What are some tips for filling raviolis with minimal mess?

To minimize mess while filling ravioli, a cook either uses a ravioli maker to make indentations in the dough or makes the filling very thick. This ensures the filling does not spread or make the dough too wet to mold.

After rolling the pasta dough out into a flat sheet, the cook places the filling in balls in 1-inch intervals onto the dough and places another flat layer of dough on top of the filling. A ravioli maker makes indentations in the dough for the filling, which further minimizes mess by giving the filling a place to sit. When using a ravioli maker, it is possible to use thinner fillings.