In Her Head

A look inside my mind: A practical space for all humans to share what makes them happy.

Beware: Enter with an open mindset & you might learn something cool. Stick around & I hope you always feel supported enough to share your thoughts/feelings so that I could also learn something cool too. Sharing together is how we all get better after all.

Welcome to my headspace. It’s chaos here, I am not going to lie. However, I know for a fact that I am not the only one that struggles with keeping everything together in this day and age. My name is Torie and I am a 31 year old Mom from West Virginia who is determined to get back to myself all while hoping to inspire other humans to follow suit. I am working with myself and my family to find what works for us to live the happiest and healthiest lives, full of love, learning, and adventure. Over the past year or so, we set a goal to start approaching decisions based on how much VALUE it would add to our lives. This was one of the best things we did for our growth together. This blog is a space for me to attempt to give voice to the chaos in my mind – using the writing as an outlet to help myself grow in a new direction.

Always down for a cute but casual, ‘semi pinterest’ outfit.

I am an avid fan of traveling within realistic means, healing with the help of countless hours of music, exploring with my family and pup, creating beautiful homemade pasta (that anyone can do – for real!), unique flowers are a whole love language and personally love taking full advantage of the dopamine decor trend. Welcome to the party!

Pellet Smoker? It can’t be that easy, right? WRONG

Torie| In my mind

Mastering the Art of Smoking with a Pellet Smoker: From Brisket to Veggies

If you love cooking outdoors, you’ve probably heard of a pellet smoker, a versatile cooking tool that’s perfect for smoking, grilling, and everything in between. Whether you’re a seasoned pitmaster or just starting out, a pellet smoker offers endless possibilities when it comes to flavor and convenience. We decided on a recteq smoker & this has been a game changer for cooking in our household. Richard can get fancy with his friends if they are having smoking competitions AND I am able to master any recipe I feel brave enough to try from time to time.

Smoking All Kinds of Food

One of the best features of a pellet smoker is its ability to handle a wide variety of foods. Of course, we all know and love the classics like smoked brisket, ribs, and pulled pork. But have you ever tried smoking a whole chicken, seafood, or even vegetables? The consistent, low-and-slow heat from a pellet smoker infuses food with rich, smoky flavor, while the even cooking temperature ensures your dish is tender and juicy. The best part? You can find pellets of all sorts! We are currently in a phase of exploring charcoal pellets, but I will link multiple other yummy flavors we have loved below!

Imagine smoky salmon, charred peppers, or even smoked mac ‘n’ cheese—all with that signature wood-fired taste. As stated above, you can experiment with different types of wood pellets (like hickory, apple, or mesquite) to create unique flavor profiles depending on what you are cooking. The possibilities are endless!

Grill and Smoke with One Device

What makes a pellet smoker stand out is its versatility. With the push of a button, it can switch from low-temperature smoking to high-temperature grilling & all of the specific temperatures in between! This means you can smoke a rack of ribs low and slow in the morning, then turn the heat up to grill burgers or sear steaks in the evening. It’s the best of both worlds—no need to invest in multiple devices. I love that we save space on our back porch by only having one apparatus that can do it all, that leaves the girls & Watson room to play, us room for furniture & less eye sores – though, I will have to admit, I personally really like the aesthetic of the smoker that we invested in.

The Perks of Digital Control

Gone are the days of babysitting your smoker all day long and hoping you got the temperature just right. Most pellet smokers come with digital temperature controls and automatic on/off features, allowing you to set your desired cooking temp and walk away. Whether you’re smoking for hours or grilling dinner in a pinch, the smoker maintains a steady temperature, ensuring your food is cooked to perfection.

The convenience of simply pressing a button to ignite the smoker or adjust the heat lets you focus on the fun part—cooking and enjoying delicious food.

