Making homemade pasta takes time and effort but it is an inexpensive way of providing you with a fresh, delicious tasting, delicate textured pasta. There are tools available to assist in the pasta making process that will make it easier and save time. The basic ingredients involved are flour, eggs, salt, and water. Other ingredients, such as milk and oil are also used in some recipes. Flavoring agents are also used to provide a variety of flavored pastas. The following information provides the steps in the pasta making process.

Mixing the Pasta Dough

The amount of ingredients will vary according to the quantity of pasta you are making, the size of the eggs, and whether milk, water or oil are added to the recipe. A basic recipe for one pound of pasta calls for 2 ¼ cups of unbleached all-purpose flour, 3 large eggs and a pinch of salt. The actual amount of flour may vary depending on the actual size of the eggs. Use very fresh eggs and take them out of the refrigerator approximately one hour before using.

 
  • Pour 2 ¼ cups of flour in the middle of a clean smooth work area. Make a well in the center of the flour. Crack the three eggs into the well and add a pinch of salt.

 

 
 
  • Beat the eggs with a fork and gradually start to mix the flour in with the eggs by drawing the flour from the inside walls of the well.
  
 
  • Once the dough becomes thicker and sticks to the fork, start working the dough with your hands. Continue to draw flour in from the sides of the well until all of the flour has been incorporated in the dough.
  
 
  • If the dough is too moist and sticky, sprinkle with approximately one more tablespoon of flour. If the dough is to dry, sprinkle it with 1 tablespoon of water. Work the flour or water into to the dough and determine if additional flour or water is needed.
  
 
  • The ball of dough should be moist and pliable, and will probably still be a little lumpy.
  

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