How to Make Homemade Noodles with Four Ingredients and Four Easy Steps

Making homemade noodles is easy with four basic ingredients: eggs, salt, flour, and water. The process involves four steps: mix, knead, roll, and cut. This method yields fresh, tasty noodles with simple pantry staples, providing a superior flavor to store-bought varieties.

How to make homemade noodles? Sounds intimidating, doesn’t it? 

I am here to tell you that making homemade noodles is easier than you think. They are a little time-consuming but once you get the hang of it you will have homemade noodles in no time.

I know it is much easier to grab that package of noodles in your pantry, but nothing and I mean nothing tastes as good as homemade noodles. I have to be honest here. 

I had never had homemade noodles until after I was married. That was the only way my mother-in-law made noodles. 

Homemade! I have to admit I was fascinated. 

Who knew that noodles were made with only four ingredients? And the finished product was so good. 

And it’s perfect with a side of your own canned green beans!

How to Make Homemade Noodles

What are noodles? Are they any different than pasta?

Mixing the ingredients with your hands? Yes. 

Might get a little messy but using your fingers to incorporate the egg into the flour is the best way. Add the water a little at a time. 

Mixing completely before adding any more. Only add enough water to form a ball.

Knead

After mixing the dough until it forms a ball, place it on a lightly floured surface and knead until the ball becomes smooth and elastic usually about 10 minutes. The importance of kneading the dough helps with gluten development which aids in the stretchability of the dough.

My wrists have become weak the older I get. So I admit that I usually put my pasta dough into my stand mixer with the dough hook attachment and knead my pasta dough this way. 

 Also important is to let the dough rest after kneading. Just cover it with a towel and let rest for at least 10 minutes. 

But really 30 minutes is better. Watch the video below on how to knead pasta dough.

Roll

After your pasta dough has rested, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and roll the dough paper-thin. About 1/8 of an inch. 

The thinner the dough the thinner your noodles will be. This is up to you. 

If you prefer a thicker noodle then by all means roll your dough a little thicker. Just one thing to remember though. 

The thicker the noodle the longer it will take to cook and the chewier it will be.

 After rolling the dough into a rectangle roll the rectangle around the rolling pin and carefully slip the dough out. Be sure that you have plenty of flour on the dough before rolling it around the rolling pin otherwise when it comes to cutting the noodles they will stick together when shaking them out.



Cut

Cut the dough crosswise into 1/8-inch strips for narrower noodles and 1/4-inch strips for wider noodles. Shake out the strips and place them on a towel to dry.

I usually just flour my table and cover the noodles with a towel. Once the strips have dried break into smaller pieces.

When it comes to drying the noodles, I have heard stories of people draping their noodles on chairs, and the table. My mother-in-law usually cooked her noodles 10 to 15 minutes after cutting them.  





When the noodle strips are dry, break them into smaller pieces. Cook in 3 quarts boiling salted water (1 tablespoon) or broth of your choice. 

If using broth do not add salt as the broth has salt in it. Add salt to taste after cooking the noodles. 

Enjoy!

My Final Thoughts

• Homemade noodles can be made with just four basic ingredients: eggs, salt, flour, and water.
• The process involves four simple steps: mixing, kneading, rolling, and cutting the dough.
• It’s a hands-on task, requiring mixing and kneading by hand to achieve the right dough consistency.
• Rolling the dough thinly is crucial for creating perfect noodles, with thickness affecting cooking time and texture.
• Homemade noodles offer a taste and freshness that can enhance any dish, much like freshly baked bread compared to store-bought.

I hope that I have helped you get over the intimidation of making homemade noodles. You only need 4 ingredients, eggs, salt, flour, and water.

And with four easy steps, mix, knead, roll, and cut, you will have homemade noodles. Sure it is easy to reach for that package of noodles in your pantry, but homemade tastes so much better. 

And if you have a recipe or dish you are wanting to make that calls for noodles and you don’t have any packaged noodles on hand, why not make your own?

My 17-year-old granddaughter has made homemade noodles every year for the past five years for Thanksgiving. Have you made homemade noodles?

Please leave me a comment below with your thoughts. And as always, have a wonderful day!

FAQ for How to Make Homemade Noodles

1. What are the basic ingredients needed to make homemade noodles?

• Essential Ingredients: The recipe requires only four basic ingredients: eggs, flour, salt, and water, making it accessible for anyone to try.
• Quality of Ingredients: Using high-quality, fresh ingredients can significantly enhance the flavor and texture of the noodles.

2. What are the main steps involved in making homemade noodles?

• Simplicity of Process: The process is straightforward, involving mixing the ingredients, kneading the dough, rolling it out, and cutting it into strips.
• Technique Tips: Ensuring the dough is evenly rolled and consistently cut can affect the final product’s texture and cooking uniformity.

3. How time-consuming is it to make homemade noodles from scratch?

• Preparation Time: While the steps themselves are simple, the process can be a bit time-consuming, particularly if you are new to making noodles.
• Efficiency: With practice, the process becomes quicker and easier, making homemade noodles a more feasible option for regular cooking.

4. Can the homemade noodles be customized for different dishes?

• Versatility: Yes, the thickness and shape of the noodles can be adjusted depending on the dish they are intended for, such as wider strips for something like beef stroganoff or thinner ones for lighter soups.
• Flavor Additions: Incorporating herbs or spices into the dough can also provide an additional layer of flavor to suit specific recipes.