Elevate your homemade pasta experience with the perfect pasta machine! Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a kitchen newbie, the right machine can transform simple dough into restaurant-quality fettuccine, ravioli, and more. In this shopping guide, we’ll help you navigate the best pasta machines on the market, ensuring delicious, fresh results and making pasta night a delight for everyone.

Comparing Types of Pasta Machines

Pasta Machine Type	Manual Roller	Electric Roller	Stand Mixer Attachment	Pasta Extruder
Effort Required	Moderate	Low	Low	Low
Pasta Shapes Supported	Flat & Ribbon	Flat & Ribbon	Flat & Ribbon	Tubes & Shapes
Speed	Medium	High	High	High
Cleaning Difficulty	Moderate	Moderate	Moderate	Variable (moderate)
Price Range	£40-£90	£150-£400+	£100-£200 (att.)	£60-£400+
Best for	Tradition	Convenience	KitchenAid Owners	Variety/Short Pasta
Noise Level	Silent	Moderate	Moderate	Moderate
Durability	High	High	High (if base is)	Variable

---

Key Features and Usage: Home and Hobbyist Pasta Machines

Manual Pasta Rollers

Essentials:
Manual pasta machines (like the Marcato Atlas 150 or Imperia SP150) feature a sturdy body—usually chrome steel or aluminium—a crank handle, adjustable thickness dial, and one or more cutting attachments.

Usage:
– Clamp the machine securely to a worktop.
– Roll the dough through the machine, starting at the widest setting.
– Reduce thickness gradually via the dial, until you reach your preferred setting.
– Attach cutters for fettuccine/tagliolini/etc. and pass the rolled sheet through to make noodles.

Best for:
– Flat pasta shapes (lasagne, tagliatelle, fettuccine).
– Home cooks wanting hands-on experience.
– Customizing dough ingredients and thickness.

Safety:
– Keep fingers clear of rollers.
– Never immerse in water.
– Clean with a dry brush only.

Electric Pasta Rollers

Essentials:
Electric roller models (e.g., Marcato Atlas with motor, Imperia Pastapresto) automate the rolling/cutting process using an attached motor.

Usage:
– Mount or clamp the machine on a stable surface.
– Turn the machine on; feed dough through rollers, adjusting thickness as with manual models.
– Use hands to guide and collect pasta safely.

Advantages:
– Frees both hands, making it easier to handle large sheets.
– Consistent speed, ideal for producing larger batches.
– Reducestiring manual cranking, great for frequent use or those with limited dexterity.

Safety:
– Only operate with dry hands.
– Follow manufacturer’s electrical safety guidelines.
– Ensure machine is off before cleaning or changing attachments.

Stand Mixer Attachments

Essentials:
Special attachments, such as the KitchenAid Pasta Roller kit, connect directly to compatible stand mixers.

Usage:
– Attach roller to mixer’s power hub.
– Mixer powers rollers; you feed and guide dough as you would with an electric roller.
– Typically offer rollers for sheet pasta plus cutters for spaghetti and fettuccine.

Best for:
– Those who already own a compatible stand mixer.
– Space-saving and convenient option.

Safety:
– Secure attachment before use.
– Do not overload stand mixer.

Pasta Extruders

Essentials:
Pasta extruders push dough through dies to create shapes like penne, fusilli, macaroni, and bucatini, impossible with rollers.

Usage:
– Mix dough to correct consistency.
– Feed dough into machine hopper.
– Let machine extrude the chosen pasta shape, cutting at desired length as it emerges.

Advantages:
– Variety of unique pasta shapes.
– Many are fully automatic (e.g., Philips Pasta Maker range).
– Often include mixing/kneading features as well.

Safety:
– Keep hair and loose clothing away from moving parts.
– Wait for blades to stop before touching.

---

Practical Tips and Best Practices

Choosing the Right Pasta Machine

• Consider Usage: If you love hands-on cooking and tradition, look for a high-quality manual roller. For weekly pasta nights or larger households, an electric model or extruder might be worth the investment.
• Shape Variety: Desire classic ribbons or fancy tubes? Stick with rollers for flat pasta; go for an extruder for more pasta types.
• Available Space: Manual machines are compact. Electric and extruder models need more counter space.
• Budget: Manual machines start around £40–£75. Electric rollers and extruders often range £150–£400+.
• Material Quality: Look for stainless steel or robust chrome (not thin, cheap metal or plastic for rollers).
• Expandability: Many top rollers (especially Marcato and Imperia) support many optional attachments for added versatility.

Using Your Pasta Machine

1. Prep the Dough Properly: Follow reliable pasta dough recipes using fine ‘00’ flour and fresh eggs. Knead until smooth and let it rest before rolling.
2. Work in Pieces: Divide dough into manageable sections. Keep unused dough wrapped to prevent drying.
3. Start Wide, End Thin: Always begin on the widest roller setting, reducing one step at a time for even results.
4. Flour as Needed: To prevent sticking, very lightly dust dough and machine surfaces with flour.
5. Cut Efficiently: When ready to cut, support the sheet so it feeds smoothly and doesn’t tear.
6. Drying: Let cut noodles dry a few minutes before cooking or storing.
7. Cleaning: Never wash metal pasta rollers in water. Brush off dried dough and use a toothpick or dry brush for tricky areas. Some extruder parts may be dishwasher safe—check manual.

