Ready to impress your guests with a pasta dish that’s anything but ordinary? Then ditch the dry, store-bought spaghetti and whip up a fresh and festive alternative with Laminated Basil Pasta with Garlic Brown Butter Sauce.
I first learned the technique of laminating herbs and greens between sheets of fresh pasta while attending a culinary program in Paris. And now I’m taking the technique to the main stage at the Senior PGA Championship (presented by KitchenAid), where I’ll be demo’ing this recipe using my pasta roller attachment. While the thick-cut basil noodles are the star of the show, I’d be remiss not to mention their co-star: a rich brown butter sauce studded with crispy bits of garlic.
I should warn you that this recipe does not fall under the Pasta-Making 101 category, nor would it be found in the course curriculum for Pasta-Making 102. It is, without a doubt, AP Pasta-Making. So if you’re feeling up to the challenge and want to boost that culinary GPA, then read on, my gutsy gourmands.
Looking for a faster, easier way to satisfy your carb cravings? Don’t miss my recipes for Roasted Garlic Macaroni and Cheese, Greek Pasta Salad and Cacio e Pepe Pasta.
Ingredients
For the pasta:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves (See Kelly’s Note)
For the garlic brown butter:
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1/4 teaspoon fresh black pepper
- 1/2 cup halved cherry tomatoes
- Parmesan cheese, for serving
Equipment:
- Pasta roller attachment
Instructions
Make the pasta:
- Mound the flour on your work surface, creating a large well in the center. Pour the lightly beaten eggs into the center of the well, then add a pinch of salt. Using a fork, slowly work the flour into the egg mixture until the dough starts to come together.
- Using your hands, work the remaining flour into the dough. If the dough is still too sticky, add additional flour as needed. Knead the pasta dough for 3 minutes then cover it with plastic wrap and set it aside to rest for 30 minutes at room temperature.
- Divide the dough into six equal portions. Attach the pasta roller attachment to the stand mixer and place it on setting 1. Lightly flour a baking sheet and set it aside.
- Separate one piece of the dough, lightly dust it with flour so that it doesn’t stick to the rollers, then pat it into a rectangle. Turn the stand mixer speed to level 2. Pass the pasta through the rollers on setting 1, then fold the pasta into thirds (like you would fold a letter), lightly dust it with flour and pass it through the rollers on setting 1 again. Repeat the rolling, folding and flouring process so that the pasta passes through setting 1 a total of four to six times until it is smooth. (Note: Do not skip lightly flouring the pasta between each pass, or it will stick to the rollers.)
- Change the rollers to setting 2, lightly flour the pasta then pass it through the rollers. (Do not fold the pasta into thirds.) Change the rollers to setting 3, lightly flour the pasta and then pass it through the rollers and continue with the flouring and rolling until the pasta is passed through setting 6. (The pasta will pass through the rollers one time on each of settings 2 through 6.) Repeat the rolling and flouring process with the remaining pieces of dough, placing the rolled out sheets of pasta on the floured baking sheet. (Note: If the pasta sheets get too long and difficult to handle, cut them in half and continue rolling.)
- Once you’ve rolled out all of the dough, lay one sheet of pasta flat on your work surface. Place the basil leaves on the dough, spacing them apart so they do not touch. Very lightly mist the edges of the sheet of pasta with water and then carefully lay a second sheet of pasta dough on top of the basil leaves, enclosing them between the two sheets of dough. Using a rolling pin, lightly roll the two sheets together so that they stick.
- Turn the stand mixer speed to level 2. Pass the pasta sheet through the rollers on setting 3 to firmly seal the two sheets together. Repeat the layering and rolling process with the remaining sheets of dough. (Note: The basil leaves should be as dry as possible. If they are slightly wet, some liquid may squeeze out during the final pass through the rollers.)
- Using a sharp knife, cut the sheets into thick noodles or any other desired shape by cutting around and not through the basil leaves. (It’s important to not cut through the basil leaves, as doing so will cause the two sheets of pasta to separate while boiling.) Place the cut pasta on a lightly floured baking sheet and bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta to the boiling water in batches, cooking just until al dente, 2 to 4 minutes. Drain the cooked pasta then transfer it to a large serving bowl.
Make the garlic brown butter:
- Combine the butter and garlic in a small sauté pan over medium heat. Cook the butter until it melts, the foam subsides and it begins to turn a golden brown color, 3 to 5 minutes. (Note: The butter will begin to smell slightly nutty as it browns and the garlic will be golden.)
- Remove the garlic brown butter sauce from the heat and stir in the pepper.
- Add the halved tomatoes to the bowl with the pasta then pour the brown butter sauce over the pasta, lightly tossing until the noodles are thoroughly coated. Garnish with Parmesan cheese and serve immediately.
