How To Make Pasta Dough From Scratch. A perfect family activity to do on a snowy cold winter day. After the dough is done, the world of pasta shapes is your oyster!
Song of the day: Free Falling by Tom Petty.
The first day of snow always takes me unprepared. I live in denial until the morning I look out the window and the familiar view of our backyard has changed overnight into an indistinct, fluffy, blanket of snow.
I immediately think of all the people that have to start their day, going to school, or to work or any other activity. How do they react? Do they crawl back in bed or go out anyways? They probably have to keep going. My husband has to. Maybe because they were born here and they've seen this "thing" happen year after year, they built up a shield, a "carelessness", and even an immune system that I do not have.
My first thought is to lock myself in the house and go out only when Loreto will take me to the airport to go back home.
This mindset eventually changes and I do go out a bit, all bundled up so I can face the cold outside.
But for today, I'll stay home and make homemade pasta from scratch.
Memories of pasta dough making
There is something so comforting and "homey" in making pasta dough from scratch. I get flashbacks of my great grandma, grandma, mom, and aunts making their own pasta, their certain hand movements, the soft look in their eyes, the love that emanates from the simple task of blending four and eggs.
How much flour and how many eggs?
The ratio has always been, in my family, for generations, 1 egg to 100 g of flour. A pinch of salt, optional, a few drops of water necessary if your eggs are on the smaller side and you feel the dough is too dry. Always the whole eggs and not only the yolks; very practical, the women in my life, they wouldn't want to deal with leftover egg whites just for the sake of a brighter yellow pasta dough. What about the olive oil, you're asking? I know somebody adds it, never in my family.
What type of flour to use?
As for the flour to use, I also added in the notes my thoughts on using a blend of flour type 00 and semolina. The percentage is up to you. Some prefer it finer and will use 100% 00 flour, some more rustic, and will add percentages of semolina increasingly higher. Sometimes I go 50-50, 50% 00 and 50% semolina, especially if I am going to make fettuccine or spaghetti. The semolina gives a coarser texture particularly suitable to let the sauce stick to your noodles without sliding down. I use less or no semolina when I'm making ravioli or lasagna sheets.
I use a wooden surface (called spianatoia in Italian) like my mom and nonna would do. Working on a rough surface gives a better consistency to the dough.
I like to use my hands to "feel" the dough, if it is sufficiently ductile and soft, but not too much, neither too dry, otherwise it will tear when stretching. You can -of course- use a food processor to speed things up, and later we will share a version of pasta dough making in the food processor.
Work it, work it, work it
The time you work the dough and the energy you put into it, develop the gluten, which is fundamental for the final consistency of the pasta.
Work it for no less than 5 minutes: you have to give it elasticity, with the warmth of the hands and kneading properly with the necessary force. Push it forward with the palm, then fold it and turn it, without tearing it and repeating the movement, again and again, several times, until smooth "as a baby's bottom".
Now it's time for the dough to rest. Thirty (30) minutes is the necessary time for the different components of the dough to be tied together. Air is the enemy of pasta dough, in every phase of the process. While resting, it must be wrapped in plastic, or covered with a wet towel, or left under a bowl. That's it your dough is done!
See you in the next post, when we are going to roll out the dough and make some pasta sheets.
Today, I am going to curl under a warm blanket and forget about the snow outside.
Ciao for now!
Song of the day: Free Falling by Tom Petty.
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How To Make Pasta Dough From Scratch
How To Make Pasta Dough From Scratch. A perfect family activity to do on a snowy cold winter day. After the dough is done, the world of pasta shapes is your oyster!
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: pasta dough enough for 2 people
Ingredients
- 2 large eggs, organic free-range, at room temperature
- 140 g flour type 00
- 60 g semolina flour
- a few drops of water, if needed
Instructions
- On a wood surface (or in a large bowl), sift the flours, make a well in the middle, and crack the eggs into the well.
- Beat the eggs with a fork or with your hands and slowly start to pull the flour into the eggs. Mix till dough starts to form.
- Keep kneading the dough over onto itself, turning and folding, using some good force to get that dough nice and smooth. If needed, add a few drops of water. The texture should be soft and the dough velvety to the touch, and elastic. The dough should be worked at least 5-10 minutes to develop the gluten which is fundamental for the final consistency of the pasta.
- Shape the dough into a ball. Cover in plastic or with a wet towel and let rest for 30 minutes.
Notes
The blend of 00 flour and semolina flour is completely up to you. You can use only flour type 00, which has a higher gluten content and creates a smooth dough or mix it with semolina flour up to 50% which gives a coarser texture, ideal for long pasta shapes such as fettuccine or spaghetti.
The prep time includes the 30-minute resting time.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Category: How To
- Method: Kneading
- Cuisine: Italian
I love baking and kneading dough because it takes me to a happy place in my soul.
Maria from She Loves Biscotti says
I feel the same way about the first snowfall... that's when I take a step back and admire how magical it looks. Sometimes that is easier said than done, especially when you have just finished shoveling the snow from your driveway and you hear the snow plow... but before you know it, spring will be back! I can still hear my grandmother "Forza e coraggio, che dopo aprile viene maggio" lol
I also love making pasta. Just like you, it brings me right back to my mom's kitchen... the sounds and smells of the tomato sauce bubbling away in the background and the knife scraping the wooden board as the pasta is being shaped. Great post Nicoletta♥
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Thank you so much, Maria, I appreciate your comments so much! Memories and family are everything. They shaped us into who we are now.
