There’s something wonderfully calming about making pasta from scratch. And it’s not that hard. Just requires a little time (and some mess!)
There’s something wonderfully calming about making pasta from scratch the rhythmic kneading, the soft dusting of flour, the magic of transforming a few humble ingredients into silky ribbons of tagliatelle. Well that’s the dream, ideall yin the heart of Tuscany with an Italian nonna in support and delicious red wine. However, if you’re looking for something to do with the kids, it’s a really fun thing to do, and you end up with a meal everyone can proudly say they helped make.
What You’ll Need
(Serves 4)
- 300g plain or “00” flour (plus extra for dusting)
- 3 large eggs
- A pinch of salt
- A drizzle of olive oil (optional, for a softer dough)
The Simple Method
- Make a flour volcano. On a clean work surface (or in a large bowl if you prefer less mess), pile the flour and make a well in the centre.
- Crack in the eggs. Sprinkle with salt and add a drizzle of olive oil if using.
- Mix and knead. Use a fork to gently whisk the eggs, pulling in flour from the edges until you have a shaggy dough. Then get your hands involved! Knead for around 8–10 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic.
- Rest it. Wrap the dough in cling film and let it rest for at least 30 minutes — perfect time for a snack or a quick kitchen dance party enter our K-Pop Demon Hunters favourites…
- Roll and cut. Divide the dough into smaller pieces. Roll out as thinly as you can (around 1–2mm) using a pasta machine or a rolling pin (this just means that you get an arm work out instead but completely doable).
- Shape it. For tagliatelle, roll up the sheet loosely like a Swiss roll and slice into ribbons. For fun shapes, use cookie cutters — kids love turning pasta into stars and hearts!
- Hang it to dry. Once cut, drape your pasta over a clean coat hanger, a drying rack, or even the back of a chair. Let it hang for around 20–30 minutes this helps it firm up and keeps the strands from sticking together.
- Cook it. Drop into boiling, salted water and cook for 2–3 minutes until al dente. Serve with butter and Parmesan, or your family’s favourite sauce.
Top Tips for Pasta-Making with Kids
Embrace the mess. Flour will go everywhere sorry folks! Lay down a washable tablecloth or work on a big board to contain the chaos as much as possible.
Give them jobs. Little ones can crack eggs (with help), mix the dough, or roll it out. Older kids will love feeding it through the pasta machine or cutting fun shapes.
No machine? No problem. Just roll by hand. It’s a great arm workout! Use plenty of flour to stop sticking, and don’t worry if it’s a little rustic. It’ll still taste delicious.
Flavour it up. Try adding spinach purée for green pasta, a spoonful of tomato paste for red, or even beetroot juice for a gorgeous pink. Kids will love the rainbow results.
Keep it simple. Butter, garlic, and Parmesan make the perfect finishing touch for little palates. You can always add grown-up extras like lemon zest, chilli flakes, or herbs to your own bowl.
Homemade pasta is one of those things that looks fancy but feels comfortingly down to earth. And when your kids are covered in flour and beaming with pride over the spaghetti they rolled themselves well that’s the moment you remember!
