Spinach Pasta Swirls

To prepare the spinach pasta swirls, start with the fresh pasta: pour the flour and eggs into a bowl 1, then mix with a fork to combine 2. Transfer the mixture to the work surface and continue kneading with your hands 3.

Once you have a smooth and homogeneous dough 4, wrap it in plastic wrap and let it rest at room temperature for at least 30 minutes. Meanwhile, prepare the sauce: in a saucepan, sauté the oil with a clove of garlic, then pour in the tomato purée 5 and a little water, just enough to rinse the jar. Season with salt and basil leaves 6 and cook over low heat for about 40 minutes.

Meanwhile, take care of the spinach: in another saucepan, sauté the oil with a clove of garlic, then add the cleaned spinach 7. Salt, cover with the lid 8, and cook over medium heat for about ten minutes, just enough to wilt them slightly 9.

Drain the cooked spinach in a colander and press them to remove excess liquid 10, then let them cool. Once well drained, chop the spinach with a knife 11 and transfer to a bowl, then add the ricotta 12 and mix well.

Flavor with nutmeg 13 and pepper 14, then combine everything 15.

After the resting time, lightly dust the work surface 16 and the dough ball 17 with semolina, then roll it out to form a rectangle about 20x12 inches, with a thickness of a couple of millimeters 18.

Trim the edges of the rectangle 19, then add the spinach mixture 20 and spread it evenly with a spatula, leaving a 0.5-inch border on the long sides 21.

Gently roll the sheet starting from the long side 22, then slice the roll into pieces about 1.25 inches wide; with these amounts, you'll obtain 15-16 swirls 23. Meanwhile, the sauce will be ready, so remove the garlic clove 34.

Now you can assemble everything: take a baking dish about 11 inches in diameter and spread plenty of tomato sauce on the bottom 25, then place the slices with the cut side up 26 and press them gently to spread them 27.

Cover the swirls with the remaining sauce 28 and sprinkle the surface with the grated cheese 29. Bake in a preheated static oven at 350°F for 30 minutes, then turn on the grill mode for another 3 minutes. Once gratinated, your spinach pasta swirls are ready to be served 30!