Gloria says
Well the Ukrainian in me knows that dough from scratch is THE BEST. Baba always worked her magic and made the best noodles ever. Your recipe reminds me of her mouthwatering dishes. Homemade is so good.
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Thank you, Gloria! Homemade is so good and the memories we associate with homemade pasta are always the best!
Aleta says
Yes! Just what I've been looking for! This recipe looks excellent, I love your easy to follow instructions and beautiful photography. I believe now I can easily make pasta dough!
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Thank you, Aleta! On Instagram we have a video of the making of the pasta dough, it might help too. Making pasta is not too hard and so rewarding 🙂 .
Elaine says
I have very fond memories of learning to make pasta in a kitchen in the heart of Umbria. It was a simple dish flavoured with garden tomatoes, basil, lots of local olive oil and of course, never-ending glasses of wine. Thanks for great instructions!
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Simple and flavorful is always the way to go. Great that you could make pasta right in Italy. Those are the best memories!
Jo Vanderwolf says
Homemade pasta is the BEST! Thank you for posting your recipe! I can't wait to give it a try 🙂
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The best, yes! Thank you, hope it makes pasta making a little easier.
Kathy @ Beyond the Chicken Coop says
No snow here yet, but it won't be long now. When it does snow, I'm always in the mood for baking. I've made pasta a few times and I really enjoy it. I think it's an art that many people have that I haven't quite mastered. I think I need years of practice!
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Snow makes baking and making pasta dough the perfect activities 🙂 . I know what you mean, I think that some think they know how to make pasta dough but few are the ones that make it right. It takes a lot of practice and experience and I'm not quite there yet myself. Thank you!!
Dana says
Snow is coming soon enough. It's supposed to be a harsh winter here. You make pasta look easy! I've tried a few times but I think I would be more successful using your trips.
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Hope my tips help you with your pasta making skills! Thank you!!
Denise from Urb'n'Spice says
I am mesmerized by your Instagram video of you making pasta from scratch. I appreciate all of your great tips on the ratio of 00 flour and semolina and why you use it for particular pasta shapes - I look forward to the next post when you create with the pasta dough. Many thanks, Nicoletta! It is always a joy to read your stories and learn from your recipes.
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Thank you so much, Denise, you are so kind! Looking at the video I see my grandma's hands, and it makes me happy to see I am becoming a little bit like her.
Marisa says
My dad never really liked the Canadian winters and and he came very close to packing us up and returning to Italy!
This takes me back to watching my mother working her magic when making homemade pasta...wonderfully done Nicoletta!
Thank you, Marisa! I don't think I could live here all the time and I don't see myself living here all my life, so I can understand your father. Homemade pasta is wonderful because it connects with our roots and the people that made it with love before us.
Courtney says
Thank you for such an informative post! We sometimes make pasta at home as a family, and it always seems to coincide with the snowy weather as well. It really is a fun family activity on a snowy day, and then you get the reward of delicious homemade pasta at the end 🙂
It's nice to make homemade pasta, or pizza, while outside it's snowy and cold. And then enjoy the fruits of everybody's labor in delicious homemade meals. Thank you!
Karyl Henry says
I've only ever made pasta in my KitchenAid, because I've always been scared to try it by hand. You make it sound so easy! I might have to give it a try, next time it's freezing and I don't want to leave the house
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I make it in the food processor, too. But it's not the same 'cause you cannot feel the dough and its right consistency. It's time-saving though 😉 . Thank you so much!
Krista Price says
I have yet to attempt making fresh pasta, but now I really want to! This post is incredibly informative. I feel like a pasta making expert after reading through it! Thank you so much for sharing!
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Thank you! I hope you try, it is so satisfactory!
Charity says
Making homemade pasta is one of our favorite things to do together. Me and the hubby pop open a bottle of wine and make a night of rolling and shaping pasta.
A great couple's activity, indeed. Relaxing and fun 🙂
Michele says
I've never made my own pasta, but you sure make it look easy! Making my own pasta from scratch is definitely something I've always wanted to try. Thanks so much for the awesome post!
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Thank you! It is not that hard at all, and once you try you will love it.
Tammy says
Your dough looks perfect! I love homemade pasta is a rare treat but always one worth while. It's an especially nice touch for the holidays. I've always had difficulty locating 00 flour if I can f ind it online I'd like very much to try your recipe 🙂
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Thank you! You can use all purpose flour, unbleached, and possibly organic, but it doesn't have the same gluten content and the pasta dough may be a little different.
Donna says
I am like a little kid when the first snow hits, but I grew up with it in Ireland! These days living in California I am so jealous of everyone's stories of snow (and rain!). How beautiful is it to be all warm and snuggly in the house making your own pasta though? The ultimate comfort 🙂
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I am not used to it at all, so I have to say it is not my favorite, but in colder snowy days I find some distracting activities to do, like making pasta 😉 . Thank you for your comment!
Claire | The Simple, Sweet Life says
I've ALWAYS wanted to try my hand at homemade pasta, but it always sounded so intimidating. I really appreciate your great step-by-step instructions. I'm definitely going to have to give it a try.
Thank you! We have a video too on Instagram, and we are also going to post how to make it in the food processor. Hope you give it a try!
Sam | Ahead of Thyme says
I can't believe I have never tried making homemade pasta. This sounds delicious and looks easy! Can't wait to try it.
Homemade pasta is so good, once you try you will make it over and over again 🙂 . Thank you!