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Homemade Cavatelli Recipe

by:
July 25, 2019
4.5
2 Ratings
Homemade Cavatelli Recipe
Photo by Food52
  • Prep time 2 hours 30 minutes
  • Cook time 25 minutes
  • Serves 4
Author Notes

Dan Kluger's homemade ricotta cavatelli is easy to make, delicious and a real crowd-pleaser—no wonder his daughters can't get enough of it. He recommends you make enough to freeze in a zip-top bag or deli container, and keep frozen until ready to use. Bring it out to perk up a weeknight: Serve it with a drizzle of olive oil and a side of roasted romanesco, or with your favorite sauce and cheese. —Food52

What You'll Need
Watch This Recipe
Homemade Cavatelli Recipe
Ingredients
  • Ricotta cavatelli
  • 3 cups ricotta
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 eggs, lightly beaten
  • 2 tablespoons semolina flour, for tossing (or more, as needed)
  • Roasted romanesco
  • 1 head of romanesco, cut into bite-size pieces
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil, or more to taste
  • 1 dash salt, to taste
  • 1 dash pepper to taste
Directions
  1. Ricotta cavatelli
  2. Combine the ricotta, salt, and flour in a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook.  
  3. Make a well in the center of the ingredients, and add the lightly beaten eggs.
  4. Turn on mixer and process until the dough comes together, about 5 minutes.
  5. Remove dough from mixer bowl, and knead on a surface lightly dusted with flour until dough is elastic (springing back when you touch it). Tightly wrap in plastic and allow to rest at room temperature for 30 minutes.
  6. Once rested, cut into 1-inch pieces. Using a rolling pin then your hands, form ropes 1/2-inch thick and pass through a cavatelli maker.
  7. Toss cavatelli in semolina flour and freeze for an hour or two.
  8. Remove from freezer and dust off the semolina flour. Bring a saucepan of salted water to a boil and add the pasta. Cook until the cavatelli are al dente—they're done when they float up to the top. Drain and toss with your favorite sauce. Or serve with roasted romanesco (below) on the side.
  1. Roasted romanesco
  2. Heat oven to 400°F. Spread florets on a roasting pan. Add a drizzle of olive oil. Sprinkle salt and pepper to season.
  3. Pop into oven for 15-20 minutes until roasted (even a little burnt).
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5 Reviews

Brad R.
Brad R. April 28, 2020
great video for learning, this recipe makes HUGE amount.....i'd suggest smaller sized eggs, and maybe a little more flour.......i had to add more later and re-knead and rest because it was sticking to rollers......very tasty dumplings though!!!
 
boulangere
boulangere July 27, 2019
"...pass through a cavatelli maker." You have got to be joking. I make mine by forming them on a sushi mat. Besides which, have you never heard of the Pasta Grannies? Not one of them uses a machine for anything.
 
Janet
Janet July 27, 2019
Great video! Love that Georgia is a little spitfire!!!! Love cavatelli and am eager to make this recipe. Any way I could get the name of the cavatelli maker Chef was using in the video? Thanks!
 
Lune
Lune August 11, 2019
I bought mine on amazon for $25ish. It worked fine and they came out beautiful. I used homemade ricotta and a little bit of roasted butternut squash. I also halved the recipe. It made a sheet tray full. Now to pick up a sauce to make for them!

 
Janet
Janet August 11, 2019
Thanks for your reply! I'll check it out on Amazon.....your recipe sounds great, too!