What to Buy Appliances Small Appliances The 6 Best Pasta Makers to Buy, According to Our Tests Our top picks will have you churning out impressive homemade pasta. By Nikhita Mahtani Nikhita Mahtani Nikhita has been writing and editing for home publications for more than six years, specializing in service pieces on small homes, floral design, and best products. She was previously the digital editor at Domino Magazine. Food & Wine's Editorial Guidelines and Nick DeSimone Updated on September 29, 2023 In This Article Expand Jump to a Section Our top picks Reviews Our Favorite Our Pasta Maker Tests Factors to Consider FAQ Other We Tested Our Expertise We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Food & Wine / Russell Kilgore Making boxed pasta at home is simple enough, but let's be honest: It just doesn't compare to restaurant-quality fresh pasta. For quality pasta at home, nothing compares to using a good pasta maker. There's something incredibly special about making your pasta dough, and with the right ingredients, your homemade pasta will taste so much better than anything you'd get out of a box. However, after you've created the dough, the next big step comes in: Finding the right pasta maker to turn all your hard-earned effort into a delicious meal with pasta you'll want to recreate over and over. And with so many options, it can be hard to figure out the best pasta maker for you. "These days, you get both manual and automatic machines, and they also are at different price points and make different types of pasta, based on the attachments," says Chef Beau Fazio of Heirloom Restaurant in Delaware. They're also made from various materials, so you should be sure to pick the type of pasta maker that works best with your skill level. To help find the best pasta maker for you, we considered all the above factors, spoke to a team of pasta industry experts, and tested over 20 top pasta makers to help determine which option will make cooking and serving your own pasta at home a breeze. Read on for the best pasta makers available now. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Marcato Atlas 150 Pasta Machine at Amazon Jump to Review Best Overall, Runner Up: Imperia Pasta Machine at Amazon Jump to Review Best Value: Hamilton Beach Traditional Pasta Machine at Target Jump to Review Best Stand Mixer Attachment: KitchenAid Pasta Roller & Cutter Attachment Set at Amazon Jump to Review Best Extruder: Philips Viva Collection Pasta and Noodle Maker at Amazon Jump to Review Best Splurge Extruder: Philips Pasta and Noodle Maker Plus at Amazon Jump to Review Best Overall Marcato Atlas 150 Pasta Machine Amazon View On Amazon View On Sur La Table View On Crate & Barrel Pros We loved how sturdy and easy to use this model was; it exceeded our expectations. Cons We were slightly disappointed at the lack of efficacy of the spaghetti attachment. Created by an Italian company that's made pasta makers for generations, the Marcato Atlas 150 Pasta Machine is a reliable, affordable, manual option for people who want a durable machine that will last. The Marcato can roll sheets of dough to 10 different thicknesses using an easy-to-adjust manual knob so that you can make thicker or thinner noodles, depending on your preference. It consists of four parts to assemble, but once you've done that, all you need to do is insert the dough into the blades and crank the handle for easy pasta. This machine can make spaghetti, linguine, lasagna, or fettuccine, thanks to the dual-sided attachments. If you want to experiment with new pasta shapes, you can also buy other attachments separately. This pasta maker wowed us while testing, where one tester declared that it rivals their grandmother's hand-me-down pasta maker that they use regularly. We loved its sturdy clamp combined with its lightweight but solid design for ease of rolling; even a true beginner would be able to use this machine easily. During the rolling, this machine performed exceptionally well; there was no jamming, pulling, or fraying. However, when using the cutters to produce spaghetti and fettuccine, we noted that both types had to be hand-separated after cutting. The spaghetti, in particular, was difficult and caused some of the noodles to become squished. That said, we still think this machine is a solid investment and will achieve authentic, quality pasta. Price at the time of publish: $66 Type: Tabletop, manualDimensions: 8 x 8 x 7 inchesMaterials: Stainless steelPasta