Make Easy & Delicious Pasta from Scratch—With or Without the Use of a Pasta Maker

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Follow this recipe for yummy homemade egg noodles
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You can buy noodles at almost any grocery store—or you can make your own at home with this simple recipe! This egg and flour dough creates a much silkier, more flavorful pasta than you'd get in a box. You don't even need a pasta machine to make it (although it would save you time). All you need are a few ingredients you’ve likely already got on hand and some elbow grease! Keep reading to learn how to make delicious noodles in your very own kitchen.

Things You Should Know

  • Combine all of your ingredients to make a soft dough, and then knead your dough until it resembles a big ball of Play-Doh.
  • Divide your dough into 6 even pieces, and then roll the pieces into noodles using your hands or a pasta maker.
  • Cook the noodles immediately for best results, or dry your pasta and save it for up to a few weeks.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups (10 oz) of all-purpose flour
  • 2 large eggs
  • 4 additional large egg yolks
  • 1 tsp (5 mL) of iodized or kosher salt
  • 2 tsp (10 mL) of olive oil (optional)

Makes 1 pound (0.45 kilograms) of pasta; serves 4 to 6

Part 1
Part 1 of 2:

Making the Dough

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  1. Start by mixing 2 cups (10 oz) of all-purpose flour, 2 eggs, 4 additional egg yolks, and 1 tsp (5 mL) of iodized or kosher salt. It’ll be easiest to do this using a food processor or stand mixer, but you can also mix the ingredients by hand.
    • Add 2 tsp (10 mL) of olive oil if you want: if you're rolling your pasta by hand, it'll make the dough easier to handle.
    • In a food processor : Pulse a few times to combine the ingredients, then process the mixture for about 45 seconds.
    • In a stand mixer : Combine all the ingredients with a flat beater for 30–60 seconds. Switch to a dough hook attachment and mix at medium speed for another 2 minutes. [1]
    • By hand: Add the flour and salt to a bowl and form a 4-inch (10 cm) "well" in the center. Whisk the eggs and egg yolks together in a separate bowl, then pour the mixture into the well. Slowly push the flour into the egg with a fork, until you've formed a soft dough. [2]
  2. The brand of flour, size of eggs, and humidity in the air can all affect the dough, meaning that you may need to adjust the recipe slightly if your dough isn’t soft enough. [3] Add more flour if your dough is too wet, and add a bit of water if your dough is too dry.
    • If your dough feels wet and tacky, add a spoonful of flour at a time until it feels firm.
    • If your dough is so dry it won't combine or breaks apart when held, mist it with water or spatter a few drops with your fingertips. Don’t do this for minor cracks.
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  3. Place the dough on a floured surface and fold in any remaining flour by hand or with a bench knife. Knead the dough by pressing it down and forward with the flat of your hand. Rotate the dough as you knead, until it’s smooth and firm, like a ball of Play-Doh. [4] This will take about 10 minutes if you combined the ingredients by hand, and only 1–2 minutes if you used a food processor or mixer. Then wrap the kneaded dough in plastic wrap.
    • Test the dough’s firmness by slicing into it with a knife. If there are air bubbles in the dough, this is a sign it hasn’t been kneaded enough.
  4. Over time, moisture will distribute more evenly in the dough. This makes the dough easier to handle, and makes softer, less rubbery pasta. If you have some experience handling dough, you can skip this step without major problems, but if you’re new to the pasta game, consider letting the dough rest.
    • This pasta is best cooked immediately after making, but if you’re not ready to cook your pasta just yet, store it in the refrigerator for up to a day, or seal the wrapped dough in a plastic bag and freeze it for up to 3 weeks. [5]
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Part 2
Part 2 of 2:

