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Our top picks will have you churning out impressive homemade pasta. Conical Twin Screw Extruder
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.
What's the difference between manual and electric pasta makers?
Manual models come in the form of a traditional hand-crank model or as an attachment to a stand mixer. They require more effort from the user as you have to mix and flatten the dough yourself. Electric models normally mix and cut the dough for you. Each has its pros and cons, depending on your preference.
"These days, you get both manual and automatic [electric] 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.
Food & Wine / Russell Kilgore
We loved how sturdy and easy to use this model was; it exceeded our expectations.
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, you only need to insert the dough into the blades and crank the handle for easy pasta.
Thanks to the dual-sided attachments, this machine can make spaghetti, linguine, lasagna, or fettuccine. If you want to experiment with new pasta shapes, you can 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 and its lightweight but solid design for easy rolling; even a true beginner could 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 noodles to squish. We still think this machine is a solid investment and will achieve authentic, quality pasta.
Type: Tabletop, manual | Dimensions: 8 x 8 x 7 inches | Materials: Stainless steel | Pasta Types: Spaghetti, fettuccine, lasagne
Food & Wine / Russell Kilgore
Food & Wine / Russell Kilgore
Food & Wine / Russell Kilgore
This machine is made of durable materials with quality construction and is user-friendly.
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. Additional attachments are also 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 machine's body 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 fabrication quality and ease of use. Our only complaint was the lack of locking crank in the handle.
Type: Tabletop, manual | Dimensions: 8.1 x 7.2 x 6.2 inches | Materials: Stainless steel, wood | Pasta Types: Spaghetti, fettuccine, lasagne
Food & Wine / Russell Kilgore
Food & Wine / Russell Kilgore
Food & Wine / Russell Kilgore
Food & Wine / Russell Kilgore
The user-friendly nature of this machine makes it easy to clean and switch out parts. It also handles dough particularly well.
The clamp can cause issues with the function of the rollers.
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 slight 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.
Type: Tabletop, manual | Dimensions: 6 x 14.25 x 8 inches | Materials: Stainless steel | Pasta Types: Spaghetti, fettuccine, lasagne
Food & Wine / Russell Kilgore
Food & Wine / Russell Kilgore
Food & Wine / Russell Kilgore
This attachment is well-constructed and durable, producing well-rolled pasta sheets and precisely cut pasta shapes.
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.
While 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.”
Type: Attachment | Dimensions: 9.7 x 3.8 x 2.2 inches | Materials: Stainless steel | Pasta Types: Spaghetti, fettuccine, lasagne
Food & Wine / Russell Kilgore
Food & Wine / Russell Kilgore
Food & Wine / Russell Kilgore
This extruder is super easy to use and produces high-quality, uniform pasta.
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.
Type: Extruder, electric | Dimensions: 13 x 15.5 x 11.9 inches | Materials: Stainless steel, plastic | Pasta 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
We loved the convenient storage drawer on this machine and how easy it was to produce high quality pasta very quickly.
This machine doesn’t perform well with smaller batches.
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 automatically shuts 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, though this machine performs best with larger-sized batches.
Type: Extruder, electric | Dimensions: 12 x 15.94 x 13.38 inches | Materials: Stainless steel, plastic | Pasta Types: Spaghetti, fettuccine, penne, lasagne
Food & Wine / Russell Kilgore
Food & Wine / Russell Kilgore
The MARCATO Atlas 150 Pasta Machine is a tabletop manual machine that snagged our top spot because it’s an excellent choice for beginners and experts alike and produces 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. If you have a stand mixer at home, we can't recommend the 3-Piece Pasta Roller and Cutter Set enough.
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 the manufacturer's instructions, we rolled out pasta sheets using egg dough. Then, we used the included cutting attachments to cut spaghetti and fettuccine. We observed the pasta maker’s performance with both a thinly rolled and thicker dough. For the extruders, we used the machines to mix the dough and followed the manufacturer's instructions to extrude the various shapes. With 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 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, cleaning, and overall value. These scores and feedback were used to choose our favorite models for each type of pasta mk
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.
"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."
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.
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.
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.
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.
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): 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 one. 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.
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.
This was our favorite pasta drying rack. It's affordable, sturdy, and has long arms that leave room for ample air circulation. It also stands at 20 inches tall, so long shapes won't droop on your counter.
The CucinaPro is a great value and compact pick. Instead of a spindle model like our best overall pick, this well-designed rack is a stand supporting 12 closely arranged removable horizontal rods that nest in the curve of the rack. You have to be careful when using it, but we like it enough for the price.
Hdpe Pipe Extruder Machine This well-made, horizontal, stacked drying rack can dry both long and short pasta types. The design is flexible, allowing you to use just one tier or more. It's great for frying in bulk, and its design allows you to dry more than just pasta, like mushrooms and fruit, spices and herbs, or even vegetables.