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Crespelle in Brodo: Italian Crepes in Savory Broth

These delicate Italian crepes, known as crespelle, are lightly filled with a savory ricotta and Parmesan mixture, then served warm in a rich, comforting chicken or vegetable broth. It's a classic, elegant first course perfect for a cozy meal.
Prep Time 40 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Appetizer, First Course, Soup
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 380

Ingredients
  

For the Crepes (Crespelle)
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1.5 cups whole milk
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp unsalted butter melted, plus more for greasing
For the Ricotta Filling
  • 1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese well-drained
  • 1/2 cup Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese finely grated, plus more for serving
  • 1/4 tsp freshly grated nutmeg
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/8 tsp black pepper freshly ground
For the Broth and Serving
  • 6 cups chicken or vegetable broth high-quality
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley finely chopped, for garnish

Equipment

  • Large Mixing Bowl
  • Whisk
  • Non-stick frying pan (8-inch)
  • Small saucepan
  • Spatula
  • Fine-mesh sieve

Method
 

Prepare the Crepes (Crespelle)
  1. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs, milk, and melted butter until well combined.
  2. Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, whisking continuously until a smooth batter forms. If there are any lumps, you can strain the batter through a fine-mesh sieve. Cover the bowl and let the batter rest at room temperature for at least 30 minutes, or refrigerate for up to 2 hours (bring to room temperature before cooking).
  3. Heat an 8-inch non-stick frying pan over medium heat. Lightly grease the pan with a small amount of butter. Pour about 1/4 cup of batter into the hot pan, tilting and swirling to evenly coat the bottom in a thin layer. Cook for 1-2 minutes per side, until lightly golden and set. Transfer cooked crepes to a plate and stack them.
  4. Repeat with the remaining batter, greasing the pan lightly as needed. You should yield approximately 12-14 crepes.
Make the Ricotta Filling
  1. In a medium bowl, combine the well-drained ricotta cheese, grated Parmigiano-Reggiano, nutmeg, salt, and black pepper. Mix until all ingredients are evenly distributed and the filling is smooth.
Assemble and Serve
  1. Lay a cooked crepe flat on a clean surface. Spoon about 1-2 tablespoons of the ricotta filling in a thin line across the center of the crepe. Fold one side of the crepe over the filling, then roll it up tightly to form a cylinder. Repeat with all the remaining crepes and filling.
  2. Gently slice each filled crepe crosswise into 3-4 pieces. This creates smaller, bite-sized rolls.
  3. In a large saucepan, bring the chicken or vegetable broth to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Once hot, add the sliced crespelle rolls to the broth. Allow them to heat through for about 2-3 minutes.
  4. Ladle the hot crespelle and broth into individual serving bowls. Garnish generously with fresh chopped parsley and an extra sprinkle of grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese. Serve immediately.

Notes

To ensure your ricotta filling isn't watery, place the ricotta in a fine-mesh sieve lined with cheesecloth and let it drain in the refrigerator for at least an hour, or overnight. Leftover cooked crepes can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. The broth and filled crepes are best assembled and served fresh.