Fresh pasta has superior taste and texture and is not as difficult to make as you might think. The easiest noodles to make at home are flat types like lasagna, fettuccine, spaghetti and tagliatelle. A pasta machine makes rolling and slicing the dough a breeze, but a rolling pin and pizza cutter will work just fine if you don't have special equipment.
Mixing the Dough
Pasta dough is a simple mix of eggs and flour. You'll want to use about two medium eggs for every cup of flour, and each egg will yield about a serving of pasta. Decide how large you want your batch to be, and measure the flour into a large mixing bowl. Make a well in the center of the flour and crack the eggs into the well. Beat the eggs with a fork and begin mixing in the flour. Using the same fork or your hands, mix the eggs and flour together until all the flour is incorporated and the dough forms a ball. Knead the dough until it's elastic and smooth, adding flour if it's too sticky. Cover the ball of dough and let it rest for about 30 minutes.
Rolling and Cutting the Dough
If you're making a big batch of pasta, separate the dough into smaller pieces for easier rolling. Use a rolling pin to flatten the dough on a lightly floured surface until it is very thin; noodles will expand during cooking, so dough should be rolled out as thinly as possible. If you're using a pasta machine, pass the dough through the rollers until it is smooth and flat. Let the dough sit for about 10 minutes to dry whether hand-rolled or machine-rolled; this step will make it easier to cut and shape your noodles. For handmade pasta, use a pizza cutter to cut the dough into your desired shape, again keeping in mind that the pasta will expand when boiled. To cut your pasta with a machine, select the size you want your noodles to be and guide the dough through the machine.
Cooking and Storing Fresh Pasta
Fresh pasta is ready to cook immediately; simply add salt to boiling water and submerge the pasta. Your pasta will cook in two to four minutes, so watch your noodles carefully once you put them in the water. Drain and rinse the noodles once they reach your desired texture, and serve warm with your favorite sauce. If you want to store the pasta for later use, let it dry for at least an hour before storing it in an airtight bag. Pasta should be sprinkled with extra flour to prevent it from sticking during storage, and it will keep for up to three days in the refrigerator or three months in the freezer.
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