Making pasta from scratch can be incredibly rewarding and delicious. Homemade pasta has a unique texture and flavor that store-bought varieties can’t match. Here are some of the best homemade pasta recipes to try, each offering a different twist on classic favorites.
1. Classic Homemade Pasta
Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3 large eggs
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions:
- Prepare Dough: On a clean surface, mound flour and make a well in the center. Crack eggs into the well, add salt and olive oil. Using a fork, gently mix eggs into the flour until combined.
- Knead Dough: Bring dough together with your hands and knead for about 8-10 minutes until smooth. If the dough is sticky, add a little more flour.
- Rest Dough: Wrap in plastic wrap and let rest for 30 minutes at room temperature.
- Roll Out Dough: Divide dough into manageable portions and roll out using a rolling pin or pasta machine to desired thickness. Cut into shapes (fettuccine, pappardelle, etc.) and cook in boiling salted water for 2-4 minutes.
2. Spinach and Ricotta Ravioli
Ingredients:
- For the Dough:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3 large eggs
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- For the Filling:
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup fresh spinach, chopped
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Prepare Dough: Follow the classic pasta dough recipe above.
- Make Filling: Mix ricotta, spinach, Parmesan, nutmeg, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
- Roll and Cut: Roll out dough into thin sheets. Place small dollops of filling on one sheet, then cover with another sheet. Press around the filling to seal and cut out ravioli with a pasta cutter or knife.
- Cook Ravioli: Boil ravioli in salted water for 3-4 minutes, or until they float. Serve with your favorite sauce.
3. Fettuccine Alfredo
Ingredients:
- For the Pasta:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3 large eggs
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- For the Sauce:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Prepare Dough: Follow the classic pasta dough recipe above.
- Make Fettuccine: Roll out dough and cut into fettuccine strands.
- Cook Pasta: Boil fettuccine in salted water for 2-3 minutes, or until al dente.
- Prepare Sauce: In a pan, melt butter and add cream. Simmer for 2-3 minutes, then stir in Parmesan cheese. Season with salt and pepper.
- Combine: Toss cooked fettuccine in the Alfredo sauce and serve.
4. Pappardelle with Mushroom Sauce
Ingredients:
- For the Pasta:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3 large eggs
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- For the Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup white wine
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions:
- Prepare Dough: Follow the classic pasta dough recipe above.
- Make Pappardelle: Roll out dough and cut into wide ribbons (about 1 inch wide).
- Cook Pasta: Boil pappardelle in salted water for 2-4 minutes, or until tender.
- Prepare Sauce: Heat olive oil in a pan, add mushrooms and garlic, and cook until mushrooms are tender. Add white wine and simmer until reduced by half. Stir in cream and season with salt and pepper.
- Combine: Toss cooked pappardelle in the mushroom sauce and garnish with parsley.
5. Butternut Squash Ravioli
Ingredients:
- For the Dough:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3 large eggs
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- For the Filling:
- 1 cup roasted butternut squash, mashed
- 1/4 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Prepare Dough: Follow the classic pasta dough recipe above.
- Make Filling: Mix roasted butternut squash, ricotta, Parmesan, cinnamon, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
- Roll and Cut: Roll out dough and place small spoonfuls of filling on one sheet. Cover with another sheet, press to seal, and cut out ravioli.
- Cook Ravioli: Boil in salted water for 3-4 minutes, or until they float. Serve with a sage butter sauce or your favorite topping.
6. Homemade Lasagna Noodles
Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3 large eggs
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions:
- Prepare Dough: Follow the classic pasta dough recipe above.
- Roll and Cut: Roll out dough into thin sheets. Cut into lasagna-sized sheets (about 3×6 inches).
- Cook Noodles: Boil sheets in salted water for 2-3 minutes, or until slightly softened. Layer with your favorite lasagna fillings and bake.
7. Lemon Ricotta Pasta
Ingredients:
- For the Pasta:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3 large eggs
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- For the Sauce:
- 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Prepare Dough: Follow the classic pasta dough recipe above.
- Make Pasta: Roll out dough and cut into desired shape (like tagliatelle).
- Cook Pasta: Boil pasta in salted water for 2-4 minutes, or until al dente.
- Prepare Sauce: In a bowl, mix ricotta, lemon juice, Parmesan, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- Combine: Toss cooked pasta with the ricotta sauce and serve.
8. Homemade Gnocchi
Ingredients:
- 2 cups russet potatoes, peeled and diced
- 1 egg
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- Salt to taste
Instructions:
- Cook Potatoes: Boil potatoes until tender. Mash and let cool.
- Make Dough: Mix mashed potatoes, egg, and flour into a dough. Roll out and cut into small gnocchi pieces.
- Cook Gnocchi: Boil in salted water until gnocchi float. Toss with your favorite sauce.
9. Lasagna with Homemade Bolognese Sauce
Ingredients:
- For the Pasta:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3 large eggs
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- For the Bolognese Sauce:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1/4 cup tomato paste
- 1/4 cup red wine (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Prepare Dough: Follow the classic pasta dough recipe above.
- Prepare Sauce: In a pan, cook ground beef, onion, and garlic until browned. Add tomatoes, tomato paste, and wine. Simmer for 30 minutes.
- Cook Noodles: Roll out and cut dough into lasagna sheets. Boil until slightly softened.
- Assemble Lasagna: Layer lasagna sheets with Bolognese sauce, cheese, and other desired ingredients. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 30-40 minutes.
10. Tagliatelle with Pesto Sauce
Ingredients:
- For the Pasta:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3 large eggs
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- For the Pesto:
- 2 cups fresh basil leaves
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
- 1/3 cup pine nuts
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Prepare Dough: Follow the classic pasta dough recipe above.
- Make Tagliatelle: Roll out dough and cut into tagliatelle strips.
- Cook Pasta: Boil in salted water for 2-4 minutes.
- Prepare Pesto: Blend basil, Parmesan, pine nuts, garlic, and olive oil in a food processor. Season with salt and pepper.
- Combine: Toss cooked pasta with pesto sauce and serve.
These homemade pasta recipes offer a variety of flavors and textures, perfect for any meal. Enjoy experimenting with these recipes and savoring the taste of fresh, homemade pasta!