Homemade Pasta Dough

Make the homemade pasta dough

1. In a small bowl, beat the eggs well until combined.
2. Dump the flour in a pile on a work surface (I like using a wooden cutting board) and make a well in the center with your hand. Pour the eggs into the well. Add the salt and oil if using.
3. Using a fork, mix in the flour a bit at a time. Keep adding flour from the well wall and mixing until a firm, shaggy dough forms. If the dough feels dry, add a bit of water; if it feels too wet, sprinkle with a bit of the flour.
4. Knead the pasta dough until it’s smooth and homogenous, 5 to 10 minutes. (Keep at it, it takes some muscle!) Roll the dough into a ball, wrap it with plastic, and let it rest at room temperature for at least 30 minutes so it can relax and hydrate.

Pass the dough through a pasta machine/attachment

1. Cut the pasta ball in half. Wrap one half in plastic and set aside. Flatten the other half into a 1/2-inch-thick rectangle and carefully feed the dough through a pasta machine set on the widest setting. Once the pasta dough runs through the machine, fold it in thirds and feed it through once more, still on the widest setting.
2. Repeat this process of passing the dough through the machine and folding it in thirds 4 more times. This conditions the dough, removes air bubbles, and makes it satiny smooth.
3. Continue passing the sheet of pasta dough through the machine, gradually narrowing the setting, one notch for each pass, until the pasta achieves the desired thickness. 
4. Sprinkle a rimmed baking sheet liberally with cornmeal, lay the pasta sheet on top, and sprinkle with more meal. Let the dough air dry for about 5 minutes while repeating with the remaining pasta half

Cut the pasta by hand

1. On a lightly floured cutting board, fold over the pasta in 2-inch sections to create a roll.
2. With a sharp knife, cut the pasta crosswise into your preferred width. (I tend to cut these on the generous side.)Pappardelle about 1 inch wideTagliatelle about 1/2  inch wideFettuccine about 1/4 inch wideLinguine about 1/8 inch wide
3. Immediately shake loose each bundle and toss it with cornmeal. Place the bundles on the rimmed baking sheet while you boil the water.

Cook the fresh pasta

1. Bring 3 to 4 quarts of well-salted water to a boil. Toss in the pasta bundles, stirring to prevent the noodles from sticking to each other. Cook until al dente, 2 to 3 minutes, depending on the width and thickness of the pasta.
2. Reserve 1/4 cup of the pasta water (it helps to emulsify the sauce you use) and drain the pasta.
3. Return the pasta to the pot, stir in your sauce of choice. Dribble in a bit of pasta water--only if needed. Serve immediately with grated cheese.