A simple and versatile homemade fresh pasta dough recipe that can be used to make anything from spaghetti to lasagna to ravioli.
I have a confession to make. I am a pasta addict. There! An addict I tell you! And I am not ashamed to admit it. I am addicted to all things pasta. And there is one person to blame for this addiction- my late grandfather, William! Yes, he is the man who brought some Italian roots (roots that we don’t even have, mind you!) into my blood. Once I was able to taste his famous pasta dishes with this homemade fresh pasta dough recipe, I was hooked on the stuff.
Whenever my grandparents would visit us, guess who asked for Grandpa William’s pasta dish (which sadly has no name… He would just call it “es-Spaghetti” with his thick Spanish accent)? Yes,- ME!
My grandfather was a firm believer in putting love into all of his dishes. And when he could make something from scratch to save a penny (and to make things taste better!), he’d do it. He’d make his own pasta dough from scratch, and roll it by hand.
Up until March of this year, I have been rolling out pasta dough by hand, just as my grandfather used to. And boy, can I tell you how much of a hassle that was! From kneading the dough, to getting the dough super thin would take forever, even when using the best techniques.
Luckily, recently, I was approached by Ashley of CSN. She asked if I was willing to review one of their products from one of their 200+ online stores. I had taken a look around one of their online stores and found something that I knew would have mixed reviews about- A pasta machine that I had been drooling over for a while!
About pasta machines
Pasta Machines are pretty straight forward, but when you are making pasta after a while on the machine, you’ll start to know the pros and cons of it all. So, as promised, I will do a brief review, while still talking about pasta. I promise, I won’t try to bore you with the review section of this post.
So, what do I think of this machine? It’s absolutely perfect! It does what I want it to! AND it comes with a double cutter for spaghetti and fettuccine (which I have used successfully). The machine works like a charm and is very durable and reliable.
One con I have noticed about this machine (after making pasta about 15 times in it!), is the dial that switches to different settings. It’s pretty darn slippery when you’re trying to turn it with flour on your fingers, otherwise, I’d highly suggest purchasing this pasta machine.
Now, back to the pasta!
Where was I… Oh, rolling pasta by hand…
Rolling fresh pasta dough by hand
So, when rolling pasta by hand, I have learned that using only semolina flour to make your dough is going to kill you and will make you want to cry. Semolina flour is very high in gluten and will result in a very glutenous dough that will be extremely difficult to handle especially when it’s sticking all over the place (even when you flour surfaces well!). Now, if you have one of those facy schmancy machines like I have now, using a pasta dough that’s made only from semolina will be easy to roll out because you’re not breaking your back trying to roll super-tough dough with a rolling pin.
BUT!
Yes, there’s always a but!
Even though you have a machine to roll that 100% semolina flour dough, it’s still likely to stick, and getting sticky dough off of pasta rollers is not fun! Trust me.
Ingredients for homemade fresh pasta
- Most homemade pasta doughs are quite basic, and they often lack in flavor. This homemade fresh pasta dough recipe is packed with lots of flavor and an unexpected ingredient like white wine!
- Flour – you’ll need both all-purpose and semolina flour. This makes for the most perfect combination for rich homemade pasta dough.
- Eggs – and you’ll need lots of them. You’ll need 6 egg yolks and 1 whole egg. This makes a rich, flavorsome, and malleable pasta dough.
- Olive oil- are we making Italian food without this ingredient? Extra virgin is okay here; you want something that tastes good as you’ll taste it once the fresh pasta dough is cooked
- Milk or dry white wine – one or the other; only a small amount. I prefer using white wine. It adds flavor to the dough that is so pleasantly unexpected. Go for something you’d like to drink; I prefer to use a Pinot Grigio here.
How to make fresh pasta dough
So, for this pasta dough “recipe,” I have turned a great Thomas Keller recipe into something that I personally feel is a wee bit greater. How? I used a mixture of All-Purpose Flour and, yes, Semolina Flour. It results in a perfect, strong pasta dough full of flavor that regular ‘ol All-Purpose flour doesn’t give you, even when the recipe does call for seven yolks! Additionally, Thomas Keller calls for using a tablespoon of milk in his original recipe, if you have some dry white wine around (i.e. Pinot Grigio), feel free to use that instead of milk- it will give the dough a little pizazz!
