No Fail Recipes: Handmade Egg Noodles

Making pasta from scratch may seem daunting, but the process is surprisingly easy. All you'll need are a few pantry staples, a rolling pin, knife, and a steady hand for success. Natasha "Tash" Feldman takes Jorchual's overcomplicated egg noodle recipe and makes it a cinch.

The problem: Jorchual's homemade pasta attempt turned out clumpy, thick and overly salty.

The solution: Roll out tender, flavorful noodles tossed in a rich, buttery sauce that rivals restaurant fare.

No Fail Tips

• Measure flour using a scale for consistent results.
• Roll your noodles out with ease: use olive oil to avoid a sticky, messy dough mixture.
• Skip the salt in your dough mixture. Well-salted pasta water will add sufficient flavor.

In The Mix

"Because all flours have different weights, measuring with a scale is much better than just pouring it into a measuring cup," says Feldman. Once your flour is measured, carefully pour flour out onto a clean, flat surface and create a large well in the center of the mound.

Add fresh eggs to the center of the flour well, then add equal parts olive oil and water to dough. The fat in the oil makes for an easier rollout process. "Next, mix the eggs so that your whites and yolks are combined," says Tash. "Slowly start dragging in your flour with the fork so that we create a dough."

Hands On

After the eggs have been fully incorporated, you can "ditch your fork and start working it with your hands," says Feldman. "Use the palm of your hand and give it a press forward, pick it up, and repeat." The kneading process ensures that gluten is formed, giving your noodles the silky, springy texture they'll need to complement the brown butter sauce.

Proceed by dividing your dough into quarters, and roll each quarter out individually. Tash recommends a thickness of 1/8" for a standard noodle. Finish by rolling your pasta sheet into itself and making vertical cuts across the roll. Drop the pasta into generously salted boiling water for two to four minutes — fresh pasta cooks much more quickly than the typical boxed variety.

Immediately transfer noodles to a saucepan and toss with brown butter, garlic, black pepper, and fresh parsley. Top with shaved Parmesan for a decadent touch.

Craving a buttery homemade pasta that's ready in just 30 minutes? Get the recipe here.