Safety Reminders

• Always unplug electric machines before cleaning or switching attachments.
• Keep children away from blades and moving rollers.
• Clamp manual machines solidly to prevent slipping.

---

Technical Comparison Table

Model / Type	Power Source	Thickness Settings	Pasta Shapes (Std.)	Body Material	Weight	Dimensions (cm)	Notable Features
Marcato Atlas 150 Manual	Manual	10	Lasagne, Fettuccine, Tagliolini	Chrome Steel / Aluminium	5.4kg	20.3 x 20.3 x 17.8	Attachments available, Rough rollers
Marcato Atlas Motor	Electric	10	Lasagne, Fettuccine, Tagliolini	Chrome Steel / Aluminium	5.5kg	20 x 20 x 17	Optional motor for manual model
Imperia SP150 Manual	Manual	6	Fettuccine, Tagliatelle	Chrome Steel	3kg	20.4 x 18.3 x 15.7	Italian-made, sturdy crank
KitchenAid Pasta Attachment	Mixer-based	N/A (uses roller)	Lasagne, Spaghetti, Fettuccine	Stainless Steel	2.8kg	24 x 9 x 5	Leaves hands free, easy to store
Philips Compact Pasta Maker HR2370	Electric (auto)	3	Spaghetti, Penne, Fettuccine	Plastic	4.7kg	35 x 13 x 28	Quick (18 min), Discs included
Philips Viva HR2345/19	Electric (auto)	3	Spaghetti, Penne, Fettuccine, Lasagne	Plastic	5kg	35 x 13 x 28	Makes 600g pasta in 18 min
SMART Pasta Making Machine	Electric (auto)	N/A (Extrudes)	Spaghetti, Tagliatelle, Macaroni	Plastic	4kg	54.4 x 44.8 x 30	Fast (6 min), 6 attachments included

---

Related Video

Conclusion

Making homemade pasta is a rewarding, creative, and delicious endeavor. The perfect pasta machine can turn the task into a fun ritual, whether you’re eager for authentic tagliatelle, robust lasagne, or quirky extruded pasta shapes.

For tradition-seekers and tight budgets, quality manual rollers like the Marcato Atlas or Imperia deliver proven reliability and results, and only require a bit of muscle. Electric-powered models make things faster and are ideal for frequent pasta nights or bigger households, as do stand mixer attachments for KitchenAid owners. If shape variety and automation matter most, pasta extruders—or all-in-one automatics from Philips—let you produce everything from spaghetti to penne at the touch of a button.

Whichever route you choose, look for durability, expandability, and user-friendly cleaning. Remember that technique and patience make all the difference—a good dough, the right resting, gradual rolling, and a light touch transform results.

Above all, let your pasta adventures enhance routine meals and create special memories at the table. With the right pasta machine, the possibilities are endless.

---

FAQ

What types of pasta can I make with a manual roller machine?
Manual rollers typically allow you to make flat pasta sheets (for lasagne, cannelloni), tagliatelle, and fettuccine by default. With optional attachments, you can produce spaghetti, linguine, ravioli, and more.

Are electric pasta makers better than manual ones?
Electric machines are faster and require less effort, making them ideal for frequent use or large batches. However, manual machines are more affordable, offer greater control, and provide a traditional cooking experience.

Can I make gluten-free pasta with these machines?
Yes! Use gluten-free flour blends suited for pasta making. Manual and electric rollers handle gluten-free dough well, but ensure your dough isn’t too dry or sticky.

How do I clean a pasta machine?
Never immerse manual pasta rollers in water. Allow dough to dry inside then brush away residue. Some electric pasta maker parts (like extruder discs) may be dishwasher safe—check your manual.

What material should I look for in a pasta machine?
Stainless steel and chrome-plated steel are best for durability and food safety. Quality rollers and cutters are essential for smooth operation and easy cleaning.

How thin can a pasta machine roll dough?
Manual rollers offer several thickness settings, from about 4.8 mm (widest) down to 0.6 mm (thinnest). Match dough thickness to the type of pasta you are making.

What’s the difference between a roller and an extruder?
Rollers flatten and cut dough into sheets or ribbons. Extruders push dough through a die or disc, making tube and shaped pastas like penne, fusilli, and macaroni.

Is a pasta machine worth it if I only make pasta occasionally?
Even for infrequent use, a reliable manual roller is affordable and doesn’t take much space. If you love occasional pasta nights or want to explore new recipes, it’s a great investment.

Do I need special flour for pasta making?
For best results, use Italian ‘00’ flour. It creates a silky, elastic dough that’s easy to roll and translates into tender noodles.

What attachments or extras should I consider getting?
Common valuable attachments include spaghetti, ravioli, and lasagnette cutters. Pasta drying racks help with batch making, and cleaning brushes keep your machine in top shape. For extruder models, look for a set of dies/discs for varied shapes.

---