Roll out the pasta dough (recipe follows) to the thinnest setting on a pasta machine, using a good dusting of the semolina between the resting sheets to maintain a good separation. Cut the pasta sheets into 4-inch squares. Place a scant tablespoon of the ricotta filling on one half of each square, and then fold it over like a book to enclose the filling, forming a rectangle. Press the edges of the ravioli with your fingers to seal them. (The ravioli can now be frozen between sheets of parchment, sprinkled with semolina until ready to cook.)

Bring 8 quarts of water to a boil.

While the water is heated, heat the butter in a 14-inch saute pan over high heat until the foam subsides and it begins to turn a light brown color. Add the sage and remove the pan from the heat.

Add 2 tablespoons salt to the boiling water. Then add the ravioli, and cook until they are tender and cooked through (you should taste one to test it), about 3 minutes (a little more if frozen). Reserve 3 tablespoons of the cooking water, and drain the ravioli. Add them to the pan containing the butter and sage. Add the reserved cooking water, and toss gently over high heat for 1 minute.

Pour the hot ravioli onto a warmed platter, and serve immediately with Parmigiano grated over the top.

Tip: Save any extra ravioli filling and use it to make a frittata the following morning.

Basic Pasta Dough

3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (plus 1/4 cup for kneading)

5 extra-large eggs

Mound the flour in the center of a large wooden board. Make a well in the center of the flour and add the eggs. Using a fork, beat the eggs together and then begin to incorporate the flour; starting with the inner rim of the well. As you expand the well, keep pushing the flour up to retain the well shape (do not worry if it looks messy). When half of the flour is incorporated, the dough will begin to come together. Start kneading the dough, using primarily the palms of your hands. Once the dough is a cohesive mass, set the dough aside and scrape up and discard any dried bits of dough.

Lightly flour the board and continue kneading for 10 minutes, dusting the board with additional flour as necessary. The dough should be elastic and a little sticky. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and allow to rest for 30 minutes at room temperature before using.

(Mario Batali is the award-winning chef behind twenty-four restaurants including Eataly, DelPosto, and his flagship Greenwich Village enoteca, Babbo.)