And that’s where your most important tool matters: a pasta machine. Whether you’re turning the crank manually, relying on an electric maker, or looking for an attachment, pasta machines come in a range of prices and capabilities. Our top choice, the Marcato Atlas 150, scored top marks for its classic Italian design and versatility. Each and every one will make fresh pasta within reach, without exhausting yourself by rolling out dough. And all of these machines can be used beyond pasta for any dough that needs rolling out, from pie crusts to fondant icing to wonton wrappers. Here are the best pasta machines to have on hand for pasta night. You’ll feel like an Italian nonna cranking out spaghetti, linguine, lasagna, and dumpling sheets from this chrome-plated steel machine made in Italy. And it doesn’t stop with those three types of pasta—purchase separate attachments for capellini and reginette if you’re upping your pasta game. Just fasten the vise that attaches your pasta maker to your table, then insert the hand crank. Additional attachments go on top of the existing pasta maker and click in. First, thin your dough in the sheet section, and then when you have it to the desired thickness, crank it through the spaghetti or linguine settings. This machine is good for any dough you need to be thinned out or cut, from pita bread to pastelitos. When done, simply wipe the machine down with a dry cloth.Price at time of publish: $76 The Imperia is an Italian-made machine with two pasta rollers, one for sheets and the other for fettuccine or linguine. The advantage here is the wooden handle. It’s more comfortable than the steel handle other manual pasta machines possess, as you’ll be applying pressure and churning the hand crank several times to produce all your pasta for a meal. Nickel-plated steel rollers are sturdy enough to stand up to years of use, and the Imperia has rubber feet to hold it in place on the countertop. This affordable machine is a fantastic deal, and there’s an additional attachment that can roll, stuff, and crimp the dough to make fluffy pillow-like ravioli if that’s more your style. When pasta making is done, simply wipe down the machine. Occasionally, you’ll want to lightly oil the gears.Price at time of publish: $60 This electric pasta maker is exclusive to Williams Sonoma and it’s a quality machine that trumps the other Philips electric model, the regular Philips Pasta Maker Plus (which is still altogether a good model, especially if you want a slightly lower price point). Norpro has been around since 1973 and knows a thing or two about kitchenware, including how to make an expert ravioli wheel. If you’re able to roll out your own pasta dough or you already have a manual pasta machine for creating sheets of pasta, this compact double-headed wheel helps you create quick ravioli. The Norpro pastry and ravioli maker has a fluted stainless-steel wheel for a scalloped edge and a flat wheel for a straight cut. After rolling or cranking out your sheets, fill with ravioli filling, choose your wheel, and then cut around each pocket of filling to create whatever shape you want. It also works as a pastry wheel, creating lovely lattice crusts and decorative cuts for pies and pastries. Price at time of publish: $10 If you’re a big baker with limited counter space, consider this Cuisinart machine that does double duty as a pasta machine and bread dough maker. This machine perfects spaghetti, rigatoni, macaroni, fusilli, fettuccine, and bucatini with the six attached discs. But it can also knead up to one pound of bread dough to the ideal consistency without wearing out your hands and arms kneading on your countertop. Unlike your manual pasta maker, the classic Italian pasta shapes will come out consistently formed every time, since the machine determines the exact thickness. Attaching this pasta press to your KitchenAid stand mixer opens up a world of possibilities—namely, one that includes spaghetti, bucatini, fusilli, rigatoni, and both small and large macaroni. Sure, you can make spaghetti by hand, but fusilli, rigatoni, and macaroni are much more taxing, if not nearly impossible, for many of us home cooks. Being able to make these unique types of pasta is a cinch when you drop little balls of dough into your pasta press. Jinny Chivers, a chef and culinary instructor who studied pasta-making at the Italian Culinary Institute for Foreigners in Turin, Italy, recommends the KitchenAid pasta press attachment. “After using the KitchenAid stand mixer for making the dough, you just need to add