These greens-stuffed ravioli nudi served over a simple but utterly delicious tomato sauce (just like the kind grandma used to make!) make for a lovely holiday or special occasion meal.
spinach and swiss chard ravioli nudi over simple tomato sauce from Eats Well With Others

They say you can never go home again.

But “they” obviously never had inside-out ravioli smothered in tomato sauce that tastes surprisingly like grandma’s. Which is like a little piece of The Bronx’s Arthur Avenue, circa 1987-2003 in your upper east side apartment. Not exactly the home you grew up in, but still. Home.

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What is not like grandma’s is when you try to explain to your fiance that you are making ravioli nudi and he comes running into the kitchen expecting something a bit more provocative than you dressed (TO THE NINES) in sweatpants and a t-shirt with a little bit of ricotta/flour/chard mix in your hair.

Because he’s obviously still a teenage boy.

Eye roll.

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Needless to say, his disappointment was replaced with moans of satisfaction when we sat down to lunch.

(Still fully dressed. Minds out of gutter, thankyouverymuch.)

Because even though I’m pretty sure he has never stepped foot in The Bronx’s Little Italy, this tastes like home no matter where you’re from.

And isn’t that just the kind of meal we need at this time of year?

Plus it’s so red, white, and green. AKA holiday-perfect.

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This recipe is from Domenica Marchetti’s The Glorious Vegetables of Italy, which I just can’t stop cooking from.

Though I love Italian food, I can normally kind of take-it-or-leave-it in favor of more global flavors, but the vegetable-driven dishes in this cookbook are just utterly inspiring. Not to mention that the pictures make me want to lick every page. The book starts out with a “Gallery of Italian Vegetables”, which describes each veggie, what it’s season is, information about different varieties, how to prepare it, etc. And then it dives into the fabulous recipes that use them. On my list of things to make are: Crostini with Fontina and Tomato Marmalade, Minestrone Verde, Winter Cauliflower Salad, Spinach Fettuccine with Baby Spinach, Carrot-Ricotta Ravioli with Herbed Butter, Vegetable Lasagne, Crepe Cannelloni with Mushrooms and Zucchini, Baked Delicata Squash with Cream and Parmigiano, Sweet Potato Frittelle, and basically everything.

If you’re looking for a cookbook to give as a gift for someone who just loves good food, then this is perfect. It is filled with good classic standbys as well as dishes that are a bit more out there, but still taste like comfort, if you know what I mean.

Note that I was in no way compensated for this review, I’m just obsessed with this cookbook. This post does contain Amazon Affiliate Links and so I’ll make (literally) a few cents if you purchase the cookbook on Amazon using one of them.

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One year ago…Peppermint Crinkle Cookies, Pumpkin Snickerdoodles

Two years ago…Italian Chocolate Almond Cookies, Cornflake Chocolate Chip Marshmallow Peppermint Cookies

Three years ago…Savory Leek Bread Pudding

Four years ago…Whole Grain Challah with Cranberries and Orange Zest

Spinach and Swiss Chard Ravioli Nudi Over Simple Tomato Sauce
 
These greens-stuffed ravioli nudi served over a simple but utterly delicious tomato sauce make for a lovely holiday or special occasion meal.
Yield: 4-6 servings
Ingredients
  • 1 lb swiss chard, stems removed, leaves shredded
  • 8 oz baby spinach
  • 12 oz ricotta
  • fine sea salt
  • freshly ground black pepper
  • ¾ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
  • 2 large egg yolks, lightly beaten
  • ¼ cup flour, plus more for coating the nudi
  • 1 recipe simple tomato sauce (recipe below)
Instructions
  1. Rinse the chard in cold water. Without drying, place the leaves in a large saucepan and steam, over medium heat, until tender, about 12-15 minutes. Toss frequently while cooking. Transfer the chard to a strainer and let cool. Return the saucepan to the stove.
  2. Rinse the spinach leaves and steam them in the same saucepan that you used for the chard. Cook for 5 minutes, tossing occasionally, or until tender and wilted. Remove from the heat and transfer to the strainer with the chard. Let cool.
  3. Squeeze as much excess water from the greens as possible. Transfer to a cutting board and chop them finely.
  4. In a large bowl, combine the greens with the ricotta, ½ tsp salt, black pepper to taste, parmesan cheese, and egg yolks. Sprinkle in the flour and gently fold it in.
  5. Pour some flour into a small shallow bowl. Pinch off a piece of the nudi dough that is about the size of a chestnut. Roll it into a ball, then roll it in the flour. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Repeat with remaining dough until it is all used up.
  6. Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Drop in 8-10 nudi, depending on the size of the pot. They will start to float after a minute or so. Allow to cook for another 5 minutes, or until they have puffed up. Remove with a skimmer and transfer to a serving bowl. Repeat until all the nudi have been cooked. Carefully toss with the tomato sauce. Serve over pasta, polenta, rice, or on their own.
Nutrition Information
Serving size: ¼ of recipe
Simple Tomato Sauce
 
