Happy Friday, friends! Here’s my promised tutorial for delicious homemade pasta. There’s something so delightful about the bouncy, supple texture of fresh pasta– it’s flavorful, robust, and unforgettable. I might even say that once you’ve tasted this stuff, you’ll want to make it for all your friends and family; and no one will want to go back to boxed macaroni product!
FAQ: Is It Difficult?
The short answer is, it depends on how familiar you are with working with dough. Your hands will get covered with flour and stickiness, as this recipe requires kneading. Furthermore, you won’t be able to make the dough in a stand mixer or with an electric hand mixer. As you will see, it requires slowly incorporating ingredients together.
However, I am a strong believer that YOU CAN DO IT!!!! Like anything, making pasta takes some practice but the payoff is so great that it’s worth the hard work. And unlike French macaroons, once you get this right, you’ll probably always get it right. That’s good news!
Last tip– this is not a neat and tidy process. It requires lots of patience, courage, and a little cleaning-up. But that’s real cooking:Â dough in your fingernails, flour in your hair. Personally, I enjoy the messiness.
A quick word on tools…
You’ve probably heard of a pasta roller or attachment before. While these gadgets are not necessary, they’re quite preferable to a rolling pin and knife. I’ll show you how you can cut your own pasta into diamonds and triangles (maltagliati), but for narrow strand pastas (linguini, fettuccine, cappellini, etc.) you’ll probably need a cutter.
If you have a stand mixer such as the Kitchenaid, you can purchase pasta rolling attachments that will run the pasta through electrically. If you’d like to see a manual pasta roller at work, check out this video by YouTube chef, Byron Talbott. The pasta roller we used is a Kitchenaid attachment, available at Williams-Sonoma.
And if this is a one-time experiment for you, go ahead and try it with a rolling pin and knife! And once you enjoy the deliciousness, you’ll probably go out and get yourself a pasta roller.
Our Kitchenaid pasta cutting attachment
A note on ingredients…
There are hundreds of pasta recipes out there, and the one you select is a matter of preference. My husband and I love eggs in our pasta for the texture and color, so this is our favorite recipe.
Ready to try this? Here we go! (Oh, and the unfamiliar set of hands are my husband’s. It’s such a hands-on process that I had him do the hard work while I took these photos for you!)
Homemade Pasta Recipe
Ingredients (makes about 20 oz pasta; 8 full-size servings. Pasta dough can be frozen and defrosted for later use, or refrigerated for a day):
- 2.75 cups flour, plus more for dusting
- 6 large eggs, preferably at room temperature
- 4 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 pinch of salt
Step One: Make the Dough. On a flat, clean surface, sift the flour and form a well in the center. In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs, oil and salt until just combined. Pour the mixture into the well, being careful to not let it “leak” out the side.
With a fork, slowly begin incorporating the flour into the egg mixture. Work circularly around the well, allowing the flour and egg mixture to absorb into each other. Continue to do this until a dough is formed. This will take at least 5-10 minutes. Be patient!
Once the dough has come together, prepare to knead the dough by hand for 4-5 minutes. Flour your work surface, and begin to knead. Push the dough away from yourself, then fold it in half, and repeat. If necessary, you can separate the dough into two parts to make the kneading more manageable.
You should now have a smooth, elastic dough. Form it into a ball, wrap with Seran and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, up to overnight. You may also divide the dough at this time and freeze a portion for later.
Step Two: Roll the Dough. If using a rolling pin, flour your surface. Divide the dough you are using into manageable chunks, and begin to roll it out. Once it’s rolled out, fold into thirds, and roll in a perpendicular direction from the fold. Repeat. For most pastas, the dough should only be 1/16 inch thick.
If using a pasta roller (or attachment), be sure to follow the instructions that come with it. You want to start the roller at the lowest (thickest) setting, and slowly feed the dough through. Fold it in thirds and repeat in the other direction. You can cut the dough if it gets too long. Continue until you’ve taken the roller to the preferred setting, and the dough is thin enough.
Remember that the pasta will expand in both width and thickness when it cooks! Therefore, make sure your pasta is rolled thin enough, or you will end up with thick doughy chunks (yuck!).