Types: Spaghetti, fettuccine, lasagne Food & Wine / Russell Kilgore Food & Wine / Russell Kilgore Food & Wine / Russell Kilgore Best Overall, Runner Up Imperia Pasta Maker Machine (Model 150) Amazon View On Amazon View On Williams-Sonoma View On Walmart Pros We loved this machine's durable materials and construction, which make it so user-friendly. Cons We wish the handle of this machine locked in more reliably. This Italian-made pasta maker comes with two pasta rollers: one for lasagna sheets and the other for spaghetti, linguine, or fettuccine. The wooden handle, in particular, is its biggest draw, as it makes the whole cranking process much easier on the hands, and the nickel-plated steel rollers are durable yet lightweight. It even has a tray to rest all the pasta once it's been cut — a rare feature in pasta makers. The machine clamps to your countertop so it doesn't move during use, making it ideal for slippery kitchen surfaces. There are also additional attachments available if you want to make other types of pasta. During testing, we noted multiple times how durable and well-constructed this machine is. The body of the machine is made from nearly eight pounds of stainless steel, so it’s built to last and is expertly designed for ease of use. We felt the gears and rollers were of good quality, and the dough was easy to move through the rollers and cutters without any sticking or jamming. The thoughtful construction makes this machine perfect for beginners, though seasoned pasta makers will also appreciate the quality of fabrication and ease of use. Our only complaint was the lack of locking crank in the handle. Price at the time of publish: $65 Type: Tabletop, manual Dimensions: 8.1 x 7.2 x 6.2 inchesMaterials: Stainless steel, woodPasta Types: Spaghetti, fettuccine, lasagne Food & Wine / Russell Kilgore Food & Wine / Russell Kilgore Food & Wine / Russell Kilgore Food & Wine / Russell Kilgore Best Value Hamilton Beach Traditional Pasta Machine Hamilton Beach View On Target View On Walmart View On Wayfair Pros We love the user-friendly nature of this machine as it was easy to clean and switch out parts, as well as the great dough handling this machine achieved. Cons We were disappointed that the clamp caused issues with the function of the rollers on this machine. Another manual option, the Hamilton Beach Traditional Pasta Machine, is a great budget option since it's incredibly lightweight and still made of solid steel for durability. It has numerous adjustable settings — seven to be exact — so that you can experiment with different pasta shapes in the kitchen to your ideal thickness. This machine snagged the best value spot because the price is excellent for how well this machine treated the dough during our tests. The dough was easy to move through the rollers and to the cutter. There were no jams, and the dough didn't rip or fray. However, there was some pulling to one side. This can likely be attributed to issues with the clamp, where we sometimes felt the machine wasn’t quite stable and caused the roller on the opposite side to lift from the table during rolling. Still, it’s an incredibly durable option that'll last users a long time. We also noted that this machine was very easy to clean, and switching between rolling and the cutters was also simple. Price at the time of publish: $35 Type: Tabletop, manualDimensions: 6 x 14.25 x 8 inchesMaterials: Stainless steelPasta Types: Spaghetti, fettuccine, lasagne Food & Wine / Russell Kilgore Food & Wine / Russell Kilgore Food & Wine / Russell Kilgore Best Stand Mixer Attachment KitchenAid 3-Piece Pasta Roller & Cutter Attachment Set Amazon View On Amazon View On Target View On Williams-Sonoma Pros This attachment is well-constructed and durable, producing well-rolled pasta sheets and precisely cut pasta shapes. Cons None! This attachment scored high marks in all our metrics; this is only unsuitable if you don’t own a KitchenAid. For beginners in the pasta-making space who own a Kitchenaid mixer, this 3-Piece Pasta Roller and Cutter Set is the perfect addition. Use the mixer to create the homemade pasta dough, and then clip in the pasta attachment to roll the dough thin and cut it into noodles. This set is made of stainless steel, making it undeniably durable, and comes with a pasta roller, a fettuccine cutter, and a spaghetti cutter. It will spit out 6-inch sheets of pasta in eight different thicknesses. You need to attach the roller and cutters to