There is nothing quite like a good homemade pasta recipe! This is one of those recipes that seems difficult and perhaps a little intimidating, but once you’ve tried making pasta at home, you will make it over and over again!
I have an older sister whose signature Thanksgiving dish was homemade pasta. I looked forward to her side dish every year. My sister’s pasta was absolutely dreamy!
It was thick and rich tasting and it was almost creamy….I mean it had a way of melting right in my mouth! I knew that I had to savor every single bite because it was going to be another year before I enjoyed them again.
Here it is probably twenty years later and I am finally making my own pasta.
I always thought homemade pasta would be difficult and that it required special equipment, but it turns out that it only needs a little time.
This recipe I am sharing today only requires THREE INGREDIENTS and no special equipment needed (well, a mixer and a rolling pin).
What Do You Need To Make Homemade Pasta?
FLOUR – You don’t need any bread or special flour for this recipe, all-purpose flour is all you need! Make sure you have enough to dust your workspace and your rolling pin too!
EGGS – Extra large eggs and make sure they are lightly beaten.
MILK – Any milk you have in the fridge!
How To Make Homemade Pasta Dough
I used my KitchenAid mixer with a dough hook for this recipe, but this can all be done by hand or even a food processor. But you get the best knead with the dough hook or by hand.
STEP ONE – Break eggs into the bowl of your mixer; lightly beat.
STEP TWO – With the mixer running, slowly beat in your flour, one cup at a time. Slowly stream in your milk until the dough begins to gather. It will be thick! You want your dough to be gathered into a smooth ball. If your dough is sticky, add milk 1 tablespoon at a time until your dough is smooth.
STEP THREE-Remove the dough from the mixer. Knead the dough by hand on a lightly floured surface for 1-2 minutes. The dough should be supple and soft. Cover the dough with a kitchen towel for 30 minutes. The allows the gluten which makes the dough easier to work with.
STEP FOUR – After 30 minutes, divide the dough into 4 equal portions. Work with one section at a time, keep the rest covered.
STEP FIVE -Flour your work surface and roll out the dough into thin sheets just like a pie crust. You want about ¼ inch thickness. You want your dough to be as thick as the dried pasta you buy at the store. If you have a pasta maker you can guide the dough through the machine.
STEP SIX-Roll out the remaining pieces of dough.
STEP SEVEN -Cover your dough once again and let the dough rest for 30 minutes.
STEP EIGHT – After 30 minutes, In a large stockpot, bring salted water to a boil.
STEP NINE – Working with one dough round, fold the two longest dough ends so that they meet in the middle, then fold one side over the other. Using a pizza cutter, cut the dough into thin strips.
STEP TEN -Fresh pasta will not take long to boil, only 3-5 minutes. Once the pasta is firm, drain.
Fresh pasta can handle any sauce, but I find simple is best! Place the fresh pasta back into the drained pot, add butter and garlic, and season with salt and pepper to taste! Add a sprinkling of grated Parmesan cheese to make it taste rich and creamy!
You can also serve this homemade pasta with a homemade alfredo sauce, a simple marinara sauce or a delicious ragu sauce!
How To Store Homemade Pasta
If you want to save your pasta for later, leave the pasta to dry out completely (12-24 hours) them place the pasta in an airtight container for several months.
You can also freeze the dough rounds in an airtight container and plastic wrap and storage bags. Allow the dough to thaw and relax completely before you move onto the rolling process.
To freeze homemade pasta lightly dust your strip of dough with flour then allow them to dry for about an hour then place them in airtight containers. All the noodles to come to room temperature then boil as directed.
Is Homemade Pasta Healthier?
One thing about anything homemade is you control the ingredients, which is often much better than processed foods.
This homemade pasta recipe uses fresh ingredients and when there are only 3 of them, you know it is good!
By using milk in your pasta recipe, your pasta will have more flavor and a nutritional boost! Milk, cheese, and yogurt contain a unique package of nine essential nutrients. Dairy’s unique nutrient package is hard to replace and is one of the most affordable and accessible ways of getting calcium, vitamin D, and potassium — three of the four critical nutrients most often lacking in Americans’ diets! Don’t forget to toss that pasta with grated Parmesan cheese for even more nutrition!
Dairy farmers are committed to helping nourish communities and help provide wholesome, nutritious, affordable food and are continuing to work around the clock to keep grocery store shelves stocked with fresh dairy foods.
Homemade Pasta Recipe
There is nothing quite like a good homemade pasta recipe! This is one of those recipes that seems difficult and perhaps a little intimidating, but once you’ve tried making pasta at home, you will make it over and over again!
Ingredients
- 4 eggs lightly beaten
- 4 1/4 cups of all-purpose flour
- 1 cup of milk
Instructions
- Break eggs into the bowl of your mixer; lightly beat.
- With the mixer running, slowly beat in your flour, one cup at a time. Slowly stream in your milk until the dough begins to gather. It will be thick! You want your dough to be gathered into a smooth ball. If your dough is sticky, add milk 1 tablespoon at a time until your dough is smooth.
- Remove the dough from the mixer. Knead the dough by hand on a lightly floured surface for 1-2 minutes. The dough should be supple and soft. Cover the dough with a kitchen towel for 30 minutes.
- After 30 minutes, divide the dough into 4 equal portions. Work with one section at a time, keep the rest covered.
- Flour your work surface and roll out the dough into thin sheets just like a pie crust. You want about ¼ inch thickness. You want your dough to be as thick as the dried pasta you buy at the store. If you have a pasta maker you can guide the dough through the machine.
- Roll out the remaining pieces of dough.
- Cover your dough once again and let the dough rest for 30 minutes.
- After 30 minutes, In a large stockpot, bring salted water to a boil.
- Working with one dough round, fold the two longest dough ends so that they meet in the middle, then fold one side over the other. Using a pizza cutter, cut the dough into thin strips.
- Fresh pasta will not take long to boil, only 3-5 minutes. Once the pasta is firm, drain.
- Serve fresh pasta with butter, garlic, salt, and pepper to taste!
Nutrition Information
Yield
8Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 293Total Fat 4gSaturated Fat 1gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 2gCholesterol 95mgSodium 53mgCarbohydrates 52gFiber 2gSugar 0gProtein 11g
Jodie Kammerer says
Can’t wait to make this. We love homemade pasta but haven’t made pasta yet with eggs. Thanks for your detailed recipe. We are now ready to give it a try!