Who doesn't love a good, hearty serving of pasta? From the classic spaghetti to the fancy fettuccine, everyone has a favorite pasta dish. But have you ever tried making pasta at home? Well, if you haven't yet, you're in for a treat! Homemade pasta has a unique texture and flavor that's hard to match with store-bought options. Plus, it's easier than you think! Here, we've rounded up some of the best homemade pasta recipes and techniques for you to try.
Making pasta from scratch
Pasta dough is simple to make. All you need is flour, eggs, and a pinch of salt. You can use all-purpose flour or semolina flour, which gives the pasta a slightly firmer texture. The general rule is to use one egg per 100 grams of flour. Once you've made the dough, it needs to rest for about 30 minutes before you can start shaping your pasta.
Here's a basic pasta dough recipe to get you started:
- 200g flour (all-purpose or semolina)
- 2 eggs
- Pinch of salt
- Place the flour on a flat surface and create a well in the center.
- Crack the eggs into the well and add the salt.
- Gradually mix the flour into the egg using a fork, and then knead the dough by hand until it becomes smooth and elastic.
- Wrap the dough in cling film and let it rest for at least 30 minutes.
Pasta shapes and how to make them
There's a wide variety of pasta shapes you can make at home, and each one is perfect for a certain type of sauce. Here are a few you can try:
- Spaghetti: To make spaghetti, you can roll out the dough and cut it into thin strips using a knife or a pasta machine.
- Fettuccine: Fettuccine is thicker than spaghetti. You can make it in the same way as spaghetti, but cut the dough into wider strips.
- Ravioli: Ravioli is a bit more challenging, but it's worth the effort. To make ravioli, roll out the dough, add a filling in small portions, cover it with another sheet of dough, and cut out the ravioli using a cutter or a knife.
Homemade pasta recipes
Now that you know how to make pasta, let's move on to some delicious homemade pasta recipes. Here are a few favorites:
Classic spaghetti with tomato sauce
Everyone loves a classic, and this spaghetti with tomato sauce recipe is just that. It's simple, yet packed with flavor. Here's what you need:
- Homemade spaghetti
- 1 can of tomatoes
- 1 onion
- 2 cloves of garlic
- Olive oil
- Salt and pepper
- First, sauté the chopped onion and garlic in olive oil until they're soft.
- Then, add the tomatoes and let the sauce simmer for about 30 minutes.
- While the sauce is cooking, you can boil your spaghetti. Remember, fresh pasta cooks much faster than dried pasta, so it should only take about 3-4 minutes.
- Once the spaghetti is done, drain it and add it to the sauce. Stir well to make sure every strand of spaghetti is coated in sauce.
Creamy fettuccine Alfredo
This creamy fettuccine Alfredo is the ultimate comfort food. Here's how you can make it:
- Homemade fettuccine
- 1 cup of heavy cream
- 1/2 cup of butter
- 1 cup of grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper
- Start by melting the butter in a pan and then add the heavy cream. Let it simmer for a few minutes.
- Next, add the grated Parmesan cheese and stir until the sauce becomes creamy.
- Season with salt and pepper, then add the cooked fettuccine. Toss well to combine and serve immediately.
Pasta making tips
Finally, here are some tips that will help you perfect your pasta-making skills:
- Always let your dough rest before rolling it out. This makes it easier to work with.
- Use a pasta machine if you can. It makes the process of rolling and cutting the pasta much more efficient.
- If you're making filled pasta like ravioli, don't overfill it. A teaspoon of filling is usually enough.
- Always salt your pasta water. It should taste like the sea. This seasons the pasta as it cooks.
- Fresh pasta cooks much faster than dried pasta. Keep an eye on it to avoid overcooking.
We hope these recipes and techniques inspire you to start making pasta at home.