This sheet is still too thick. It needs to be thinned out by at least 50%!
Step Three: Cut the Pasta. Now you should have thin rectangular sheets of pasta! Almost there! Depending on what kind of pasta you would like to make, you can begin to cut it.
If cutting by hand, be sure to flour your work surface sufficiently. To make maltagliati, cut the pasta into triangles or diamonds with a regular knife. If you’d like to hand cut some fettuccine or pappardelle strands, flour the long sheet of pasta. Fold the sheet into thirds, and slice to desired width. Unfold the pasta and make sure it doesn’t stick together.
If using pasta roller or attachment, feed the pasta through the cutter of choice. There is only one setting for these, so it should be pretty self-explanatory!
Step Four: Cook and enjoy! To cook your pasta, bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Add a splash of olive oil (to prevent sticking), and pour in your pasta. Fresh pasta cooks much faster than dried pasta, so stay close by. Cook for approximately 3 minutes, and drain immediately. Toss with your favorite sauce and enjoy! In these photos, I used the pureed version of my 5-Ingredient Tomato Sauce. In last week’s photos, I served homemade pasta with my Butternut Squash pasta sauce.
Are you going to try this? Have you ever had fresh pasta? I’d love to hear about it! And let me know if you have any questions about this process!
Wow! This looks incredible. You are amazing. I would never think to make homemade pasta! I cant belive its just four ingredients!
Haha I hope you do try it Deniz! And thank you so much, that means a lot to me 🙂
Thanks so much for reading, Annie! I love our pasta roller, it makes homemade pasta so much easier and doable 🙂
Started following you on bloglovin and was looking through your old posts and found this! OH MY GOSH. This looks incredible – I saved this post and hopefully I will have a chance to try it in the future!
– Deniz
http://www.dressedupdeniz.com
There is really nothing like homemade pasta! When I move to a bigger space, I am definitely investing in a pasta roller attachment! Thanks for sharing!
xo Annie
http://www.laircake.com
Oh wow. I kind of started drooling when I read this. Thank you SO much! The tortellini sounds delicious… it definitely seems doable with a bit of effort and extra friends (and I have just the right people in mind). 🙂
One of my favorites is chicken and sun dried tomato tortellini. I cook chicken breasts and shred them pretty finely in my food processor with sun dried tomatoes, spinach, and four cheese Italian blend. My advice is to make sure you have someone doing it with you! A few people even, if you can. 🙂 The process goes so much faster if you can assembly line it. Have one person roll out the pasta sheets (I usually roll mine out to a 7 for stuffed pasta) then have someone else cut the pasta into circles, and have another person fill, then one more person fold.
Another really easy one that doesn’t require folding is canneloni. At the restaurant we used to make the filling with shredded chicken, ricotta, spinach, basil, and toasted pine nuts. Just roll out your pasta sheets and cut them about the length of your hand. Then fill with the filling and roll them up. Then nestle them in marinara sauce and top with cheese and bake! SO good. 🙂
Ooh I’ve not ventured into making stuffed pastas yet! Do you have any recipes or wisdom to share? 🙂
My love for homemade pasta knows no limits! I got hooked on fresh pasta after working in an Italian restaurant. This reminded me that I haven’t made it in a while! My favorite thing to do is make huge batches of tortellini or ravioli and freeze most of it for later. 🙂
Ah yes! Doing it in a stand mixer just doesn’t seem to work for some reason. Mixing by hand is definitely messier but it comes together really well. Hope you do try it!! 🙂
Girl you are a rockstar! I just got a pasta maker attachment for our anniversary in July and I tried making ravioli but it was difficult. I can’t wait to try this approach! I think I messed it up by using my mixer to make the dough, instead of doing it by hand. I can’t wait to try this AND your butternut squash sauce recipe!
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Thank you!! Yes, it’s really fun to do it with someone. And it’s a challenge, but like I said, once you get it right, you’ll probably always get it right! 🙂
Haha thanks Joi! I’m extremely motivated about certain things… And it would be my pleasure 🙂
Ah, you should definitely try it, Jeanette! 🙂
Thanks girl! That must have been so fun to do with her! It’s totally worth it especially if you’ve done it before. Thank you for stopping by 🙂
That’s awesome Carli! It’s really fun; especially if you do it as a project with a friend 🙂
Thanks Rachel!! Ooh that sounds delicious– I love watching people stretch out strands of noodles; that’s territory I have yet to enter!
