Kamut is the coolest grain in town. The really neat thing about it is that unlike other grains, it has to be organic, or it’s not Kamut. It has a beautiful buttery yellow colour, a nice texture similar to semolina, and a rich flavour. It’s my favourite.
The real name is Khorasan wheat, but it’s usually called Kamut as it’s what’s on the front of the package. Khorasan wheat is an ancient grain, a precursor to modern wheat. Like all wheat-y grains, it probably originated in the fertile crescent.
Though Kamut can be a bit tricky to find, it’s getting easier and easier, with a number of companies now stocking it in various forms in North America (a bit harder to find in Europe, still, but possible).
Khorasan wheat is mostly grown in the Canadian prairies and American midwest these days – meaning it’s grown close to where I grew up in Canada and was easily available years ago in Manitoba. Flourist out of BC used to carry it – it doesn’t look like they are right now – but Bob’s Red Mill does, and you might even be able to find a farmer growing it in your region.
Let’s talk about kamut pasta
The best thing about using this flour for pasta is how similar the texture is to semolina and soft wheat pasta despite being whole grain. It’s easy to work with, too, and has a gorgeous colour even without eggs.
If you haven’t tried whole grain pasta before, or you’d like to shift into a healthy pasta variety but want to keep a very similar texture and flavour to white pasta, this is what you need. Kamut pasta is as close as it gets, and so much better than plain old whole wheat.
You can buy it but it usually costs upwards of $5 a pack, which gets pretty pricey. Make it at home for less than $1 a batch and it’ll be much tastier (as fresh pasta always is) as well as a fun weekend project. Pasta making is the best of slow food.
With eggs or without
I tried making kamut pasta with eggs a couple times, but found this version both tastier and easier to work with. It’s a much softer dough. If you like plenty of bite, you can try adding a couple eggs in place of the water.
If it’s your first time making pasta, try it with water first – especially if you’re rolling it by hand. The egg version was impossible with a rolling pin. We had three people going in turns, and I’m pretty sure my rolling pin just about snapped in half.
Do I need a pasta machine?
No, but it’ll make your life a lot easier. I usually can’t be bothered to make it by hand – it doesn’t help that my kitchen is absolutely minuscule – but this is simple to make with a machine. I use this pasta maker. My mom has the larger version of this electric one which also works great for this recipe.
If you’re used to making pasta, treat this like any other dough. It goes through the rollers easily, cuts well with a bit of flour, and dries normally. You can see some step by step photos in the post so you know what to look for regarding texture before and while rolling.
Some recipes for your homemade kamut pasta
One of my favourite ways to eat fresh pasta is as pictured – very simply with a squeeze of lemon, a drizzle of olive oil, pepper, and some greens. But if you need some more inspiration for some great vegan pasta, here you go!
Lentil Bolognese
Roasted Summer Vegetable Pasta
Hummus and Greens Pasta
Vegan Pumpkin Pasta
Winter Green Pasta
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Kamut Pasta
Instructions
- Add the flour to a large bowl and make a well in the centre. Add the water and vinegar. Using a wooden spoon or your hands, slowly bring the flour to the centre of the bowl and mix, always moving from the outside in.
- Mix for a minute or two, until a stiff dough forms. If it still isn’t coming together after mixing for a while, add water by the tablespoonful until it does. It should be crumbly but hold together when pressed (see photos).
- Transfer the dough to a clean worktop. Knead for about 5 minutes, or until a smooth ball of dough forms. It will feel quite hard but should be almost silky to touch.
- Wrap the dough in a tea towel and cover with a bowl. Let it rest at room temperature for at least 30 minutes. Alternatively, refrigerate for up to 24 hours and bring back to room temperature before rolling.
- Once the dough has rested, cut it into 4 equal pieces. Using your hands, flatten each piece to about 2cm / 1 in. thick. Generously coat the pieces in flour, then roll through the thickest setting on your pasta maker.
- Continue rolling the dough, going through the thickest setting several times, folding a few times, before moving to the next setting. Add flour to coat as needed. I usually go to number 6 before moving on to cutting, but follow your machine instructions.
- Once the dough has been rolled out to the desired thickness, sprinkle the sheets with some more flour and then cut into your desired pasta shapes. Place the cut pasta onto a wooden drying apparatus while you cut the remaining sheets, or coat with a light dusting of flour and make nests to set aside.
- Depending on how you’ve cut it, the pasta will need different cooking times. Generally 2-3 minutes in well-salted water at a rolling boil will do it.
- To store the pasta, dry on a rack for about 24 hours, or until fully dry, and store in a sealed container for up to a month.