Conclusion

A pellet smoker is the ultimate backyard tool for anyone who loves great food and the outdoors. From smoking all types of meats and vegetables to grilling up a quick dinner, its versatility, ease of use, and digital features make it a must-have for any home cook looking to elevate their culinary game. If you are looking for new options for your family, working to find new ways to cook your favorite foods, a gift for a loved one, I can assure you, this smoker will not disappoint!

So, select what sounds yummy, purchase some complimentary flavored pellets and fire up that pellet smoker, try something new, and enjoy the rich flavors of wood-smoked goodness!

Specific Product Links:

RecTec Smoker

Variety Wood Pellets

Charcoal Pellets

How to Create Sheet Ghosts from Egg Cartons: A Fun, Easy Halloween Craft

Torie| DIY Crafts

Halloween is just around the corner, and what better way to get into the spooky spirit than by crafting adorable sheet ghosts from egg cartons? This budget-friendly and eco-friendly project is perfect for both kids and adults looking to add some handmade flair to their Halloween décor. Plus, it’s an excellent way to recycle those empty egg cartons! In this step-by-step guide, I’ll show you how to create your own spooky ghost decorations and recommend the best paint brands and brushes to make your craft shine.

P.S. This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Materials You’ll Need:

Empty egg cartons
White paint
Paintbrushes
Black paint
Scissors
Paper (scrapbooking, colored, cardstock, etc)
Picture Frames (various sizes – use what you got!)
Spray Glitter and Glow in the dark paint (optional, but fun!)

Step 1: Prep Your Egg Cartons

Start by cutting apart the egg cups from your empty egg carton. Each individual egg cup CAN make two ghosts if you are careful, so cut as many as you’d like to make. I found it easiest to cut the entire egg cup out first, then cut from the base to the top on the flat edged side worked best.

Pro tip: Use quality scissors for cleaner cuts, especially if you’re crafting with kids. The egg cartons aren’t delicate, but they do tend to tear if you aren’t careful. Noah LOVES cutting her own crafts, so we have “my size” scissors in all our craft areas. Simple mom win.

Step 2: Paint Your Egg Carton Cups

Once you’ve cut the egg carton into individual ‘ghosts’, it’s time to paint! Using white puff paint, give each egg cup a generous coat to make it look like a true ghost. We chose to use puff paint, because it is what we had, but I found that it really makes the ghosts more “sheet” looking with the layered textures. The coverage was smooth, and the brilliant finish really makes the ghosts pop against the backgrounds we chose. Though, because we applied generous amounts for the ghost appearance, these did take longer than it stated to dry, which was okay with us because it was worth it.

Step 3: Add Ghost Faces

Once the white puff paint has totally dried, it’s time to give your ghost some personality! Using the black puff paint, draw on eyes and a spooky mouth (if you wish). Keep the faces simple for a more classic look or get creative by adding different expressions. We liked the simple look in our house.

Step 4: Create the Sheet Ghost Background

Now comes the fun part—creating the ghost’s “home”. Grab some scrapbooking paper for something themed, have fun painting your own backgrounds OR combine a little personal art with some scrapbook paper for a unique design. Once you have what you are going for, it is time to glue the background directly to the front of the frame – we found this gave the art a more authentic look. You can put the background in the frame and then attach the ghost on top if you wish as well.

In true Noah fashion, she was doing her own art project in the moment.

Tip: We opted to both paint & use scrapbook paper for the combined look. I have had extra for a while I am trying to work through, but below I posted a link for a similar theme that you can try! For the best results in our house, we find it most useful to have multiple paint brushes and water cups (for cleaning) around. It keeps the kids entertained, but it also somewhat maintains the integrity of the individual paint colors for a tad while longer and that makes my OCD side happy. These brushes give everyone (you know the parents got in on this fun too) different options and the supplies needed to stay somewhat tidy. They are also easy to store in a small container & keep handy for other fun craft ideas!

Step 5: Assemble and Display

Once your ghosts are dried and ready, it is time to attach them to your background frame! We had 4×4 gallery frames and other various 4×6 frames, so we chose to use these. We also had a certificate frame we repurposed for our family portrait. I linked some similar options below if you don’t have any on hand.

