Chorizo and Mozzarella Ravioli

On Saturday I spent a lot of my afternoon preparing and cooking a special meal for my boyfriend, no particular reason for it, just wanted to treat him to something extra special. This is what I made as our main. Although it takes a while it is absolutely worth the time and effort as homemade pasta is just fantastic, not to mention fun to make!

I made my pasta using a heart shaped cookie cutter, since I was making it to say "I love you" to my boyfriend.

This would be a lovely dish to make on a special occasion, with Valentines Day coming up next month perhaps?  Also stay tuned for my dessert recipe, I'll post it tomorrow!

Chorizo and Mozzarella Ravioli

Serves 2 - 3

Pasta Dough

Half a recipe of Basic Egg Pasta (Or make the whole thing and keep half for something else)


Ravioli Filling

100 g Chorizo, chopped
1 Cup fresh spinach
1 tsp chilli flakes
salt and pepper to taste
1/3 Cup finely grated mozzarella

Pasta Sauce

1 Onion, finely diced
2 Cloves garlic, crushed, finely chopped, or finely grated
400 g tomatoes (fresh or canned, whatever is most readily available)
1 Tbsp Balsamic vinegar  
Salt and pepper to taste

1 egg + 1 tsp water, whisked together (to seal pasta edges)

1. Make the pasta dough following the directions on the recipe. You can use either a pasta machine or a rolling pin.

2. Make the filling by frying the chorizo with chilli flakes, salt, and pepper for about 4-5 minutes. Add the spinach and allow to wilt. Process to a fine mixture in a food processor or with a stick blender. Set aside.


3. Once the pasta is rested and rolled out into thin sheets make your pasta into shapes (use your imagination!), then cut out pieces using a cookie cutter, alternatively just use a pasta cutter (or pizza cutter) to divide into sections.

5. Fill the pasta by adding approximately teaspoon amounts of the filling mixture to the centre of a piece of pasta, top with a pinch of mozzarella. Take another piece of pasta, brush the edges with egg + water and seal over top of the filled piece, use a fork to press the edges of the two pieces together. Repeat this until all the pasta is filled. Cook the pasta in a large saucepan of boiling, salted water for about 4 minutes, stirring so that it doesn't stick. Removing from the pot using a slotted spoon. 

6. Make the sauce by frying the onion and garlic in a fry pan, add the tomatoes (if fresh, diced) balsamic, salt, and vinegar. Once nice and hot, blend in a food processor and using a stick blender.