A good classic tomato sauce doesn't get more simple - or more like grandma used to make - than this!
Yield: 5 cups
Ingredients
  • 2 garlic cloves, lightly crushed
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • 2 (28 oz) cans diced tomatoes
  • fine sea salt
  • 5 large basil leaves, shredded
Instructions
  1. Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat, along with the garlic. Press down on the garlic a bit with a spoon to release some of its flavor. Cook until garlic begins to sizzle, but doesn't brown, about 2 minutes. Carefully add the tomatoes, along with their juice and stir to combine with the oil. Season with 1 tsp salt. Bring o a simmer, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Simmer gently, stirring occasionally, for 30 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened.
  2. Remove from the heat and stir in the basil. Season with salt to taste. Refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

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80 Responses to Spinach and Swiss Chard Ravioli Nudi Over Simple Tomato Sauce

  1. WOW Joanne – these “spinach and swiss chard ravioli nudi” look so dang good! And so festive!

  2. Can it be more delicious and healthy than this ravioli with tomato sauce?! I Love it! Thanks for sharing, Joanne.

  3. Beautiful! The flavors in this sound incredible. Such a great meal for this time of year when it’s soooo cold outside! Love.

  4. Serving the nudi on pasta seems odd to me – I serve them *instead* of pasta! But then, you do a lot more exercise than I do.

  5. these look absolutely amazing! what a classic dish that’s healthy and filling. love this one, definitely trying it.

  6. Lisa says:

    Gracious. That looks and sounds delicious. Your creations always tempt me.

  7. ha ha ha…nudi…I can just picture the response. I have never made nudi, but always wanted to. This post only makes that statement more true – they look fabulous. And it’s so true, I love how food can take you home without actually taking you home.

  8. bellini says:

    I have come to discover that gnudi is very versatile. You often see it with spinach but it makes a statement made with chard.

  9. Christina says:

    Yum yum. I need this cookbook, and I cannot wait until I can tell someone, I am making nudi ravioli 🙂

  10. I had nudi for the first time last year at a cooking demonstration – they were SO good! Yours look fantastic Joanne and I’m sure my boys would gobble these right up!

  11. corinne says:

    Can’t wait to make this! YUM!

  12. OMG I have always wanted to try nudi- doesn’t it sound dirty?! LMAO! I am pinning these for later to try!

  13. Nutmeg Nanny says:

    Oh wow, I have to make this asap! I know my husband will just adore this dish 🙂

  14. sandra says:

    Your disclaimer made me laugh. This book sounds great and the dish is beautifully holiday ready!

  15. SallyBR says:

    Since I am not buying any cookbooks in 2014, I might just have to add this one quickly to my shopping cart. Please, do not tell my beloved husband. Merci

  16. I’d never heard about nudi, but darn, they look really delicious! What a nice and festive pasta dish, I love it! Happy Friday! x

  17. anything carb is my kind of dish. and that cookbook sounds a great one to have on hand.

  18. Pam says:

    I love the idea of inside-out ravioli – I’ve never heard of it before. This pasta does indeed look festive and delicious.

  19. Tara says:

    This looks divine! So simple to make but different than the usual pasta dish.

  20. I want those balls of heaven so dang bad. LOVE this.

  21. I love Nudi, this sounds amazing Joanne!

  22. Putting these at the top of the list for next week’s dinner line up!

  23. Abby says:

    Just when I think I couldn’t love your recipes more, you go and do this! I haven’t had nudi since our trip to australia in 2009, I’m thinking the boy and I need a date night at home with this!

  24. GNUDI! I never see this enough in Italian restaurants, do you? I’ve only really had it a handful of times, but it’s so good!

  25. Oh my! Can you say big bowl of comfort!!!

  26. Eileen says:

    Yay! Good Italian homestyle food has to be some of the most comforting & delicious stuff on earth. 🙂

  27. Kathryn says:

    Oh, this sounds amazing. Total comfort food in a bowl. Definitely going to give this a go!

  28. This looks/sounds great and I’m totally checking out that cookbook because I LOVE veggies and italian food 🙂

  29. Haha men always have their minds in the gutter. This dish though looks top notch!

  30. I’ve successfully done these gluten free and they are incredible 🙂

  31. I kind of like this idea of nudi with pasta. Normally I have just seen it by itself.

  32. gloria says:

    those look really delicious :))

  33. Love, love, love the inside out ravioli! And your commentary was hilarious. This is the kind of nudi colony I could really get into! 🙂

  34. Oh wow yum! I was totally thinking how festive this dish looks 🙂

  35. so, I’ve never had swiss chard, but regardless I feel pretty confident that I would like this recipe-it just looks so warm and deeeelicious!

  36. Monica says:

    That pasta, the sauce, the nudi all look so good! I would not be able to practice portion control with something like this!

  37. Susan says:

    I am going to Italy in march and I seriously can’t wait to eat food just like this and when I return all I’ll probably be able to fit in are those sweatpants and t-shirts. 🙂

  38. Beth says:

    Don’t believe “them” – you can always go home again.

