Pasta Dough Recipe

And although it does take time to make homemade pasta from start to finish, this homemade pasta dough recipe made using the traditional well-method is simple and kind of fun to do!

Remember to knead the dough well so that any homemade pasta recipes you make with this fresh pasta dough will be light and delicious.

To make basic pasta dough you will need:

2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour

3 extra large eggs

How to make pasta using the well method:

In the center of a large wooden cutting board form a mound with the flour.

Make a hollow well in the middle of the flour.

Crack eggs into the center of the well.

Use a fork to beat the eggs together and to incorporate the flour starting with the inner-rim of the well.

As you mix the eggs with the flour, keep pushing the flour up to retain the well-shape as the dough forms.

Tip: Don't worry if you don’t use all the flour. (Any leftover flour can be used to dust the sheets of dough when they are cut.) Too much flour will result in tough dough. On the other hand, if the dough is still very sticky, add the remaining flour a little at a time until you reach the desired consistency of soft, manageable dough.

How to knead dough:

Using the palms of both hands: Push the dough away from you, fold half of the dough over back toward you, turn the dough and repeat.

Continue to knead the dough for 8 to 10 minutes, adding a bit more flour if the dough sticks to the board and your hands.

If you are planning to roll out the dough with a rolling pin, first wrap it in plastic wrap and let it rest for 15 to 20 minutes at room temperature.

If you are planning to make fresh pasta recipes using a pasta machine you can do so immediately.

Roll and form as desired. (See How to make pasta)

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