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Pasta Dough Recipe
Who said that pasta dough making has to be difficult? It so isn’t! All you need is a bit of patience, the right ingredients, and a bit of upper body strength, and you’ll be on your way to pasta making heaven!
Ingredients
- 2/3 Cups + 1 tablespoon /110 g All-Purpose Flour
- 1/2 Cup + 2 tablespoons / 110 g Semolina Flour
- 6 large egg yolks
- 1 large egg
- 1 ½ teaspoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon milk or dry white wine (i.e. Pinot Grigio)
- Extra All-Purpose Flour for kneading
Instructions
- Mound the flour on a board or other surface and create a well in the center, pushing the flour to all sides to make a ring with sides about 1 inch wide. Make sure that the well is wide enough to hold all the eggs without spilling.
- Pour the egg yolks, egg, oil, and milk into the well. Use your fingers to break the eggs up. Still using your fingers, begin turning the eggs in a circular motion, keeping them within the well and not allowing them to spill over the sides. This circular motion allows the eggs to gradually pull in flour from the sides of the well; it is important that the flour not be incorporated too rapidly, or your dough will be lumpy.
- Keep moving the eggs while slowly incorporating the flour. Using a pastry scraper, occasionally push the flour toward the eggs; the flour should be moved only enough to maintain the gradual incorporation of the flour, and the eggs should continue to be contained within the well. The mixture will thicken and eventually get too tight to keep turning with your fingers.
- When the dough begins thickening and starts lifting itself from the board, begin incorporating the remaining flour with the pastry scraper by lifting the flour up and over the dough that’s beginning to form and cutting it into the dough. When the remaining flour from the sides of the well has been cut into the dough, the dough will still look shaggy.
- Bring the dough together with the palms of your hands and form it into a ball. It will look flaky but will hold together.
- Knead the dough by pressing it, bit by bit, in a forward motion with the heels of your hands rather than folding it over on itself as you would with a bread dough. Re-form the dough into a ball and repeat the process several times. The dough should feel moist but not sticky. Let the dough rest for a few minutes while you clean the work surface.
- Dust the clean work surface with a little flour. Knead the dough by pushing against it in a forward motion with the heels of your hands.
- Form the dough into a ball again and knead it again. Keep kneading in this forward motion until the dough becomes silky-smooth. The dough is ready when you can pull your finger through it and the dough wants to snap back into place. The kneading process can take anywhere from 10 to 15 minutes. Even if you think you are finished kneading, knead it for an extra ten minutes; you cannot overknead this dough. It is important to work the dough long enough to pass the pull test; otherwise, when it rests, it will collapse.
- Double-wrap the dough in plastic wrap to ensure that it does not dry out. Let the dough rest for at least 30 minutes and up to 1 hour before rolling it through a pasta machine. The dough can be made a day ahead, wrapped and refrigerated; bring to room temperature before proceeding.
Notes
Adapted from Thomas Keller via Epicurious, 1999
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 356Total Fat: 12gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 372mgSodium: 127mgCarbohydrates: 42gFiber: 2gSugar: 0gProtein: 18g
72 Comments
Tiffany
April 10, 2010 at 11:34 pmOh that looks yummy. I really want pasta now.
I wonder if you can use that for sugar cookies. To get the sheet really thin… hmmmm.
Hélène
April 10, 2010 at 11:10 pmNow you make me want to start making pasta. I never did. Homemade pasta must be so delicious. You did such a great job. What a wonderful machine.
Divina
April 10, 2010 at 11:58 pmI love pasta too and I love making them before. But I better get my own pasta machine. And hey, I could see on you on your pasta machine…hello kamran! :)
Lauren
April 11, 2010 at 12:21 amThe only advantage to gluten-free handmade pasta is that it doesn’t spring back to its original shape when you’re rolling it out. It tends to have a funnier dough though (don’t they all ;D).
I need to make pasta again, if for nothing other than a good meal.