the stand mixer (which might be a bit cumbersome), but you'll gain the flexibility of having both hands free to feed and catch the pasta while the mixer's motor does all the cranking and cutting in the interim. Cutters for other shapes, including a ravioli attachment, are available separately. However, such convenience does come at a price, and if you don't already have a Kitchenaid mixer, you'll need to be prepared to invest. During testing, we loved how easy it was to move the dough through the rollers — we didn’t encounter any ripping, tearing, or fraying, and the dial was easy to read. This ease of use and high functionality extended to the cutters as well. In both the spaghetti and fettuccine tests, we felt the cutters performed consistently, and each cut distinct strands of pasta. In fact, it was one of the only cutters that completely cut through the spaghetti. Chris Wright, co-owner of The Pasta Lab, a small-batch pasta producer in Philadelphia, PA, also recommends this KitchenAid model for its versatility. “Not only can the dough be prepared in the bowl of the mixer, but a pasta filling can as well,” he says. “Whipped ricotta, blanched, pressed, chopped greens, and salty aged cheese would make a classic ravioli filling and would come together in no time with the help of the KitchenAid.” Price at the time of publish: $150 Type: Attachment Dimensions: 9.7 x 3.8 x 2.2 inchesMaterials: Stainless steelPasta Types: Spaghetti, fettuccine, lasagne Food & Wine / Russell Kilgore Food & Wine / Russell Kilgore Food & Wine / Russell Kilgore Best Extruder Philips Viva Collection Pasta and Noodle Maker Amazon View On Amazon View On Williams-Sonoma View On Crate & Barrel Pros This extruder is super easy to use and produces high-quality, uniform pasta. Cons We didn’t like the lack of durability of the plastic pieces. If manual pasta makers are a bit too much work, an electric pasta maker might make more sense in your kitchen. This compact pasta maker from Phillips delivers a fully automatic experience so you can quickly make fresh pasta in under 20 minutes. Inside the machine are angled multi-pins with a stirring bar that ensures the flour and liquid are mixed evenly and thoroughly inside the mixing chamber. Outside the machine is a long kneading tube where the pasta extrudes from. The pasta maker comes with three interchangeable shapes, and if you’re limited on counter space, its small footprint is extra convenient. During testing, we found this machine to be quite user-friendly. After you get to the point of putting the liquid in, the machine is very much hands-off. We also liked how straightforward the buttons are, as well as the “extra extrude” button, which clears the dough chamber at the end to make cleanup a breeze. During extruding, we noted that the pasta was not stuck together, eliminating the need to separate the stands by hand, and stayed separate during cutting. The one thing we didn’t like about this machine was its plastic construction. Many of the parts, especially the dies, felt flimsy. Price at the time of publish: $180 Type: Extruder Dimensions: 13 x 15.5 x 11.9 inchesMaterials: Stainless steel, plasticPasta Types: Spaghetti, penne, fettuccine Food & Wine / Russell Kilgore Food & Wine / Russell Kilgore Food & Wine / Russell Kilgore Food & Wine / Russell Kilgore Food & Wine / Russell Kilgore Food & Wine / Russell Kilgore Best Splurge Extruder Philips Pasta and Noodle Maker Plus Amazon View On Amazon Pros We loved the convenient storage drawer on this machine and how easy it was to produce high quality pasta very quickly. Cons This machine doesn’t perform well with smaller batches, and the pasta produced at the very beginning and very end of each batch isn’t uniform. The Philips Pasta and Noodle Maker Plus is a winner in our book, thanks to how it's been designed to make fresh pasta in just under 10 minutes. All you need to do is measure the flour and water in the correct proportions and throw the ingredients in the machine. This automatic pasta maker does the rest. It mixes and kneads the dough, so you can use one of the several attachments to create the pasta of your choice: spaghetti, fettuccine, penne, or lasagna. The machine also comes with measuring cups for dry and liquid ingredients, a recipe book, and cleaning tools, all of which are dishwasher-safe, while the easy LED light counts down the time for you. The machine will automatically shut off after each batch, ensuring safety and energy