If you haven’t yet gathered, I love pasta. It’s the cornerstone of so many mediterranean diets and it is so versatile. Pasta, to me, is the ultimate comfort food. But, it wasn’t until a couple of years ago that I started making homemade egg pasta from scratch. So, I want to give you my never fail homemade egg pasta recipe so you can also experience the love that is homemade egg pasta dough.
A few months before COVID struck, I walked into a second-hand shop and found a pasta machine on sale for $5. Having no prior pasta-making experience, I was hesitant to add more clutter to my already overstocked pantry. But it had been reduced from $10 to $5. Who could walk away from a bargain like that? I’m glad I made the purchase. Learning how to make pasta was one of the few things that got me through living in what was dubbed ‘the most locked-down city in the world’. I studied every pasta book I could get my hands on and participated in online pasta-making classes. I was determined to learn the art of pasta-making and, I’m happy to say, I did.
Your typical fresh, Italian-style pasta is made from a combination of eggs and flour. As I’ve mentioned, many iterations of this basic formula exist, but this definition should do just fine for now.
Why is homemade egg pasta dough so important for me?
Making pasta from scratch sounds like a huge undertaking, but it can be surprisingly simple and meditative. When your day has a slower rhythm to it and your house is quiet, I suggest preparing homemade egg pasta. It can be done with your friends, over a glass of wine. It can be done with your kids, get their hands dirty. Pasta is a love language, and a love letter to all those around you.
It’s important we use high quality ingredients as this recipe relies on very minimal ingredients. The less ingredients, the higher quality for my homemade egg pasta.
This is finely milled flour and is what high quality, traditional pasta is made from. While you can use all purpose flour, I highly recommend using 00 where possible for the most authentic tasting pasta. I have tried every brand possible and I keep coming back to Caputo flour.
Semolina flour is extremely high in gluten which will help your pasta hold its shape when cooking it. It’s not essential but I do prefer my pasta doughs when they include it.
I cannot stress this enough, use high quality eggs when making pasta dough. I always look for the freshest eggs that are organic and free range. The yolks will be vibrant, golden and delicious and will turn your pasta dough from good to great. The better quality the eggs means the better-quality diet the hens who have laid them have had. They are most likely being fed green leafy vegetables and grubs to create that gorgeous orange yolk. I also like to use a mix of whole eggs and egg yolks.
You can use any salt you like here as its purpose is to flavour the dough. A fine sea salt works best but flakey sea salt will also do the tricky!
Making a Years Worth of Homemade Pasta to Preserve Eggs | Make Dinner with Fresh Pasta
FAQ
Does pasta contain egg?
Is traditional pasta made with eggs?
Is there a lot of egg in pasta?
What is pasta made out of?
Is all pasta made with eggs?
This familiarity has led many to believe that ALL pasta is made with eggs, but nothing could be farther from the truth. There are two main categories of pasta: the kind made with 00 (all-purpose) flour and eggs, and the kind made with semolina flour and water. You know that spaghetti you buy in a box at the store?
Can one eat pasta?
Pasta can be part of a diet, but in moderate amounts (100g of dried pasta daily), and it is better when it is made from whole grains rather than refined. Also, you must also have it combined with vegetables. Avoid taken it with fatty foods such as cream and cheese.
Where does egg pasta come from?
In the Italian region of Emilia-Romagna, a region blessed with an abundance of egg-laying chickens, egg pasta has been a specialty for centuries. Today, filled pastas such as tortellini and ravioli are made with egg pasta, and then served simply with sage butter and Parmesan cheese.
What is the difference between egg pasta and regular pasta?
First and foremost, the main difference is the addition of eggs to the dough. Egg pasta is made with a combination of flour, eggs, and water, while regular pasta is made with just flour and water. The addition of eggs to the dough can affect the texture of the pasta in a few ways. For one, it can make the pasta more tender and easier to eat.