How to make pasta
A funny thing happened last weekend.
My husband and I were having dinner at a new Italian restaurant and half way through the meal I asked him “Did you bring any money?”
I can’t remember what prompted me to ask but his answer, “Of course”, was enough to appease my concerns.
When the time came to ask for the bill, my husband gave his credit card and the waiter looked down and said the dreaded five words no one wants to hear “We don’t take American Express.”
The waiter was kind enough to allow us to go back home and get some money but needless to say, it’ll be awhile before we recover from the shame.
In the meantime, I’ve been resorting to making my own pasta and thought I’d share my Basic Pasta Recipe as well. After all, there really is something to be said about being able to make your own pasta. In fact, for such little effort, you’ll be surprised to see how impressed your friends are when you tell them you made your own pasta.
And just for fun, I’ve also tried my hand at making my own video (my husband asked if I was making a comedy when he saw it!) to further illustrate how to make the pasta.
The basic pasta recipe starts with 2 large eggs and 200 grams of flour. Some people prefer to use the Italian Tipo 00 flour but I think all-purpose flour is fine. Just make sure that the protein is around 9% to 12% (the one I used had 11.9%). Sometimes, depending on the weather, you might need more, sometimes you might need less flour, but as a general rule, it’s 1 egg to 100 grams of flour.
How to make pasta
First place 180 grams of flour on your work surface and make a well in the middle (reserve the 20 grams for later if the dough is too wet and you need it). Add the two eggs in the middle of the well and beat them lightly.
How to make pasta: Lightly beat the eggs
Using a fork, incorporate the flour a little at a time until the egg/dough mixture is thick.
How to make pasta: Incorporate the flour into the beaten egg until thick
Once most of the flour is incorporated, cover the well with the rest of the flour and switch to a pastry scraper and gather the dough into a ball.
Using a pastry scraper, gather the dough into a ball
Using the palm of your hand, push the dough down and away from you then turn the dough 90 degrees. Continue this motion until the dough is smooth, this takes around 5 to 10 minutes.
How to make pasta
If the dough is too sticky, use the extra 20 grams of flour (and more if you need it and dust the work surface occasionally if necessary). The dough is ready when you can press your fingertip on it and it comes out clean and the dough springs back.
How to make pasta: The dough should be smooth and springs back when you press with your fingertips
Now allow the dough to rest by covering it with a bowl for around 30 minutes. Attach the pasta machine to your workbench and set it on the widest setting (usually at 1).
Cut one third of the dough and flatten it (you can use a rolling pin) so that it will fit into the pasta machine. Feed the dough through the pasta machine and then turn the slot down to the next smaller setting and again feed the dough through the machine. Continue to do this until you reach slot number 8 and the dough has become almost translucent. As you do this, make sure to occasionally flour the dough to prevent it from sticking on the machine.
Continue with rest of the dough (this time use half of what is left and then repeat with the remaining half) and then the dough is now ready to cut, be used immediately or dried for future use.
To dry the pasta dough, use clothes hangers or a pasta drying rack if you have one. Once the pasta has dried, store in a sealed container at room temperature until ready to use.
Drying the pasta on a rack
How to make pasta: You can cut the pasta and use immediately
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I love the video & photos – great tutorial post! That music is so calming & appropriate for your graceful hands kneading that dough!
That video is really cool! How did you manage to make a video and take pictures at the same time?? I have never made pasta before, I should really try as I have all the ingredients at home. Just need to get a pasta machine though..
Sensational video. Your hands are so young, Trissa. Well, of course I expected them to be – but not THAT young!
beautiful video.
Now I need to find a drying stand like that!
🙂
valerie
I’m really tempted to get a pasta machine now. You make it look so easy.:)
Great job with the video Trissa, after watching it – i’m really so much more motivated to make my own fresh pasta. You make it look to easy! I have a pasta roller that i use to roll fondant – I can finally use it for the proper purpose now!
I’ve been working on fresh pasta so I’ve enjoyed this post. Was thinking of ordering type 00 flour to see if it made a difference. Also would like to incorporate flavors, herbs, etc. to the pasta. Nice photos too.
