Classic Handcrafted Pasta

1. Create Dough

Pour the flour into a mound on a clean work surface and create a well in the center. Crack the whole eggs into the well, add the yolks and the salt. Using a fork, beat the eggs gently, gradually incorporating the flour from the edges of the well into the eggs.

2. Form Dough Ball

Once the dough starts to come together and becomes too stiff to mix with the fork, use a bench knife to scrape any excess dough from the work surface and fold in the remaining flour. Work the dough with your hands, forming it into a rough ball.

3. Knead Dough

Knead the dough by pressing the heel of your hand into it, folding it over, and rotating it slightly before pressing again. Continue this process until the dough becomes smooth and elastic.

4. Rest Dough

Wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap and let it rest at room temperature for 30 minutes.

5. Prepare Workspace

Prepare your workspace by placing a sheet of parchment paper on a tray and dusting it lightly with flour. Unwrap the rested dough and cut it into quarters. Take one quarter and flatten it with your hands into an oblong shape about 1/2 inch thick.

6. Roll Dough

Set your pasta maker to its widest setting. Pass the dough through the rollers three times, folding it in half each time before passing it through again.

7. Fold and Roll Dough

After the first few passes, fold the dough into thirds, as you would a business letter, and flatten it back to 1/2 inch thick. Pass the dough through the rollers three more times.

8. Thin Dough

Continue to roll the dough, narrowing the setting of the pasta maker by one notch with each pass, until the desired thickness is achieved. The dough should be delicate, elastic, and slightly translucent.

9. Cut Noodles

Once rolled, place the dough on a lightly floured surface and, if necessary, fold it over itself, sprinkling a bit of flour between the folds to prevent sticking. Cover the dough with a clean cloth to keep it from drying out. Repeat the rolling process with the remaining quarters of dough. When all the dough is rolled out, adjust your pasta machine to the noodle setting and cut the dough into noodles. Form the noodles into nests and dust them lightly with flour to prevent sticking.

10. Cook Pasta

To cook the pasta, bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the pasta and stir gently to prevent the noodles from clumping. Fresh pasta cooks quickly, so after 1.5 to 2 minutes, it should be al dente. Drain the pasta, toss it with your favorite sauce, and serve immediately.