Egg Free Noodles - An Easy Homemade Recipe (2024)

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Although many homemade pasta recipes are made with flour and eggs, it may surprise you that most store bought noodles are egg free. I am not talking about the bags of fresh made pasta that you find at the local Italian supermarket, but the iconic pasta boxes that line grocery store shelves.

Many of us have been using those packaged boxes of pasta for years. However, when we search for recipes to make our own pasta the majority of the recipes that you will find include eggs as one of the two main ingredients.

And if you have ever watched an Italian chef or cook you are sure to remember iconic images of them cracking several eggs into a crater of a large mound of flour. Then they would work the dough until it almost becomes clay like in texture.

Then they would cut the mound of pasta dough into manageable size pieces and roll it thin enough to make noodles. And that is exactly how we first learned how to make Traditional Italian Pasta Noodles in our house.

Of course we took advantage of modern conveniences and used a Pasta Machine that attaches to our Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer after the dough was made. However, the entire process couldn’t have been easier!

Although, since that time we had to come up with a new way to make homemade noodles. Originally it was done out necessity due to an egg allergy.

However, now with the ever rising cost of eggs at the grocery, I am more than happy to continue making pasta using this method. And that is exactly why I thought I would share this egg free noodles recipe with you today.

Egg Free, Easy Homemade Pasta Recipe

The main ingredient in any traditional pasta recipe is flour. However, instead of adding nearly a dozen eggs to the flour to make pasta like in traditional Italian recipes, I use a simple mixture of water and oil.

So if eggs have been used all these years, how can we make pasta without them? The answer is rather simple.

Noodles can be made egg free, however the egg enriches the flour to make pasta in a variety of ways. First, the egg provides moisture to the flour.

However instead of using eggs, we will use water in place of the eggs for moisture. Second, the egg provides fat to the dough which gives it that classic silky texture.

Therefore, in order to replace the fat content that comes from the egg we will add olive oil instead. The result is delicious homemade noodles that don’t require egg.

Egg Free Pasta Recipe

*Complete recipe instructions including specific measurements, cook temperatures and times are located in a printable recipe card at the bottom of this article. However, be sure to keep reading for helpful tips and tricks when making this recipe.

INGREDIENTS

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup water
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

INSTRUCTIONS

On a large, flat surface place the flour in a mound.Make a well in the center of the flour.

In a small bowl, whisk together the water and the olive oil. Slowly add some of the water and oil mixture into the center of the flour.

Mix the liquid in the flour with a fork or your hands. Keep adding more water/oil mixture and incorporating the flour until all the flour has been absorbed.

Once the dough has been formed knead the dough for 5-10 minutes until a smooth dough ball is formed. You can use the dough hook of a stand mixer by placing the machine at level 2 speed and knead for 4-5 minutes.

If the dough is dry, add a little more water, but be careful not to add too much. Once the smooth dough ball is formed cover the bowl with a damp towel and let the dough rest for 30 minutes so that the gluten has time to develop.

Making Noodles

Remove the dough from the bowl and knead a few more times. Then cut the egg free noodle dough into 4 equal pieces.

Set 3 of the dough pieces aside and cover with a towel to prevent them from drying out.Then place the remaining dough section on a clean floured work surface.

Use a rolling pin dusted in flour and roll the ball of dough into a very thin sheet. Once the dough has been rolled to the desired thickness fold the dough 3-4 times.

Then use a sharp rolling pizza knife to cut the roll of pasta into 1/4 inch thick strips. Dust flour over the strips of dough and unravel. Repeat with the remaining dough.

Pasta Machine

If you have a pasta machine follow your manufacturer’s instructions for rolling out the egg free pasta dough. There is no difference in rolling and cutting out dough that is made with our without eggs.

What Thickness Should The Noodles Be?

Depending on what type of pasta that you want to make will determine what thickness that the dough needs to be before cutting them into strips.

For spaghetti and fettuccine, the egg free noodle thickness should be approximately 1/8 inch thick. For lasagna and ravioli, you want to roll it even thinner. In fact, it should be so thin that you can read a newspaper through the pasta.

If this sounds like a lot of muscle power is required to make homemade pasta, you are right. However, you can make it easy on yourself by using a pasta maker.

We have the Kitchen Aid Pasta Maker attachment and it rolls and cuts pasta dough in no time!

Cooking Fresh Pasta

Once the pasta is formed, you can cook it right away. However, please note that fresh pasta cooks in a fraction of the time as store-bought, dried pasta.

