Mom's Homemade Egg Noodles

The Simple Old-Fashioned Pasta We Used to Make and Sell at Craft Fairs

My mom and I used to make homemade egg noodles to sell at craft fairs, and we always sold out. Even back then, people were looking for old-fashioned foods made with simple natural ingredients instead of all the extra additives that are found in processed foods. We didn't add fancy seasonings or anything like that to our noodles. They were a simple homemade noodle with the kind of old-fashioned flavor that many of us remember.  

This recipe uses only 5 ingredients that almost everyone has in their pantry or refrigerator: flour, eggs, olive oil, water or milk, and salt.  Of course you can add garlic powder or dried herbs or other seasonings to the dough for a different flavor. It is up to you and how you want your noodles to taste. And you can use the noodles fresh or dry them completely and save them for another meal. 

Making noodles from scratch does take a little time, especially if you are rolling and cutting them by hand, but the process is surprisingly simple, and once you taste them, it will be worth the effort. Whether you use a pasta machine or a rolling pin, homemade noodles are a wonderful way to bring a little old-fashioned cooking into your kitchen.

Ingredients:

4 c. flour, plus extra for dusting
6 eggs, well beaten
2 Tbs. olive oil
1Tbs. water or milk
1 tsp. salt 

Directions:

In a medium bowl, whisk together the beaten eggs, olive oil, water or milk, and salt until well combined and slightly frothy.

Place the flour on a large cutting board, pastry board, or clean countertop. Use your hands to form a large well in the center. Make the well wide and deep enough to hold the egg mixture without spilling over the sides.

Pour the egg mixture into the center of the flour well.  Using your fingers or a fork, gradually pull a little flour from the inside edge of the well into the egg mixture. Continue working slowly, keeping the outside wall of flour intact until the egg mixture has thickened enough that it will not run over the counter.

Continue incorporating the flour until a stiff dough begins to form. Dust your hands and work surface with flour as needed to keep the dough from sticking.

Knead the dough for about 6 minutes, or until it becomes smooth and elastic.
If the dough seems too dry or difficult to work with, add a small amount of water or milk, a little at a time. If the dough is too sticky, add a little more flour.

Divide the dough into halves or quarters. Wrap each portion tightly in plastic wrap and let the dough rest for 45 to 60 minutes.

Using a Pasta Machine:
Set up your pasta machine according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Take one portion of dough and flatten it slightly. Feed it through the widest setting of the pasta machine to create a long sheet. Fold or prepare the dough according to your machine's instructions and run it through the wide setting several times, about five times, until the dough becomes smooth and even.

Continue rolling the dough through progressively narrower settings according to your pasta machine's instructions. Since machines vary, follow the manufacturer's directions for the final thickness and cutting settings.

Cut the pasta into your desired noodle shape.

Place the noodles on a lightly floured baking sheet, or hang them across a clean dowel or pasta-drying rack to dry.  Repeat with the remaining portions of dough.

Making the Noodles by Hand:
On a lightly floured surface, roll one portion of dough into a rectangle. Continue rolling until the dough is very thin, almost translucent. Add a light dusting of flour as needed to prevent sticking.

Lightly dust the top of the dough with flour. Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, cut the dough into noodles of your desired width and length.

Place the cut noodles on a lightly floured baking sheet, or hang them across a clean dowel or pasta-drying rack to dry.

Repeat with the remaining dough.

Cooking the Noodles:
To cook the noodles fresh, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
Add the noodles and cook until tender. Fresh noodles can cook quickly, so begin checking them after a few minutes. Depending on their thickness, they may take approximately 4 to 7 minutes.

Drain and serve with your favorite sauce, gravy, soup, or other dish.

Tips for Best Success: 

• Use extra flour when needed. Homemade pasta dough can become sticky while rolling and cutting, so keep extra flour nearby for dusting your hands and work surface.
• Don't rush the resting time. Letting the dough rest makes it easier to roll and work with.
• Adjust the dough as needed. Flour can vary, so don't worry whether you need a little more flour or a small amount of additional liquid. Also, it depends on the weather and how much humidity is in the air.  This can cause the dough to be too wet or too dry.  
• Roll the dough evenly. Whether using a pasta machine or rolling pin, try to keep the sheet an even thickness so the noodles cook at the same rate.
• Don't skip the drying step if storing. Noodles that are going to be stored should be completely dry before being placed in an airtight container.
• Keep noodles from sticking together. Lightly flour the noodles after cutting and spread them out rather than piling them together.
• Fresh noodles cook faster than dried noodles. Keep an eye on them while cooking so they don't become overcooked.

Variations and Substitutions:

• Add Garlic.  Add a small amount of garlic powder to the dough for a subtle garlic flavor.
• Add Herbs.  Dried parsley, basil, oregano, thyme, or Italian seasoning can be added to the dough for herbed noodles.
• Use Different Flour.  All-purpose flour works well, but you can use 00 flour or a combination of all-purpose and 00 flour.
• Use Milk Instead of Water.  The small amount of liquid in this recipe can be water or milk. Milk can give the dough a slightly richer flavor.
• Make Different Shapes.  Don't feel limited to traditional noodles. Cut the dough into wider strips for homemade pasta ribbons or smaller pieces for use in soups and stews.

Serving Suggestions:

Homemade egg noodles are delicious served with:

• Chicken and homemade noodles
• Beef or turkey gravy
• Chicken noodle soup
• Beef noodle soup
• Stroganoff
• Butter and Parmesan cheese
• A simple cream sauce
• Beef tips and gravy
• Roast beef and gravy
• Your favorite pasta sauce

They are also wonderful served as a simple side dish tossed with butter, salt, and a little Parmesan cheese.

How to Store:

• Fresh noodles: If you are not cooking the noodles right away, keep them refrigerated and use them within a short period, or freeze them for longer storage.
• Dried noodles: Allow the noodles to dry completely before placing them in an airtight jar or sealable plastic bag. Store them in a cool, dry location.
• If there is any doubt that the noodles are completely dry, refrigerating or freezing them is the safer choice.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make these egg noodles without a pasta machine?
Yes. A pasta machine is convenient, but it is not necessary. You can roll the dough very thin with a rolling pin and cut the noodles with a sharp knife or pizza cutter.

How thin should I roll homemade egg noodles?
Roll the dough very thin—almost translucent—when making noodles by hand. Keep in mind that thicker noodles will take longer to cook.

Why is my noodle dough too sticky?
Add a little more flour, a small amount at a time, and continue kneading. Flour your hands and work surface as needed while working with the dough.

Why is my dough too dry?
Add a small amount of water or milk and knead it into the dough. Add only a little at a time so you don't accidentally make the dough too sticky.

How long should homemade egg noodles dry?
Drying time varies depending on the thickness of the noodles, humidity, and how they are arranged. The important thing is that they are completely dry before storing them at room temperature.

Can I freeze homemade egg noodles?
Yes. Freezing is a convenient option if you don't plan to use the noodles soon. Package them well to protect them from freezer burn.

Can I add seasonings to the noodle dough?
Absolutely. The basic recipe is intentionally simple, but you can add garlic powder, dried herbs, or other seasonings to suit your taste.

How long do homemade egg noodles take to cook?
Cooking time depends on the thickness and whether the noodles are fresh or dried. Fresh noodles may cook in about 4 to 7 minutes, while thicker or dried noodles may take longer. Start checking them early and cook until tender.