How to Cut Out Pasta Shapes by Hand Without Using a Machine

Pasta comes in a variety of delicious forms, and while many of the different shapes of pasta require the use of machines to achieve the desired result, there are still some styles of pasta which can be hand cut, adding an extra layer of satisfaction to the meal. Two of the more popular types of pasta to cut from a pasta sheet are pasta noodles or lasagna. Pasta sheets are available for purchase in the pasta section of most grocery stores.

Noodles

• 1

  Lightly flour the top of the pasta sheet. As you are cutting the pasta sheet into smaller noodles, any size pasta sheet can be used.

• 2

  Fold the sheet carefully every 3 to 4 inches, so that you are left with a single rectangle 3 to 4 inches wide, multiple sheets thick.

• 3

  Cut through the rectangle at your desired noodle width using a smooth knife, cutting parallel to the the folds.

• 4

  Separate the noodles on a flat surface to dry for 15 minutes.

Lasagna

• 1

  Cut the pasta sheet into a rectangle suitable for being cut into strips the length needed for the pan you will be using for your lasagna. A common size pan is 9 inches by 13 inches. Use a fluted pastry wheel for all lasagna cuts.

• 2

  Starting at the short edge, cut the lasagna into strips. With a 9-by-13 rectangle, 3 strips 3 inches by 13 inches are cut.

• 3

  Repeat with additional sheets as needed until you have cut enough strips.

• 4

  Lightly dust the strips with flour.

• 5

  Leave the strips out to dry for 15 minutes before use in the lasagna.