Thanks Larisa!! Yeah, the messiness is definitely part of the experience. I didn’t share anything about how to clean up the post-pasta mess 😉 But still worth it in my opinion. Thanks for stopping by, friend!
Thank you so much Rachel!! Aw heart-shaped pasta would be delicious, maybe you could use a cookie cutter? Thanks for reading, friend! Hope you’re having a good weekend.
Haha you’re hilarious! This is really so good though. Thanks for stopping by Erin, I hope you’re having a wonderful (and super stylish) weekend:)
Ahh thanks girl! And I am just like you– I don’t tire of pasta either. I love trying different pasta sauces and toppings! Hope you’re enjoying your weekend, friend!
Thanks Heidi!! I hope you do try it– it’s totally worth it. Hope you’re having a lovely weekend!
Thanks so much Amber!! Yes, the machines definitely make it more achievable and not an all-day task. Hope you’re having a wonderful weekend 🙂
Oh Sarah, if you already have the attachments you have to do this!! It’s really a great thing to make and serve. Hope you’re having a good weekend, friend 🙂
Oh, the roller is SO worth it, especially if you’re a pasta lover and can use it for years to come. A great investment. And yes, the extra eggs add to the chewiness and suppleness of the pasta– less bread-y, if that makes sense. Hope you’ll share some more of your recipes, Rachel! I’d love to read about what you create in your kitchen 🙂
Oh it’s so fun!! You do have to set aside the time to make and enjoy it though– perhaps on a vacation or during the holidays 😉 Hope you’re having a great weekend Charity!
Thank you Gina!! It’s totally worth a try 🙂 Hope you’re having a great weekend!!
Yeah, some machines can be really expensive… you do have to be committed to making pasta more than a few times. But! If you make the recipe and like it, the machine will last you forever 🙂 Hope you enjoy it– the most important part is to make sure that it’s rolled out thin enough. Good luck Shireen!
Thanks Rebekah!! It’s totally worth it 🙂
Thanks girl! It’s totally achievable but takes a bit of courage and effort 🙂 Thanks so much for stopping by!
Thanks so much Joanna! Let me know how it goes 🙂 Hope you’re having a great weekend.
It’s amazing! And yes, the pasta maker does make it so much easier. Thanks for stopping by Hannah:)
So impressed! This looks like such great fun and a great activity to complete with a friend or a partner, and it came out so delicious-looking. Frankly, I’m doubting my ability of accomplishing this… (yeah, I know. Believe in yourself :)) Awesome post!
Haha thank you Rachel! And yes, homemade pasta is good for a special occasion or a weekend meal when you have more time to make and enjoy it! 🙂 Thank you for stopping by!
Yes, it’s an adventure of sorts and not for the faint of heart. The pay off is worth it though!! Thanks for stopping by Brooke 🙂
It’s so delicious! This recipe is also tried and true; my husband and I have gone through lots of other recipes that just don’t come together. Let me know if you do try it 🙂
Thanks Kiki!! This is a great rainy day project– it’ll feel like an adventure, haha. Have a great weekend:)
Thank you so much!! Oh you should try this recipe– it really comes together quite well. Also, you can try refrigerating the dough for about 1/2 hour before cutting it. That tends to help too. 🙂 Thank you so much for stopping by!
Ooh yes, it’s totally worthwhile. It’s a bit of work and kind of messy, but I love it 🙂
Seriously how do you know these things 🙂 Very impressive
you can come cook for me anytime!
I found my almost-never-used pasta maker when recently cleaning out my kitchen cabinets. This motivates me to use it. Thanks Daisy!
Thanks for the tutorial! The only homemade pasta I ever had was by the hands of my Great Aunt, and it was amazing, but since she passed, I’ve never attempted it on my own. Maybe I’ll give it try now!