efficiency. What we were most impressed by was the convenience of this machine. The ease of pressing a single button after adding the ingredients makes this machine incredibly convenient and user-friendly. We also loved the storage drawer that holds all the dies, plus the cutter and the cleaning brush. During testing, we went from raw ingredients to fresh pasta, ready to cook in 10 to 15 minutes. Once the machine got going, we were thrilled with the quality of the noodles. However, the first and last parts of the batch were less than stellar, and we found the noodles lacked uniformity and visual appeal. Unfortunately, this was true of the whole batch of pasta we made with the smaller-sized batch. This machine performs best with larger-sized batches. Price at the time of publish: $300 Type: Extruder Dimensions: 12 x 15.94 x 13.38 inchesMaterials: Stainless steel, plasticPasta Types: Spaghetti, fettuccine, penne, lasagne Food & Wine / Russell Kilgore Food & Wine / Russell Kilgore Food & Wine / Russell Kilgore Our Favorite The MARCATO Atlas 150 Pasta Machine snagged our top spot because it’s an excellent choice for beginners and experts alike, and it produced some of the smoothest rolling. The Imperia Pasta Maker Machine was our runner-up, and we loved it because it felt durable and was super easy to use. Our Pasta Maker Tests In order to find the best pasta makers, we tested 21 models side by side, ranging from manual tabletop, KitchenAid attachments, and extruders. We spent a total of 24 hours testing, performing four separate tests on each pasta maker. We made spaghetti, fettuccine or linguine, and penne or rigatoni when applicable using a basic, four-ingredient egg-based pasta dough recipe. Our fourth test included cooking the pasta. For our manual and electric pasta makers, following manufacturer's instructions, we rolled out pasta sheets using the egg dough. Then, we used the included cutting attachments to cut spaghetti and fettuccine. We observed the pasta maker’s performance with a thinly rolled and thicker dough. For the extruder models, we used the machines to mix the dough and followed the manufacturer's instructions to extrude the various shapes. For this test, we looked at how well the pasta maker was able to mix and knead the dough. Once all the pasta was made, we moved on to the cooking phase, where we boiled the pasta in consistently salted water for three minutes. This was followed by a taste test, where we paid particular attention to the doneness and texture of the cooked fresh pasta. After testing, we gave feedback on design, ease of use, performance, ease of cleaning, and overall value. These scores and feedback were used to assign a numerical ranking to each product and its subsequent categories. Factors to Consider Electric vs. Manual The first (and most important) factor to consider is whether you want a manual or automatic machine. Manual machines are operated by a hand crank and are the more traditional (and less expensive) option. They are best for thin sheets of dough or long, flat noodles. Although they might last longer than automatic machines (just because there's less upkeep involved, according to Chef Bobby Little of Brooklyn bistro Leroy's), they can be hard to use when cooking alone. You have to feed the dough into the machine on one end, guide the pasta as it exits the other, and turn the hand crank at the same time, so it can be easier to operate a manual machine with two people. Some models, though, offer an optional motorized attachment that does the turning for you. Electric pasta machines are easier to use than manual ones, but you have to work at the speed of the machine, cutting the pasta to length to keep up. Even though some electric models mix the dough for you, they are much harder to clean. There's also a lot more upkeep involved, and more room for error in the case of sticky dough. However, they're definitely best for larger batches of pasta or larger households. Type Beyond manual versus electric, there are a few different types to choose from. Tabletop pasta makers are best for egg pasta and to roll-out long, thin sheets. These can be cut into shapes like spaghetti or fettuccine, left large to make lasagna, or used to make stuffed pasta like ravioli. Attachments generally perform the same tasks as a tabletop machine but require a stand mixer to hook into. Attachment-style pasta makers are only a good choice if you already have a stand mixer like a KitchenAid — they