Jenn
April 11, 2010 at 6:55 amLooks like some great pasta! What did you make with this batch? My favorite is to make stuffed pastas like ravioli and tortellini :) This is a very different recipe than I usually use though, I tend to stick with Marcella Hazan’s basic recipe (or adapt it to be gluten free) – I may have to give this a try, all those egg yolks must make it very rich!
And now you have the perfect excuse to use up those leftover whites and make some macarons :)
Angela@spinachtiger
April 11, 2010 at 8:03 amFirstly, I applaud you for making pasta. It intimidates people to no end, but doesn’t need to.
Having made pasta a zillion times with every kind of flour, I’ll just chime in. I use one cup flour, 2 eggs and then possibly add flour as I need it. The TK recipe has a lot of eggs, but TK does that with everything. Regarding the semolina flour, I buy course loosely at whole foods (cheaper) and then I grind it in food processor. If you mix and then wrap in plastic and rest for 30 minutes, I promise it will be easy to work with. I don’t knead any longer than about 5-8 minutes. I never use food processor. I’ve done several taste tastes and semolina delivers a better pasta with more bite. But we love it all just like you do.
penny aka jeroxie
April 11, 2010 at 9:15 amI used to make pasta all the time. Now I am just lazy. I guess it is time to take the old pasta machine out and give it a go :)
Mardi@eatlivetravelwrite
April 11, 2010 at 9:43 amI am just starting to get into making my own pasta so thanks for this recipe – looks wonderful!
sheba
April 11, 2010 at 10:26 amfab pics…and I am all set to make my own pasta!!!!!!!!
kamran
April 11, 2010 at 12:06 pmHélène – Once you start, you’ll be hooked on how easy and delicious it is when you make your own pasta!
Tiffany – now you have me thinking about that!
Divina – was always a backbreaker whenever I’d have to roll it out by hand, but the pasta machine is a saviour and well worth the money!
Lauren – you lucky GF pasta makers, you!
Jenn – I made Ravioli. And don’t remind me about the egg whites. Those egg whites are waiting to be used… 12 egg whites just sitting there. Waiting.
Angela – Thanks for the comment. I agree with you- an obscene amount of eggs, but I think it’s well worth it with the semolina-APF mixture. I would make it 100% semolina, but people would die trying to roll it out (with the 30mins to 1hr resting period). However, Semolina all the way *high five*. The stuff is awesome!
Everyone Else– thanks for the comments! :)
diva
April 11, 2010 at 12:32 pmYou make me want to make pasta fresh all on my own too! And for that, I need one of those swanky looking pasta machines :) thanks for sharing your story.
rebecca subbiah
April 11, 2010 at 2:11 pmwow i am with you! pasta is divine. wish I could taste yours. have a fab sunday!
David Shirey
April 11, 2010 at 7:59 pmI am not a food blog junkie – but I do follow a couple of food blogs and let’s face it, I like to eat pretty much as much or more as the next guy.
I like the tone of your blog – it is friendly, but not over the top. Comes across as very sincere. Nice job.
The other thing I like is that your initial picture, when you have one, does not take up the entire first page of the blog view. I am not sure why people feel that putting a picture there will cause me to interupt my day to scroll down to the text. What people should do is put a little text up there, then insert the picture. If I like the first couple of sentences I will scroll down to see the picture, and from then on I am hooked. You are doing it much more intelligently than most food bloggers. Keep up the good work. Oh, and I appreciate the fact that you don’t blog every day. I have a life, you know. Good luck.
Jen @ My Kitchen Addiction
April 11, 2010 at 10:15 pmOoh… I LOVE making pasta, and I have the same pasta machine. It’s fantastic, isn’t it? I will give your pasta dough recipe a try. Love that you mix it by hand. That’s the way to go, in my opinion. Looks great!
kamran
April 12, 2010 at 12:50 amDavid – thanks so much for your kind comment! I really appreciate it.
Jen – You do?! We should have a pasta party together! :D It’s a great machine and the recipe is great too! Also, mixing by hand ALL the way! No stand mixers or food processors allowed when making pasta in my kitchen. AND absolutely no bowls! Haha.I know that people like using those too. LOL Thanks for the kind comment!
heidileon
April 12, 2010 at 1:05 amhaha…love the “es-Spaghetti” with his thick Spanish accent….(y ya veo, que yo tambien la pronuncio asi!).
