How to Make Homemade Pasta

• Mix the Dough. In a large bowl, combine the flour and salt.
  2 Cups All-Purpose Flour, ½ Teaspoon Salt
• In a separate small bowl, whisk together the eggs, water, and olive oil with a fork.
  2 Large Eggs, 3 Tablespoons Olive Oil, 3 Tablespoons Water
• Pour the wet ingredients into the flour mixture. Stir with a fork until the dough begins to clump together.
• Knead. Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface.
• Knead for 2 to 3 minutes until the dough becomes smooth and satiny. The more you knead, the more elastic the dough becomes.
• If the dough feels too sticky, lightly dust it with flour. If it feels dry or crumbly, add a teaspoon of water at a time until it comes together.
• Rest the Dough. Wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap. Let it rest for at least 30 minutes.
• This resting period allows the gluten to relax, making the dough much easier to roll into thin sheets without springing back.
• Divide. After resting, divide the dough into four equal portions.
• Keep the unused portions wrapped while working with one piece at a time to prevent drying.

Rolling the Pasta

Option 1: Pasta Machine

• Flatten one portion of dough slightly.
• Starting with the widest setting on your pasta machine (usually setting 5 or 6), pass the dough through once or twice.
• Fold the dough into thirds.
• Reduce the roller thickness one setting and run it through again.
• Continue folding and reducing the thickness about six times until you've reached your desired thickness.
• As the pasta becomes longer and thinner, support it with one hand while feeding it through the rollers.
• Once finished, run the sheet through the cutter attachment for your desired noodle size.

Option 2: Rolling Pin

• Lightly flour your work surface.
• Roll one portion of dough as thin as possible.
• The thinner you roll the dough, the better. Homemade pasta expands as it cooks.
• Cut into strips using a sharp knife, pizza cutter, or pasta wheel.
• Don't worry if every noodle isn't identical. Rustic homemade pasta has plenty of character.

Cooking Fresh Pasta

• Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a rolling boil.
• Drop in the fresh pasta and stir gently.
• Cook for 3 to 4 minutes, or until the noodles are tender but still slightly firm (al dente).
• Drain and serve immediately with your favorite sauce.

Drying Homemade Pasta

• If you'd like to save your pasta for another day, drape the noodles over a pasta drying rack.
• Allow them to dry completely before storing in an airtight container.
• Drying the noodles separately helps air circulate around each strand, preventing them from sticking together.