In fact, your homemade pasta will take just 3-4 minutes to cook in boiling & salted water.

Refrigerating or Freezing Pasta

Set cut pasta aside on a tray and leave out at room temperature if cooking it right away. However if you want to cook it in the next couple of days cover and place the mounds of pasta in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

Or to make the pasta later place the noodles in an air tight container and store in the freezer for up to 3 months.

When you are ready to use your pasta, remove it from the freezer and drop it right in the boiling water. It will require a minute or two longer than fresh pasta.

Dry Storing Homemade Pasta

If you want to store your egg free noodles at room temperature you can do so. However, you must make sure that the pasta is completely dry and brittle before doing so.

Place your pasta on baking sheets, pasta drying racks, or simply leave it on the counter until it becomes dry and crisp.

Depending on the humidity and temperature of your environment, it may take 24-48 hours for the pasta to completely dry out. The best way to tell if the pasta is dry is to twist a small section of the noodle.

If it is extremely brittle and breaks right away at the thickest part, it is ready to be stored. Store the dry pasta in a closed container for up to 6 months.

However, be sure to check it frequently to make sure that moisture isn’t reabsorbing into the noodles.

Enjoy!

Mary and Jim

Egg Free Noodles - An Easy Homemade Recipe (6)

Jim and Mary Competti have been writing gardening, DIY and recipe articles and books for over 15 years from their 46 acre Ohio farm. The two are frequent speakers on all things gardening and love to travel in their spare time.

As always, feel free to email us at thefarm@owgarden.com with comments, questions, or to simply say hello! You can sign up for our free email list in the subscribe now box in the middle of this article. Follow us on Facebook here : OWG Facebook. This article may contain affiliate links.

Egg Free Noodles/Pasta

Egg Free Noodles - An Easy Homemade Recipe (7)

A simple egg free pasta recipe made with just 3 simple ingredients.

Prep Time20 minutes

Cook Time3 minutes

Additional Time30 minutes

Total Time53 minutes

Ingredients

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup water
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

Instructions

  1. On a large, flat surface place the flour in a mound.Make a well in the center of the flour.
  2. In a small bowl, whisk together the water and the olive oil.
  3. Slowly add some of the water andmix into the center of the flour. Mix the liquid in the flour with a fork or your hands. Keep adding more water and incorporating the flour until all the flour has been absorbed

  4. Once the dough has been formed knead the dough for 5-10 minutes until a smooth dough ball is formed. If the dough is dry, add a little more water.

  5. Cover the dough with a damp towel for a minimum of 30 minutes to allow the dough the rest and the gluten to develop.

  6. Remove the dough from the bowl and knead a few more times. Then cut the dough into 4 equal pieces. Set 3 of the sections aside and cover with a towel to prevent it from drying out.

  7. Flour a clean work surface and a rolling pin and roll the remaining ball of dough into a very thin sheet.

  8. Fold the dough 3-4 times. Cut the roll of pasta into 1/4 inch width strips. Dust flour over the strips of dough and unravel. Repeat with the remaining dough.

  9. Set cut pasta aside on a tray and leave out at room temperature if cooking fresh or cover and place in the refrigerator to be cooked later.

Notes

Cook the refrigerated pasta noodles within 2 days or store in an air tight container in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Noodles can be completely air dried for 48 hours and stored at room temperature in an air tight container for up to 6 months.

Recipe courtesy of Old World Garden Farms

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

8
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 200Total Fat: 4gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 2mgCarbohydrates: 36gFiber: 1gSugar: 0gProtein: 5g

Nutritional Information is to be used as a general guideline only . Nutritional calculations will vary from the types and brands of the products used.

Egg Free Noodles - An Easy Homemade Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What can I use instead of egg noodles? ›

6 Healthy Alternatives to Traditional Pasta
  • Zucchini Noodles or “Zoodles” Zucchini is low in saturated fat and sodium, and very low in cholesterol. ...
  • Squash Noodles. ...
  • Quinoa Pasta. ...
  • Rice Pasta. ...
  • Black Bean Pasta. ...
  • Shirataki Noodles.

What noodles have no eggs? ›

Other noodle styles, like Japanese ramen and udon, often omit eggs, opting instead for a combination of a flour and/or starch and water. Italian semolina noodles, made with finely ground durum wheat, also typically skip eggs.

