly, then tossed with a simple sauce such as browned butter and sage, or a light tomato broth, allowing the delicate filling to shine. They are often finished with a sprinkle of grated cheese.

cultural
Q

What occasions or celebrations is homemade ravioli traditionally associated with in Italian culture?

A

Ravioli are a festive dish for holidays like Christmas and Easter, as well as family gatherings and Sunday lunches, because making fresh pasta together is a communal activity that celebrates home and hospitality.

cultural
Q

What other Italian dishes pair well with homemade sausage, spinach and ricotta ravioli?

A

Serve the ravioli with a brown‑butter sage sauce, a light tomato‑basil sauce, or a simple drizzle of olive oil and grated Pecorino. A crisp arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette and a glass of dry white wine complement the richness of the filling.

cultural
Q

What are the most common mistakes to avoid when making homemade sausage, spinach and ricotta ravioli?

A

Common errors include under‑cooking the sausage, not cooling the filling before processing, failing to seal the edges with egg wash, and leaving air pockets inside the ravioli, all of which can cause the pasta to burst during boiling.

technical
Q

Why does this ravioli recipe use a food processor for the filling instead of hand‑mashing?

A

The food processor creates an almost smooth texture, preventing chunky pockets that could puncture the pasta during boiling. It also incorporates the cheese evenly, giving a consistent mouthfeel.

technical
Q

Can I make the sausage, spinach and ricotta ravioli ahead of time and how should I store them?

A

Yes. After assembling, flash‑freeze the ravioli on a parchment sheet, then transfer to a zip‑bag. They keep 4–6 weeks in the freezer. For short‑term storage, keep them refrigerated for up to 2 days, covered with parchment.

technical
Q

What texture and appearance should I look for when the filling is ready?

A

The filling should be smooth, slightly creamy, and firm enough to hold its shape when scooped. It should have a uniform pale‑yellow color with specks of spinach and no visible large sausage chunks.

technical
Q

How do I know when the ravioli are done cooking in boiling water?

A

Fresh ravioli float to the surface and need only 3–4 minutes more. Test one by cutting it in half; the pasta should be tender and the filling hot throughout.

technical
Q

What does the YouTube channel Homestead Wife Life specialize in?

A

The YouTube channel Homestead Wife Life focuses on homesteading, farm‑to‑table cooking, and step‑by‑step tutorials for making homemade staples like fresh pasta, preserves, and rustic meals using accessible equipment.

channel
Q

How does the cooking philosophy of Homestead Wife Life differ from other Italian cooking channels?

A

Homestead Wife Life emphasizes practical, family‑centered cooking with a focus on using everyday kitchen tools, improvisation when equipment is missing, and preserving traditional techniques while adapting them for modern home kitchens.

channel

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