You can also leave them standing or string them up with some fishing line to hang them around the house. These little ghosties make a perfect addition to your Halloween decorations, whether you place them on your mantle, use them as table centerpieces, or hang them by the front door to greet trick-or-treaters.

We, the parents, used hot glue gun to construct all elements of this craft. You can use all types of adhesives (if it is compatible with your materials).

Bonus Tips for the Perfect Craft:

Glow in the Dark: If you want to take your ghosts to the next level, use glow-in-the-dark paint like for an eerie effect when the lights go out! Spray glitter on the background you create, the ghosties OR BOTH!

Why This Craft is Perfect for Halloween

Not only is this DIY project easy and inexpensive, but it’s also a fantastic way to repurpose egg cartons that would otherwise be tossed. You get to turn everyday materials into charming and spooky decorations for Halloween, while keeping things semi eco-friendly.

Plus, you can customize the size and style of your ghosts to fit your décor needs. Whether you prefer a small army of mini-ghosts or larger, more dramatic ones, this craft is as versatile as it is fun.

Assembling the ghosts on the different textured and colored backgrounds was just as fun for me. I opted for a collage type approach and was truly happy with the results.

Final Thoughts

Creating these cute sheet ghosts from egg cartons is a simple, engaging craft perfect for kids and adults alike. However, I will tell you I found it much easier with the way our day was going to assemble the final products kid-less. This was less stress on everyone and the kid’s had more fun building forts anyways.

Plus, with this craft not only will you be recycling materials, but you’ll also be adding some handmade charm to your Halloween setup. Be sure to grab high-quality paints and brushes to make the project smoother and more enjoyable. For all the supplies mentioned, you can find them on Amazon by following the links.

Now, gather your materials, get crafting, and enjoy the spooky season with your new sheet ghost friends!

Specific Product Links:

Tulip Puff Paint Slick White

Tulip Puff Paint Slick Black

Vintage Scrapbooking Supplies Scrapbook Paper

Surebonder Cordless Hot Glue Gun

BigOtters Painting Brushes

LIVINGO Small School Student Blunt Kids Craft Scissors

MCS Format Picture Frames, Gallery Wall Frames, Black, 4 x 4

Picture Frames Set of 8, Rustic Picture Frames Multi Wood-Color, 4×6

FolkArt Glow-in-the-Dark Acrylic Paint

Krylon K03804A00 Glitter Blast Glitter Spray Paint for Craft Projects

Happy crafting!

Our final product! I love that we turned our egg carton trash into a cute Halloween decoration we will display for years to come!

How to Build an Indoor Rock Wall : Step-by-Step Guide

Torie| DIY 'Honey Do' Projects

If you’re looking to create an exciting indoor rock wall at home, you’re in for a rewarding DIY project that brings fun, fitness, and adventure indoors. Building an indoor climbing wall on an inside wall is a great way to maximize unused space and create an active play area for the whole family. Whether you’re an experienced climber or a beginner, this guide will walk you through the entire process, including the necessary tools and materials for each step.

This was one of the most creative, big pieces we have attacked together (excluding the full demo of the last house lol). We definitely hit some road bumps, but we were able to use the mistakes to our advantage and except for the fact I will tell you upfront, you would never guess in the end there was some improvising along the way!

P.S. This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Step 1: Choose the Right Location and Plan Your Wall

The first step is to choose the right location for your rock wall. If you’re installing it on an exterior wall like we did, you’ll want to ensure the wall is structurally sound, preferably on a concrete or brick surface, which will provide the strength and support needed to hold the climbing holds. We unfortunately were not so lucky to have either previously mounted surface, so we opted to build an additional wall frame to allow for the 2×4 worth of space between the actual wall & the plywood climbing wall.