Shaping the Pasta

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  1. Roll the dough by hand into a cylinder. Cut the cylinder in half, then cut each half into thirds to make 6 even pieces.
    • Sprinkle flour over any dough you aren't currently using, and cover it with a towel or plastic wrap. [6]
  2. It’s faster and easier to use a pasta maker , but if you don’t have one (or want a little exercise), roll out your dough yourself using nothing but a rolling pin and a little elbow grease. The heavier your rolling pin, the faster you’ll go by hand.
    • By hand: Flour your countertop and roll out each piece of dough into a rectangle roughly 6 inches (15 cm) wide and 20 inches (50 cm) long. When finished, it’ll be transparent enough to see your fingers through it. Lift the dough up frequently and dust with more flour as needed.
    • Using a pasta machine: Set the machine to its widest setting. Press the dough to a flat rectangle and send it through. Fold one end over the center, then the other, making a stack of 3 layers of dough. Flour lightly and roll it through again. Repeat at least 3 times to add a chewy texture. [7]
      • Set the machine to a slightly narrower setting. Dust with flour and send the dough through, without folding. Repeat with increasingly narrower settings, until you’ve reached the desired thickness (typically the third-to-last setting or further).
      • A hand-cranked pasta machine is the cheapest option, but you can use an attachment for kitchen mixers instead.
  3. You can use a pizza cutter, a sharp knife, or a pasta cutting machine. This same dough can be used to form noodles of any size. Fold the dough strips into tubes to make macaroni. Pinch dough rectangles in the center to form farfalle.
    • Place pasta sheets between wax paper or a kitchen towel while you aren't actively cutting them. This prevents them from drying out.
  4. This pasta is best cooked right after you’ve made it, and it only takes 60–120 seconds in boiling water. If you want to store it long-term, hang the noodles up to dry over clean, plastic coat hangers or pasta drying racks . [8] Dry the noodles until they’re brittle, then store them in an airtight container for up to several weeks.
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    What can I do to improve a broth for fresh noodles?
    Thuong Tan
    Noodle Expert
    Thuong Tan is a Noodle Expert and the Founder of Noodelist, a food startup producing plant-based instant noodles. Thuong holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Business and Marketing from Haaga-Helia, University of Applied Sciences, and an MBA in Luxury Brand Management from IFA Paris, Polimoda/Shanghai University. Noodelist’s mission is to produce premium plant-based moroheiya noodles that are nutrient-dense, texturally pleasing, and environmentally friendly.
    Thuong Tan
    Noodle Expert
    Expert Answer
    I'd recommend experimenting with the ingredients and seeing how adding proteins and carbs can improve or change the flavor. Just crack your fridge open and try adding chicken, fish, and whatever else you've got leftover from previous dishes. I've even toyed around with oxtail! Make it your own!
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      Tips

      • For a more eggy flavor and golden color, add an additional egg yolk and ⅛ cup (5/8 oz) flour. This is recommended if using flour with a protein content above 10%, such as King Arthur brand all-purpose flour . [9]
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      • If you refrigerate your dough, it may develop a slightly gray color. This makes no real difference to the pasta, but it might not be as aesthetically pleasing as fresh pasta.
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      • Semolina flour makes a coarser pasta that clings to sauce better. This is difficult to knead by hand, so a food processor or mixer is recommended.
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      References

      1. ↑ http://www.thelittlekitchen.net/how-to-make-homemade-pasta-with-kitchenaid/
      2. ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-make-fresh-pasta-from-scratch-cooking-lessons-from-the-kitchn-73435
      3. ↑ Thuong Tan. Noodle Expert. Expert Interview. 28 January 2021.
      4. ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-make-fresh-pasta-from-scratch-cooking-lessons-from-the-kitchn-73435
      5. ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-make-fresh-pasta-from-scratch-cooking-lessons-from-the-kitchn-73435
      6. ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-make-fresh-pasta-from-scratch-cooking-lessons-from-the-kitchn-73435
      7. ↑ https://www.thelittlekitchen.net/how-to-make-homemade-pasta-with-kitchenaid/
      8. ↑ https://www.thelittlekitchen.net/how-to-make-homemade-pasta-with-kitchenaid/
      9. ↑ http://www.cooksillustrated.com/recipes/6948-fresh-pasta-without-a-machine

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To make simple egg and flour noodles, mix 2 cups (250 g) of flour, 2 large eggs, 4 additional egg yolks, and 1 teaspoon (6 g) of salt in a food processor or stand mixer until the dough is smooth and thoroughly combined. Place the dough on a floured surface and knead it by hand for about 10 minutes. Then, let the dough rest at room temperature for about an hour, which will make it easier to handle. Roll the dough into a cylinder and cut it into 6 equal pieces. Work with one piece of dough at a time. Sprinkle the rest with flour and cover them with a clean kitchen towel or some plastic wrap. Flour a flat surface, such as your countertop, and roll out each piece of dough with a rolling pin. You should end up with a flat piece of dough that’s about 6 inches (15 cm) wide, 20 inches (50 cm) long, and thin enough to be slightly see-through. Use a pizza cutter, a sharp knife, or a pasta-cutting machine to slice the sheets of dough into thin noodles. Cook the noodles right away by boiling them in water for 1-2 minutes, or dry them out on a drying rack and store them in a cool, dry place until you’re ready to use them. For tips on how to cook or store your noodles, read on!

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