Homemade Pasta
Pasta is a world-famous Italian dish that is a comfort food for most of us. It comes in different shapes, sizes and a variety of lip-smacking sauces as well. While it is easy to grab a packet of pasta from the grocery store, there is something special about making pasta from scratch. If you too would love to try out making pasta dough at home, here is a detailed step-by-step recipe for you.
How to make homemade pasta
Make the pasta dough
Traditionally, pasta dough is made directly on a clean work surface. However, to make the process easier and less messy, use a bowl instead. Create the pasta dough by adding flour to a large bowl, making a well in the center.
Add the eggs, yolk, olive oil, and salt. Use a fork to beat the wet ingredients and gradually incorporate the flour until the dough comes together in a mass.
Knead the dough
Use your hands to make a rough dough ball, then transfer it to a lightly floured surface. Using the palm of your hands, knead the dough for about 10 minutes.
Rest the dough
Form the ball into a flattened disc, cover it tightly with plastic wrap and rest at room temperature for at least 60 minutes. I tested a 30-minute rest, but the dough wasn’t hydrated enough and was harder to work with.
Roll the pasta into sheets
Use a pasta machine as it makes rolling and shaping quick and easy. It’s worth the small investment, but a rolling pin will work if you don’t mind thicker noodles. Portion the dough into four equal parts and work one piece at a time. Cover the other portions so that they don’t dry out. Flatten the pieces into thin rectangles to fit in the widest setting on the pasta machine.
Pass the dough through twice to get it thinner. Then, fold the piece in half so the two ends meet in the middle and feed it through. Repeat the fold and pass through one more time. The additional kneading by folding creates a little more chew and makes the pieces more rectangular. You can skip folding if you prefer a softer texture.
Now, pass the dough through two more times without folding. Continue to incrementally make the rollers tighter to yield thinner sheets. Each machine has different settings, so follow the manufacturer’s thickness guidelines based on the type of pasta you’re trying to make.
The process is complete when the dough is thin enough to see your hand through it. But make sure it’s not so thin that it can tear! The sheets become about 20 to 24 inches long and 4 to 6 inches wide. Slice the sheet in half lengthwise with a knife to make it easier to work with.
You can now use these pasta sheets to make different food like lasagna, ravioli, ribbons, or farfalle.
Cut the pasta
Attach the desired cutting roller to your pasta machine. Alternatively, use a chef’s knife or pizza cutter to slice the pasta into ribbons or various shapes, like farfalle, or make filled ravioli.
My pasta Atlas 150 machine can cut the dough into fettuccine (6.5 mm) or tagliolini (1.5 mm), similar to the width of spaghetti. Additional cutters can be purchased to make vermicelli, pappardelle, linguini, and even ravioli!
Dry the pasta
Transfer the cut pasta to a baking sheet lightly dusted with flour or semolina flour to prevent sticking, or line it with parchment paper. Cover it with a lightly damp towel to keep it soft and flexible. Alternatively, air dry the pasta on the pan or use a pasta hanging rack to dry. I like to use the rack to keep the ribbons separate. The dried pasta will become brittle, so carefully move it when it is ready to use or store.
Cook the pasta
Fill a large pot with 4 quarts of water to cook the pasta. Bring the water to a boil, and add 1 tablespoon of salt. The salted water will add a flavorful, savory taste to the pasta. The cooking time is dependent on the thickness and pasta type.
Fresh pasta tends to take less time than commercial-dried pasta. Aim for al dente with some chew. If you plan to continue to cook the pasta in a marinara or meat sauce, take it out of the boiling water a few minutes early.
Conclusion
Pasta is the foundation of a vast array of delicious and comforting dishes. This beloved food, which can be created in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, is fresher and tastier when you make it at home.
Unlock your pasta potential. Get inspired to create any homemade pasta dish you can dream up with and a couple of pasta attachments and a few pantry ingredients.
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