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.

The 6 Best Pasta Makers for 2023, Tested and Reviewed

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 and spoke to a team of pasta industry experts 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 Design Atlas 150 Pasta Machine at Amazon

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Best Value:

CucinaPro Pasta Maker Deluxe Set at Amazon

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Best Manual:

Imperia Pasta Machine at Amazon

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Best Electric:

Philips Kitchen Appliances Pasta and Noodle Maker Plus at Best Buy

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Best Add-On:

KitchenAid Pasta Roller & Cutter Attachment Set at Amazon

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Best for Variety:

KitchenAid Gourmet Pasta Press Attachment at Amazon

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Amazon

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Pros: This pasta maker is made with high-quality, chrome-plated, durable stainless steel and has no aluminum. It'll last a very long time.

Cons: This isn't the best option for beginners, as it can be quite tricky to operate the hand crank, feed dough into the machine, and catch the pasta out the other end all at the same time.

Created by an Italian company that's made pasta makers for generations, the Marcato Atlas 150 Pasta Machine is a reliable, affordable, manual option that's great 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 (so maybe it isn't the best option for beginners), 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.

Price at time of publish: $80

Dimensions: 8 x 8 x 7 inches
Materials: Stainless steel
Pasta Types: Spaghetti, linguine, lasagna, fettuccine

4.5

Amazon

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Pros: This is an incredibly lightweight, easy-to-use pasta maker, offering nine various thickness settings to create multiple pasta types.

Cons: Since it's hand-wash only, it's time-consuming to clean all the various parts of the machine.

Another manual option, the CucinaPro Pasta Maker Deluxe Set, is a great budget option since it's incredibly lightweight and still made of solid steel for durability. It has numerous attachments so that you can experiment with different pasta shapes in the kitchen. It's also very user-friendly, thanks to the chrome-plated hand crank that offers more grip with each use. While the steel makes it a bit slippery on overly smooth surfaces, and it's not dishwasher-safe (so cleaning it might be an issue), it's still an incredibly durable option that'll last users a long time. You can buy other attachments on the side to make more types of pasta, and use the included cleaning brush for washing.

Price at time of publish: $60

Dimensions: 8 x 7.75 x 6 inches
Materials: Steel
Pasta Types: Lasagna, fettuccine, spaghetti, angel hair, ravioli

Imperia Pasta Maker Machine - Heavy Duty Steel Construction w Easy Lock Dial and Wood Grip Handle- Model 150 Made in Italy

Amazon

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Pros: This durable metal and carbon steel pasta maker uses a wooden handle that gives it extra grip and maneuverability.

Cons: You can only make three types of pasta with it, and sticky dough can get stuck in the blades.

If you're only looking to go manual, you should consider the Imperia Pasta Maker Machine. The 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.

Price at time of publish: $70

Dimensions: 8.05 x 7.2 x 6.2 inches
Materials: Metal, carbon steel
Pasta Types: Spaghetti, fettuccine, linguine, lasagna

4.6

Philips Kitchen Appliances Pasta and Noodle Maker Plus

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Pros: This is one speedy machine, making 8.8 ounces of pasta in just 10 minutes.

Cons: It is very bulky and heavy.

If manual pasta makers are a bit too much work, an electric pasta maker might make more sense in your kitchen. 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.

Price at time of publish: $300

Dimensions: 12 x 15.94 x 13.38 inches
Materials: Alloy steel, plastic
Pasta Types: Spaghetti, fettuccine, penne, lasagna

KitchenAid 3-Piece Pasta Roller & Cutter Attachment Set

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Pros: It is straightforward to use, so it's ideal for beginners and ensures all the noodle shapes are uniform.

Cons: It is more pricey than other options, and you need a Kitchenaid mixer to use it.

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 — you may even have trouble keeping up with its lightning-fast speed. 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.

Price at time of publish: $200

Dimensions: 9.7 x 3.8 x 2.2 inches
Materials: Stainless steel
Pasta Types: Spaghetti, fettuccine

KitchenAid KSMPEXTA Gourmet Pasta Press Attachment

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Pros: This pasta press attachment is incredibly versatile, and it can make six types of pasta: spaghetti, bucatini, rigatoni, fusilli, large or small macaroni.

Cons: As it's made with plastic, it might not be the most durable option, and most parts must be hand-washed.

For those who want to really dig into homemade pasta making and create different, more advanced types of pasta at once, you really can't beat the Kitchenaid Gourmet Pasta Press Attachment. It fits all KitchenAid mixers and comes with six quick-change discs to rotate between types of pasta: spaghetti, bucatini, rigatoni, fusilli, and small or large macaroni. The internal built-in wire cutter helps you control the length of your pasta, and it's easy to use: Simply attach to your KitchenAid mixer, drop in pieces of pasta dough, and use the attached cutter to slice your pasta. The major caveat with this one, however, is that if you don't already own a KitchenAid mixer, it's quite expensive to buy both the machine and this pasta press.

Price at time of publish: $220

Dimensions: 5.7 x 4.8 x 8.4 inches
Materials: Stainless steel, plastic
Pasta Types: Spaghetti, bucatini, rigatoni, fusilli, large or small macaroni

Our Favorite

Pasta makers have more variety than ever before — even manual ones — thanks to the range of materials, types of attachments, and ease of use. The Marcato Atlas 150 Pasta Machine is the best option for most users due to its durable build and multiple attachments. However, if you need an electric option to take all the guesswork out of the equation, the Philips Pasta and Noodle Maker Plus will help make the entire process much easier.

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.

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.

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.