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Whether you’re a sucker for homemade lasagna or Spaghetti Carbonara is your ultimate comfort food, you probably know that making pasta from scratch can make a world of difference in these classic Italian dishes. Fresh, tender, and delicious homemade pasta is a treat worth the effort, and while it may sound intimidating, it’s an easy process when you have one of the best pasta makers in your arsenal of kitchen gear.
Regardless of whether you’re a pasta newbie or an experienced chef, Meggan and I put together a guide to help you find the best pasta makers (along with some Culinary Hill-approved cooking accessories, like drying racks and ravioli presses). Check out Meggan’s favorites (including the pasta maker she uses in her own kitchen!) below.
Table of Contents
Our Top Picks
- What’s in Meggan’s Kitchen: Marcato Atlas 150 Pasta Machine – $84.83 at Amazon
- Best Value Pasta Maker: Imperia Pasta Machine – $69.99 at Amazon
- Best Electric Pasta Maker: Philips Viva Collection Pasta and Noodle Maker – $179.95 at Williams Sonoma
- Best KitchenAid Attachment: KitchenAid 3-Piece Pasta Roller & Cutter Set – $158.39 at Amazon
Reviews of The Best Pasta Makers
1. What’s in Meggan’s Kitchen: Marcato Atlas 150 Pasta Machine
Using a manual pasta machine like the Marcato Atlas lets you experience the traditional pasta-making process right at home. In fact, this model is so popular it’s become the gold standard for pasta makers. Meggan bought her first one at a garage sale for just $15 in her early 20s and used it extensively until she replaced it with a new model in December 2016.
“I love it because it’s easy to use and clean,” Meggan says. “The construction is very sturdy, which makes it perfect if you want a quality product without a hefty price tag that will last for years.”
Besides being Meggan’s go-to, we chose it as our best overall pasta maker because it’s reliable and affordable. Made in Italy, it offers durability, ease of use, and versatility. It has adjustable thickness settings that are easy to read so you can easily create all the basic pasta shapes you need: spaghetti, linguini, fettuccine, and lasagna.
The rollers also have a unique design that lightly pokes the dough, making it more porous and able to absorb more delicious tomato sauce. If you’re new to making homemade pasta, the sturdy clamp will help you keep the unit stable so your hands can work with the dough.
The Specs:
- Type: Tabletop manual
- Dimensions: 8 by 8 by 7 inches
- Materials: Stainless steel
What I Like:
- Well-built and sturdy
- Easy to store
- Simple operation
- Long-lasting
- Good value for the price
What I Don’t Like:
- Some assembly required
- Manual process may be a bit time-consuming
What Others Are Saying:
The Marcato Atlas 150 Pasta Machine has a 4.6-star rating from more than 26,000 reviews on Amazon. It was also named best overall pasta maker by Food & Wine.
Buy the Marcato Atlas 150 Pasta Machine:
2. Best Value Pasta Maker: Imperia Pasta Machine
If you’re making pasta at home for the first time, the Imperia is an excellent choice. This versatile machine allows you to create a variety of pasta shapes, including lasagne sheets, thin spaghetti, and wide fettuccine. This easy-to-use pasta maker is also made in Italy, making it a great starting point for pasta-making newbies. Its classic design, sturdy build, and affordable price point are all highlights of Meggan’s.
The traditional crank operation allows you to select from six different thickness settings to give you complete control over the pasta’s texture. (Pro-tip: This means that you can also go at your own pace for full control of the pasta-making process!) The 6-inch wide roller comes with a double cutter head for making skinny spaghetti or thick fettuccine noodles, and additional attachments can be purchased separately.
The Specs:
- Type: Tabletop manual
- Dimensions: 8.1 by 7.2 by 6.2 inches
- Materials: Chromed plated steel
What I Like:
- Durable
- Easy to crank
- Beginner-friendly
- Solid price point
What I Don’t Like:
- Have to buy additional attachments separately
What Others Are Saying:
The Imperia Pasta Machine has a 4.4-star rating from more than 1,700 reviews on Amazon. It was also named the best value pasta maker by The Food Network.