Kelly’s Note:
- Small basil leaves work best for this recipe, as it’s easier to cut around them to ensure the sheets of pasta stick together while they boil.
- ★ Did you make this recipe? Don't forget to give it a star rating below!
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Recipe by Kelly Senyei of Just a Taste. Please do not reprint this recipe without my permission. If you'd like to feature this recipe on your site, please rewrite the method of preparation and link to this post as the original source.
I love the idea of basil leaves laminated especially since I have a lot of basil end of summer. That said, When I read the dough recipe I was taken aback because it seemed like the ratio was off. My go to recipe is 5 oz flour to two whole eggs plus 2 yolks. The chef who wrote the recipe actually gives weights for the eggs too although I don’t do the weighing 2 + 2 works w/ large eggs. That recipe calls for AP but I use 1/2 00 and 1/2 AP. This recipe calls for 2 cups AP, which I weighed at about 11 oz. Seemed off but I gave it a try. After roughly 1/2 the flour was used the dough would take no more flour. After resting the dough feels like what I’m used to. I will run it through my manual rollers and expect it will work. Maybe large eggs are different in your neck of the woods.
I’m sorry you didn’t enjoy the recipe, Bob.
sounds great and my garden is full of basil in search of a new recipe so question – can this work in a manual pasta roller? thanks in advance. rb
Absolutely, Robert!
One of my favorites. I’ve been making this for years now. My guests always love the flavor and how beautiful it looks
Love reading this, Nicole! I’m so thrilled you’ve been enjoying the recipe!
My husband and I have been making pasta together for the last 4 years (I make the dough and he passes it through our pasta machine), but this was our first attempt at “fancy” pasta. Total success! Making pasta is never a quick process, at least for us, but it’s ALWAYS worth it.
So glad you enjoyed the recipe, Elizabeth!
Would it be possible to dry this to give as a gift?
Hi Julie! I’ve never tried drying it but I don’t see why not! It’s just like any other fresh pasta :)
I have been making pasta for a long time. This recipe was the best one by far. It took time but it was fun to do and the fact that you get a bite of basil in every bite was just perfect. Thank you so much for sharing.
So glad you enjoyed the recipe, Lesley!
I can’t wait to try this recipe! But question for you – in the instructions, you say not to cut into the basil leaves as it would cause separation when boiling the pasta. However, in the picture, it looks like the basil was cut through? thanks for your help!
Thanks, Cynthia! Inevitably, some basil leaves were cut through. I did find that the noodles separated slightly in those areas, but still cooked perfectly. Hope this helps!
Kelly, this pasta recipe is simply amazing. Thanks for posting.
Going to use it to make my family jealous at Thanksgiving. Muahahahaha.
Haha! Thanks so much, Robert :)
OMG!!! If I had a pasta attachment I would make this tonight!! Or try to! I have to say I have never made pasta but I would certainly try!!! Ahhhhh-mazing!!!
This is such a BEAUTIFUL dish! I want to buy pasta roller attachment just to make this beautiful pasta! Thanks for awesome recipe, Kelly!
Awesome, we make home noodles all the time. This is such a good idea. Bravo. We are definitely gona make this.
Now that is pretty darn impressive pasta!! I so want to try this!
This is so pretty. What a great idea!
That is SO PRETTY!! I want to eat this, love fresh pasta!
Sooo beautiful! I’ve had herb laminated pasta in restaurants, but never thought of challenging myself with making homemade! You’re amazing. It looks neatly done too! What a nice dish to start summer season!
This is stunning, Kelly! I love making my own pasta.
This pasta is AMAZING! The basil leaves almost give it a stained glass look :-)
What a gorgeous presentation! I’ve always wanted to try making homemade pasta. I’ve never seen anything like this!
This pasta is amazing! Can’t wait to try this!
Oh, now this is just the coolest thing I’ve seen all day! What a brilliant idea – basil pasta! I can’t wait to try this, Kelly. Hope you’re having a happy start to stsummer!
Really, really gorgeous! This is a definite must make!!
So gorgeous, love the basil and your brown butter sauce!
This looks amazing and I can’t wait to try it! How does this pasta respond to drying or freezing for later use?
Thanks, Kat! The noodles dry very well when laid flat, however I’ve never tried freezing them before, so I can’t say how those would turn out. Enjoy!
I am so trying this!!
Oh my goodness. This is pure awesomeness, and I can only imagine how absolutely delicious it tastes!! Pinned :D
HOLY SMOKES!!! This is such a cool idea. Gah! Totally crushing on this right now.
So gorgeous! Great seeing you this weekend!
TOO COOL!!! I totally want to try this!
And that garlic brown butter sauce sounds heavenly. :)
So cool and I am sure delicious!! Plus, umm? It is is beautiful!! Great recipe!
This is the coolest pasta I have EVER SEEN! PINNED!