This homemade pasta dough recipe will help you create tender, homemade pasta — and it’s so easy! Step by step instructions and images help you all the way through. This post has been updated from the original March 2012 version. Last updated December 2018.
For this recipe you’ll need: all-purpose flour, kosher salt, eggs, olive oil
Homemade Pasta Is Easier than You Think
I was going to post my Chicken Alfredo Lasagna recipe today and then I remembered that I wanted to post this homemade pasta dough recipe first so that you could really make a lasagna that would make your entire family (including random inlaws) drool.
Don’t get me wrong – store bought pasta is fine. Better when it is organic but …all in all… it does the job. It just doesn’t do the job as well as this homemade kind… which isn’t hard to make. It’s sort of like saying that a pair of sneakers will work fine with that sexy little black dress… but if possible a pair of Betsy’s would be so much better.
You know what I mean. I know you do.
Homemade pasta dough is really quite simple, pretty fast and very inexpensive. It is messy and that is the one negative about making your own pasta. Maybe it is just me – I tend to be messy anyway. You don’ believe me? Who found red food color on her upper thigh when she had been wearing jeans? Yep. Me.
When I get done in the kitchen it looks, more or less, like someone took the flour scoop and just pretended it was fairy dust and I was Wendy (from Peter Pan). Fly!
Using a Pasta Roller
The first thing you will want is a pasta roller. Now, you can roll the pasta by hand with your rolling pin but it is more difficult to get it exactly right. It is usually thicker when made that way which does detract from the delicacy of the finished dish. If you have a Kitchen Aid you can buy a pasta attachment and there are actual electric pasta makers, too. Personally, even though I have an electric pasta maker I prefer the hand cranked kind, like this –
This is the one I have and I think it is worth every penny. It is heavy duty and easy to use. It is easy to clean up…and it doesn’t get bogged down with whole wheat or vegetable pasta doughs. So, if you don’t have one consider this.
I attach mine to a plain wooden stool. It works best for me. You can attach yours to the table, counter, or whatever is convenient. It just needs to be stable.
Homemade Pasta FAQs
Experience level – easy.
How do you make easy homemade pasta?
You can make homemade pasta with either a hand cranked machine, an electric pasta maker, a pasta making attachment, or just a rolling pin. The main thing is that the pasta get rolled out thinly.
What is the best flour for pasta?
You’ll find out more about flour in this post. Semolina is the flour mostly used in homemade pasta but all-purpose flour can be used as well. Whole wheat flour works best if you use part all-purpose along with it.
How long does fresh pasta last?
Fresh pasta can be refrigerated for two days or so. You can freeze it for longer storage.
How to Make Homemade Pasta Step by Step
Step one is to mix the dough together and knead it. You will probably want to do this in your mixer unless you have arm muscles like the Incredible Hulk. I used to knead this stuff by hand but I am not that interested in firm youthful upper arms. At least not interested enough to actually knead this. But you can…if you want to. Once it is kneaded you will form it into a ball and let it rest for about a half hour. This allows all the gluten that you have developed to chill out and relax. Just leave it on the counter with a towel tossed over it.
After your half hour has passed and the gluten is relaxed you will roll it out into a rectangle, then cut it in fourths, and it is ready for you to begin feeding it through the machine.
If you are using a pasta maker like the one above you will set it on #1 and feed the dough through 4 or 5 times. Then you will set it on #2 and feed it through 1 or 2 times… I usually set it on #3 for a thinner pasta and feed it through again. Experiment to see how thin you like your pasta – and you will probably find that you use different thicknesses for different dishes. For lasagna I stop with a #3. This particular pasta maker has 9 different settings. Anyway you just keep feeding it through until you have the thickness you want.
Once that is done it is ready to be cut into the shape you desire. Most of the hand cranked pasta makers just have two different flat noodle settings but you can buy extra attachments for different shapes. For lasagna you don’t need to cut it with the pasta maker. Just measure the length of your lasagna pan and cut it short enough to fit. Use as many pieces and you need for the width.
For fettuccine or linguine you will just feed the homemade pasta dough through the proper sized cutters on the machine (usually on the back) and it will be automatically cut to size.
I usually let homemade pasta dough dry for a half hour or so before I cook it but you don’t have to. Keep in mind that fresh pasta will cook VERY quickly. Test it after 2 minutes. You can even use the lasagna noodles in the lasagna without boiling it first – I don’t like to do that because I think it gives it a raw doughy starchy taste but other people say it is fine. Try it and see if it works for you – after all you will save about 2 minutes. 🙂
Ready to try it? Here’s the recipe I use… oh…and that lasagna? Here’s the recipe: Chicken Alfredo Lasagna with Homemade Pasta
You May Need…
The following are affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
What’s new? Check out my Restless Chipotle & Co. Store on Amazon! Thanks so much for being a part of Restless Chipotle!
