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    Recipes » Main Course Recipes » Pasta

    Food Processor Pasta Dough

    Published: May 16, 2021 · Modified: Feb 20, 2023 by Marissa Stevens · 22 Comments

    Vegetarian

    This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video

    Love homemade pasta but don't want to mix and knead it by hand? No problem. With 4 simple ingredients that you probably have on hand, you can make Food Processor Pasta Dough in 5 minutes flat.

    fresh pasta dough ball held above the food processor bowl

    Food processors are the most versatile of kitchen appliances. From making muffin batter to homemade gyro meat, there are literally endless uses for it. You might not know, though, that you can use yours to mix and knead homemade Italian pasta dough, saving you lots of time and keeping your pasta-making endeavors nearly mess-free. 

    Ingredients You Need to Make Food Processor Pasta Dough

    Food Processor Pasta Dough Ingredients on a white marble board
    • Flour: All-purpose flour. (see FAQ)
    • Salt: Kosher salt or half the amount of fine sea salt.
    • Eggs: Large eggs
    • Olive Oil: Ideally good, extra-virgin olive oil

    Once you have your homemade pasta, the rest is easy and fast. Where dried pasta typically takes 10 minutes or more to boil, fresh pasta cooks in 2-3 minutes. And layered into lasagna, there's no need to pre-boil the noodles at all (as in my favorite Lasagna with Cottage Cheese recipe).

    Don't want to use your fresh pasta right away? No problem.

    How to Freeze Fresh Pasta

    Spread freshly cut pasta onto a rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment paper that you've dusted with flour. Freeze for 15-30 minutes to dry out the noodles so they won't stick together. Transfer to freezer-safe storage bags or containers and enjoy within 1 month. Cook fresh pasta in 2-3 minutes, frozen pasta (no need to thaw first) for 3-5 minutes.

    You can also freeze a ball of fresh pasta dough for 1 month. Thaw the dough in the refrigerator overnight before rolling and cutting it.

    How to Dry Fresh Pasta

    Toss fresh noodles with a little flour and arrange in a single layer on a lightly floured surface or clean kitchen towel. Alternatively, you can hang noodles on a drying rack. Let stand at room temperature for 12 to 24 hours, depending on the humidity and temperature of your kitchen. (A fan set to low speed directed at the noodles will speed this process.) You know your pasta is properly dried when it breaks when twisted. If it bends, it needs to continue drying. Dried fresh pasta will last 2 months or more when stored at room temperature in an airtight container.

    Homemade pasta noodles hanging on wooden drying rack

    FAQ

    What is the dough blade on a food processor?

    Most food processors come with a plastic 'dough blade'. Despite the name, it does not work as well for dough making as the standard metal blade, also called the 'S blade'.

    Can you pre-make pasta dough?

    Yes. You can refrigerate fresh pasta dough for up to 1 day or freeze for up to 1 month.

    Can I use all-purpose flour for pasta?

    Yes, and I recommend that you do. Many pasta recipes call for semolina flour, but all-purpose flour creates a more pleasing texture and offers a more reliable result. I find that semolina flour, though popular, can make sticky, gummy pasta dough.

    Do you put olive oil in pasta dough?

    Yes. A little bit of olive oil along with the eggs gives fresh pasta a silky texture.

    When you realize freshly made pasta dough is just 5 minutes away, I hope your mind starts to rush to all of the ways you'd love to use it. Together with a manual pasta machine (here is the one I use), you can make delicate fresh pasta sheets that you can cut into any shape you like. Make pastas like spaghetti and linguine with the machine's cutting attachments or cut homemade lasagna noodles or wide noodles like pappardelle by hand. Or, for a more rustic feel, roll and cut your dough completely by hand. Your options are limitless.

    Use With

    • Bolognese Sauce
    • Ragu Sauce
    • Lamb Ragu
    • Checca Sauce
    • Classic Basil Pesto or Almond Pesto

    How to Make Food Processor Pasta Dough

    Step 1: Pulse flour and salt together in food processor bowl.

    flour and salt in food processor bowl
    flour and salt pulsed together in food processor bowl

    Step 2: Add egg and oil and pulse until the dough just starts to come together. Then process until the dough forms a ball and breaks apart a total of 3 times (about 1 minute). This will both make and knead the dough.Shape dough into a smooth ball; cover and let stand at room temperature 30-60 minutes before rolling and cutting.

    egg and oil mixture added to flour and salt in food processor bowl
    pasta dough ingredients roughly combined
    pasta dough ingredients starting to gather into a ball
    kneaded dough in food processor bowl
    food processor pasta dough ball

    Recipe Video

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    fresh pasta dough ball held above the food processor bowl

    Food Processor Pasta Dough

    Marissa Stevens
    With 4 simple ingredients, you can make homemade pasta dough in your food processor in 5 minutes flat.
    5 from 6 votes
    Save Recipe Saved! Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Total Time 5 mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine Italian
    Servings 6 people
    Calories 208 kcal

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 2 cups all-purpose flour
    • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
    • 3 large eggs
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil

    Instructions
     

    • Add flour and salt to the bowl of a food processor; pulse a few times to combine.
    • In a medium bowl, mix eggs and olive oil with a fork until just combined. Pour over flour mixture in food processor. Pulse several times until no dry flour remains. Process for about 1 minute, or until dough has gathered into a rough ball then broken into small, bead-like fragments and gathered into a ball once or twice more. (This will both mix and knead the pasta dough.) If the dough gets stuck at any time, turn off the food processor and nudge the dough slightly and continue to process.
    • Remove the pasta dough from the food processor and shape with your hands into a smooth ball and cover with plastic wrap. Let rest for 30-60 minutes at room temperature. Roll out immediately or refrigerate for up to 1 day (recipe note).