Buy the Imperia Pasta Machine:
3. Best Electric Pasta Maker: Philips Viva Collection Pasta and Noodle Maker
For those who are looking for a more simplistic approach, the Philips Pasta and Noodle Maker is a great choice for electric pasta makers. Meggan loves it because it’s fully automatic and practically does it all for you, including mixing, kneading, and extruding, making the process incredibly easy. Plus, it only takes about 15 minutes — just add your ingredients, select your pasta type, and let the machine do the rest. It even comes with multiple shaping discs for different pasta styles, which means it’s perfect for busy cooks who still want the freshness of homemade pasta without the manual effort.
This model includes discs for spaghetti, fettuccine, penne, and lasagna, along with a flat scraping/cleaning tool, a flour cup, a liquids cup, and a recipe book with 20 different recipes. There’s even a storage drawer at the base to keep all of the different parts organized. We love that it was made to be user-friendly and compact, so it’s a solid choice for kitchens with limited space.
The Specs:
- Type: Electric
- Dimensions: 15.5 by 13 by 11.9 inches
- Materials: Stainless steel, plastic
What I Like:
- Consistent pasta thickness
- Electric
- Easy to operate
- Compact size
- Comes with multiple discs for different pasta shapes and sizes
What I Don’t Like:
- Plastic parts may not be the most durable
- Lots of components to clean
What Others Are Saying:
The Philips Viva Collection Pasta and Noodle Maker has a 4.4-star rating from more than 1,700 reviews on Amazon. In their testing, The Spruce Eats also found this pasta machine to have the best extruder.
Buy the Philips Viva Collection Pasta and Noodle Maker:
4. Best KitchenAid Attachment: KitchenAid 3-Piece Pasta Roller & Cutter Set
If you already own one of the iconic KitchenAid stand mixers, this set of pasta attachments connects to your mixer and takes the hard work out of rolling and cutting your dough. Once you attach the roller and cutters, the mixer does the hard work, leaving your hands free to catch and dry the pasta. The precise engineering of the attachments ensures consistent results, and it’s super easy to use for pasta-making newbies.
It makes 6-inch sheets of pasta with 8 different thickness options so you can easily switch between different pasta types when you’re feeling creative. While it’s a bit of an investment, it’s a great way to expand the functionality of your stand mixer while making delicious homemade pasta.
The Specs:
- Type: Attachment
- Dimensions: 9.7 by 3.8 by 2.2 inches
- Materials: Stainless steel
What I Like:
- Durable
- Consistent cutting
- Cuts various thicknesses
- Easy to clean
What I Don’t Like:
- Requires a KitchenAid mixer
What Others Are Saying:
The KitchenAid 3-Piece Pasta Roller & Cutter Set has a 4.8-star rating from more than 7,200 reviews on Amazon. Additionally, Food & Wine named it the best stand mixer attachment.
Buy the KitchenAid 3-Piece Pasta Roller & Cutter Set:
Best Pasta Maker Accessories
6. Best Pastry Mat: Folksy Super Kitchen Non-Slip Silicone Pastry Mat
A pastry mat can be super helpful for making homemade pasta, especially when rolling out and kneading the dough. This food-grade silicone mat has a non-stick surface that makes it easy to work with the pasta dough and prevents it from sticking to your countertop. As a bonus, it can also double as a baking mat since it can withstand temperatures up to 470 degrees F.
The measurement guides are super helpful and it only needs to be wiped down, so cleanup is quick and easy. Once you’ve dried it off, use the scrunchie that comes with it to roll it up and tuck it away in your pantry for easy storage.
Pro-tip: If you find that it slips a bit when you knead dough, place a kitchen towel under it to hold it in place.
The Specs:
- Dimensions: 16 by 26 inches, 20 by 28 inches, or 36 by 24 inches
- Material: Silicone
What I Like:
- Non-stick
- Durable
- Easy to store
- Easy to wash
What I Don’t Like:
- Can move around a bit
What Others Are Saying:
The silicone pastry mat has a 4.8-star rating from more than more than 22,600 Amazon reviews.
