Homemade Pasta Delight 🍝✨

Making your own pasta can be a rewarding experience! This recipe yields fresh, delicious noodles that can elevate any meal. The combination of all-purpose and semolina flour creates a tender yet sturdy pasta that holds up beautifully when sauced. Perfect for a cozy dinner or impressing guests, this pasta is a blank canvas waiting for your favorite sauces and toppings!

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup semolina flour
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp olive oil or vegetable oil
• 7/8 cup water (at room temperature)

Instructions

1. In a large bowl or bread pan, combine the all-purpose flour, semolina flour, and salt.
2. Add the olive oil and water, mixing until a dough begins to form.

🥄 Ensure your ingredients are at room temperature (about 70-80°F) for the best texture. Cold ingredients can cause your dough to be tough.

3. Select the Dough setting on your mixer (if available) and mix for about 8 to 10 minutes. If you're mixing by hand, knead the dough until it’s smooth and elastic.
4. Once mixed, remove the dough and let it rest for 20-30 minutes, covered with a damp cloth. This allows the gluten to relax, making it easier to roll out.

⏳ Resting the dough is crucial; it helps the flour absorb the water fully and makes rolling much easier!

5. Lightly flour your work surface and roll out the dough to approximately 1/8 inch thickness, or thinner if you prefer. Dust with flour if the dough is sticky.
6. Cut the rolled dough into strips: 1/8 inch for narrow noodles (like fettuccine) or 1/4 inch for medium noodles (like tagliatelle).
7. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the noodles for 10 to 15 minutes, or until they float and are al dente.

🔥 Be sure to taste a strand before draining! Fresh pasta cooks faster than dried varieties, so keep an eye on them.

8. Drain the noodles in a colander and toss them with a little olive oil to prevent sticking.

Serving Suggestions

Pair your homemade pasta with marinara sauce, a creamy Alfredo, or simply sautéed garlic and olive oil. For an extra touch, garnish with fresh herbs or grated cheese! 🍃🧀

Variations

• Flavored Pasta: Add pureed spinach, beet juice, or herbs to the dough for colorful and flavorful variations.
• Whole Wheat: Substitute whole wheat flour for half of the all-purpose flour for a nuttier flavor and more fiber.
• Stuffed Pasta: Use this dough as a base for ravioli or tortellini; stuff with ricotta and spinach for a delicious twist.

Making pasta from scratch is not only fun but also allows you to create a meal that’s truly your own. Enjoy the process, and don’t forget to share the joy of your culinary creation! 🍽️❤️