Go Back
: Valentine's Day Ravioletti pink heart-shaped pasta with butter sauce walnuts and herbs on white plate

Valentine's Day Ravioletti

Heart-shaped ravioletti with naturally pink beet pasta dough, creamy three-cheese filling, and silky butter sauce with walnuts and fresh herbs. Perfect for romantic dinners and special occasions.
Prep Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 2 hours 30 minutes
Servings: 4 portions
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian
Calories: 520

Ingredients
  

  • 2 medium red beets cleaned
  • 2 tbsp roasted beet purée for dark pink dough
  • 1 large egg for dark pink dough
  • 2 large egg yolks for dark pink dough
  • 1⅓ cups '00' pasta flour or all-purpose flour for dark pink dough
  • 1 tbsp roasted beet purée for light pink dough
  • large eggs whisked together, for light pink dough
  • 2 large egg yolks for light pink dough
  • 1⅓ cups '00' pasta flour or all-purpose flour for light pink dough
  • 8 oz high-quality full-fat ricotta
  • 6 oz soft goat cheese
  • 2 oz finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 2 tbsp minced fresh chives to 3 tablespoons
  • 1 small lemon zested
  • lemon juice optional squeeze
  • ½ cup cold unsalted butter cut into tablespoons (1 stick)
  • Kosher salt for pasta water and butter sauce
  • ½ cup raw walnuts toasted and coarsely chopped
  • Fresh mint leaves, dill fronds, and minced chives for garnish

Equipment

  • Small deep baking dish or loaf tin
  • Small blender
  • Food processor
  • Pasta machine or rolling pin
  • Heart-shaped ravioli mold
  • 1½-inch fluted cookie cutter
  • Piping bag
  • Large pot
  • Large skillet or sauté pan
  • Spider sieve or slotted spoon
  • Kitchen scale

Method
 

  1. Heat the oven to 400°F. Trim the stems and roots from the beets so the flesh is exposed and they can stand upright. Place them cut-side down in a small deep baking dish with ¼ inch of water covering the bottom. Cover tightly with foil, prick a few holes in the top, and roast for 45 to 60 minutes until very tender. Check halfway through and add more water if needed.
  2. When the beets are cool enough to handle but still warm, peel off the skins with your hands or paper towel. Roughly chop and transfer to a small blender, then purée until completely smooth. Add water one tablespoon at a time if needed to help blend.
  3. For each pasta dough (you'll make two separate batches), mix the beet purée, eggs, and yolks in a bowl until well combined. Add flour to a food processor, then pour in the liquid mixture. Pulse until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs, then turn out onto your work surface and knead by hand until smooth and elastic, about 8 to 10 minutes. Wrap each dough separately and let rest at room temperature for at least 30 minutes and up to 2 hours.
  4. While the dough rests, toast your walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3 to 4 minutes until fragrant and lightly golden. Set aside to cool, then coarsely chop.
  5. Pulse the ricotta, goat cheese, and Parmigiano-Reggiano in a food processor until completely smooth. Season generously with salt and pepper, then add chives and lemon zest. Pulse briefly just until combined. Transfer to a piping bag or bowl and refrigerate until ready to use.
  6. Roll out your rested dough to the appropriate thickness for ravioli, typically setting 6 or 7 on a pasta machine. Use your ravioli mold to form the hearts, piping about 1 teaspoon of filling into each cavity. Cover with a second sheet of pasta, seal well, and use a rolling pin to press firmly. Cut into decorative rounds using a 1½-inch fluted cookie cutter.
  7. Bring a large pot of water to a gentle boil and season generously with salt. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add ¼ cup pasta cooking water and bring to a lively simmer. Reduce heat to low and whisk in cold butter one piece at a time until melted and emulsified. The key here is keeping the heat low and whisking constantly to prevent the sauce from breaking. Season with salt and keep warm on the lowest heat.
  8. Gently drop the ravioletti into boiling water, shaking off excess flour. Stir briefly to prevent sticking. Cook for 2½ to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tender. Always taste-test one to check doneness.
  9. Transfer the cooked ravioletti to the butter sauce using a spider sieve or slotted spoon, then swirl the pan until well coated. Divide among plates and spoon extra butter sauce on top. Finish with toasted walnuts and a generous sprinkle of fresh herbs. Serve immediately while hot.

Notes

Fresh raw beets are essential for the vibrant pink color. Pre-cooked beets will not yield the same results. Each dough recipe serves 2 people, so double the recipe to serve 4. Using a kitchen scale for measuring ingredients, especially flour and eggs, ensures the best texture. The beet purée can be made up to 3 days ahead and refrigerated, or frozen for up to 3 months. The cheese filling can also be prepared up to 3 days in advance. Uncooked ravioletti can be frozen on a baking sheet, then transferred to a freezer bag once solid.