Step 1

in a skillet fry the Italian sausage, onion and if desired garlic

Step 2

once cooked pour the sausage mixture into the food processor and puree

Step 3

in a bowl mix the ricotta, Parmesan, parsley, spices and the pureed sausage mixture

Step 4

pour the flour on the counter and create a well in the flour

Step 5

add the eggs, salt and olive oil in to the well

Step 6

using a fork beat the eggs adding flour in while your mixing

Step 7

keep going until it's turned into a thick paste and knead in the rest of the flour

Step 8

keep kneading for about 10 mins until it's smooth but not sticky - add more flour as needed

Step 9

divide the dough into 4 pieces and wrap in plastic - let it rest for 30 mins

Step 10

set the pasta machine at the widest level and run through once

Step 11

fold the dough into thirds and run through the machine again and repeat one more time

Step 12

keep passing through the machine getting thinner every other time

Step 13

after a few passes I overlap the ends together and create a tube that just repeats making it easier to run the machine solo

Step 14

run through the machine until it's between 1/32 and 1/64 inches thin (remember it's going to be doubled up so thinner than normal)

Step 15

cut the long strip into two pieces of close to equal length, using a medium cookie scoop, about 1 1/2 Tbsp, add scoops of the filling in two rows down the strip - I got 16 scoops for each 1/4 of the dough I rolled out

Step 16

beat the extra egg and brush it onto the dough between the filling

Step 17

place the second strip of dough on top of the first and press the dough together around the filling - trying your best to press out as much air as you can.

Step 18

using a cutter or pastry wheel cut the pasta apart

Step 19

let the pasta dry for an hour or freeze (I prefer freezing on parchment paper - so the pasta doesn't stick to anything)

Step 20

heat up the sauce

Step 21

bring a pot of water to a boil and boil the pasta for 3-4 mins (3 mins for dry pasta 4 mins for frozen pasta)

Step 22

serve with sauce and add Parmesan and parsley and enjoy!