Ravjul bil-Ġbejniet tan-Nagħaġ
Sheep's Cheese Ravioli
Traditional Maltese ravioli filled with fresh sheep cheese and served with a simple tomato and basil sauce.
Ingredients
Have your ingredients ready? Go to instructionsInstructions
- Make the dough: Place flour on a clean work surface and form a well in the centre. Add eggs and salt. Gradually mix into the flour, then knead for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Wrap and rest for 30 minutes.
- Prepare the filling: Mash ġbejna with a fork until smooth. Mix in egg, parsley, black pepper, and grated cheese if using. The filling should be creamy but firm.
- Shape the ravioli: Roll the dough thinly (about 2mm). Cut into circles or squares (8-10 cm). Place a spoonful of filling in the centre, brush edges lightly with water, then fold and seal well while pressing out air. Dust lightly with flour.
- Prepare the sauce: Heat olive oil gently. Add garlic and cook lightly without browning. Add tomatoes and simmer for 20-25 minutes until thick. Season and stir in basil at the end.
- Cook the ravioli: Boil in salted water for 3-4 minutes, until they float. Drain carefully.
- Serve: Toss gently with tomato sauce and sprinkle with extra grated cheese if desired.
For help choosing the filling cheese, read our ġbejniet guide, including the differences between fresh cheeselets and drained ricotta.
Ravjul bil-Ġbejniet are traditional Maltese ravioli filled with fresh sheep cheese (ġbejna). They are simple, rustic, and typically served with a fresh tomato and basil sauce.
Ingredient Substitutions Outside Malta
If fresh sheep’s-milk ġbejniet are unavailable, use well-drained ricotta for a milder filling. Match the 500g after draining, and keep the mixture firm enough to seal inside the dough. Dried or peppered cheeselets and salty feta give a different filling and are not direct replacements. Use all-purpose flour for the plain flour, adding the dough’s eggs as directed.
Serving Notes
- Traditionally served as a Sunday lunch first course
- Often paired with a glass of local red wine
- Best eaten fresh
Traditional Notes & Tips
- The filling should taste fresh and slightly tangy
- Some versions use mint instead of parsley
- In Gozo, the ġbejna flavour is often stronger
Try it in Malta & Gozo
These restaurants list this dish or a related version on their published menus. Our recipe is an independent home version.
- Nenu the Artisan Baker — Valletta, Malta. Ravjul tal-ġbejniet. Cheeselet-filled pasta with tomato sauce.
- Diar il-Bniet — Dingli, Malta. Ravjul tal-ġbejniet. Sheep-cheese ravioli with a tomato and basil sauce.
- Ta’ Vestru — Qala, Gozo. Gozo cheese ravioli. Cheese-filled ravioli with tomato sauce and a ġbejna crumble; our recipe specifies sheep’s cheese.
- Ta’ Karolina — Xlendi, Gozo. Homemade local-cheese ravioli. Its menu says local cheese; our home recipe specifically uses fresh sheep’s-milk cheeselets.
Explore Maltese restaurants and their menus. Menus checked 28 October 2026; confirm availability directly.