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Easy Homemade Pasta for the Best Family Dinner Ever

Homemade pasta transforms weeknight dinners with simplicity and flavor, making it a go-to dish for impressive family meals.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Resting Time 30 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 400

Ingredients
  

Pasta Ingredients
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour Use '00' flour for a softer texture if available.
  • 2 large eggs For a vegan option, use aquafaba or silken tofu.
  • 1 pinch salt Enhances flavor.
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil A drizzle adds depth.
Pesto Sauce Ingredients
  • 2 cups fresh basil Can substitute with spinach or arugula.
  • 1 roasted garlic clove Roast it for a milder taste.
  • 1/4 cup pine nuts Can use walnuts or almonds for budget-friendly alternative.
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese Nutritional yeast can be used for vegan option.
  • 1/2 cup high-quality olive oil Helps blend everything together.
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice Brightens up the sauce.

Equipment

  • Mixing Bowl
  • Pasta machine or rolling pin
  • food processor
  • Large Pot
  • Colander
  • skillet

Method
 

Prepare the Dough
  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine 2 cups of all-purpose flour and a pinch of salt. Create a well in the center and crack in 2 large eggs along with a tablespoon of olive oil. Using a fork, gradually incorporate the flour into the eggs until a shaggy dough forms. Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 8-10 minutes until it's smooth and elastic.
Let the Dough Rest
  1. Wrap the kneaded pasta dough in plastic wrap and let it rest at room temperature for at least 30 minutes.
Roll Out the Dough
  1. After resting, divide the dough into four pieces. Using a pasta machine or rolling pin, flatten one piece of dough to about 1/16 inch thick. Cut the rolled dough into your desired pasta shape.
Cook the Pasta
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add your freshly cut pasta and cook for 2-4 minutes, until it floats. Drain in a colander, reserving a cup of pasta water.
Make the Pesto Sauce
  1. In a food processor, combine 2 cups of fresh basil, 1 roasted garlic clove, 1/4 cup of pine nuts, 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese, and a squeeze of lemon juice. Pulse until finely chopped, then drizzle in 1/2 cup of olive oil while the processor runs until smooth.
Combine Pasta and Pesto
  1. In a skillet over low heat, combine the drained pasta and pesto sauce. Toss for 1-2 minutes, adding reserved pasta water if the sauce is too thick.
Serve and Enjoy
  1. Serve immediately, garnishing with extra Parmesan cheese and fresh basil.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 400kcalCarbohydrates: 55gProtein: 12gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 60mgSodium: 300mgPotassium: 290mgFiber: 3gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 750IUVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 150mgIron: 2mg

Notes

Use high-quality flour for the best results. Kneading is crucial for elastic pasta. Reserve pasta water for adjusting sauce consistency.

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