Step 1

If you are preparing both pasta doughs (for a dual-color effect once cooked), prepare each dough, one at a time, according to the instructions below. If you prefer to make one pound of just one type of dough, double the recipe quantities for that dough and proceed as follows – but portion the kneaded dough into four pieces for rolling, instead of just two.

Step 2

Prepare the pasta dough: In a small bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, semolina, and salt. Place the dry ingredients in a pile on a clean countertop and create a well in the center with your hands. Make sure the sides of the well are deep enough to hold the wet ingredients.

Step 3

Add the eggs (and beet puree, if preparing the beet pappardelle). Using a fork, whisk the eggs together. Continue to whisking the eggs, slowly adding the flour mixture from sides of the well into the egg mixture. Keep working until the dough is shaggy and just beginning to come together, and the egg mixture is no longer runny.

Step 4

Using floured hands (or a bench scraper), continue to incorporate any remaining dry ingredients into the dough until it comes together. Knead the dough, dusting it with all-purpose flour as necessary to keep it from sticking to the countertop, for 10 minutes until it is smooth and very elastic. It should be slightly tacky, but not sticky. Divide the dough in half, flatten into a thick disk using your palm, and wrap each portion tightly in plastic wrap. Allow the dough to rest at room temperature for 30 minutes or up to 1 hour.

Step 5

Roll the Pasta Dough: Line a sheet pan with parchment paper (or dust lightly with semolina flour) and set aside. Working with one portion of dough at a time, unwrap the dough from the plastic wrap and lightly dust with flour (as it rests, it will absorb the flour and become more tacky). Flatten the dough into an oval that is no more than ½-inch thick. Gently feed the dough (at the largest-width setting) through an electric or manual pasta machine. Repeat four more times, dusting the dough lightly with flour if it is sticking.

Step 6

Continue to roll the pasta dough through the machine, adjusting the knob by one turn – slowly narrowing the opening with each turn –  until you reach setting “4” on your pasta machine (or to your desired thickness). Cut the sheet of pasta in half. At this point, you can trim and discard any scraggly ends or sides. Place the sheets on the parchment-lined baking sheet and allow to dry for about 5 minutes before cutting. Lightly dust the top of the pasta sheet with flour and fold in half. Dust lightly and fold in half once more. Using a large chef’s knife, cut the pasta lengthwise into ½-inch wide strips. Don’t worry if they are not perfect. Dust with noodles with semolina and gently transfer them to the parchment lined sheet pan (I like to gather them in several small loose nests to make it easy to add them to the past water) until ready to cook. Repeat this process with the remaining portions of pasta dough.

Step 7

Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pappardelle pasta, and stir to prevent any sticking. Cook the pasta, stirring occasionally, until until al-dente (*depending on the thickness of your pasta, the time will vary but it should only take about 2 to 3 minutes at most). Drain and serve pasta as desired.