Is homemade pasta better with or without eggs? ›

Eggs – The key ingredient for adding richness and moisture to the dough! Olive oil – Along with the eggs, a splash of olive oil moistens the dough and helps it come together. Salt – Add it to the dough and the pasta water for the best flavor.

What can you substitute for eggs in pasta dough? ›

There are several things you can use for substitution.
  • yoghurt - 2 tbsp yoghurt for one egg.
  • tofu - cut it, use 2 tbsp per egg, blend it well [I assume this means you have to make the dough in the food processor - ed.]
  • vegetable oil.
  • buttermilk.
  • pure water.
  • gelatine.
Oct 3, 2010

Can I use regular noodles instead of egg noodles? ›

So if you use regular dried pasta in a recipe calling for egg pasta, add about 30 percent as much water as the recipe calls for, and increase from there to achieve the right sauce consistency.

Can I replace egg noodles with regular pasta? ›

Yes, you absolutely can substitute noodles for pasta, and vice versa, in a recipe. While it is up to personal preference, note that egg noodle recipes typically suggest cooking the noodles until they are soft and tender, while pasta recipes recommend cooking the pasta al dente (slightly firm).

Is there egg free pasta? ›

Great Value Egg Free Ribbons, 12 oz:

Easy to prepare. Egg-free pasta is Kosher. No artificial flavors or colors. 200 calories per serving.

Do fettuccine noodles have eggs? ›

It is descended from the extremely thin capelli d'angelo of the Renaissance, but is a flat, thick pasta traditionally made of egg and flour (usually one egg for every 100 grams or 3.5 ounces of flour).

Are ramen noodles egg free? ›

Some people think that Ramen noodles contain eggs by default – although this is not necessarily the case, some Ramen does. This depends on production methods and recipes for a particular type of Ramen noodles you are trying to make (naturally, Ramen noodles with eggs would look, taste and act in soup differently).

What is the best flour for pasta making? ›

Pasta dough also needs some plasticity for it to be moulded into all of those wonderful shapes. All-purpose flour does what it says on the tin, so it's perfectly fine to use for making pasta. However, most pasta recipes will recommend either semola or “00” flour.

Why is my homemade pasta rubbery? ›

If your pasta is rubbery or mushy, it's likely that it got overcooked. Be sure to cook homemade pasta no longer than 3-5 minutes to avoid this pitfall.

Can you use plain flour to make pasta? ›

You can use plain flour to make the pasta, but 00 flour gives it a little more bite. This pasta is called pappardelle, the thick, silky ribbons pair really well with everything - from hearty sauces to a simple pesto.

Does all homemade pasta have eggs? ›

There are some differences between homemade and store-bought pasta, as well as fresh and dried pasta. Here are some of the main points: - Homemade pasta is made from flour, egg, and water, while store-bought pasta is usually made from semolina flour, salt, and water.

What is a good flour substitute for eggs? ›

You can find chickpea flour in well-stocked grocery stores and online. To replace one egg, simply mix 3 tablespoons of chickpea flour with 3 tablespoons of water until you have a thick and creamy mixture. If replacing an extra large egg, use 4 tablespoons of each.

What can you substitute for eggs in lasagna? ›

First, don't use egg-based lasagna sheets (or make yourself ;o). Second, substitute the eggs (yolks…) with whipping cream, equal amount (about 3 tbsp for a whole egg and about 1 1/2 tbsp per yolk). The addition of eggs to a Lasagna is to make it a richer and creamier filling.

What can you use instead of egg noodles in chicken noodle soup? ›

If you don't have egg noodles, any dry pasta you like would work. Keep the noodles small enough to fit on a spoon, so break any large dry pasta before using if needed. A few readers have even used tortellini instead!

What's the difference between egg noodles and regular pasta? ›

Eggs are the big differentiating factor between egg noodles and other pastas. But it isn't that regular pasta is made without them entirely (although technically it can be). Rather, it's that the dough generally calls for a smaller proportion of eggs. So, in a way, pretty much all pasta is a type of egg noodle.

What makes egg noodles different from regular pasta? ›

Egg noodles are a type of noodle made from eggs and flour. Other types of noodles, like store bought pasta commonly used in spaghetti, use water and flour. Making dough for egg noodles involves mixing eggs and flour until they're like clay.

Can I substitute rice for egg noodles? ›

Yes! You may use rice noodles as an egg noodles alternative and vice versa. It all depends on your preference. You can also cook them together.

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