Make Your Own Pasta

I love noodles. They are incredibly easy to make from scratch, are super filling, and far surpass anything you can buy in a store. I began making noodles years ago when I received a pasta roller for Xmas. I followed the specific directions and after one meal, was hooked. There is something liberating about wanting to make ravioli for dinner, and only needing flour, eggs, salt, and water to do so. This also makes pasta night even easier if you don’t have any boxed pasta in the pantry. The ingredients are simple, and many of us have them on hand.

Here is my simple pasta recipe. This makes enough for 1 pan of lasagna, in a 9 X 13 pan. This is so much more filling than if it is made with dry pasta. I learned how to make pasta using a food processor years ago when Mary Ann Esposito explained it on Ciao Italia. I had always made them on the counter, but this way is foolproof and much less messy. It’s how I still make them today. This recipe works perfectly.

Homemade  Pasta

•  2 cups flour
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 eggs
• 2 Tbsp cold water

Directions

1. In a food processor(or on the counter), mix flour and salt.
2. Add two eggs and pulse to combine(or mix with hands)
3. While the processor is running, add the water and let combine until the dough balls up and cleans the sides of the bowl. DONE! (if using hands, your dough will be moist but NOT sticky, with no dry spots throughout.
4. Wrap in plastic wrap and let set at least 1 hour to rest. Do NOT skip this step.
5. Using a pasta machine(hand crank, roller), or a rolling pin, make your pasta sheets. Cut to desired width and let dry for about 5 minutes, or until they are not sticking to each other.
6. Cook in boiling water for 2 minutes. The pasta takes no time at all to cook. Drop them in boiling water and when they rise to the top, they are done.

When making lasagna, roll noodles into sheets, cut to your favorite width and you can immediately start layering-that’s right, NO precooking! Saves tons of time and mess. Add a little extra sauce when preparing in this manner-the noodles will absorb the excess.