Introduction: Using a Pasta Machine to Roll & Cut

About: Made in Canada, I grew up crafting, making, and baking. Out of this love for designing and creating, I pursued a degree in product design from Parsons School of Design in NYC. Since then I've done work for Mar…

"Everything you see I owe to spaghetti."

- Sophia Loren

Now that the dough has rested for the allotted time, we're going to roll and cut it using a pasta machine. It is possible to roll the dough using a rolling pin, but that technique takes a lot of practice and elbow grease and can be frustrating for beginners. That's why I've chosen to use a pasta machine for this class - it's easy and fun to use!

Step 1: What You'll Learn in This Video Lesson:

  • How to roll out sheets of dough to any thickness using a pasta machine.
  • How to cut fettuccine and tagliolini using a pasta machine.

Step 2: Key Points to Remember:

  • Attach the pasta machine to the work surface to the right of you, so that the pasta sheets roll out towards you.
  • Make sure the clamp is securely fastened to the work surface.
  • Knead the unwrapped dough a few times to work in moisture that has risen to the surface.
  • Make sure the machine is on it's widest setting to start.
  • Let sheets rest for 10 seconds in between passes.
  • Allow finished sheets to dry uncovered for 7-10 minutes until they are leather hard, before cutting.
  • Use pasta within 1 hour of cutting or store for future use. (I show you how to do this in Lesson 6)

Step 3: Quiz Time!

Once you've watched the video lesson, put your knowledge to the test! Take the quizzes below and see how you do.

{
    "id": "quiz-1",
    "question": "On what side should you attach the pasta machine to roll out the dough sheets?",
    "answers": [
        {
            "title": "Your RIGHT side",
            "correct": true
        },
        {
            "title": "Your LEFT side",
            "correct": false
        }
    ],
    "correctNotice": "You're right! You want the sheets to roll out towards you as you crank the dough through to easier manage their floppiness. :)",
    "incorrectNotice": "I'm afraid that's not right. You want the sheets to roll out towards you as you crank the dough through to easier manage their floppiness. :) "
}
{
    "id": "quiz-2",
    "question": "What setting should your rollers be on before starting to roll the dough into sheets?",
    "answers": [
        {
            "title": "Narrowest",
            "correct": false
        },
        {
            "title": "Widest",
            "correct": true
        }
    ],
    "correctNotice": "That's right! The rolling is traumatic for the dough, so you want to ease it into the process as gradually as possible.",
    "incorrectNotice": "I'm afraid not. The rolling is traumatic for the dough, so you want to ease it into the process as gradually as possible."
}
{
    "id": "quiz-3",
    "question": "How many seconds should you let the dough sheets rest for in between roller settings?",
    "answers": [
        {
            "title": "Zero",
            "correct": false
        },
        {
            "title": "5",
            "correct": false
        },
 	{
            "title": "10",
            "correct": true
        }
    ],
    "correctNotice": "You're a superstar! Letting the sheets rest for at least 10 seconds between roller settings will help prevent tearing.",
    "incorrectNotice": "Nope! Letting the sheets rest for at least 10 seconds between roller settings will help prevent tearing. "
}