Homemade Sourdough Pasta
Fresh pasta is always a good idea, but this homemade sourdough pasta wins points for flavor, texture, and nutrition.
After the big holiday rush of food indulgences, one of my resolutions is to be better about enjoying the process of things, and it always begins in the kitchen for me. I feel like when I’m connecting with my food and slowing down to appreciate the beauty of the process, other things start to fall into place.
One of my favorite ways to slow down to connect with my food is to take the time to cook with my kids. We measure, we shape, we fold, we chop, we taste, we talk, we get messy, and we laugh. There are lots of jobs that kids can do at varying levels, and pasta is a great place to start. It’s a surprisingly simple task if you have a pasta machine, and if you don’t have one, I recommend it. This is my favorite. It’s a work horse, but still in an affordable range.
You can even do the mixing in your stand mixer if you like. I usually use a shallow, wide bowl, and we do it by hand. Just because it’s more fun. But on a busier weekday, I’ll use my stand mixer and it does a beautiful job.
I experimented a lot until I found the right balance of elasticity and tender texture. I tried whole eggs, all yolks, added back some whites, salt, no salt, oil, no oil, and finally settled on what I like.
And it’s fairly simple. Flour, starter, eggs (and a splash of water, if you need it). I don’t add salt because you salt the cooking water anyway, and salt prevents flour from absorbing liquid. Salt also semi-cooks the eggs, and we want a silky smooth pasta dough that’s properly formed. The salt can wait until later.
The key is to go by feel. If it crumbles, it’s too dry. If it’s sticking to your hands once it’s all mixed in together, it’s too wet. You want a dough that’s silky, has a little bit of tack to it, and holds together really well. And after a decent rest, you’re ready to roll. The beauty of this recipe is that because you’re not counting on it rising like you are with bread, you don’t have to worry as much about timing. You can make it 30 minutes before rolling out, or let it rest up to 24 hours ahead. I’ve tried it all, and been happy with my results every time.
Now get your favorite pasta sauce on the stove and lets get started!
Enjoy!
- 500 g all-purpose flour, preferably organic
- 60 g 100% hydration sourdough starter*
- 4 large eggs
- Pour the flour into a large bowl. Make a well in the center of the bowl and add the starter and eggs. Using a fork, whisk the eggs and starter. As you continue to whisk, the liquid ingredients will gradually "grab" the flour from the sides and pull it in. Continue to stir with the fork until it becomes too stiff to do so. Using your hands, mix the dough until it starts to form a ball. Knead the dough until smooth. You may have to add water, 1 tablespoon at time until the dough is slightly tacky and not crumbly. After kneading, cover with plastic wrap and let rest on the counter for at least 30 minutes or up to 24 hours. (Anything over 1 hour should be in the fridge)
- When ready, cut the dough into 8 equal pieces. Roll one piece into a ball and press it into a disc. Roll it through the pasta machine on the widest setting and fold in half. Repeat this process until the dough is very smooth. Take the width down one notch and roll it through. Continue rolling the dough through each width until you've reached the thinness you desire. I tend to stop on the second or third to last setting unless making filled pastas. Cut to desired width and hang on a pasta rack or wooden spoon suspended between two jars. Repeat with remaining dough.
- Cook in salty boiling water. You know it's cooked through when the noodles float to the surface. Serve immediately.
- * this does not have to be refreshed starter
Cheri
March 18, 2018
Awesome post. Sourdough pasta has been on my list for a year or so. This reminded me to get on it!! Thanks.
MarioNug
March 19, 2018
Hellow All I like pizza! 🙂
http://roll.lg.ua/
chrisgb3
August 15, 2018
My up to date ascend:
http://todd.blogs.telrock.org
MagLob
August 16, 2018
Официальный сайт по борьбе с магами-шарлатанами СОЮЗ МАГОВ РОССИИ – подробнее читайте на сайте soyuz-magov-rossii.com
Nate
December 23, 2018
I was wondering if you put the whole eggs in or just the yolks? Also if you don’t have a pasta machine can you just roll it really thin?
Linda
March 18, 2019
I just made this pasta dressed with a Meyer Lemon Sauce and Eggplant meatballs! Meatless Monday at it’s best! The pasta is outstanding and a great way to use your extra sourdough.
Mandie
August 3, 2019
Have you ever tried to dry this pasta? I’m a huge lover of pasta and all things sourdough and can’t wait to try this recipe!
assist you with doing your homework
September 24, 2019
I do not think that I will be able to do the same… It is better to buy a box of pasta instead of making it in such a way!
Mandie Dewitt
October 11, 2019
Have you tried drying this pasta to make it shelf stable? I’d love to switch us to sourdough pasta completely but I need something shelf stable.
Dayna
April 22, 2020
I have made whole wheat sourdough pasta, it’s wonderful. The whole family loved it. My question is, can you dry homemade pasta and cook it later?
Amanda
May 2, 2020
Wondering about how many cups 60g of the starter would be?
Sarah Dannenbrink
May 11, 2020
I made it once, with success! Great, simple recipe. Thank you!
Caitlin
May 25, 2020
Can you dry this pasta? Or freeze it?
Lydia Steciuk
July 15, 2020
Can you freeze this pasta after you knead it but before you roll it? A friend gave me 4 dozen cracked farm eggs that had to be used today.