Notes
** The vinegar makes it more tender. You can leave it out or use lemon juice instead.
Nutrition
Newsletter
This post was originally published in October 2015. It has been updated as of February 2020 with new photos and updates to the recipe and text.
susan gordon says
I've never made pasta, before. Could you give instructions how to knead this in a stand mixer, if you know, please? Would I need to do the first step, first, manually, or can all the ingredients be put, directly, into the bowl of the stand mixer? If so, would I use the flat beater, first, to combine the ingredients, and then switch to the dough hook?
Victor Yepello says
A pasta dough is way too stiff for a stand mixer. It’s possible in a food processor to a point. Once it comes together, the pasta machine will help you to knead it. Set it to the thickest setting and put the sough through here a half dozen times then for a ball and allow it to rest according to the recipe directions above.
Note- when using the food processor, you will have to test for enough water in the dough betaking a bit of it and pinching it with your fingers to see if it holds together.
Elle says
You’ve got the idea. Yes! KitchenAid stand mixer‘s work great for this recipe. Start out with the mixing blade. After the dough begins to come together, put on your dough hook to complete the task.
Emma Simuns says
These look fabulous! It's great to see a noodle recipe using KAMUT(r) Brand wheat that's vegan. We would love to add this to our recipe database on our website, with proper attribution and a link back to your site. Please let us know if that is something you're interested in. I also wanted to leave a little more information about KAMUT(r) brand wheat for you.
KAMUT® Brand khorasan is an organic, non-genetically modified, ancient wheat variety similar to durum. In 1990, “KAMUT” was registered as a trademark by the Quinn family in order to support organic farming and preserve the ancient khorasan wheat variety. Under the KAMUT® Brand name, this khorasan wheat must always be grown organically, never be hybridized or modified, and contain high levels of purity and nutrition. Today, Kamut International owns and has registered the KAMUT® trademark in over 40 countries, and is responsible for protection and marketing of all KAMUT® Brand khorasan wheat throughout the world.
KAMUT® wheat is grown on dryland certified organic farms primarily in Montana, Alberta, and Saskatchewan. The grain is prized by consumers who appreciate the grain for its high energy nutrition, easy digestibility, nutty/buttery taste, and firm texture. KAMUT® khorasan wheat is higher in protein, selenium, amino acids, and Vitamin E than most modern wheat and contains essential minerals such as magnesium and zinc. It is used as whole grain berries, whole grain flour, white flour, flakes, and puffs to make a variety of products. Some specific benefits of using KAMUT® khorasan are receiving more nutrients, protein, and taste than most commonly consumed whole wheat – plus supporting organic agriculture and helping to preserve an ancient grain.
KAMUT® khorasan is a variety of wheat thus has gluten content. A lot of people who are not able to tolerate wheat tell us that they are able to tolerate KAMUT® khorasan wheat. KI has ongoing research to understand why – it is our theory that because KAMUT® khorasan is an ancient grain, it retains the qualities that made it desirable so many years ago.
Please visit the Kamut International website at kamut.com to learn more. And follow us on Facebook and Twitter to keep up with the latest news!
My kind regards – Emma
Emma Simuns | Office Executive Assistant
Kamut International, Ltd.
P.O. Box 4903 | Missoula, MT 59806 | USA
406.251.9418 phone | 406.251.9420 fax
[email protected]
DeAnn says
All I can say is Yes, yes, yes!
englishbaker says
Thanks for that – I made it and it was delicious.
Wanda says
Can you use this dough for potstickers.
Alexandra Daum says
Hi Wanda, I’ve never tried it! If other pasta dough works for potstickers, then this probably would.
Delina says
I loved your post!
I’ve recently started making Greek yogurt and end up with about a cup of sweet whey. Because whey is loaded with protein and vitamins, I tried adding it to the kamut pasta I make. I use eggs and whey and it is the tastiest pasta that I’ve made! If you ever strain yogurt, keep the whey and use it in your pasta.
SD says
Made this today with a white sauce and steamed vegetables. It was so delish! It reminded of whole wheat in texture and taste. Thank you for this recipe.
SD says
Made this today with a white sauce and steamed vegetables. It was so delish! It reminded of whole wheat in texture and taste. Thank you for this recipe.
Danielle says
Your recipe looks wonderful. I started to mill my own flour recently, I don’t have this type, but I have Red Fife wheat grains, would it be ok? Thank you!
Alexandra Daum says
Hi Danielle, I haven’t tried this with Red Fife, but it should be about the same. You may need slightly more flour but play around with it a bit. I would recommend using weights if you’re milling it yourself!