If spaghetti feels too skinny and fettuccine feels too thick, tagliatelle sits right in the comfort zone. This long, ribbon-style pasta comes from Emilia-Romagna, Italy, and Italians take it very seriously. In Bologna, the official width of tagliatelle is 8 millimetres when cooked. Yes, they measured it.
A proper tagliatelle pasta recipe balances tender pasta with a sauce that clings instead of sliding off. That is the magic. And you don’t need an Italian grandmother to pull it off, just flour, eggs, and a little patience.
In this guide, you’ll learn:
- What makes tagliatelle different
- Why fresh pasta works best
- A step-by-step homemade tagliatelle pasta recipe
- The best sauces to pair with it
- Storage, nutrition, and cooking tips
- A printable recipe card
Let’s cook something that would make Bologna proud.
What Is Tagliatelle Pasta?
Tagliatelle is a flat ribbon pasta traditionally made with egg dough. It belongs to the same family as fettuccine, but it is slightly narrower and more delicate.
Authentic tagliatelle comes from Emilia-Romagna, where fresh pasta dominates kitchens. Italian food historians trace its roots back to medieval times. The name comes from the Italian verb tagliare, meaning “to cut.”
Unlike dried pasta, fresh tagliatelle has:
- A tender bite
- A richer flavor from eggs
- Better sauce absorption
According to the Italian Culinary Institute for Foreigners and traditional pasta guilds in Bologna, egg-based dough is standard for tagliatelle.
Source:
- Accademia Italiana della Cucina
- BBC Good Food – Tagliatelle collections
Why This Tagliatelle Pasta Recipe Works
Many recipes skip logic. This one doesn’t.
This tagliatelle pasta recipe works because:
- It uses the traditional egg-to-flour ratio.
- It allows gluten to rest properly.
- It respects pasta thickness.
- It pairs pasta with a suitable sauce.
Fresh pasta should taste like pasta, not glue. Resting the dough relaxes gluten, which improves texture. Rolling it thin ensures even cooking. Cooking time stays under three minutes because fresh pasta does not need punishment.
If you’re a pasta lover, you’ll also love our other recipes like Lemon Chicken Orzo Pasta and our One-Pan Garlic Tomato Pasta.
Ingredients for Homemade Tagliatelle Pasta
You only need two base ingredients:
- 2 cups Italian 00 flour (or all-purpose flour)
- 3 large eggs
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon olive oil (optional)
That’s it. No water. No baking powder. No mystery powders.
Why 00 flour?
Italian 00 flour is finely milled and produces smoother dough. However, all-purpose flour works well in American kitchens.
Source:
- Serious Eats – Fresh Pasta Science
- King Arthur Baking – Pasta Dough Guide
Step-by-Step Tagliatelle Pasta Recipe
Step 1: Form the Dough
Pour flour onto a clean surface and make a well in the centre. Add eggs and salt into the well. Beat eggs with a fork and slowly pull in flour from the edges.
Once a shaggy dough forms, knead by hand for 8 to 10 minutes. The dough should feel smooth and elastic, not sticky.
Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and rest it for 30 minutes.
Logic:
Resting allows gluten to relax, which makes rolling easier and prevents tearing.
Step 2: Roll the Dough
Divide the dough into four pieces. Flatten one piece and roll it through a pasta machine or with a rolling pin. Work from thick to thin settings.
Aim for about 1 millimetre thickness.
Lightly dust with flour and fold loosely.
Step 3: Cut the Tagliatelle
Cut folded sheets into strips about ¼-inch wide. Unfold and toss gently with flour.
At this point, you have fresh tagliatelle. It already smells like Italy.
Step 4: Cook the Pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add tagliatelle and cook for 2 to 3 minutes.
Fresh pasta cooks fast. Overcooking ruins texture and dignity.
Reserve ½ cup of pasta water before draining.
Best Sauces for Tagliatelle Pasta
Not all sauces deserve tagliatelle.
Classic Pairings:
- Bolognese (ragù alla bolognese)
- Mushroom cream sauce
- Butter and sage
- Alfredo-style cream sauce
- Tomato basil sauce
Thicker sauces stick better to flat noodles. That is physics. Thin sauces belong to spaghetti.
According to traditional Italian cooking rules, tagliatelle pairs best with meat-based or cream-based sauces.