Great post! We’d love for you to share your recipe at dishfolio.com!
OMG thank you thank you thank you for sharing. I only tried it once but I was turned off due to how it came out. I can’t wait to try again.
I tried to make pasta before but it turned out too chewy, dry, and it was pale white. Obviously, I did something wrong. I’ve been scared ever since to try again but maybe your helpful video can be the remedy.
Oh, and I totally know the embarrassment of the credit card thing. “Cash only” is another scary term cos I rarely carry cash on me.
I can still remember my first disastrous attempt at making my own pasta… Granted; it was in a workshop on how to make pasta and there were far too many people in the class for the number of pasta machines, so it was an endless struggle for space…lol… I did make it again since then and it’s actually quite easy once you get the hang of it… Loved your little video… and why did he think it was a comedy?? 🙂
Making pasta is so intimidating, but this was a great tutorial! Thanks! I’d love for you to submit this to the M&T Spotlight at http://www.makeandtakes.com/spotlight
Trissa, this is awesome!!! the video… very well done.
I can’t get over the pasta hanger – I’ve never seen one before, and I’d probably never use it, but I WANT ONE! The video is great, you make it look too easy (and the Pachelbel Canon music is beautiful).
re pasta drying rack:
I never knew there was such a thing!
Thanks for sharing your pasta recipe and step-by-step instructions PLUS a video!! Show your face next time, k? :p
Trissa, excellent tutorial with video on making pasta. Love it very much. Keep your videos coming!
I tried to make pasta myself with my pasta machine. The pasta was so fresh and delicious. All efforts and time invested were worthwhile.
wow…it looks so easy…..i have bougth pasta machine maybe 10 years ago and never made my own pasta, but if i ever find time i have the tools to make it…lol
I love making pasta with loads of egg yolks. Freshly made pasta is the best!
Do you cut it before it dries or after? and how long does drying usually take?
@Sarah – I cut it before it dries – it usually takes around 30 minutes on a good day to fully dry! Hope that helps!
Homemade pasta is something I’ve always wanted to make. It looks so much better than store-bought pasta and I’m sure tastes amazing. While the embarrassment has you at home, I’m sure you’re thoroughly enjoying all the homemade pasta!
Very nicely demonstrated….huh! Looks easy but can t really say till we try it. Jacqueline, should we try it tomorrow morning and give Mam Trissa a feedback?
@Mom – Yes you should try it… is Neneng’s name Jacqueline? I didn’t know!
Hi Trissa! Nice Video! I like the way you knead the dough. Your technique is perfect. And I like how you pointed out that the weather or basic humidity in the kitchen can affect the quality of the pasta. 🙂
Oh… and don’t worry about what happened in that restaurant. I had a more embarrassing experience! (ie. My chair collapsing from underneath me.)
@marvin – falling on the floor because of collapsing chair has happened to me too!
Love the video! Did you use your camera to film? I usually use a bowl to start the dough, so this process is nice as it’s one less thing to clean. The music is a song that is commonly used for weddings in the US, but it’s funkified. Very nice! I don’t know if I’ll ever do video. Seems like it would take a long time, so I’m glad you’re doing them.
@Ninette – yes I used my handy D90! 🙂 I used that song for my wedding too! 🙂
Oh I love the video, Trissa! Always very hopeful to see photos/video of a cooking process. Making pasta is one of the few foods I never really thought about making myself for some reason. This post definitely is making me reconsider 8).
This is so cool Trissa. Loved the video!!! What you do is inspiring!
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I’m impressed! I also love the video too…very professional! Can you believe I have yet to venture in the pasta making territory? You have provided wonderful inspiration here Trissa…and sorry to hear about the mishap at the restaurant! Oops!
Trissa, well done! Enjoyed watching the video thoroughly. Did you video this with your camera? 🙂 It must have been quite time consuming planning for it, videoing and editing it- but all worth it!
I normally cut the pasta before drying them. Would there be any difference?
Nice work with the video! I hope to see more of you in it next time 🙂
Pasta making is something I’ve always wanted to do, I think it’s time to invest in a pasta roller soon 🙂