can’t be used without one. An attachment is a great investment piggybacking off a stand mixer because it uses the powerful motor from the mixer to streamline the rolling process, eliminating the elbow grease traditionally needed to roll out pasta. Extruders work a bit differently than tabletop and attachment machines. They squish the dough through a die to make shapes. This allows the machine to make shapes like penne or rigatoni that aren’t possible with a sheeter-style pasta maker. Extruders can still make spaghetti by pushing the dough through a very small die, but they can’t make sheets of lasagne or stuffed pasta. Versatility What kinds of pasta are you looking to make? Most pasta makers will come with standard blades that cut popular types of pasta like fettuccine, spaghetti, and sheeted pasta. However, some will also include or offer additional attachments for more specialized pasta types, such as rigatoni or penne. Depending on the different types of pasta you want to make, you'll want to buy a machine that either comes with these various attachments or offers ways for you to buy them easily. Materials You can get pasta machines in stainless steel, chrome-plated steel, or aluminum, and the material you choose will largely depend on your budget and use. Weightier stainless steel will have greater stability and durability, and is also inert and won't rust. However, it's not dishwasher-safe like aluminum or chrome-plated steel. Aluminum also tends to be the cheapest and most lightweight. Frequently Asked Questions How do I make homemade pasta dough with a manual machine? If you're using a manual machine, you'll be making pasta the old-fashioned way: by hand! You can use your favorite pasta dough recipe, but instead of mixing it up by hand and flattening it with a rolling pin, you could also use a good mixer that'll save your arms the shoulder workout. Let the dough rest for at least three hours, and then cut it into four portions, according to Fazio. Set the machine to the thickest setting and run each portion through, decreasing the thickness setting each time. Run through approximately five times for each portion. How long should I cook homemade pasta? "Homemade pasta cooks so much faster than dried pasta, due to the water content," says Chef Andy Clark of Gravitas in Washington, D.C. "With dried pasta you have time to drop the pasta in the water and make the sauce, but fresh pasta cooks so quickly, the sauce needs to be almost finished." It depends on the pasta shape, but flat noodles could cook in about a minute, while stuffed pastas may take a few minutes."Long pasta should be checked after a minute, and you'd want a little less than al dente because the pasta will finish cooking in the sauce," adds Clark. "Stuffed pasta should be tender on the edges where the pasta is sealed." Can you freeze homemade pasta? According to our experts, absolutely. In fact, it might even be encouraged. "Freezing your pasta extends the shelf life of the pasta, and gives you quick and easy access to it," says Little. It'll maintain its quality for about two months in the freezer. How much should I spend on a pasta maker? This question goes hand in hand with what you intend to make using your pasta maker and how often you'll use it. The cost of pasta makers can vary considerably between manual and automatic models. Most manual pasta makers range from $15 to $75, whereas more expensive electric models can cost upwards of $300.If your goal is to make smaller batches of just a few types of pasta or you don't have the space for a larger electric model, we recommend a more basic manual option with a smaller footprint. If, however, you want to experiment with different shapes and types of pasta or spiralized vegetables using various attachments, cutters, or dies, we recommend springing for an electric model with more versatility. How do you clean a pasta maker? To clean a manually operated, metal pasta maker, you should not use any water, as this could cause the machine to rust. Wait about an hour after using your machine to allow any remaining bits of dough to dry, then use a dry cloth to wipe flour and dough from the outer parts of the machine. Use a dry pastry brush or thin wooden dowel to remove any bits of dried dough from the rollers or attachments. To clean an electric pasta machine, you’ll need to disassemble the machine and wash each part separately; for those and other types of pasta makers, always refer to the