Homemade Pasta Made Easy

Why settle for store-bought pasta when making your own is so much better? This easy homemade pasta recipe is quick to prepare with just five simple ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen.

Making Fresh Pasta from Scratch

The full list of ingredients and detailed instructions are below, but here's a quick overview of the process:

Ingredients for Homemade Pasta

To make this simple homemade pasta, you’ll only need five basic ingredients:

• Flour: This homemade pasta recipe starts with two cups of all-purpose flour. 
• Eggs: Eggs lend fat and moisture to the pasta dough. 
• Oil: Two tablespoons of olive oil add moisture and help the dough come together. 
• Salt: A teaspoon of salt takes the flavor up a notch. 
• Water: Add just enough water to form a smooth, thick dough. 

Steps to Make Fresh Homemade Pasta

Here’s a quick look at the process you’ll follow to make your own fresh pasta from scratch:

1. Prepare the dough.
2. Turn out the dough and knead for 10 minutes.
3. Allow the dough to rest.
4. Form the dough into balls.
5. Use a pasta machine to roll and cut the dough into your desired shapes.

Cooking Homemade Pasta

Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil, add the fresh pasta, and stir. Cook until the pasta is al dente, with a slight firmness when bitten.

Cooking Time for Fresh Pasta

Fresh pasta cooks much faster than dried pasta, so keep an eye on it. It should only take around two to five minutes to cook.

Kitchen Tips for Best Results

Culinary expert Nicole McLaughlin, also known as NicoleMcMom, learned the art of crafting the perfect homemade pasta from her Roman neighbor. According to Nicole, this recipe is the real deal! Here are some of her top pasta-making tips:

• Nicole likes to start the recipe the old-fashioned way: On the counter. She makes a well in the middle of the flour with her measuring cup, then cracks the eggs into the well. After adding the remaining ingredients, she gradually works the flour into the wet mixture from the inside out. 
• It might look like you have too much flour at first, but don’t worry! Since the dough will still be wet in the center when you start kneading, the flour will gradually become necessary. 
• Before cooking the pasta, Nicole likes to make loose nests with the noodles. She lets the nests dry out on the counter a bit before boiling.

Best Pairings for Homemade Pasta

Enjoy your homemade pasta with any of your favorite sauces. Looking for ideas? Check out our list of The 20 Best Pasta Sauces, According to Our Readers, featuring some of the highest-rated recipes:

• Best Marinara Sauce Yet 
• Pesto
• Bolognese Sauce 

Can You Prepare Homemade Pasta Dough in Advance?

Absolutely! You can prepare the pasta dough up to two days ahead of time:

1. Prepare the dough.
2. Turn the dough out and knead it.
3. Lightly coat the dough ball with flour and wrap it in plastic wrap.
4. Refrigerate for up to two days.
5. Follow the rest of the recipe instructions.

Tips and Praise from the Dinogo Community

“This recipe was super easy and worked perfectly,” says lglandis. “It was my first time making pasta, and it couldn’t have been simpler. I’m definitely doing it again!”

“So simple and delicious,” shares ANADAMABAKER. “I used a mix of all-purpose flour and semolina flour (equal parts) instead of just all-purpose flour.”

Editorial contributions by Corey Williams

Ingredients List

• 2 cups flour

• 3 large eggs, at room temperature

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 2 tablespoons water, or as needed

Instructions

Start by gathering all the necessary ingredients.

Combine flour, eggs, olive oil, and salt in a bowl and mix until fully incorporated. Gradually add water, one teaspoon at a time, until a smooth, thick dough forms.

Transfer the dough onto a floured surface and knead for 10 minutes. Allow the dough to rest for 5 to 10 minutes.

Cut the dough into 8 equal balls; use a pasta machine to flatten and shape the dough into your preferred pasta form.

Cook's Tips

Nutritional Information (per serving)