Easy Recipe for Fresh Pasta

My First Pasta Mess

I made my first pasta when I was young. My apron was more flour than cloth. I got egg on my nose. My grandma just smiled and helped me clean up.

It did not look perfect. But it tasted like a hug. That is the real secret. It is about the love you mix in.

Why We Make It Ourselves

Store-bought noodles are just fine. But homemade pasta feels different. You know every ingredient that goes in. It feels honest and good.

This matters because cooking connects you to your food. You are not just opening a box. You are creating something from scratch. It is a small, wonderful miracle.

Let’s Get Our Hands Dirty

Put your flour and salt on a clean counter. Make a little well in the middle. This is your flour volcano. Now, add the yolks and whole egg right in the center.

Use your fingers to mix it all up. It will be sticky at first. Add water, one tiny teaspoon at a time. Soon, you will have a shaggy ball of dough.

The Magic of Kneading

Now, push and fold the dough for ten minutes. This is the fun part. You are making the dough strong and smooth. It is like playing with clay.

Fun fact: Kneading makes the gluten in the flour stretchy. That is what gives pasta its perfect chewy texture. I still love watching the dough change under my hands.

Cutting Your Noodles

Roll the dough out thin. Then, you can cut it any way you like. Wide ribbons, skinny strings, it is your choice. Save all the little scraps.

You can roll those scraps out again. Nothing goes to waste. What is your favorite pasta shape? I always loved making wide, fat pappardelle.

A Quick Dip in the Pot

Get a big pot of water boiling. Drop your fresh noodles in. They cook so fast. In just two to four minutes, they are done.

Always taste one noodle first. This is the cook’s treat. You can see if it is soft enough for you. Doesn’t that smell amazing?

Your Turn in the Kitchen

This recipe is a great start. But you can make it yours. Try adding a pinch of herbs to the dough. Or a little sprinkle of lemon zest.

What will you add to your pasta? Will you tell me about your cooking adventure? I would love to hear your story.

Ingredients:

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
all-purpose flour	2 cups
kosher salt	2 teaspoons
large egg yolks	3
large egg	1
water	1/4 cup

Making Noodles with Your Own Two Hands

There is nothing quite like homemade pasta. It tastes like love and happy afternoons. My own grandmother taught me this recipe on a sunny day. I still laugh at that. We had flour on our noses by the end.

You do not need any fancy machines for this. Your hands are your best tools. Let us begin our little kitchen adventure. The first step is my favorite part.

• Step 1: Pile your flour and salt right on the counter. Use your fingers to mix them together. Now, make a big hole in the middle, like a little flour volcano. This is where the magic starts. I always feel like a wizard at this part.
• Step 2: Crack your egg yolks and whole egg into that hole. Gently mix them with a fork. Slowly pull the flour walls into the eggy center. It will be messy and sticky at first. That is perfectly alright. (A hard-learned tip: go slow or you will have a runaway egg river!).
• Step 3: Add the water, just a tiny bit at a time. Keep working it with your hands. Soon, a shaggy dough will come together. Now, the real fun begins. You must knead it for a full ten minutes. This makes the noodles strong.
• Step 4: Roll the dough out as thin as you can. Then, cut it into lovely ribbons. Do not throw away the scraps. Just squish them together and roll them out again. Nothing goes to waste in my kitchen. What is your favorite noodle shape? Share below!
• Step 5: Boil a big pot of salty water. Drop your fresh noodles in. They cook so fast, in just two to four minutes. Always taste one to see if it is done. Doesn’t that smell amazing? That is the smell of a job well done.

Cook Time: 2–4 minutes
Total Time: About 30 minutes
Yield: 4 servings
Category: Dinner, Pasta

Three Fun Twists on Your Pasta

This simple dough is like a blank canvas. You can make it your own. Here are a few ideas from my kitchen to yours. They are all so much fun to try.

• Sunshine Pasta: Add a pinch of turmeric to the flour. It turns the noodles a happy, sunny yellow. It makes any meal feel brighter.
• Herb Garden Noodles: Mix a tablespoon of dried basil or oregano into the dough. It looks so pretty with little green specks. It tastes like a summer garden.
• Confetti Confetti Pasta: Chop up spinach or beetroot very fine. Knead it into the dough for a pop of color. Kids absolutely love this one.

Which one would you try first? Comment below!

How to Serve Your Masterpiece

Your beautiful homemade pasta deserves a good partner. I like to keep things simple. A little butter and fresh parsley is a classic. A rich tomato sauce is always a winner too.

For a special touch, add a simple side salad. Some garlic bread is never a bad idea either. It is perfect for soaking up every last bit of sauce.

For a drink, a crisp apple cider is lovely. For the grown-ups, a glass of white wine pairs nicely. Which would you choose tonight?

Storing Your Fresh Pasta for Later

Fresh pasta is a joy to make. You can store it right in the fridge. Just let the noodles dry a bit on a towel first. Then, place them in a sealed container. They will be good for two days.

For longer storage, the freezer is your friend. Spread the cut noodles on a baking sheet. Freeze them solid for one hour. I remember my first time, I skipped this step. My noodles froze into one big lump!

After they are frozen, put them in a freezer bag. They will last for one month. This lets you cook just a little at a time. Batch cooking saves you a lot of time on busy days. It means a special meal is always close by. Have you ever tried storing it this way? Share below!

Easy Fixes for Common Pasta Problems

Is your dough too dry and crumbly? This happens to everyone. Just add a few more drops of water. Knead it in gently until the dough feels soft.

Is your dough too sticky? Do not worry. Sprinkle a little more flour on it. I once added too much egg and had sticky fingers. A bit more flour fixed it right up.

Are your noodles cooking unevenly? Make sure your water is at a rolling boil. This keeps the noodles moving. It stops them from sticking together. Getting this right builds your cooking confidence. It also makes your pasta taste perfect every time. Which of these problems have you run into before?

Your Fresh Pasta Questions Answered

Q: Can I make this gluten-free?
A: Yes! Just swap the flour for your favorite gluten-free blend.

Q: Can I make the dough ahead?
A: You can. Wrap it tightly and keep it in the fridge for one day.

Q: What if I don’t have egg yolks?
A: You can use two whole eggs instead. The texture will be just a little different.

Q: Can I double this recipe?
A: Of course. Just use a bigger bowl so you have room to mix.

Q: Any fun additions?
A: A pinch of turmeric makes the pasta a lovely sunny yellow. *Fun fact: People have been making pasta by hand for centuries!* Which tip will you try first?

Share Your Kitchen Creations

I hope you love making this pasta as much as I do. It is a simple, happy thing to create. Seeing your own noodles is a wonderful feeling.

I would be so pleased to see what you make. Share a picture of your finished dish with me. It makes my day to see your cooking adventures. Have you tried this recipe? Tag us on Pinterest!

Happy cooking!
—Elowen Thorn.