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Kitchen Guide

Homemade Pasta (A Step-by-Step Guide)

Homemade Pasta (A Step-by-Step Guide): Transform ordinary flour and eggs into culinary magic! This step-by-step guide will walk you through the entire process of making homemade pasta, from dough to delicious dish.

Tom the Chef Tom the Chef Founder
Published:
November 26, 2024

Introduction to Homemade Pasta (A Step-by-Step Guide)

Making your own pasta might seem intimidating, but it’s easier than you think! This step-by-step guide will walk you through the process, from creating the perfect pasta dough to shaping and cooking your delicious creations.

To begin, you’ll need a batch of fresh pasta dough. You can find my simple recipe here. Once you have your dough ready, follow these easy steps in our homemade pasta (a step-by-step guide) and transform it into beautiful, homemade pasta!

Recipes

Pasta Dough

January 18, 2024

Nothing beats the taste of fresh, homemade pasta. But did you know it’s easier than you think to make your own dough? With just a few ingredients and a bit of time, you can create delicate pasta that rivals anything from the store. Ditch the boxed stuff and unlock a world of culinary possibilities!

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1. Pre-form the dough:

1.1. Place the dough on a floured working surface and using a dough cutter, separate into 6 pieces (lengthwise).

Important:
If you are going to use a pasta press instead of pasta rollers, for example, for preparing macaroni, skip directly from this step to pressing your desired shape with the pasta press and ignore the following instructions for the pasta roller.

1.2.

Generously flour all pieces, and using a rolling pin, flatten into sheets about 1/4″ or less thick and again generously flour.

preformed pasta dought cut to 6 pcs on the floured countertop

Tip

You can dip pieces of the dough in a flour bin instead of flouring them by hand. Another good alternative is to use a small strainer to distribute the flour.

2. Basic Noodle Sheets:

2.1. Set the pasta maker (sheet roller) to 1 (maximum thickness) and process into sheets on high speed.

Note:
Steps 4.2 and 4.3. do not have to be performed for lasagna since our final pasta dough doesn’t have to be that compact.

2.2.

Then fold each processed sheet in half and process again (feed the folded side in). Dust between the majority of the folds to start forming a compact dough and to incorporate more flour into the dough.

2.3.

Repeat this step about 3 – 5 times to reach a nice smooth and pliable consistency. Always fold into half, either by the width or lengthwise based on how wide the dough is (a dough with a thickness of 1 should have a width that is at most ½ of the width of the pasta roller). Optionally, fold the dough or even cut it into half (lengthwise) if the dough is getting to be too wide.

2.4.

Dust each finished pasta sheet with flour.

forming pasta sheet with the pasta attachement 1forming pasta sheet with the pasta attachement 2forming pasta sheet with the pasta attachement 3forming pasta sheet with the pasta attachement 4forming pasta sheet with the pasta attachement 5forming pasta sheet with the pasta attachement 6

3. Final pasta dough forming:

3.1. Process from a low number to a higher number until you reach the desired thickness.

Note: 

Starting with a thickness of 2, run each pasta sheet through the machine once or twice, and do not fold.

Dust each pasta sheet with flour after each roll (or at least after a few rolls).

Important:

The desired thickness depends on the pasta shape you selected. Refer to the guide below to identify the correct thickness for your chosen shape before proceeding further.

3.2. When you reach the desired thickness, replace the sheet roller with the required cutter (only for some kinds of pasta, when specified) or cut the sheet into individual noodles using a knife or pizza cutter.

Important:

Instructions for each of the popular pasta shapes are below.

Final pasta dough forming with fettuccine attachement

Soup noodles

  • Desired thickness 2
  • Switch to the spaghetti cutter and cut into noodles. You can keep the sheets long for longer noodles or you can cut them into the desired length before cutting with a spaghetti cutter.
  • You can add them directly into the soup for the last 2 – 5 minutes of cooking or cook them separately in water for about 1 – 2 minute.

