The ingredients to make pasta are surprisingly straightforward. In fact, you’ve probably already got everything you need in your kitchen cupboard. A good pasta dough starts with two pantry staples: flour and eggs. For the flour, you can try any of the following options:  

• All-purpose flour does exactly what is says on the tin and will work great for your pasta  
  
• Semolina or whole-wheat flour is great for making pasta with a slightly coarser texture
  
• Gluten-free flour if you prefer gluten-free pasta
  
  

After you’ve chosen your flour, you’ll need something to bind your dough. Most people use eggs, but you could also use water if you want to avoid dairy, or just egg whites or egg yolks. The fat and protein in eggs will make a richer-tasting dough, while using water will make a lighter colored pasta.

If you’d like to make your own pasta dough, it couldn’t be simpler with this recipe. You’ll have fresh, bouncy homemade pasta that the whole family will love in no time. You just need four ingredients and either a good pasta maker or a bit of elbow grease!

Ingredients

• ½ tsp salt
  
• 1 egg (beaten)
  
• 135g  all-purpose flour
  
• 2 tbsp water
  
  

Top tip for eggless pasta: If you want an egg-free pasta that is just as delicious, you can mix 270g of semolina flour and 120ml of water plus salt. If the mixture is too dry, add more water until the dough holds together.