Chic on the Cheap
I think you have inspired me to make my own pasta! This looks delicious! Thanks for the step by step guide 🙂
xo, carli
http://www.puppiesandpolkadots.com
Looks delicious! We eat a lot of freshly made pasta, but we’ve never made it ourselves, we just go to our little neighborhood ma-and-pa noodle shop and watch them making the noodles, it’s such a good experience!
YUM! I tried a few times to make my own home made pasta with my old roomie’s machine. It was so messy I would always get so discouraged! I tip my hat to you – looks delicious!
xx Larisa @ weheartbeauty.com
WOWWW! This looks so yummy! I had no idea that you could make homemade pasta without a pasta making machine. I might try making heart shaped pasta for my partners birthday- I’m sure he’d love it 🙂
Rachel xxx
http://www.thedailyluxe.blogspot.com
You are like wonder woman! You do it all! Homemade pasta?! Yes, please!
xo Erin
http://www.winkandatwirl.com
Thanks for the tutorial, Daisy! I never get tired of pasta dishes. So, this will come in handy. Enjoy your weekend with the ones you love 🙂
http://www.lovecompassionatelee.com/behindthescenes
This is an awesome tutorial! I have always wanted to try homemade pasta so I’m definitely going to give this a try. Have a great weekend!
Heidi D.
http://www.wishesandreality.com
This is a great tutorial! I love homemade pasta, but it’s so time consuming to do everything by hand. Your way looks totally doable. =)
http://www.avecamber.blogspot.com
http://www.bloglovin.com/avecamber
I hope you are having a great week so far!
Amber
Um, yum. I’ve never made fresh pasta but I’ve definitely eaten it and it’s so delicious! I might just have to see if I can tackle this one because we have the Kitchenaid attachments, too!
Delicious! I loved making homemade pasta, aside from the very bad idea of rolling it out by hand, so I must try your recipe once I get a roller. Looks delicious, and as you use more eggs than I regularly see I’m intrigued. I agree, messy cooking is real cooking. I love the times when I get in the kitchen and it’s just me and the food. My brain continuously working on creating a new recipe. There’s something really special about it. Though I’m sure it’s a lot of fun with someone else, if it’s the right person. Thank you for sharing!
This looks amazing! I do have an attachment with my mixer but to be honest I don’t think it will ever get used 😉 Maybe once the kids get older and we slow down a little! TGIF!
Whoa! This looks amazing! I have never tried or seen homemade pasta before. I’m not sure why since I am definitely a pasta lover 🙂 I hope to try this one day!
Thank you for this recipe! I was begging hubby dearest for a pasta cutter yesterday and he gave me the side eye cause it cost CAD200! Grrr! He said we’ll be eating pasta everyday and twice a day if we get it. LOL! I might do the dough with a bread machine cause my arms are just not strong enough to knead and then cut it myself. Hopefully that will work. xx
Reflection of Sanity
your pictures make it look so beautiful and easy! I must try it!
Yum! Pasta is my absolutely favourite! i’ve thought of making my own pasta before, but was always somewhat intimidated! great post!
http://www.footnotesandfinds.com
I’ve been waiting for this post! I can’t wait to give this a try!
lovejoanna.com
Yum yum yum! I wish I had a pasta-maker … really bad right now 🙂
dance a real
It looks like more work than I normally like to put into dinner, but gosh, I bet it is SO worth it. This has got me drooling!
This would be a challenge for me, but I’m intrigued! I may muster up the courage to give it a try someday. I can only image homemade pasta tastes amazing. Thank you for sharing!
Brooke
http://www.pumpsandpushups.com
I have been seeing fresh pasta recipes everywhere and I want to try it SO BAD. I’ve had fresh pasta at local Italian restaurants before and it is so much better. I really need to find some time to make it soon.
This is something I’ve wanted to try forever. Hmm perhaps I’ll save this for a rainy Saturday project. (: Have a great weekend Daisy!
http://accordingtokiki123.blogspot.com/
There’s nothing like homemade pasta! Yours turned out beautifully (mine usually breaks more but you’ve inspired me to try again).
I don’t think I’ve ever had fresh pasta! I’ve been wanting to make my own for a while but it always seemed so hard, I’ll definitely try this sometime!