    Notes

    1. Plan to use your fresh pasta dough within 1 day as the eggs will begin to oxidize and change color if refrigerated for longer. The same goes for fresh pasta noodles - you'll want to use or freeze within 1 day and use within 1 month.
    2. I recommend a medium-sized food processor for this recipe, 10 to 13 cup. The one pictured is an 11-cup processor.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 208kcalCarbohydrates: 32gProtein: 7gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 93mgSodium: 424mgPotassium: 79mgFiber: 1gSugar: 0.2gVitamin A: 135IUCalcium: 21mgIron: 2mg
    Keyword comfort food, easy
    Tried this recipe?I'd love to see it! Tag me on Instagram at @pinchandswirl or leave me a comment and rating below.

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    Reader Interactions

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Jan Bakken says

      March 17, 2023 at 12:03 pm

      This recipe worked great when I made the first batch. When I went to X2 the cups changed but the grams did not. 272 grams for 1,2,or 3 batches.
      Should be: 272, 544, 816

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        March 19, 2023 at 9:32 am

        Hi Jan. I'm glad you enjoyed the recipe! The flour weight was a text field, but now you can scale the weight by choosing 'Metric' in the recipe charge and 1, 2 or 3x the recipe.

        Reply
    2. Sarah says

      December 18, 2022 at 10:15 am

      5 stars
      I love this recipe! So easy and turns out perfect every time. We love to make fresh tortilla with it

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        December 19, 2022 at 11:59 am

        That's wonderful to hear, Sarah! Thanks so much for letting me know.

        Reply
    3. Cheryl says

      December 16, 2022 at 5:11 pm

      Can you use an 8 cup food processor to make pasta dough?

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        December 17, 2022 at 10:05 am

        Hi Cheryl! I'm afraid that an 8 cup processor is too small to manage the volume of ingredients. I used an 11-cup processor (I've updated the recipe notes about this) and wouldn't go smaller than a 10 cup for this recipe.

        Reply
    4. Lori says

      September 28, 2022 at 8:40 am

      What food processor are you using that has enough gump to process the dough?

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        September 28, 2022 at 2:56 pm

        Hi Lori! I use a Cuisinart brand 11 cup food processor.

        Reply
    5. Luisa says

      October 12, 2021 at 7:08 am

      This is awesome, thank you for sharing! Do I need to adjust the recipe if using “00” flour?

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        October 12, 2021 at 4:18 pm

        Hi Luisa! I haven't tested this recipe with "00" flour, but I'd go with a 1:1 ratio, i.e., a straight swap.

        Reply
        • Luisa says

          October 14, 2021 at 11:30 am

          5 stars
          Hi Marissa -

          Thank you for the quick response. I decided the first attempted should be exactly as you wrote it. The dough come out beautiful, it was very easy to work with, and my finicky husband loved it! Next time I’ll try it with the “00” flour. Thanks again, this is a keeper!

          Reply
          • Marissa Stevens says

            October 14, 2021 at 12:46 pm

            That's wonderful, Luisa! Thank you for coming back to let me know.

            Reply
    6. Katherine | Love In My Oven says

      May 18, 2021 at 7:58 pm

      5 stars
      I can't wait to try this Marissa!!!! I always think I need a fancy pasta maker to make homemade pasta so I've refrained from doing it. I'll let you know how it goes!! 🙂

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        May 19, 2021 at 11:02 am

        Wonderful! I hope that you and your family will love it, Katherine.

        Reply
    7. Ben | Havocinthekitchen says

      May 17, 2021 at 4:57 pm

      5 stars
      Certainly, you cannot beat homemade pasta (But I must admit I haven't made it for 3 or 4 years. Perhaps, I should pull my dusty pasta roller machine!) Interesting note on semolina; I'll need to try with both types of flour. And of course, I look forward to your pasta creation(s). (Because you didn't make the dough just for fun, did you!)

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        May 19, 2021 at 11:02 am

        Thanks, Ben! haha...and you've got me figured out. Recipes to use this coming soon!

        Reply
    8. David @ Spiced says

      May 17, 2021 at 4:28 am

      5 stars
      I used to be all about making dough by hand, but I've switched over to using the food processor for pie dough. This sounds like a similar process - and I do love homemade pasta. Win-win!!

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        May 17, 2021 at 10:02 am

        Similar, but even easier! So excited for you to try this method, David.

        Reply
    9. Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says

      May 16, 2021 at 2:27 pm

      5 stars
      Well, yes(!) I absolutely love homemade pasta! While I do find kneading the dough by hand therapeutic, I very rarely have the time (or patience if I’m not home alone - lol)! I’ve never tried making pasta dough in the food processor, but this is GENIUS! And SO easy!!! Can’t wait to try this so homemade pasta night can become a regular thing in our dinner rotation!

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        May 17, 2021 at 10:02 am

        Thanks so much, Chey! I hope you'll love this.

        Reply
    10. angiesrecipes says

      May 16, 2021 at 11:11 am

      Homemade pasta must have tasted super fresh and yummy!

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        May 17, 2021 at 10:03 am

        Absolutely. Thanks, Angie.

        Reply

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