Making pasta without a pasta machine is actually very simple even on your very first time, and pasta pasta-making process has become a regular activity for me. While I still use store-bought pasta occasionally, I mostly prefer homemade pasta. Here’s a great recipe and step-by-step instructions for making perfect homemade pasta dough.

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We love making different types of pasta at home. One of our favorites is chanterelle pasta. Sometimes, it’s nice to simply mix ground meat into the pasta for a quick and tasty dinner. Pasta is a big part of our family meals and is always a hit with everyone, including the kids.

Suitable Flour

The best flour for pasta is durum wheat flour. This yellowish flour keeps the pasta intact during cooking and prevents clumping. However, I usually use regular all-purpose flour. For smaller pasta shapes, durum flour is a better option. You can also use semolina flour for making pasta! And why not combine flours like semolina and whole wheat flour? 

Rolling Pasta by Hand

This might seem like a big task at first. How do you get the dough thin enough? Here’s a little trick: always roll the pasta sheet in one direction. Imagine the pasta going through a pasta machine. It’s rolled multiple times in the same direction. Do the same by hand: pick a direction and stick to it! Occasionally lift the dough from the table and place it back to prevent sticking. It’s convenient to use a large cutting board with a little flour for rolling!

Drying Pasta

Drying pasta isn’t necessary but is highly recommended. It makes the pasta less sticky and easier to cook. Plus, it allows you to prepare a batch ahead of time. There are several ways to dry pasta, and I’ll explain them further.

Forming Nests:
Lay out the pasta strips and twist them into nests. These nests look a bit like bird nests but are hollow inside. You’ll need to cook them in this nest shape. It’s a visually appealing and effective way to serve pasta.

Hanging Pasta:
My favorite way to dry pasta is by hanging it. It’s the quickest method and makes efficient use of space. You don’t need special equipment— a regular hanger, clean broomstick, or even the back of a chair works well. Hanging pasta lets you prepare a large amount on a small surface.

Laying Pasta on a Table:
This is the least practical method as it requires a large surface area. If the pasta strips overlap, they’ll stick together and form clumps. However, it’s still possible in theory. The pasta won’t dry as well and may stick to the table.

FAQs

What to do if the dough sticks to the table?
Use plenty of flour! Sprinkle flour on your rolling surface, place the dough on it, and add more flour on top. This prevents sticking.

How thin should the pasta be?
Roll the pasta as thin as possible. Otherwise, it won’t cook properly and will remain chewy.

How long to cook the pasta?
Cooking time depends on the thickness, but generally, it takes about 8-10 minutes.

Necessary Tools and Ingredients

Check the recipe card at the bottom of the post for ingredient quantities and nutritional information!

• Wheat flour
• Eggs
• Salt
• Rolling pin
• Pasta cutter, pizza cutter, or sharp knife
• Olive oil

Making the Pasta

1. Mix all the ingredients in a bowl or on the countertop.
2. Form a smooth dough ball. Let the ball of pasta dough rest at room temperature for 15-20 minutes under a tea towel. This helps the dough become more uniform.
3. Prepare the workspace by sprinkling flour generously to prevent sticking.
4. Take a small piece of dough, form a ball, and roll it as thin as possible in one direction.
5. Cut the dough into noodles of your preferred thickness using a pizza cutter or a sharp knife.
6. Dry the noodles to prevent them from sticking during cooking and to save space.
7. Boil water and add all the noodles once the dough is used up.
8. Add a little bit of oil to the water to prevent sticking and stir occasionally.
9. Cook for about 8-10 minutes.
10. Drain the pasta once it reaches the desired tenderness.
11. Serve with your favorite sauce.

Tips and Tricks

• Always roll pasta in one direction to ensure even thinness.
• Add oil to the cooking water to prevent sticking.
• A pasta cutter or a pizza cutter is the easiest tool for cutting noodles, but a sharp knife works too.
• For a healthier option, you can make whole wheat pasta.
• The best way to clean up the surface after making the dough is to use a bench scraper. 

Enjoy your fresh homemade pasta!

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How to Make Homemade Pasta Without a Pasta Machine

Yield: 4

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Additional Time: 50 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Making pasta is actually very simple even on your very first time, and pasta pasta-making process has become a regular activity for me.

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Ingredients

• 270g of wheat flour
• 3 eggs
• Salt
• Olive oil (for cooking)

Instructions

1. Mix all the ingredients in a bowl or on the countertop.
2. Form a smooth dough ball. Let the ball of pasta dough rest at room temperature for 15-20 minutes under a tea towel. This helps the dough become more uniform.
3. Prepare the workspace by sprinkling flour generously to prevent sticking.
4. Take a small piece of dough, form a ball, and roll it as thin as possible in one direction.
5. Cut the dough into noodles of your preferred thickness using a pizza cutter or a sharp knife.
6. Dry the noodles to prevent them from sticking during cooking and to save space.
7. Boil water and add all the noodles once the dough is used up.
8. Add a little bit of oil to the water to prevent sticking and stir occasionally.
9. Cook for about 8-10 minutes.
10. Drain the pasta once it reaches the desired tenderness.
11. Serve with your favorite sauce.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 329Total Fat: 8gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 140mgSodium: 200mgCarbohydrates: 52gFiber: 2gSugar: 0gProtein: 12g