Tools for Planning:

Measuring Tape: Measure the dimensions of the wall area. You can use any tape measure you have lying around. We chose to use our laser tape measure that we use for literally everything. I am not a tool person, but this has been well worth the investment over time.
Stud Finder: Use this to locate studs in the wall if necessary*.
Pencil and Level: Mark where you want the climbing holds, ensuring they’re aligned using a level. Again, a tool well worth the investment in our household is our laser level – this saves us “hold it still!” arguments in our house & that is worth it in my book.

Tip: Plan the wall’s height and width based on your space, leaving enough room around the area for safety mats or crash pads. A height of around 8-10 feet is typical for an indoor rock wall in homes.

Step 2: Select Your Plywood and Climbing Holds

Once you’ve chosen the location, you’ll need to install plywood panels onto the exterior wall. These panels will serve as the base to which you’ll attach the climbing holds. Use 3/4-inch thick plywood sheets for durability and stability. We chose to build a wall frame that we covered with plywood so that we did not anchor the holds into the actual wall in our house. We did this with the thought if we ever took it down, there would be less visible damage to have to repair.

Tools and Materials for Installation:

3/4-inch Plywood Sheets: Standard 4×8 plywood panels from our local hardware store
Circular Saw: To cut the plywood to fit your wall space and spare blades if necessary
Drill with Driver Bits: For screwing the plywood into the wall.
Wood Screws (3 inches): Use these to securely attach the plywood to the studs or wall anchors. We had these on hand, but they can also be found at local hardware stores.

Tip: Sand the edges of your plywood after cutting to prevent splinters. Pre-drill holes for the climbing holds before attaching the plywood to the wall for easier installation later.

Step 3: Mount the Plywood to the Exterior Wall

Now it’s time to install the plywood onto the wall. For this step, you’ll attach the plywood directly to the studs if you’re building over drywall or if you build the additional exterior frame, like we did. If you’re mounting to a concrete or brick wall, you’ll need to use anchors to secure the plywood.

Tools and Materials for Mounting:

Stud Finder (if mounting on a framed wall): Locate and mark the studs.
Masonry Drill Bit (if mounting on concrete or brick): Use a masonry bit to drill anchor holes.
Wall Anchors or Concrete Anchors: Choose anchors rated for heavy loads, like Tapcon Concrete Anchors, for mounting into brick or concrete.
Impact Driver: To drive the screws or anchors into the wall.

Steps for Stud Mounting:

Find the studs behind the drywall.
Attach the plywood directly into the studs using 3-inch wood screws, spaced about every 12 inches.

Richard is always down for a project like this thankfully. We had that light switch we wanted to have hidden as well as not damage the walls directly in the event we ever wanted to remove or move this fun piece.

Steps for Concrete/Brick Mounting:

Drill pilot holes into the brick or concrete using the masonry drill bit.
Insert the concrete anchors and use the impact driver to secure the plywood sheets.

Step 4: Install T-Nuts for Climbing Holds

T-nuts are metal nuts embedded into the plywood to allow easy attachment and reattachment of climbing holds. These are crucial for creating a modular rock wall where you can change the route over time. NOTE: all the necessary hardware came included with the holds that we purchased that I have linked below. If you choose alternate holds, just double check you have what you need before you get started!

Tools and Materials for T-Nut Installation:

T-Nuts: Get 3/8-inch T-nuts, which are standard for most climbing holds.
Hammer: To insert the T-nuts into the plywood.
Drill with Spade Bit: Use a 7/16-inch bit to drill holes for the T-nuts (or whatever will fit your holds).

Steps:

Drill holes into the plywood in a grid pattern, spacing them 8-12 inches apart OR put them in wherever you believe will work with your design plan – just remember the tiny humans that will be trying to climb this when choosing spacing.
Insert the T-nuts from the back of the plywood and hammer them into place. Make sure they sit flush to the plywood to allow the bolts for the holds to thread properly.