manufacturer’s instructions. What is the best flour to make pasta? There is no one type of flour that’s perfect for every type of pasta. Different shapes and types of dough have different needs, so no flour is one size fits all. “There are so many different styles of pasta, and each calls for specific raw materials and equipment to produce,” says Chris Wright, co-owner of The Pasta Lab. “For example, extruded shapes (rigatoni, fusilli, bucatini, etc.) are best made with semolina or its relatives. Semolina is made from durum wheat, which has a hard, glass-like structure that ultimately translates to ideal cooking & eating qualities when dried. Egg dough for tagliatelle or stuffed pasta is best made with finely milled and sifted wheat flour with medium gluten strength.” Egg dough is usually used to make long shapes, like the kind rolled out from tabletop or attachment rollers, and can be made with all-purpose flour. Italian-style 00 flour will lend a softer texture. As Wright mentions, some extruded shapes are best made with semolina flour, though some extruders can also produce pasta from egg dough as well. Semolina is also great for hand-formed shapes that don’t use pasta makers at all. If you’re new to the world of homemade pasta, pick up a bag of 00 and a bag of semolina. Even if you only make egg dough, semolina is perfect for dusting. Other Pasta Makers We Tested Strong Contenders CucinaPro 5 Piece Pasta Maker Deluxe Set ($50 at Amazon) We were disappointed with the performance of the cutters and rollers on this model. Cuisinart 5-Piece Pasta Maker (CTG-00-PM) ($74 at Amazon)During testing, the handle on the crank kept coming out, which was frustrating. Marcato Atlas 150 Pasta Machine with Motor ($300 at Amazon)We experienced some clogging and jamming during testing, which prevented this model from making the cut. Antree Pasta Maker Attachment 3 in 1 Set for KitchenAid Stand Mixers ($87 at Amazon):This machine didn’t measure up because we had one instance of light jamming during testing, and we found it difficult to clean. GVODE 3-Piece Pasta Attachment Set for KitchenAid Stand Mixer ($110 at Amazon)This set included many different pieces that needed to be switched out multiple times during use, which was cumbersome and prevented this machine from making the list. Starfrit Electric Pasta and Noodle Maker ($92 at Amazon) We didn’t like how cheap the construction felt on this machine. This, combined with its heavy weight, made it feel easy to drop and damage. Emeril Lagasse Pasta & Beyond Automatic Pasta and Noodle Maker ($100 at Amazon)While comprehensive, this model was not particularly user-friendly and required us to study the manual before diving in. What Didn’t Make The List The eight other pasta makers we tested didn’t quite measure up for several reasons. We encountered several issues with clogging, jamming, and thickness in our tabletop models. Regarding attachment rollers, only one wasn’t worthy of our recommendations, and that came down to the cutter attachment, which just couldn’t measure up to the others in the same category. Finally, some of the extruders we tested were less than satisfactory when it came to cutting and shaping the dough. Our Expertise Nikhita Mahtani is an experienced food writer with a decade of experience in the journalism industry. For this piece, she interviewed chefs Beau Fazio, Andy Clark, and Bobby Little to find out what the pros look for in a pasta maker. She then used their insights and her own expertise and market research to curate this list. Nick DeSimone, an Italian-American food writer and restaurant cook with nearly a decade of professional cooking experience, also contributed to this piece. Much of their time has been spent working at Italian restaurants and making fresh pasta every day. We also spoke with a few professionals. The first was Chef Andy Clark of Gravitas in Washington, D.C. The second was Chris Wright, the co-owner of The Pasta Lab in Philadelphia, PA. Wright and his staff produce small-batch artisan pasta on professional-grade pasta machines, often using their own freshly milled flour. Wright is an authority in pasta making and has years of experience working on nearly every type of pasta machine on the market. The products on this list were tested by our Food & Wine product testers — a team of dedicated culinarians committed to thoroughly assessing each piece of equipment. Was this page helpful? 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