# Can I make pasta without a machine-roller? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 19, 2018, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-make-pasta-without-a-machine-roller/823189 "2018-10-19T05:08:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![kambuckta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/53a042/32.png) [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2018, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-make-pasta-without-a-machine-roller/823189/1 "2018-10-19T05:08:09Z")
Quick and simple, I have a hankering to make some fresh ravioli over the weekend, but I don’t own a pasta-machine. Can I still make the pasta by hand? Tips? ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2018, 6:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-make-pasta-without-a-machine-roller/823189/2 "2018-10-19T06:45:54Z")
Of course. They made it for decades before the machines were around. Are you good at rolling things really thin? ---
**Author:** ![kambuckta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/53a042/32.png) [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2018, 7:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-make-pasta-without-a-machine-roller/823189/3 "2018-10-19T07:06:14Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > Are you good at rolling things really thin? I guess I’m about to find out. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2018, 7:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-make-pasta-without-a-machine-roller/823189/4 "2018-10-19T07:10:52Z")
Lay some thin strips of wood/long skewers/thick card/rulers down either side of the dough to give your rolling pin a fixed depth and make the pasta sheets uniform. You can even get[commercial guides.](http://www.pastrychef.com/PERFECTION-THICKNESS-STRIPS_p_1771.html) (but not by the weekend) Don’t try and roll all the dough out at once. Roll smaller pieces. Use a pizza cutter if you don’t have a proper ravioli cutter ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2018, 7:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-make-pasta-without-a-machine-roller/823189/5 "2018-10-19T07:16:34Z")
Good luck. Now I want raviolis. I don’t like you anymore;) ---
**Author:** ![kambuckta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/53a042/32.png) [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2018, 7:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-make-pasta-without-a-machine-roller/823189/6 "2018-10-19T07:26:33Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > Good luck. Now I want raviolis. I don’t like you anymore;) It’ll be a first attempt. I shall report my results here, and depending upon how bad they turn out, you might like me again. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2018, 8:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-make-pasta-without-a-machine-roller/823189/7 "2018-10-19T08:25:31Z")
Only if you make me some. Let me know how they turn out. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2018, 11:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-make-pasta-without-a-machine-roller/823189/8 "2018-10-19T11:23:36Z")
You’ll either end up with really thick pasta, or you’ll do a lot more work than you expect in rolling it thin enough. Making thin pasta is _tough_. But it can be done, if you’re determined. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2018, 11:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-make-pasta-without-a-machine-roller/823189/9 "2018-10-19T11:55:26Z")
Yes, it can be done. I do it semi regularly. No tips other than let the dough rest about a half hour (or even more) before rolling it out. I don’t think it’s hard at all, but it takes some patience. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2018, 12:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-make-pasta-without-a-machine-roller/823189/10 "2018-10-19T12:10:53Z")
Oh, and the general recipe is one large egg for every 100g of flour. You basically form a mound with your dough, make a place for the eggs in the center, and then incorporate in steadily with a fork. Or you can just mix it all in a bowl and knead it out. Or use a food processor, should take about one to two minutes to incorporate all together. Kneading by hand usually takes me about ten minutes. Oh, and when I said let it rest above, put the dough ball in cling film or use a container with a lid so it doesn’t dry. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2018, 12:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-make-pasta-without-a-machine-roller/823189/11 "2018-10-19T12:16:29Z")
> [@kambuckta](#): > > It’ll be a first attempt. I shall report my results here, and depending upon how bad they turn out, you might like me again. 😃 Do not attempt Uova da Raviolo (ravioli with ricotta, Parmesan, and a runny egg yolk inside) on your first attempt. I watched a chef-friend make this and it was difficult to watch. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2018, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-make-pasta-without-a-machine-roller/823189/12 "2018-10-19T17:07:21Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > Do not attempt Uova da Raviolo (ravioli with ricotta, Parmesan, and a runny egg yolk inside) on your first attempt. I watched a chef-friend make this and it was difficult to watch. 🙂 I had never heard of this before, and just looked up a few videos on Youtube. Holy christ, I need that in my life, like right now! ---
**Author:** ![romansperson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/romansperson/32/17100_2.png) [@romansperson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/romansperson)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2018, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-make-pasta-without-a-machine-roller/823189/13 "2018-10-19T18:50:43Z")
You can also cheat and use wonton wrappers. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2018, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-make-pasta-without-a-machine-roller/823189/14 "2018-10-19T19:25:20Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > I had never heard of this before, and just looked up a few videos on Youtube. Holy christ, I need that in my life, like right now! The first time I had it, it was one course in a beer-food pairing, one single ravioli. I didn’t know what Uova da Raviolo translated to and didn’t give it a second thought. I cut into the ravioli on my plate with the edge of my fork and nearly squealed with delight when yolk squirted out.🙂 “Kitchen Magic” ---
**Author:** ![China\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/779978/32.png) [@China\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/China_Guy)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2018, 10:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-make-pasta-without-a-machine-roller/823189/15 "2018-10-20T10:35:09Z")
If you want to experiment with different shapes there are some easy ones [here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ew-3-8itpjc). While it was still more work that I was hoping, just making little balls and use your thumb to squish it out isn’t too bad. If you have a food processor, making [the dough is simple](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwKtN7XHEqo). ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2018, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-make-pasta-without-a-machine-roller/823189/16 "2018-10-20T14:16:09Z")
I have a pasta roller machine, and frankly, I find it to be a bit of a pain in the ass. Sort of like getting a power saw out to break a piece of kindling in half. Now, to make a lot, you want the machine. But fresh spaghetti is easy to roll out, and then you roll it up cut with a sharp knife and then unroll the individual spaghetti strands. Makes for thick spaghetti, but it’s nice and fresh. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2018, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-make-pasta-without-a-machine-roller/823189/17 "2018-10-20T14:31:07Z")
While we’re at it, might as well share my favorite food porn du jour again, [pasta grannies](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yrhLriSwS14). That one is a (type of) ravioli episode, where everything is kneaded and rolled out by hand. ---
**Author:** ![mixdenny](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mixdenny/32/2962_2.png) [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2018, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-make-pasta-without-a-machine-roller/823189/18 "2018-10-21T23:22:13Z")
Can you make it like the Asians make noodles? Make a rope and stretch it, double it over, stretch, double… It seems to go quickly. Dennis ---
**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2018, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-make-pasta-without-a-machine-roller/823189/19 "2018-10-22T13:05:17Z")
> [@mixdenny](#): > > Can you make it like the Asians make noodles? Make a rope and stretch it, double it over, stretch, double… It seems to go quickly. > > Dennis I don’t know if I’ve been whooshed, but that’s a difficult technique to learn & master. Here’s a professional chef [trying it for the first time.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRH56FNrgoU#t=85s) “It’s a disaster! No good!” ---
**Author:** ![salinqmind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3ec8ea/32.png) [@salinqmind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2018, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-make-pasta-without-a-machine-roller/823189/20 "2018-10-22T13:17:09Z")
Years ago we watched Brit chef Jamie Oliver whip up some pasta on his show. How hard could it be?? Well, it was hard! A young guy with strong muscles vs. a weaker woman (that would be me)…it took me forever to make some really thick pasta . [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-make-pasta-without-a-machine-roller/823189.md?page=2)