Step 5: Attach the Climbing Holds

Once the T-nuts are installed, it’s time to attach the climbing holds. You can purchase holds in various shapes, sizes, and difficulty levels, depending on who will be using the wall. We were really pleased with the ease and included instructions/hardware with the holds we purchased. We also opted to purchase 2 packs of the holds just to give the wall more options.

Tools and Materials for Attaching Holds:

Climbing Holds: Buy a set that includes the necessary mounting
Hex Head Bolts: Use 3/8-inch bolts, which are typically included with climbing holds.

Steps:

Thread the bolts through the climbing holds and into the T-nuts.
Use the Allen wrench to securely tighten the holds.

Tip: Start with an easier setup if the wall is for children or beginners by spacing larger holds closer together. You can adjust the difficulty by switching out holds or changing their layout.

Step 6: Ensure Safety

Safety is crucial when building a climbing wall. Ensure that there is enough padding or crash mats under the wall to cushion falls. You can purchase crash pads designed for bouldering or use gym mats. We have a Nugget Couch in our house that we place at the base of the wall, but we have also purchased the below set up that we use as a backup for jumping off the rock wall.

Our kids find jumping down from the wall just as fun, if not MORE fun than climbing the wall… I HIGHLY recommend investing in a crash pad of sorts.

Safety Gear and Materials:

Crash Pads or Foam Mats: Place these under the climbing area to protect climbers from injury.
Helmet (Optional): For beginners, especially kids, using a helmet can add extra protection.

Step 7: Customize and Enjoy Your Climbing Wall

Now that your climbing wall is installed, you can customize it by adding different types of holds, setting new routes, or even painting the wall for a personalized look. You can also install accessories like hang boards or rope ladders to expand the climbing experience in the future if you have the space!

We wanted to paint a rather “complex” (aka not one singular color) design on our wall, so we did this portion prior to installing the rock wall on the indoor wall. This is totally up to you. Just be sure that you orient your design/painting the correct way – you wouldn’t want to go install the wall only to realize you painted half the mural upside-down and must redo it………. I promise.

We also chose to paint the plywood a base coat of white – this was just to stick to using what we had available. Knowing there were lighter blues and yellows, we thought white would provide a better base for more vibrant colors.

Also, you will see a trend – my friends are the absolute best. Here is Steph, taking time out of her busy life to hang and help paint things in a messy garage.

Customization Tools:

Paint: Add a custom color or design to your plywood! Here is where you get to have fun! We used paint we had around the house from painting the interior bedrooms, etc when we moved in. It worked perfectly for us!
Tape: I wanted precision lines, so we tried the sharp line painters tape – it did not disappoint!
Paint Brushes: We used what we had on hand from painting the entire house – these brushes were super easy to clean and I liked how they applied the paint we were using.
Route-Setting Tape: Mark different climbing routes for added challenges. We didn’t want to do this, but the choice is yours!

Fun Tip: I thought it would be fun if the “mountains & snow” in our mural matched the glow in the dark holds. The room gets a lot of natural light which would allow the wall to ‘charge’ if you will. I used glow paint and hand painted over all of the white myself (as you will most likely be able to tell, I did this quickly ha) to add a surprise touch. The kids love turning out the lights to enjoy the wall in its glowing glory! Plus parents remember – the kids love that IT GLOWS, not that it is “perfect” – this was a great lesson in loosing up for me I must admit.

Final Thoughts

Building an indoor rock wall was fun and rewarding project that has offered our home endless hours of climbing and jumping fun. By following these steps and using the recommended tools, you’ll have a sturdy, functional climbing wall ready for action in no time. Whether you’re setting up for family fun or personal training, your new rock wall will bring adventure right into your home.

Now, grab your tools and get creating!