  39. Such an easy, elegant winter meal, Joanne. This looks so delicious! Right up my alley for winter comfort food.

  40. Christine says:

    Okay, the first photo made me want to lick the screen 😉 And your fiance’s reaction to ravioli nudi was so funny! I’m going to have to look into buying this book, reminds me of a more advanced version of “Greene on Greens” by Bert Green, which I love. Only Bert’s book doesn’t have photos. Will be making this dish soon!

  41. Shannon says:

    hahaha- i’m sure this was almost as good 😉

  42. I’m still giggling at The.Boy’s interpretation of ravioli nudi. I’m sure my husband would be just the same 😛 This must have been good if he was able to recover and enjoy it as much as it sounds like you did!

  43. Johanna GGG says:

    love it and love your dress – that is my sort of outfit – I always have a little bread dough on my hands these days – just wish I always had a dish of pasta like this too

  44. Hotly Spiced says:

    That nudi ravioli looks amazing. I would love these flavours. This is a fantastic mid-week meal. I’ll have to look out for this cookbook xx

  45. Deena Kakaya says:

    Look at those vibrant, light and juicy nudi! Such simple ingredients, such gorgeous results x

  46. I love ordering nudi out, but I’ve never attempted it at home. Looks like a great recipe!

  47. oh goodness joanne…this looks incredible! reminds me a bit of some spinach ricotta dumplings i made awhile ago. i bet the swiss chard gives it an awesome flavor!

  48. Ugh, I really wish I had some of this ravioli nudi for dinner! My mouth is watering!

  49. You did something incredibly amazing with the spinach and swiss chard and I’m speechless–what a new {for me} way to prepare and eat it!

  50. These raviolis look so yummy! I love the combination of everything! Great recipe and thanks for sharing!

  51. Jordan says:

    Ravioli nudi is a new concept to me and I can already tell I love it because I am hard-core craving this dish right now! Can’t wait to give it a try. 🙂

  52. I’m a bit afraid of nudi ever since that one time I tried to make it for our anniversary dinner and it failed miserably (think more like a soup of nudi that perfect little balls of deliciousness). Once I get over my fear though this will be the first recipe I try!

  53. Barbara says:

    Yum, Joanne. I saw nudi on the food network and made it myself not long after. Love yours!

  54. Hannah says:

    Glorious gnudi! I’ve wanted to try making them for ages, but that idea simply got lost in the shuffle. So happy to be re-inspired by your mouthwatering photos. Now, to get motivated and make something of it!

  55. Wishing this will get on our dinner table soon, looks amazing!

  56. This looks divine 🙂
    I love the flavors in it … Nudi is my fav… I am definitely gonna try this

  57. Looks lovely Joanne. I am also a little more in love with other foods as a lot of Italian is cooked badly, but vegetables are an enticing prospect. if this cook book contains lots of recipes like this then it’s probably a good one

  58. My life with Paul is a constant cycle of sexual innuendo. They never outgrow it! These looks delicious!

  59. HA! That’s hilarious. I love your boyfriend for this. Super curious to try this. It looks fantastic!

  60. Emily says:

    This looks so good! I love all of your veggie recipes. You are one good cook!

  61. Wow, you sold me on that cookbook and these nudi look amazing! I’ve only had nudi in broth, but love the idea of it over pasta.

  62. When the san marzano tomatoes go on sale at whole foods I stock up.
    That is the best simple sauce, one can with fresh basil, a little bit of oregano and some EVOO.
    Those tomatoes are so sweet, and so tasty.
    It was not till later on in my cooking life that I FINALLY learned that good Italian food is just simple, whole foods.

  63. ahhh i made nudi ravioli a year ago and we loved it! ha totally understand the boy’s disappointment though!

  64. Wow, this one is awesome. What a fantastic looking meal.

  65. Kate says:

    Sometimes I think you write JUST for me. I bought both spinach and chard this weekend at the store without any idea what I’m going to do with them.

  66. I have never had nudi. I feel like maybe I’ve been under a rock my whole life. How could I miss out on something made almost entirely of cheese? I really need to explore Italian cuisine.

  67. Juli says:

    Large bunches of chard and spinach in last week’s CSA means I am eating this bowl of deliciousness right now!

  68. A nudi lunch is sure to get any man excited. but seriously, these look amazing!

  69. Megan says:

    The nudi look so good! The perfect match for pasta.

  70. Reeni says:

    When I was on blogger I tried to post a nudi recipe and blogger kept blocking me! >:( These nudi look so delicious and comforting! I think they are one of the least known Italian dishes which is a shame – they deserve more attention!

  71. tigerfish says:

    Ravioli nudi is so new to me! Thanks for “educating” me today! 🙂

  72. What a festive meal! You have the red and the green –totally perfect to serve this during the holidays! Thanks for sharing this recipe Joanne!

  73. I have yet to make nudi in my kitchen – these look wonderful! Absolutely beautiful 🙂

  74. […] Spinach and Swiss Chard Ravioli Nudi – Naked ravioli! AKA inside out ravioli. AKA SO GOOD. […]

  75. […] 23. Spinach and Swiss Chard Ravioli Nudi Over Simple Tomato Sauce […]

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