Pasta is delicious and inexpensive when it is homemade. you might think that it takes a lot of time but it really doesn’t – especially with one of these pasta makers. You can use the electric kind or a hand cranked version. This is the Pasta Maker I have and you can get it on Amazon. Or, try the pasta attachment for your Kitchen Aid.
More Great Pasta Recipes from Restless Chipotle
Here are some of my favorite pasta recipes – you can use this pasta with any of them!
- Creamy Pumpkin Alfredo
- Chicken Tetrazzini Southwestern Style
- Classic Lasagna with Fresh Cheese
- Quick Lasagna Pasta Nests
Homemade Pasta Dough Recipe
This is my favorite homemade pasta dough recipe. It’s probably not one of those recipes you’ll make on a busy weeknight but it’s fantastic for a family dinner on the weekend. If you love this recipe please give it 5 stars.
Best Homemade Pasta Dough Recipe…Ever
Print Add to CollectionIngredients
- 3 1/2 cups all purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon salt, , I use Kosher salt – you will need less if you use fine salt.
- 4 eggs
- 1 tablespoon good olive oil
- About 4 to 5 tablespoons of water, give or take
Instructions
- Blend the flour and salt together.
- Add the eggs, oil and half of the water.
- Mix slowly, adding more water as needed until the dough can be formed into a ball that holds together. don’t let it get too wet or it will be hard to work with.
- Knead for about three minutes, or until the dough is smooth and elastic.
- Cover with a clean tea towel and allow to rest for thirty minutes.
- Divide the dough into 4 parts.
- Roll each part out on a lightly floured board so that it will fit through the #1 setting on your pasta maker.
- If you are rolling by hand just roll each piece of dough out until it is as thin as you can get it and cut into the desired sizes.
- Rub a light coating of flour on the dough.
- Put the dough through the #1 setting about 5 times or more.
- Change to a #2 setting and put the dough through that setting two or three times.
- Change to a #3 setting and put the dough through that setting.
- Continue to make the dough thinner until it is as thin as you want it.
- Cut into desired shapes and allow to rest for a few minutes more.
- Place in salted, rapidly boiling water and cook until done – 2 or 3 minutes.
Notes
You can substitute vegetable puree for the water.
I’d suggest following the recipe exactly before trying any variations.
Thomas
Instead of buying a drying rack, I just drape the freshly cut pasta over the handle of my oven door.
Marye
That’s so smart!
Kayla
Can you freeze any unrolled dough?
Marye Audet
I’ve never tried.
Alessandra
1 tbls of salt seems excessive… should it be tsp? i’ve made pasta several times (with and without my nonna) and it’s never been salted, but i followed the recipe as written here and it’s extremely salty. i certainly wont be salting the water (or maybe even my sauce).
otherwise, recipe seems standard and it was certainly much easier to make in the stand mixer (i’ve only ever done it by hand before)
Marye Audet
I use kosher salt which has a larger crystal. I bet that’s it.
Marye Audet
That’s great, Richard! I do love homemade pasta!
Rhea
It was super easy to make and so delicious! Very pleased with how it turned out
Marye Audet
Thanks! Im glad you liked it!
Lisa Gueths
Amazing pasta. I could eat it plain it’s so good
Marye Audet
🙂 thanks! I am so glad you liked it!
Mark
Marye
I used “00” flour I ordered on Amazon from Italy and I think it made all the difference. I’ve made before with conventional flour ,not as good.
Mark
Marye Audet
Great idea!
Miss
Thanks for the great recipe and tips with the dough. I struggle with the drying process. I don’t have a drying rack. Can you just lay it out on wax paper for thirty minutes or need hang it from something? How long does it need to dry when you make a large batch and want to keep the noodles to use at a different time? Thank you!!
Marye Audet
I’ve never kept them to use at a different time so I am unsure. You can cover them and keep them fresh in the fridge, though. They do need to hang… I’ve suspended wooden spoons between pans and done other things to create a drying rack. Use your imagination. 🙂
Tiffany
I used plastic clothes hangers and hung from an over the door hook.
Marye Audet
brilliant!!
Donna BAILEY
One of the neatest drying rack I ever saw was a few of those large plastic coat hangers. Hang the pasta over them. Hang the hangers maybe in the kitchen where it’s the warmest. Use your imagination. Also use wooden dowels suspended somewhere in your kitchen. Tell your husband you heard it was impossible to do….tee hee
Jo Carson
Wrap Saran wrap around a clothes hanger and drape the pasta over it like you would a pair of pants. The Hager can then be hooked over a cabinet knob.
