Feb 10, 2023

Thomas Keller Pasta Dough

5-8 minutes

4 servings

MEDIUM

Renowned chef Thomas Keller's egg pasta dough recipe from The French Laundry for exquisite homemade pasta surpassing Italian trattorias.
Renowned chef Thomas Keller's egg pasta dough recipe from The French Laundry for exquisite homemade pasta surpassing Italian trattorias.
Renowned chef Thomas Keller's egg pasta dough recipe from The French Laundry for exquisite homemade pasta surpassing Italian trattorias.

Pasta all’uovo is a classic Italian pasta dough recipe that never fails to impress with its delicate, golden hue derived from the addition of eggs. The literal translation of "pasta all’uovo" is 'egg dough', and it serves as the base for a variety of pasta shapes, like pappardelle, fettuccine, and spaghetti, among others.

This recipe is the same recipe that you’d find in Thomas Keller’s the French Laundry Cookbook. I use it for almost every pasta I make at home because the hydration in the dough is usually the best and doesn’t really need any adjustments if the recipe is followed correctly and accurately.

Pasta all’uovo is a classic Italian pasta dough recipe that never fails to impress with its delicate, golden hue derived from the addition of eggs. The literal translation of "pasta all’uovo" is 'egg dough', and it serves as the base for a variety of pasta shapes, like pappardelle, fettuccine, and spaghetti, among others.

This recipe is the same recipe that you’d find in Thomas Keller’s the French Laundry Cookbook. I use it for almost every pasta I make at home because the hydration in the dough is usually the best and doesn’t really need any adjustments if the recipe is followed correctly and accurately.

Ingredients
  • 4 ounces 00 flour

  • 4 ounces semolina flour

  • 6 large egg yolks

  • 1 large egg

  • 1 ½ teaspoons olive oil

  • 1 tablespoon milk

  • Pinch of salt

** If you do not have these types of flour, sub for 1 ¾ cups (8 ounces) of all-purpose flour

Instructions
  1. Form the well
    On a clean surface, mound the flour and create a wide well in the center with walls about 1 inch high. Make sure the well is large enough to hold all of the eggs without spilling.

  2. Add the wet ingredients
    Pour the egg yolks, whole egg, olive oil, and milk and pinch of salt into the well. Use a fork to break up the eggs, then begin stirring them in a circular motion, keeping the mixture contained inside the well. This motion will slowly draw in flour from the edges. Work gradually so the flour incorporates evenly and the dough doesn’t turn lumpy.

  3. Bring the dough together
    As the mixture thickens and resists stirring, use a bench scraper to fold more flour into the dough, cutting it in until the mixture becomes shaggy. Use your hands to press it together into a rough ball. The dough may look a little flaky but should hold its shape.

  4. Knead the dough
    Begin kneading by pressing the dough forward with the heels of your hands, not folding it as you would bread dough. Shape it back into a ball and repeat. The dough should feel moist but not sticky. After a few minutes, clean and lightly flour your work surface, then continue kneading until the dough becomes smooth and elastic. This usually takes 10 to 15 minutes. Test it by pressing a finger into the dough; it should spring back.

  5. Rest the dough
    Even if it looks ready, knead for a few extra minutes—this dough benefits from more work to build the gluten. Once smooth and elastic, double-wrap the dough in plastic wrap so it doesn’t dry out. Rest for at least 30 minutes and up to 1 hour before rolling.

I'm Denise.

Product designer turned home cook.

Brooklyn based, professionally trained, and still capable of setting off my smoke alarm.


Attempting to share the so-called ‘wealth of knowledge’ I picked up in culinary school.

I'm Denise.

Product designer turned home cook.

Brooklyn based, professionally trained, and still capable of setting off my smoke alarm.


Attempting to share the so-called ‘wealth of knowledge’ I picked up in culinary school.

I'm Denise.

Product designer turned home cook.

Brooklyn based, professionally trained, and still capable of setting off my smoke alarm.


Attempting to share the so-called ‘wealth of knowledge’ I picked up in culinary school.

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