Tools Recap:

FolkArt glow in the dark Acrylic paint

Purdy XL 1, 1-1/2 and 2 in. W Assorted Polyester Paint Brush Set

ScotchBlue Sharp Lines Multi-Surface Painter’s Tape

Lunix LX15 14pcs Modular Kids Play Couch, Child Sectional Sofa

ESTWING Hammer – 16 oz Straight Rip Claw with Smooth Face & Shock Reduction Grip

Glow-in-Dark Kids Rock Climbing Holds – 15 Luminous Glow in The Dark Colorful Holds

DEWALT 20V MAX Cordless Drill and Impact Driver, Power Tool Combo Kit with 2 Batteries and Charger

DEWALT Circular Saw Blade, 7 1/4 Inch, 60 Tooth, Wood Cutting

DEWALT 7-1/4-Inch Circular Saw, Lightweight, Corded (DWE575)

DEWALT Line Laser, Self-Leveling, Cross Line, Red Beam

Dewalt DW0150 1-1/2 in. Stud Finder

Dewalt Atomic Compact Series 30′ Tape Measure

BOSCH GLM165-40 Blaze 165 Ft Laser Distance Measure

Tapcon 28360 3/16×2-1/4 Blue Star Drive Bugle Head Concrete Anchors 75/Box

Happy building, designing and climbing!

Homemade Pasta: a how to guide for those looking to create Fresh, Delicious Pasta at Home

Torie| Pasta

There’s nothing quite like the taste of fresh, homemade pasta. Whether you’re craving tender fettuccine, delicate ravioli, or classic spaghetti, making pasta from scratch is a game-changer for any home cook. And guess what? It’s not as complicated as you might think and even the kiddos can help! With just a few simple ingredients, a little bit of patience, and some incredibly helpful (yet NOT necessary) you can create restaurant-quality pasta right in your own kitchen. Plus, there’s something incredibly satisfying about rolling out dough, cutting noodles, and serving up a dish that you crafted entirely by hand.

In this short read, I’ll walk you through the basics of making homemade pasta, from the essential ingredients to step-by-step instructions. If you’re new to pasta making this will help you have the confidence to turn flour and eggs into delicious, fresh pasta that will impress your family and friends.

P.S. This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

What You’ll Need to Make Homemade Pasta

One of the best things about making pasta from scratch is that you only need a few basic ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need to get started:

Flour: The most common types of flour used for pasta are all-purpose and semolina. All-purpose flour is great for beginners, as it’s easy to work with and widely available. For a more authentic, slightly chewier texture, you can try semolina flour or even mix it with all-purpose (equal ratio). For those that prefer Gluten free options, this is also possible! I wouldn’t recommend for beginners, as the dough is harder to work with; however, we will cover that in another post.
Eggs: Eggs provide richness and structure to the pasta dough. The classic ratio is 1 egg per 100 grams (about ¾ cup) of flour, but you can adjust this depending on the size of your batch. I enjoy adding eggs if I am aiming for a heavier, denser noodle. Eggs make an incredible difference with stews, soups, and meat dishes!
Salt: A pinch of salt adds flavor to the dough, although some purists prefer to skip it and add salt to the pasta water instead.
Olive Oil (optional): Some recipes call for a little olive oil in the dough for added smoothness and elasticity, but this is entirely optional.

I prefer to use Semolina flour over the other options – I think it makes for a much smoother dough to work with. I have found you get the most for your dollars when you order this from Amazon! Also, eggs are entirely optional in this process. I enjoy adding eggs if I am aiming for a heavier, denser noodle. Eggs make an incredible difference with stews, soups, and meat dishes! If we are going straight Italian, I usually skip the eggs. Salt in the dough is a must (assuming I don’t forget, then water it is) and I always make sure to have olive oil on deck just in case!

For supplies, you’ll need:

A large mixing bowl for kneading
Flour (King Arthur Premium Semolina Flour is what I love using)
Wax paper
A rolling pin or pasta machine to roll out the dough.
Ravioli rolling pin – optional (but incredibly fun)
A pasta cutter or pizza cutter for cutting the pasta into shapes.