Buy the Folksy Super Kitchen Non-Slip Silicone Pastry Mat:
6. Best Pasta Drying Rack: Ourokhome Collapsible Pasta Drying Rack
A pasta drying rack is essential for preventing the strands from sticking together and evenly drying fresh pasta. This sturdy rack has 10 hanging arms to support long strands of spaghetti, tagliatelle, fettuccine, vermicelli, linguine, or lasagne noodles. You can even place up to 4 pounds (!) of fresh noodles on its arms at a time.
Once you’re done drying noodles, it collapses down to 7.8 inches in height by 3.5 inches in width for easy storage. We think it’s a must-have for anyone who likes to make and store large quantities of pasta.
The Specs:
- Type: Freestanding
- Materials: Plastic
What I Like:
- Lightweight
- Collapsible for easy storage
- Non-stick surface
- Easy to clean
What I Don’t Like:
- Sensitive to high temperatures
What Others Are Saying:
The Collapsible Pasta Drying Rack has a 4.4-star rating from more than 3,300 reviews on Amazon.
Buy the Collapsible Pasta Drying Rack:
7. Best Ravioli Maker: Bellemain Ravioli Maker Press
For stuffed pasta lovers, a ravioli maker is a must-have. The Bellemain Large Ravioli Maker is a well-designed and durable tool that simplifies the process of making homemade ravioli so you can create uniform and professional-looking pasta without the complexity of traditional methods. Its non-stick surface ensures easy release and clean-up, which makes it ideal for crafting delicious ravioli dishes with ease.
To use it, place a sheet of pasta dough on the base, add your desired filling into the indentations, cover with another sheet of dough, and use the tool to firmly press down, sealing and cutting the ravioli into individual pieces. We think it’s a handy add-on because it simplifies the process of making ravioli, offering consistent results every time. Once you get the hang of it, you’ll definitely want to give Meggan’s Mushroom Ravioli with Walnut Sauce a try with a homemade twist!
The Specs:
- Type: Manual press
- Dimensions: 12 by 4.25 by 0.5 inches
- Materials: Plastic, metal
What I Like:
- Faster than hand cutting and sealing
- Non-stick surface
- Easy cleanup
- Creates perfectly uniform ravioli
What I Don’t Like:
- Limited to making one batch at a time
- Time-consuming
What Others Are Saying:
The Bellemain Ravioli Maker Press has a 4.6-star rating from more than 5,800 reviews on Amazon.
Buy the Bellemain Ravioli Maker Press:
Other Pasta Makers to Consider
Cuisinart 5-Piece Pasta Maker
This Cuisinart model is relatively expensive for a manual pasta maker. While it has many pros, reviewers found the assembly process to be a bit complicated and time-consuming. Additionally, thoroughly cleaning all the components can be challenging, especially if dough gets stuck in hard-to-reach places. The Cuisinart 5-Piece Pasta Maker is available at Amazon for $79.99.
Emeril Lagasse Pasta Maker
The Emeril Lagasse Pasta Maker is quite large and can take up a significant amount of counter or storage space, which may be an issue if you have a small kitchen. Some users also reported that the machine is quite noisy during operation and produces pasta with inconsistent pasta texture and quality. We would definitely want more from a pasta maker with a price tag in the triple digits. The Emeril Lagasse Pasta Maker is available at Amazon for $151.06.
Hamilton Beach Electric Pasta and Noodle Maker Machine
This model can produce 2 to 3 servings of pasta in 7 different shapes in just 15 minutes, with discs that are conveniently stored in a built-in bottom drawer. It operates quietly and is relatively user-friendly. However, some reviewers found the accuracy of the pasta output to be inconsistent, and it only has a 3.8-star rating on Amazon. The Hamilton Beach Electric Pasta and Noodle Maker Machine is available on Amazon for $129.99.
