Follow these steps to bring a bit of my family’s kitchen to yours. Each step is a tribute to the lessons Mama Lou imparted, filled with love and a touch of nostalgia.

1. On a clean countertop, mound the flour and create a well in the center. Crack the eggs into the well, add olive oil, and sprinkle salt around the flour.
2. Using a fork, beat the eggs gently, gradually incorporating the flour starting from the inner rim of the well. Continue until the mixture is too stiff to mix with a fork.
3. Begin kneading the dough by hand, adding water a little at a time if the dough feels too dry. Knead for about 10 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic.
4. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and let it rest for 30 minutes at room temperature. This is the perfect time to prepare your sauce or enjoy a cup of tea, just like Mama Lou did.
5. After resting, divide the dough into four pieces. Roll each piece out using a pasta machine or rolling pin to your desired thickness.
6. Cut the pasta sheets into your preferred shape—fettuccine or tagliatelle work beautifully with this recipe.
7. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta for 2-3 minutes until al dente. Fresh pasta cooks quickly, so keep an eye on it!
8. Drain the pasta and toss it with your homemade tomato sauce. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and garnish with fresh basil leaves.