Marye Audet
Brilliant!!
Jacquelyne
Hi, I just finished rolling the first ball of dough (I’m doing it by hand.) Something’s come up, can i leave the dough to rest???? Or is there some way I can cook them and then use them some other day?????
Marye Audet
You can let the dough rest … or you can oil it and put it in a container or storage bag and then keep it refrigerated. Let it come to room temp before you roll it out.
Trish
I have made this recipe numerous times and it always turns out wonderful! It works great with my kitchen aid attachment and the family scarfs it down. It reminds me of when my Grandma made fresh pasta by hand for soup. Thank you. ?
Marye Audet
🙂 Thanks!
Marye Audet
Yes it should be fine. 🙂
Lisa
I tried the recipe that came with my pasta maker, but it was so dry it crumbled coming through the machine. Your recipe also has just the littlest bit of liquid. What should the dough feel like when it’s resting? Can I add water if it seems too stiff?
Marye Audet
Hmmm… it feels like stiff playdo if that makes sense? If you think it’s too dry you can add a little water, yes.
Dee
Make sure all ingredients are at room temperature before starting.
Yes you can add water and re knead. Let rest before putting it through pasta maker.
Karen @ The Food Charlatan
I’m the same way! When I’m done cooking it looks like a bomb went off. Haha! I never have made my own pasta before. This looks so good! Looking forward to the lasagna 🙂
Dee Dee (My Midlife Kitchen)
I love the delicacy of homemade noodles. They just make any dish taste better! My husband has actually been wanting to spend a day making pasta (what a catch he is!), so now I can hand him this recipe and let him go!
Chrisy @ Homemade Hooplah
I saw my mother in law make pasta from scratch, and it tasted amazing, but that crafty woman wouldn’t share the recipe :O Looking forward to trying this one!
Kay
Can you use this dough for homemade pot pie which I cut in squares?
Marye Audet
Yes you can. 🙂
melissa
I made this tonight and it was perfect! I had double the amount of dough that I needed for the meal, can I freeze the rest of the dough, does it do well once unthawed? Thanks for sharing!
Marye Audet
I have not tried freezing it but I don’t see why you couldn’t. 🙂
allie @ Through Her Looking Glass
Looks super delicious Marye. Great tips. I love homemade pasta. The BEST!
Kelsey @ Snacking Squirrel
this is brilliant! fresh pasta makes the difference always! <3
Sariah
Do you fold the dough in half between each time you put it through the pasta maker? Or just straight in each time? I’ve seen on food network that they fold it in half sometimes. So I wanted to make sure 🙂 thanks! Can’t wait to try it
Marye Audet
I just put it straight through. 🙂
Randall
Hi! Thanks for the great site! How do you clean your hand-cranked pasta roller? Thank you in advance for your reply!
Marye Audet
There shouldn’t be anything to clean really. The dough shouldn’t stick to the rollers. If I notice a buildup of flour I use compressed air or gently wipe it with a dry cloth.
Randall
Thanks Marye! (In case you didn’t notice, I’m a pasta newby!)
Chelsea Tyree
im making this recipe right now as we speak! Dough is resting for thirty minutes before I roll it into a rectangle, and so far so good! 🙂 love this recipe! Wondering if you can freeze these and then re cook them? Hmm.. 🙂
Marye Audet
I think you can freeze them – it’s worth a try!
Debby Ann
Yes, you can freeze them, I do so on floured parchment paper in piles of cut pasta…or single layer if making Rolled up pasta with cheese mixture inside…like shells, or rolls of lasagne noodles. I put mine in parchment paper and wrap in foil as flat and tight as possible after freezing individually. When baking, pull out and put in baking dish with sauce on bottom of dish. Then, shells, and then, Cover with sauce and cheese in oven so the pasta stays soft. We make pasta now..but made so much at our Inns for 16 years. So easy and much more delicious. I also freeze pasta dough but make sure you flatten it out a bit before freezing. I take it out of the freezer a day or two in advance of using to defrost.
Karen Gasparini
Have you ever frozen the pasta after you make it? Thanks!!
Marye Audet
No Karen, I haven’t. I’ve heard you could though. 🙂
Jamila
Fresh pasta–so good, you can enjoy it with just melted butter and/or grated parmesan cheese: )
Karen Swank
I have just made the pasta following your directions and they turned out wonderful. Thank you so very much for sharing your great recipe.
Karen Swank