Holiday cooking doesn’t have to mean elaborate menus or perfectly set tables. Sometimes, the most memorable dishes are the ones that invite people to slow down, get their hands messy, and play with their food a little. Enter candy cane pasta — a festive, from-scratch take on homemade fettuccine that feels equal parts craft project and comfort meal.

Created by lifestyle creator and natural hostess Imani Fountain, this striped pasta is a fresh spin on traditional pasta-making, using simple techniques and a bold visual twist to turn an everyday staple into something special. By layering thin strips of red-tinted dough into a classic pasta sheet and rolling it through the machine again, the result is a candy cane–inspired noodle that feels super fun and festive, without being too complicated. It’s very much so, a Pinterest-worthy idea.

“I wanted something that felt hands-on and a little magical,” Imani shared with Home & Texture. “Pasta is a simple meal, but adding a holiday twist made it feel like an activity and dinner all in one.”

Best of all, the process is surprisingly approachable—making it ideal for kids, big families, girls’ nights, or cozy date nights at home.

Candy Cane Fettuccine Pasta Recipe

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour

• 3 large eggs

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• 1–2 teaspoons red food coloring

• Pinch of salt

• Extra flour for dusting

Equipment

• KitchenAid stand mixer

• Pasta roller attachment

• Fettuccine cutter attachment

• Bench scraper or knife

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Make the Dough
Divide your ingredients in half to make two doughs. For each batch, combine flour and salt, then add eggs and olive oil. Knead until smooth.

2. Tint One Dough
Add red food coloring to one dough ball and knead until evenly colored. Keep the second dough its natural color.

3. Rest the Dough
Wrap both dough balls in plastic wrap and let rest for 20–30 minutes at room temperature.

4. Roll It Out
Roll both doughs through the pasta roller attachment, gradually thinning to long sheets of equal width.

5. Create the Candy Cane Pattern
Slice the red pasta sheet into thin strips. Lay them diagonally across the white pasta sheet.

6. Fuse the Layers
Run the layered sheet back through the pasta roller to press the red stripes into the white dough.

7. Cut the Pasta
Feed the patterned sheet through the fettuccine cutter attachment.

8. Cook and Serve
Boil in salted water for 2–3 minutes until al dente.

When it came time to serve the candy cane pasta, Imani kept things classic but elevated, finishing the dish with a homemade Alfredo sauce and sautéed shrimp — rich, comforting, and just indulgent enough for a holiday meal. But that’s the beauty of this DIY: the pasta itself is the centerpiece. Once it’s made, you can dress it up or down however you like, from a simple butter and Parmesan finish to marinara or pesto.

At its core, this isn’t just about making pasta — it’s about creating an experience. One that invites everyone into the kitchen, and turns dinner into something cool and memorable. Whether you’re cooking with little ones, hosting friends, or planning a cozy night in, Imani’s candy cane pasta proves that sometimes the most festive part of the holiday table is the process itself.