Also loved the pics; specially that one of the pasta machine where we can see YOU!
I think the only thing that tops eating fresh homemade pasta is make your own!.
Y
April 12, 2010 at 3:03 amHow wonderful that you have inherited such a love of pasta! I rarely make it at home, but if I had more time, I certainly would!
Sommer J
April 12, 2010 at 5:20 amAs a mother of 3 very young children, making homemade pasta is very intimidating. I’ve made it once before, all by hand, but it was such a hassle! I’ve been coveting a pasta machine for some time now and this one looks absolutely perfect. When I get some extra green, this particular machine will most certainly be bought! Excellent post :)
Linn @ Swedish home cooking
April 12, 2010 at 5:23 amHome made pasta is one of the best thing on earth! I totally love that. Swedish Crepes are pretty good also, I’m making them in the latest episode of my online cooking show. Please check it out!
Lynn
April 12, 2010 at 3:38 pmFrom one pasta addict to another–great job! I totally understand the drooling over the pasta machine. Your dough looks amazing and so really want pasta and that machine right NOW! ((Sigh)). My fav pasta is ravioli. Can you make ravioli with this machine? Thanks for sharing. :>)
sophia
April 12, 2010 at 10:31 pmWhat’s wrong with being a pasta addict? With all the carb-phobia going on right now (grrrrr!!!!) I COMMEND you for making your own pasta! Impressive!! And you’re only in high school…you’re just awesome!
kamran
April 12, 2010 at 11:03 pmLynn Yes, would have to roll the dough out super thin in the machine, and the place the ravioli filling on the dough manually… Sadly it’s not like a factory machine that would do it all for me! I happened to make ravioli with this dough and they came out spectacular! I can’t wait to share that recipe with everyone!
sophia thanks for the kind comment about me being “awesome”; I really appreciate it! :D
Manggy
April 13, 2010 at 1:34 amSigh… I wish I had a pasta machine, even with the dial idiosyncrasies. The ridiculously high humidity here won’t let me use a rolling pin like they do in the old country! :(
lesley
April 13, 2010 at 6:14 amKamran, you have a lovely blog!
I found you through “delicious days” & there’s my bloggie friend Sophia in your comments too!
We love pasta in our house, well done on your honest review!
5 Star Foodie
April 13, 2010 at 9:55 amThere’s nothing better than fresh homemade pasta! Have you tried making it with “00” flour? I recently discovered it and now I’m totally in love, it’s amazing!
Fuji Mama
April 13, 2010 at 3:25 pmMmmmmmm, NOTHING beats homemade pasta! Mr. Fuji’s grandma gave me her recipe for noodles that she always used in chicken noodle soup, and it’s probably my favorite thus far. Can’t wait to try yours–I know it will be excellent. :)
skip to malou
April 13, 2010 at 3:28 pmpasta made from scratch? hmmm never have done it… when i want fresh pasta i get by with the help of MR. BUITONI hihihi…
now i want to have this pasta machine and make my own… and say goodbye to Mr. BUITONI! hahaha thanks for the idea
vincent
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Amy from She Wears Many Hats
April 13, 2010 at 3:49 pmPasta is one of my addictions too. And making my own is something I’ve been wanting to try. Wish you were closer and you could give me a lesson (or two) in person.
Beautiful photography.
veron
April 13, 2010 at 4:48 pmKamran, this is awesome! I’ve been trying to get the hubby to make us homemade pasta since he loves the stuff so much. This looks like a great recipe and I will check out that pasta machine, might get it for his b-day. :)
Lynn
April 13, 2010 at 8:02 pmAwesome. Thanks for the feedback!
Lynn
April 13, 2010 at 8:06 pmBtw, your post totally had me craving pasta yesterday so I made pumpkin ravioli w/roasted chicken in matcha cream sauce today (but I had to use store-bought ravioli). Check out my recipe on the blog when you get a chance.
El
April 13, 2010 at 8:51 pmThanks for sharing this recipe. I’m an addict too!
kamran
April 13, 2010 at 9:57 pm5 Start Foodie (Natasha) – I have tried making it with type 00 flour, but I think that semolina gives it a better taste, texture, etc. It’s great in place of all-purpose in this recipe, but in my opinion, semolia is the best.