Source:
Example Sauce: Garlic Butter Parmesan Tagliatelle
Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a pan. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Toss in drained tagliatelle with pasta water. Finish with grated Parmesan and black pepper. of
This sauce proves one truth: butter never disappoints.
Nutrition Facts (Approximate)
Fresh egg pasta provides:
- Carbohydrates for energy
- Protein from eggs
- B-vitamins
- Iron
One serving (about 2 ounces dry equivalent) contains roughly:
- 200–220 calories
- 7–8g protein
- 40g carbohydrates
Source:
- USDA FoodData Central
- Harvard School of Public Health – What Should I Eat
Storage and Freezing Tips
Fresh tagliatelle stores well when handled correctly.
Refrigerator:
- Store floured pasta in an airtight container.
- Use within 2 days
Freezer:
- Freeze in small nests.
- Store up to 2 months.
- Cook directly from frozen.
Avoid stacking without flour. Pasta hates pressure.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Skipping the rest time
- Rolling the dough too thick
- Oversalting dough
- Overcooking pasta
- Using watery sauces
Fresh pasta rewards patience and punishes shortcuts.
Why Homemade Beats Store-Bought
Store-bought dried pasta is great. Fresh pasta is emotional.
Homemade tagliatelle:
- Has better bite
- Absorbs sauce
- Uses no preservatives
- Costs less per serving
- Builds cooking confidence
It also makes your kitchen smell like a trattoria.
Tagliatelle Pasta Recipe
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Place flour on a clean surface and create a well.
- Add eggs and salt to the centre.
- Beat eggs and gradually mix in flour.
- Knead dough for 8–10 minutes until smooth.
- Wrap and rest for 30 minutes.
- Roll the dough into thin sheets.
- Cut into ¼-inch strips.
- Boil salted water and cook pasta for 2–3 minutes.
- Toss with sauce and serve hot.
Notes
- Do not rinse pasta
- Save pasta water
- Serve immediately
Frequently Asked Questions
Is tagliatelle the same as fettuccine?
They look similar, but tagliatelle is traditionally egg-based and slightly narrower.
Can I make this without a pasta machine?
Yes. A rolling pin works fine. Aim for thin sheets.
What flour works best?
00 flour gives a smoother texture, but all-purpose flour works well in the US.
What does tagliatelle pasta look like?
Tagliatelle pasta is long, flat, ribbon-shaped pasta about 6–7 mm wide. It looks similar to fettuccine and is often sold in coiled nests.
What is tagliatelle pasta used for?
Tagliatelle pasta is used with thick and rich sauces, especially meat sauces like Bolognese, and creamy or mushroom-based sauces because its flat surface holds sauce well.
How to pronounce tagliatelle pasta?
Tagliatelle is pronounced as tah-lyah-TELL-eh.
How long do you cook tagliatelle pasta?
Fresh tagliatelle cooks in 2–4 minutes.
Dried tagliatelle cooks in 7–10 minutes.
How long to cook tagliatelle pasta?
Cooking time depends on the type:
Fresh tagliatelle: 2–4 minutes.
Dried tagliatelle: 7–10 minutes
Final Thoughts
This tagliatelle pasta recipe delivers authenticity without intimidation. It respects Italian technique while fitting American kitchens. It uses logic instead of gimmicks. It tastes better than boxed pasta. And it gives you full control over ingredients.
Cooking fresh pasta feels like a skill upgrade. It builds confidence and flavor at the same time.
And if anyone asks where you learned this?
Just say: “Italy. Through my kitchen.”
Bicky is the founder and recipe creator of FoodViebs, a food blog dedicated to sharing simple, delicious, and home-style recipes. With a strong passion for cooking and experimenting in the kitchen, Bicky creates easy-to-follow recipes using everyday ingredients that anyone can cook with confidence.
Every recipe on FoodViebs is personally tested and written with clear, step-by-step instructions to help home cooks achieve perfect results. Bicky believes that homemade food is healthier, tastier, and brings families closer together.
Through FoodViebs, Bicky aims to inspire people to enjoy cooking, explore new flavours, and prepare restaurant-style dishes at home with ease.
[…] also find many other great pasta recipes here that you should definitely try. Tagliatelle Pasta Recipe and Red Pepper Pasta […]