this attachment for speedy rolling,” she explains. “It is strong, sturdy, and still gives you the creative control of the pasta with its eight settings of thickness. I like that the cutter for making spaghetti and fettuccine is integral to the attachment. The standard sheet pasta is great for lasagnas, tortellini, ravioli, and other creative shapes. The process is fast, all while still having the option to get super creative in your pasta shapes, styles, sizes, and fillings.” If you’re looking for a less pricey option to attach to your KitchenAid mixer, this Antree attachment is an excellent alternative that fits all mixer models. Without having to change your attachment to your KitchenAid, you can roll out your dough and make lasagna, spaghetti, and fettuccine. Sheets come out in 5.5-inch wide pieces and are perfect for dumplings or wontons. For longevity, the blades are made with high-grade stainless steel. This kit also comes with a cleaning brush, and it’s surprisingly easy to open the hard protective cover to remove the dough stuck in the rollers and cutters.Price at time of publish: $90
What to Look for When Buying a Pasta Maker
Automatic vs. Manual
Stand-alone pasta makers are separated into two categories based on how they’re operated—manually or automatically. There are also attachments that work with existing appliances, such as stand mixers. All have their pros and cons. Automatic pasta makers are the fastest and easiest to use. You simply put the ingredients in, choose your pasta shape, and wait for your finished pasta. They remove the hard work of mixing, kneading, and shaping the pasta, which can all be quite laborious. However, electric pasta machines are pricey and you’ll have to keep up with the speed of the machine when it comes to cutting the pasta. On the other hand, manual pasta makers are a more affordable option, though they’re powered by old-fashioned elbow grease. If you don’t mind cranking dough through the machine by hand, manual pasta makers work well. Attachments are also a cost-effective route if you already own an appliance that’s compatible with them. These use power through the appliance to roll out your dough, so you’ll still have to mix and knead. This is a great option for someone who appreciates kitchen tools that serve multiple purposes. With the ability to change out attachments, these appliances are the most versatile and space-saving.
Pasta Shapes
Most pasta makers come equipped with standard shapes like spaghetti, linguine, fettuccine, or lasagna. However, many offer the option of purchasing additional attachments for a variety of pasta shapes and sizes. If you want to venture out into the world of ravioli, capellini, reginette, lasagnette, and more, you may need the additional attachments or discs to widen your pasta horizons.
Maintenance
Since many parts of a pasta maker are removable, they aren’t as tricky to clean as they seem. However, they aren’t dishwasher-safe and should be washed by hand only. Take apart any removable parts and clean them individually with a damp cloth. You can use very small amounts of soap but be sure no soap residue remains. Wipe down the base of the pasta machine with a damp cloth and pat dry. Though it’s tempting, you should never run a cloth through a pasta machine. It will likely get jammed.
Do you let fresh pasta dry before cooking?
Yes, after making fresh pasta, toss the pasta with flour to prevent sticking, place it on a lightly floured surface, and let it sit for at least 30 minutes before cooking. It can sit out for up to two hours on the counter uncovered or overnight in the refrigerator.
How long does fresh pasta last?
Fresh pasta can last up to 24 hours in the refrigerator when homemade. If store-bought, fresh pasta can last two to three days in the refrigerator.
Can you use a pasta maker for other things?
A pasta maker isn’t the most versatile appliance, but you can still use it to make other foods aside from pasta. Use it to roll out pastry dough, fondants, and candy clays. It can also be used to make crackers, dumpling wrappers, and thin pastries.
Why Trust Simply Recipes?
Dakota Kim is a freelance writer and former restaurant owner who has tested many cookware items for articles and her restaurant. Using her mother’s pasta machine from the ’70s, they have been making pasta and dumpling dough together since she was a child. She still loves to crank the handle and see magical shapes emerge. She has owned four pasta makers and broken at least two of her mother’s machines. Read Next: The Best Food Processors