Spaghetti

  • Desired thickness 2
  • Switch to the spaghetti cutter and cut spaghetti/Lo Mein.
  • Cooking time is about 1 – 3 minute (with really dense dough it may take a little longer).

Fettuccine

  • Desired thickness 5
  • Switch to the fettuccine cutter and cut the fettuccine.
  • Cooking time is about 1 – 2 minutes (with really dense dough it may take a little longer).

Pappardelle

  • Desired thickness 5
  • Cut 1″ wide pappardelle noodles using knife.
  • Cooking time is about 1 – 2 minutes (with really dense dough it may take a little longer).

Lasagna sheets

  • Desired thickness 5
  • Cut each sheet in half to reach 12 sheets (or to shape your lasagna pan), and use for preparing lasagna.
  • Do not precook (the dough will be placed raw directly on the lasagna and cooked while baking in the oven).

Ravioli

  • Desired thickness 5
  • Ravioli cut into squares or circles, add filling. Brush with egg and fold together
  • Cooking time is about 1 – 2 minutes.

Tagliatelle

  • Desired thickness 6
  • Switch to the fettuccine cutter and cut tagliatelle.
  • Cooking time is about 30 seconds to 90 seconds (with really dense dough it may take a little longer).

Tortellini

  • Desired thickness 6
  • Tortellini cut into squares or circles, add filling. Brush with egg and fold together.
  • Cooking time is about 1 – 2 minutes.

Linguine / Linguine Fini

  • Desired thickness 5 for regular linguine or thickness 6 or 7 for linguine fini.
  • Switch to the spaghetti cutter and cut linguine.
  • Cooking time is about 30 – 90 seconds (with really dense dough it may take a little longer).

Angel hair soup noodles

  • Desired thickness 7 or 8.
  • Switch to the spaghetti cutter and cut angel hair noodles. You can keep the sheets long for longer noodles or you can cut them into the desired length before cutting with a spaghetti cutter.
  • You can add them directly to soup for last 2 – 3 minutes of cooking or cook them separately in water for about 60 seconds.

Special shape pasta

  • For fusilli, penne, macaroni, etc., you will need a special pasta press – for the exact directions, follow the instructions enclosed with the machine.
  • Cooking time is about 1 – 4 minutes (based on the shape of pasta; with really dense dough it may take a little longer).

Note that there are many more kinds of pasta (not all pasta shapes are listed).

4. Cook or Dry:

When your pasta is formed, you can cook it immediately or dry it for later use.

Kitchen Guide

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Learn how to cook pasta like a pro! Tired of mushy, overcooked pasta? The secret to pasta perfection lies in mastering the art of “al dente.” This comprehensive guide will explore the meaning of al dente, why it’s crucial for delicious pasta, and how to achieve it every time. We’ll also debunk common pasta myths and provide step-by-step instructions for cooking pasta for both warm dishes and cold salads. Get ready to elevate your pasta game!

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How to Dry Pasta (A Step-by-Step Guide)

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How to dry pasta? It is a simple way to preserve your creations and enjoy them anytime. This guide will walk you through the steps, from choosing the right pasta to storing it for long-lasting freshness. Get ready to become a pasta-drying pro!

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Food & Ingredients

Pasta

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Pasta, a simple combination of flour and water (or eggs), has transcended cultures and cuisines to become a beloved staple around the world. Its versatility, ease of preparation, and comforting nature make it a go-to choice for weeknight dinners, celebratory feasts, and everything in between. Whether you prefer it smothered in a rich tomato sauce, tossed in a light pesto, or baked to cheesy perfection, pasta has a way of satisfying both the palate and the soul.

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Delicious Pasta Recipes You Need To Try

Congratulations! You’ve now mastered the art of making homemade pasta. With a little practice, you’ll be creating delicious, personalized pasta dishes that will impress your friends and family. So grab your ingredients, unleash your creativity, and enjoy the wonderful world of homemade pasta!

About the Author:
Tom the ChefFounder
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  • Member since: 2023-02-02
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