Why You Can Trust Us
Hi! I’m Belle, an award-winning content creator and an adjunct professor who works in public relations at a restaurant in the Midwest. For over 20 years, I’ve held almost every position imaginable in various restaurants, including ownership of a Korean-concept hot dog cart (which was named after my dog’s teeth!). My writing and on-camera work can be seen online at Better Homes & Gardens and HGTV.
To create this list of the best pasta makers, Meggan and I chatted about which models she’s used and what she loves most. From there, I scoured the internet to research other highly recommended models and read through hundreds of online reviews to find some other popular options. After that, we compared them side by side and rated them on design, ease of use, and overall value to come up with our ultimate list.
Everything to Know Before Buying a Pasta Maker
What to Consider Before Buying a Pasta Maker
Investing in a pasta maker is a fantastic way to elevate your cooking and enjoy the deliciousness of fresh, homemade pasta. But there are a few questions to ask yourself before you go to check out:
Type of Pasta Maker: You’ll want to decide between a manual or electric model based on your preference for hands-on control or convenience. If you already own a stand mixer, you may even opt for a set of attachments instead.
Durability and Construction: Look for sturdy materials like stainless steel or chrome-plated steel for longevity and ease of cleaning.
Ease of Use: Consider how easy it is to assemble, operate, and clean the pasta maker, especially if you’re new to pasta making. Electric options or stand mixer attachments can do a lot of the work for you, but if you want to get the full experience, a manual model may be your best bet.
Versatility: Check if the pasta maker offers adjustable settings for different pasta thicknesses and attachments for various pasta shapes. Many pasta makers also come with multiple discs for different noodle lengths and thicknesses, too.
How Do You Make Homemade Pasta?
If you want to learn how to make homemade pasta, you’ve come to the right place! Meggan says it’s really easy to make.
Surprisingly, homemade pasta is made with just two main ingredients: flour and eggs. Some recipes also tell you to add salt, water, or olive oil, but this largely depends on your preference. Making the dough consists of mixing your ingredients together on a clean workspace, rolling it into a ball, and letting it rest.
How Do You Make Pasta with a Pasta Maker?
Once you have a great pasta maker, it’s easy to make pasta. Here are Meggan’s steps:
- Step 1: Make a pile of flour on a clean surface or pastry mat.
- Step 2: Make a little well in the middle and add in the other ingredients.
- Step 3: Whisk the wet ingredients together in the well with a fork.
- Step 4: Fold everything together and knead.
- Step 5: Roll it into balls so it can rest.
- Step 6: Roll it out and put it through a machine to get the thickness and size you are looking for. (This step will also depend on the type of machine you end up getting, so make sure to read the instructions prior to getting started!)
How Do You Make Pasta in the Microwave?
To make pasta in the microwave, place broken pasta in a microwave-safe bowl with enough water to cover it. Microwave on high for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring halfway through, until the pasta reaches your desired texture. Drain and serve with your favorite sauce or toppings.
How Do You Clean a Pasta Maker?
To clean a pasta maker, wait for it to cool down completely. Use a dry brush or cloth to remove any dried dough or flour. Wipe the surfaces with a damp cloth, avoiding water immersion, then dry thoroughly before storing them in a dry place.
The Best Pasta Recipes
Once you buy your pasta maker, give these delicious recipes a try!
- Spaghetti and Meatballs
- Spaghetti Carbonara
- Lasagne
- Mushroom Ravioli with Walnut Sauce
- Cheese Tortellini in Garlic Basil Sauce
- Pasta Primavera
- Artichoke Pasta
Prices were accurate at time of publication.
Belle DuChene is an award-winning digital content producer who has a passion for all things lifestyle including food, fashion, and French culture. (And French wine, of course!) Over the course of 20 years, she's held almost every position imaginable in various restaurants and has eaten her way through the side streets of more than 20 countries. Always a student, her kitchen looks like a library of culinary school textbooks and she will sit for the level one sommelier exam with the Court of Master Sommeliers this summer. Belle owns an award-winning content creation agency, teaches communications at three colleges and universities, and tutors in French. In addition to Culinary Hill, her writing and on-camera demonstrations have been published on BHG.com.