Fuji Mama (Rachael) – I want to see this chicken noodle soup recipe and the recipe for the noodles! Sounds absolutely delish!
Amy – thanks so much for the kind comment! I wish I could give you a pasta making lesson (or two), but honestly, it’s not as tough as everyone makes it seem. Just work slowly and neatly, and everything should come out great for you! If you have questions or any problems making pasta from scratch, please feel free to email me, and I’ll try my best to help you with any issues.
Veron– I’m sure he’ll love the pasta machine for his birthday!
OysterCulture
April 15, 2010 at 9:12 pmLove the photos and the write up, and I do not think there is anything wrong or unusual about being a pasta addict. I’ve accepted my downfall long ago!
Velva
April 18, 2010 at 8:22 amCheers to testing out a pasta machine! Also, to your late grandfather William. Awesome.
Nisrine@Dinners & Dreams
April 18, 2010 at 7:55 pmI’ve never made pasta at home. I admire your bravery. My mom made it once or twice when I was little but I don’t really remember if tasted better or if it was worth the effort.
kamran
April 18, 2010 at 8:20 pmNisrine – Homemade pasta is wayyyy better than boxed pasta and it is definitely worth all of the effort. You should give it a try when you have time. :)
El
April 18, 2010 at 9:42 pmI heard it’s your blog birthday today. Here’s to many, many more!
wasabi prime
April 19, 2010 at 10:40 amBe-yooo-tiful. I love pasta, but gads, I can’t make it to save my life. It’s not that it’s difficult, I’m just woefully unpracticed in the art (and the patience) of making it, so my results have been consistently… inconsistent. My last foray into pastamaking was with a Keller recipe, which was divine, but I let the dough sit too long and it got rubbery. 100% my fault and I’ve been hesitant to jump back on the horse, as it were. But I may consider making it again this week when family is coming to visit. If making loved ones happy to eat home cooking isn’t reason enough for getting over ridiculous fears, I don’t know what else is!
Tokyo Terrace
April 19, 2010 at 6:39 pmHi Kamran! I love making my own pasta- you just may have inspired me enough to make my own today… Lovely post AND happy belated blogaversary! You and I have been friends for the entirety of our blogging life thus far and I look forward to meeting you in person some day soon, but will settle with being great blogging friends until then. Take care and keep up your amazing work!
Chez Us
April 19, 2010 at 10:50 pmIsn’t it so much fun to make pasta. We got one of those sexy looking pasta machines when were in Montreal last summer – used it 5xs & it busted. Now I have the rollers that attach to the KitchenAid, not as romantic, but so easy. We love having fresh pasta at home. You can do so much with it & it tastes better!
Happy belated blogaversary, as well!
Lana @ Never Enough Thyme
April 21, 2010 at 8:28 pmWow, Kamran, you’re inspiring me to get out my pasta machine. I used to make all my own pasta but haven’t done it in quite a while. I think I’ll dust that machine off and give it a go again.
Erica Lea
April 22, 2010 at 8:40 amWe have one of those facy schmancy machines – and I love it! I agree – making pasta is not really difficult. Just time consuming.
Sounds like your grandfather was an amazing person. It is so nice to be able to learn from grandparents.
Megan Gordon
April 26, 2010 at 12:43 amWell I’ve recently tacked homemade bread and now you’ve inspired me to try pasta. Great post, Kamran. Love the photo of you reflected in the pasta machine…your college roommates have a treat ahead of them!
Kristen
April 26, 2010 at 4:22 pmI’m right there with you when it comes to the whole pasta addiction thing.
You are going to be the hit of the campus in college!
Avanika (Yumsilicious Bakes)
April 29, 2010 at 10:49 amWow great-looking pasta. I’ve yet to try making it at home, though!
justin
April 30, 2010 at 4:50 amdang sweet info man.
MarkSpizer
May 3, 2010 at 3:01 amgreat post as usual!
Susana
May 5, 2010 at 4:21 amWow this is a great resource! I enjoyed it.. Good article.