Savory Butternut Squash Ravioli with Crispy Sage Brown Butter
This elegant yet comforting dish combines homemade ravioli filled with a rich and creamy butternut squash mixture, complemented by a luxurious sage brown butter sauce. The addition of crispy pancetta and the distinct crunch of amaretti cookies elevates the flavors and textures, making it a delightful centerpiece for any family gathering or dinner party. Though it appears gourmet, the recipe is straightforward, allowing even novice cooks to impress their guests. Get ready to savor each bite of these perfectly crafted raviolis!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
Pancetta
5 slices (cooked until crispy and crumbled)
Butter
5 1/2 tablespoons (divided for two uses)
Shallots
3 tablespoons (minced)
Butternut Squash
1 cup (mashed (approx. 1 1/2 lb roasted or microwaved))
Salt
1 pinch (to taste)
Pepper
1 pinch (to taste)
Chicken Broth
1/2 cup (divided)
Parmesan Cheese
5 tablespoons (grated, divided)
Nutmeg
1 pinch (to taste)
Pasta Dough or Wonton Wrappers
1 lb (made or store-bought)
Fresh Sage Leaves
12 (whole)
Fresh Parsley Leaves
1 tablespoon (finely chopped)
Amaretti Cookies
to taste (serve for topping and snacking)
Instructions
1
1. Begin by cooking the pancetta. In a sauté pan over medium heat, cook the pancetta slices until they are crispy. Once done, remove from the pan, crumble, and set aside.
2
2. In the same pan, melt ½ tablespoon of butter. Add the minced shallots and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.
3
3. Stir in the mashed butternut squash and continue cooking for approximately 2 minutes until the mixture is slightly dry. Pour in ¼ cup of chicken broth and cook for an additional 3 minutes. Remove from heat.
4
4. Stir in 3 tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese and a pinch of nutmeg. Season the filling with salt and pepper to taste. Allow the mixture to cool completely before using it for the ravioli filling.
5
5. Roll out your pasta dough to a thickness of about 1/8 inch using a pasta machine or a rolling pin. Cut into 3-inch squares or rectangles. If using wonton wrappers, they can be used as is.
6
6. Place a teaspoon of the cooled filling in the center of each pasta piece. Fold in half to form a triangle or rectangle, sealing the edges tightly to prevent filling from escaping.
7
7. In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. While the water heats, prepare the brown butter sauce by melting the remaining 5 tablespoons of butter in a separate sauté pan.
8
8. Once the butter has melted, add the fresh sage leaves, cooking until the butter becomes a light brown color, about 3-5 minutes. Pour in the remaining ¼ cup of chicken broth and simmer for another 5-10 minutes. Remove from heat.
9
9. Cook the ravioli in the boiling salted water. They should take about 4-5 minutes to float to the top, indicating they are al dente. Check for doneness by tasting one carefully.
10
10. Once cooked, drain the ravioli and transfer to serving plates or a large serving platter.
11
11. Drizzle the sage brown butter sauce generously over the ravioli. Top each serving with crumbled pancetta, a sprinkle of remaining Parmesan cheese, and freshly chopped parsley.
12
12. Serve with a side of amaretti cookies for guests to crumble over their dish or enjoy as a treat.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary filling for the Savory Butternut Squash Ravioli?
The filling consists of mashed butternut squash, sautéed shallots, chicken broth, grated Parmesan cheese, and a pinch of nutmeg.
What type of sauce is served with this ravioli?
The dish is served with a luxurious sage brown butter sauce made by browning butter with fresh sage leaves and simmering it with chicken broth.
How should the pancetta be prepared for this recipe?
The pancetta should be cooked in a sauté pan over medium heat until crispy, then removed and crumbled for use as a topping.
Can I use store-bought wrappers instead of making pasta dough?
Yes, the recipe suggests that wonton wrappers can be used as a convenient alternative to homemade pasta dough.
How much butternut squash is required for the filling?
You will need 1 cup of mashed butternut squash, which is approximately 1 1/2 pounds of roasted or microwaved squash.
What is the purpose of adding Amaretti cookies to the dish?
Amaretti cookies provide a distinct crunch and a sweet contrast that elevates the flavors and textures of the savory squash.
How long should I sauté the shallots?
The minced shallots should be sautéed in butter for about 1 minute until they become fragrant.
How thin should the ravioli pasta dough be rolled?
The pasta dough should be rolled out to a thickness of approximately 1/8 inch.
How much filling should be placed in each ravioli?
Place one teaspoon of the cooled butternut squash filling in the center of each pasta piece.
How do I ensure the ravioli does not open during cooking?
Fold the pasta over the filling and seal the edges tightly to prevent the filling from escaping while boiling.
How long does it take to cook the ravioli in boiling water?
The ravioli typically take about 4 to 5 minutes to cook, or until they float to the top of the boiling water.
How do I make the butter 'brown' for the sauce?
Melt the butter with sage leaves and cook for 3-5 minutes until it develops a light brown color and a nutty aroma.
What is the total amount of butter needed for the entire recipe?
The recipe requires a total of 5 1/2 tablespoons of butter, divided between the filling preparation and the sauce.
Can this recipe be made vegetarian?
To make it vegetarian, omit the pancetta and substitute the chicken broth with vegetable broth.
What dimensions should the pasta squares be?
The pasta should be cut into 3-inch squares or rectangles before filling.
What spices are used to season the butternut squash filling?
The filling is seasoned with a pinch of nutmeg, salt, and pepper to taste.
How much chicken broth is used in the sauce specifically?
The sauce uses 1/4 cup of chicken broth, which is simmered with the browned butter and sage for 5-10 minutes.
When should the Parmesan cheese be added?
Three tablespoons are stirred into the filling once it is removed from heat, and the remaining two tablespoons are used as a garnish.
How many sage leaves are required for the brown butter sauce?
The recipe calls for 12 whole fresh sage leaves.
What final garnishes are recommended before serving?
Top the ravioli with crumbled crispy pancetta, grated Parmesan cheese, and finely chopped fresh parsley.
What is the best way to prep the butternut squash?
You can roast or microwave the squash until soft, then mash it to get the required 1 cup of filling base.
Why do you cook the squash mixture with chicken broth in the pan?
Cooking the mashed squash with broth for 3 minutes helps integrate flavors and achieve the right consistency for the filling.
Can I prepare the filling in advance?
Yes, the filling needs to cool completely before being used, so making it ahead of time is actually helpful.
What should the texture of the ravioli be when finished?
The ravioli should be cooked 'al dente', which means they are firm to the bite but fully cooked.
Is this recipe suitable for beginners?
While it appears gourmet, the instructions are straightforward and easy to follow, making it accessible for novice cooks.
How should the Amaretti cookies be served?
They can be served on the side for guests to crumble over their dish or enjoyed as a sweet treat after the meal.
What is the total amount of Parmesan cheese used?
The recipe uses 5 tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese in total.
Should the sage leaves be removed from the butter sauce?
No, the sage leaves are typically left in the sauce as they become crispy and flavorful during the browning process.
How much pancetta is needed?
The recipe calls for 5 slices of pancetta.
What happens if I don't let the filling cool?
Warm filling can soften the pasta dough prematurely, making the ravioli difficult to handle and more likely to tear or leak.