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.

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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 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

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.

How to make pasta without eggs Jamie Oliver? ›

Method
  1. Put the flour in a bowl, then gradually mix in just enough water to bring it together into a ball of dough (if it's sticky, add a little extra flour).
  2. Knead for just a couple of minutes, or until smooth and shiny.
  3. On a flour-dusted surface, use a rolling pin to roll out the pasta to about 2mm thick.

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).

Does all homemade pasta have eggs? ›

Your typical fresh, Italian-style pasta is made from a combination of eggs and flour. As I've mentioned, many iterations of this basic formula exist, but this definition should do just fine for now.

Do you need egg in pasta? ›

When the flour is kneaded with moisture (from the eggs), the protein forms strands of gluten that give the pasta its structure and strength. As well as providing water for the gluten, eggs also give fat, which enriches the dough, giving it a smooth, silky finish.

Do you have to use eggs in pasta? ›

Pasta bianca (white pasta – pasta without egg)

Eliminating the eggs in the dough means there is less protein, which changes the texture and binding properties of the pasta. You can use white pasta dough to make a variety of shapes, including orecchiette and strozzapreti.

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).

Do lasagna noodles have egg? ›

Unfortunately, not all pasta is vegan. We've found pastas of all varieties, from spaghetti to lasagna noodles, with eggs in the ingredient lists. But don't worry—there are widely available vegan pastas that don't involve eggs or dairy and don't skimp on the texture you've come to love.

Does Barilla pasta have egg in it? ›

Barilla pasta does not contain peanuts, peanut oil, soy, or fish. Certain Barilla pasta products contain eggs, milk, and gluten. Some Barilla pasta may also contain tree nuts. For people with a gluten intolerance or allergy, Barilla offers a line of certified gluten-free pastas made with a blend of corn and rice.

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 is dry pasta with no egg? ›

yes, most dry pasta is vegan. The general everyday dry pasta in shapes like spaghetti, linguini, fettuccini, fusilli, penne, orzo, jumbo shells, manicotti, lasagna noodles, and elbow macaroni are usually vegan. The fresh pasta sold in the refrigerated section usually contains eggs and is therefore not vegan.

Can you use water instead of egg in pasta? ›

it really is so simple. all you need to do is get flour and water, and if you've got kids, you know, in the house, and if they're driving you mad, have a play with something that actually you can eat. so if it's a bit sticky, then just add a little bit more flour. but pasta is really that simple.

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

Dried Pasta Rarely Contains Eggs

Essentially, if semolina is listed as a primary ingredient on the box, it's pasta, though some types of egg noodles are hybrids that contain both eggs and semolina. Besides this exception, the two are generally considered separate based on their main ingredients.

Can you use regular noodles instead of egg noodles in 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 is a low carb substitute for egg noodles? ›

Homemade keto egg noodles like these are amazing. Yes, zucchini noodles, spaghetti squash, even kelp noodles are keto friendly as are shirataki noodles. But unless you have a really heavy, rich, low carb sauce, the flavor of those “noodles” comes through. Like the zucchini noodle tastes like zucchini.

Are egg noodles the same as regular noodles? ›

Ingredients: The main difference between egg noodles and pasta is that the former must contain eggs. While many homemade pasta recipes include eggs, most dried pasta from the supermarket does not. Cooked texture: Many egg noodle recipes call for cooking the noodles until they're soft and tender.

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