How to Make Homemade Pasta from Scratch: An Easy Italian Style Recipe

Who doesn't love pasta? This internationally beloved dish never seems to fall out of favor. True pasta lovers know that nothing compares to fresh handmade pasta, just like the kind served in authentic Italian restaurants.

If you've always thought making pasta from scratch was complicated, think again. It's actually a fairly simple process, and with a few easy tips, you can make perfect homemade pasta even without a pasta machine.

Homemade Italian Style Pasta

Ingredients for the Dough

• 2 cups flour (preferably pasta flour, or sifted all purpose flour)

• 2 large eggs

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• ½ teaspoon salt

• 2–3 tablespoons water, if needed

Instructions

Prepare the Dough

Place the flour on a clean work surface and create a well in the center.

Crack the eggs into the well and add the olive oil and salt.

Using a fork, gently whisk the eggs while gradually incorporating the flour from the sides.

Once the mixture comes together into a rough dough, begin kneading by hand for about 10 minutes, until the dough becomes smooth, elastic, and no longer sticky.

• If the dough feels too dry, add a little water.

• If it feels too sticky, add a small amount of flour.

Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and let it rest at room temperature for about 30 minutes. This step is essential because it relaxes the gluten and makes the dough much easier to roll out.

Rolling and Shaping the Pasta

Divide the dough into 2–3 portions.

On a lightly floured surface, roll out each portion into a thin sheet approximately 1–2 mm thick. You can use either a rolling pin or a pasta machine.

Once rolled out, gently roll the sheet into a loose cylinder and slice it into strips of your desired width to create fettuccine.

Carefully unroll the strips and place them on a lightly floured surface.

Cooking the Pasta

Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add a little salt.

Add the fresh pasta and cook for only 2–4 minutes, until it floats to the surface and is tender but still slightly firm to the bite.

Drain immediately and toss with your favorite sauce.

Simple Tomato Garlic Sauce

Ingredients

• Olive oil

• 1 garlic clove, finely chopped

• Crushed tomatoes or halved cherry tomatoes

• Salt and black pepper, to taste

• 1 tablespoon paprika

• ½ teaspoon chicken soup powder

• 1 tablespoon sugar (to balance acidity)

Instructions

Heat a little olive oil in a skillet.

Add the garlic and sauté briefly until fragrant.

Add the tomatoes and season with salt, pepper, paprika, chicken soup powder, and sugar.

Simmer for several minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.

Add the cooked pasta and toss well to coat.

To Serve

Sprinkle with:

• Grated cheese (optional)

• Fresh basil leaves

Serve immediately and enjoy.

Important Tips

• Do not skip the resting stage — it is crucial for achieving the right texture.

• Roll the dough as thinly as possible for a more delicate pasta.

• Fresh pasta cooks very quickly, so watch it carefully to avoid overcooking.

• You can freeze the pasta after cutting it, as long as the strands are well floured and separated.