How to make homemade pasta without a machine

Fettuccine

Homemade pasta is one of the most versatile foods and a common meal for people all over the world, especially if it's made without a machine. For those of you that want to elevate your experience while keeping it budget-friendly, homemade pasta might be a game changer!

Read on to find the ingredients, materials, and recipes you’ll need!

How can I make homemade pasta without a machine?

One of the most popular pasta shapes is Fettuccine—a flat, ribbon-like pasta that is traditionally made with egg and flour. In this article, we’ll be highlighting how you can achieve delicious Fettuccine pasta using a rolling pin and a knife! With just the right amount of rolling, folding, and cutting, you’ll be on your way to a dish you can’t forget.

What do I need to make homemade pasta without a machine?

Here are a list of the ingredients you will need to make homemade pasta:

• Eggs and flour: with a classic formula of one egg per 100 grams of flour, this is an essential part of the recipe. Listed below are a few different ratios and combinations:

  • 2 cups flour, 4 egg yolks, 2 whole eggs, 1 tbsp olive oil

  • 2 cups flour, 3 eggs, 1 tbsp olive oil

• A pinch of salt!

Here is a list of the equipment you might need:

• Rolling pin

• Sharp knife

• Floured surface

• Damp towel or something similar to rest your dough

• Cooling rack or something similar to hang strands of pasta!

With these simple materials you likely already have in your kitchen, you’ll be able to make the dough.

What are the steps to make the dough?

Here are the steps to make dough for your homemade pasta:

• Pile flour on your work surface and form a mound.

• Make a well in the center (wide enough for your eggs and oil).

• Crack in your eggs and your olive oil (and don’t forget your pinch of salt!).

• Use a fork to whisk the eggs, slowly incorporating the flour from the walls of the well.

• Once a dough starts forming, use your hands to knead the dough.

• Knead for around 10 minutes in order to activate the gluten and make the dough more elastic.

• If your dough is too dry, wet your hands and continue kneading. If it’s too sticky, use a bit more flour!

• Rest the dough by wrapping it in a damp towel or wrap. Let it rest for 30 minutes-1 hour.

How should I cut the pasta?

Here are the steps to cut the pasta without a machine!

• Split your dough into 4 pieces.

• Take one piece at a time and use a rolling pin until it is evenly 1 mm thick. If you’d like, fold or roll the sheet.

• If the dough is not easily malleable, let it rest for longer.

• Use a sharp knife to cut ~¼ inch wide strips (the standard size for fettuccine!).

• Unfurl the strips and dust with flour to prevent them from sticking. Hang them on a rack to dry for a few minutes.

What sauces go with this Fettuccine?

Here are a few popular sauces for Fettuccine pasta, to get you started!

• Fettuccine Alfredo: combine Fettuccine with butter and Parmesan! (optionally: add cream)

• Meat Ragù (also known as Ragout): with beef or chicken, this is a great sauce to go with fettuccine.

• Lighter sauces: think ricotta, tomato-based, or vegetable sauces.

When cooking your fresh fettuccine, make sure to cook it in boiling, salted water. Adjust your sauce with some pasta water as needed.

We can’t wait to hear about your homemade pasta adventures! Whether you make it a date night or a fun dinner with friends, we hope you enjoy all that this recipe has to offer.