How to Make Macaroni Pasta

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: November 24, 2022 References

Macaroni is a fun, tube-shaped pasta that is often used in pasta salads, soups, and macaroni and cheese dishes. You can find this popular pasta in most grocery stores, but you can easily make and form macaroni at home. If you create a homemade pasta dough, gently roll the pasta into its famous tube-shape, and add to your favorite recipes, you can make and enjoy macaroni at home.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Making Pasta Dough at Home

1
Mix the dry ingredients. Combine 2 cups (450 ml) of flour and ½ tsp (2 ml) of salt in a medium mixing bowl to make a classic pasta dough at home. Use a fork to whisk the ingredients together.^{[1]
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Create a hole or well in the dry ingredients. Use your fork to push the dry ingredients to the side of the bowl to create a well or a hole. The hole will nest the eggs until you are ready to mix the ingredients.^{[2]
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Research source} Keeping the ingredients in the mixing bowl will allow for easier clean-up.
- If you prefer, pour the dry ingredients onto the counter and create the well.^{[3]
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3
Add three large eggs. Crack each egg along the side of the mixing bowl. Drop each into the well.^{[4]
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Whisk the eggs with a fork. Begin to whisk the eggs with your fork. Gradually pull the dry ingredients into the well to incorporate it into the mixture. The mixture will be thin at first, but it will thicken and begin to look like dough as you incorporate more of the dry ingredients. Once it begins to look like a soft dough, you have incorporated enough flour. You may not use all of the flour that is in the bowl.^{[5]
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Place the dough on a clean counter. Gently place the dough and any leftover flour onto a clean surface.^{[6]
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Research source} The leftover flour will help prevent the dough from sticking to the counter.
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Fold the dough. Begin to knead the dough by folding it in on itself. Lift one side of the dough and fold it toward the opposite side. After each fold, flatten the dough and repeat. This process will help toughen up the dough.^{[7]
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- Sprinkle extra flour on the counter if the dough begins to stick to the surface.
- Continue to knead the dough if you notice air bubbles. If you see several, slice the dough with a knife and combine the sections by folding them together.^{[8]
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Look for a smooth surface. When the dough is ready, the surface will be smooth. It will resemble a plastic ball.^{[9]
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Research source} Stop kneading the dough at this time.
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Place the dough in a clean bowl to rest. Once the dough is ready, grab a clean mixing bowl and place the dough inside. Cover the top of the bowl with plastic wrap or a dinner plate. Allow it to rest for 30 minutes.^{[10]
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- After it has rested, you can use the dough right away or you can refrigerate it for 24 hours. Allow the dough to come back to room temperature before forming the pasta.^{[11]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Shaping Macaroni Noodles

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Mold the dough into a log-shape. Use store-bought or homemade dough to create the macaroni noodles. Mold the dough into a long, thick log-shape. Use the palms of your hands to gently press on the sides of the dough to create an oblong shape.
2
Slice the pasta dough. Use a paring knife to slice the dough. Cut the dough into 1 inch thick (2.54 cm) chunks.^{[12]
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Dice each slice into three pieces. Lie the slice of pasta dough onto a cutting board. Using your paring knife, slice the dough into three vertical sections. From there, cut each section into 1-inch squares (2.54 cm).^{[13]
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Research source} Continue this process until you have sliced all of the dough into squares.
4
Coat a rod or stick with flour. Take two squares of the pasta dough and lie them on a flat, clean surface. Roll a stainless steel skewer or a wooden rod in some flour. Place the stick or skewer on top of the squares of dough.^{[14]
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Research source} You can buy a skewer or rod at a kitchen supplies store or online.
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Roll the dough with the rod. Gently press the rod into the dough and begin to roll back and forth. The dough will begin to wrap around the rod, creating a tube shape. Once it has completely wrapped around the rod, tilt the rod upward and gently remove the noodles.^{[15]
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Research source} Continue rolling the remaining pasta squares.
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Place the macaroni tubes on a tray. Once you have removed the macaroni, place them on a flat tray, clean cutting board, or dinner plate. Be sure to spread the noodles apart.^{[16]
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Cut the noodles to the desired size. Once the noodles have been formed, you can choose to keep the longer tubes or you can slice them with a paring knife to create shorter, more traditional macaroni noodles. Cut each macaroni tube into 1 inch (2.54 cm) pieces to create shorter noodles.
8
Freeze the remaining noodles. If you do not wish to cook all of the macaroni at that time, place the noodles in a freezer bag and seal it tightly. Homemade pasta can be stored in the freezer for two to three months.^{[17]
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Cook the noodles in boiling water. To cook the fresh macaroni noodles, bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Once the water is boiling, add the pasta and cook for 4 to 5 minutes.^{[18]
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Research source} If you are cooking homemade macaroni noodles that have been frozen, allow the noodles to boil in the water for an extra minute.^{[19]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Adding Macaroni to Your Favorite Dishes

1
Make a pot of macaroni and cheese. Use your homemade macaroni noodles to create this delicious and popular comfort food. Make a traditional macaroni and cheese with cheddar cheese, or mix in gruyere cheese and caramelized onions for a flavorful twist.^{[20]
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Research source} Enjoy it as a side dish with dinner, or enjoy a bowl for a filling lunch.
2
Stir in cooked macaroni into your favorite soup. Add your homemade macaroni noodles to your favorite soup to add a chewy texture. The noodles are perfect for soaking up the flavors of the broth, and the added pasta can make a simple soup more hearty and filling. Use these noodles next time you make chicken noodle soup, or stir them into a pot of minestrone or vegetable soup.
3
Mix cooked macaroni into a pasta salad. Pasta salads are an excellent and easy dish to bring to a party or a cookout. Add homemade macaroni noodles to your family’s favorite pasta salad recipe to make your next pasta salad extra special. Whip up a traditional mayonnaise-based pasta salad, or pack it with fresh vegetables, grilled chicken, and a lite vinaigrette for a lower calorie option.
4
Create a baked macaroni dish. Making a baked macaroni dish at home is a delicious way to combine flavors in one pan. Toss the macaroni with your favorite vegetables and spices for a quick and easy dinner. The golden crust gives the baked macaroni an extra flavor and a crunchy crust. Try it with some red pepper, broccoli, and grated parmesan cheese for a savory side dish.^{[21]
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Cook a one-pot pasta dish. Use your homemade macaroni noodles to make a simple, one-pot dish. Combine some black beans, onions, peppers, taco seasoning, and your cooked macaroni in a pot for a vegetarian southwest dish.^{[22]
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Research source} Make a fresh and zesty one-pot dish with macaroni, mozzarella balls, fresh basil, and chopped tomatoes. These one-pot dishes are great for a quick weeknight meal with easy clean up.