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Homemade Pasta

Step 1: Make the Dough

Start by piling your flour on a clean surface and creating a well in the center, almost like forming a volcano. Crack the eggs into the well, add a pinch of salt, and use a fork to gently whisk the eggs, slowly incorporating the flour from the sides. Continue until the mixture forms a shaggy dough.

If the dough is too dry, add a little water; if it’s too wet, sprinkle in more flour. Once it holds together, knead the dough by hand for about 8-10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. The key to good pasta dough is in the kneading—don’t rush this step!

Step 2: Rest the Dough

After kneading, wrap the dough in plastic wrap or cover it with a clean kitchen towel. Let it rest for at least 30 minutes. This allows the gluten to relax, making the dough easier to roll out.

Step 3: Roll Out the Dough

Once your dough has rested, it’s time to roll it out. If you’re using a rolling pin, divide the dough into smaller sections and roll it out as thin as possible. Using a rolling pin I have found is helpful even if you are opting to put the pasta through a machine as well. If using a pasta machine, start at the widest setting and run the dough through several times, folding it over after each pass, to build strength. Gradually decrease the machine’s thickness setting until the dough is paper-thin. Also, if using a pasta machine, the brand/unit will often give recommendations for thickness settings based on the type of pasta you are looking to make – it does make a difference!

Hot Tip: Using a machine to make pasta makes the entire process significantly easier – I do recommend the ‘proper tools’ for this so you set yourself up for success!

Step 4: Cut the Pasta

Now comes the fun part—cutting the pasta! If you’re making long noodles like fettuccine or tagliatelle, roll the dough into a loose cylinder and slice it into thin strips with a knife or pizza cutter. For ravioli, cut the dough into squares and stuff them with your favorite fillings. Ravioli are very fun to make if you enjoy stuffed pasta! You can get seasonally or taste specific for the filling and have fun experimenting. I bought this rolling pin to help make ravioli and it was an amazing addition to the pasta tool collection! If you’re feeling adventurous, try shaping orecchiette or even hand-rolled pici! The options are endless, and the best news is no matter how the shapes turn out, the pasta will taste amazing!

Have fun creating stuffed pasta a variety of ways!

Step 5: Cook the Pasta

Fresh pasta cooks much faster than dried pasta—typically only 2-3 minutes in boiling salted water. Watch closely to avoid overcooking. Once it’s al dente, drain the pasta, but save a little bit of the cooking water to help bind your sauce. I have found this is a great time to add a bit of olive oil to help the pasta not stick together! I also save some pasta water for this purpose too.

Tips for Perfecting Your Pasta

Use a Pasta Machine: While rolling out dough by hand works well, a pasta machine makes it much easier to achieve thin, even sheets. It’s especially helpful if you’re making a large batch.
Don’t Skip the Resting Period: Resting the dough is crucial for a smooth texture. It allows the gluten to relax, making it easier to roll and less likely to shrink back when stretched.
Flour Lightly: When rolling out and cutting the dough, sprinkle it with just enough flour to prevent sticking, but not so much that it becomes dry or tough. Same goes for your hands!
Experiment with Flavors: Once you’ve mastered basic pasta, try adding fresh herbs, spinach, or even squid ink to the dough for a colorful twist. This part is SO fun! Be on the lookout for future posts covering this topic!

The Joy of Fresh Pasta

There’s something incredibly rewarding about making pasta from scratch. The process itself can be meditative, from the rhythmic kneading of the dough to the delicate cutting of noodles. And the result? Fresh pasta that’s tender, flavorful, and infinitely customizable. Whether you’re serving it with a simple marinara, a creamy Alfredo, or stuffed with ricotta for ravioli, the flavor and texture of homemade pasta are worlds apart from store-bought varieties.

So why not give it a try? With just a handful of ingredients and a bit of time, you’ll be able to craft delicious, fresh pasta that will impress your family and friends. Plus, once you get the hang of it, you can experiment with different shapes, flavors, and sauces to create your own signature dishes. The pride you feel is incredibly worth it, I promise!

Happy pasta making!