I have spent years perfecting my pasta craft, always striving to make the Italian Nonnas proud. While you can create world-class pasta with nothing more than a rolling pin and your hands, the right tools transform the process from a chore into a joy. In this guide, I’m sharing my favorite professional-grade gear alongside high-quality budget alternatives. Like most things in the kitchen, you get what you pay for, and I recommend buying the best your budget allows. Whether you’re a weekly maker or a twice-a-year hobbyist, there is a perfect setup here for you.
(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases)
Marc’s Top Pick: The Marcato Atlas 150
If you are serious about making pasta, this is the gold standard. It’s the machine I’ve relied on for years to get those perfectly consistent, paper-thin sheets. Unlike cheaper models, the steel rollers are precise and durable, making it an heirloom piece for your kitchen. If you have ever struggled with a pasta sheeter or roller not cutting pasta, this is the pasta machine for you! [Check Price on Amazon]
Manual Machines:
Pro Choice: The Marcato Atlas 150
If you are looking to buy your ‘forever’ pasta machine, this is it. The Marcato Atlas 150 is world-renowned for its Italian craftsmanship and precision. What sets it apart are the patented ‘wellness’ rollers—made of anodized aluminum alloy that ensures no heavy metals ever end up in your dough. It feels incredibly sturdy on the counter, and the 10-position dial allows for a level of thickness control that cheaper models just can’t match. It is an heirloom-quality tool that grows with you as your skills sharpen.
Budget Choice: ISILER Pasta Maker
For those just starting out or anyone who only plans to make fresh pasta a few times a year, the Isiler is a fantastic, accessible option. It covers the essentials beautifully, featuring adjustable thickness settings and a dual-cutter attachment for spaghetti and fettuccine. While it doesn’t have the same heavy-duty feel as the Italian-made models, it is reliable, easy to clamp to your workspace, and gets the job done without a major upfront investment. Just know any budget model my expereince issues with fully cutting spaghetti or fettuccine.
Automatic Machines
Automatic machines are not a necessity but save time when you are making pasta in bulk. For small batches I prefer to stick to a manual machine but if you are feeding a crowd or want to make enough to stockpile, automatic machine is a must!
Pro Choice: KitchenAid 3-Piece Pasta Roller & Cutter Set
The KitchenAid 3-Piece Pasta Roller & Cutter Set is the gold standard for mixer attachments. Made in Italy from commercial-grade stainless steel, these are individual, pieces, one dedicated roller and two separate cutters. Because they aren’t combined into a single housing, they are easier to maintain and offer the most consistent results for paper-thin sheets.
Budget Choice: Rethone Pasta Attachment for KitchenAid
The Rethone 3-in-1 Pasta Maker Attachment is a clever, space-saving alternative. Unlike the pro set, this unit houses the roller and both cutters in a single attachment, meaning you never have to swap pieces mid-session. It is significantly more affordable and made of stainless steel with a protective outer casing. You are however swapping convenience for consistency.
Pasta Extruders
Pro Choice: KitchenAid Pasta Extruder
If you already have a KitchenAid stand mixer on your counter, this attachment is the most efficient way to enter the world of extruded pasta. Because it uses the power of the mixer’s motor, the build is compact and heavy-duty, featuring six interchangeable dies for everything from small macaroni to large rigatoni. I personally love this model and use it quite often. It is even what I used to develop my extruded pasta recipes! It is the ultimate upgrade for the serious home cook who wants variety without adding another bulky appliance to the pantry.”
Honorable Mention: Philips 7000 Series Pasta Maker
The Philips 7000 Series is a powerhouse and earns an honorable mention for its sheer convenience. While it does have a larger footprint on your countertop, unlike the KitechAide you don’t have to make the dough then feed it into a hopper, making it easier and less steps involved. If you have the space and want fresh pasta on a busy weeknight with zero effort, this is the machine that makes it possible.
Tools to help with Filled Pasta (Pasta ripiena)
Ravioli Molds
Pro Choice: Mercato Ravioli molds
The Marcato Ravioli Mold brings authentic Italian craftsmanship directly to your kitchen. Made in Italy from die-cast aluminum, this heavy-duty mold is built for precision and longevity. It ensures neat, uniform cuts for perfectly shaped square ravioli. I have never had an issue with dough sticking to these molds when dusted with semolina. Some cheaper options are more prone to sticking. Mercato offers several size and shapes.
12 Large Round [Check Price on Amazon]
24 Small Square [Check Price on Amazon]
Budget Choice: Cucina Pro
The Cucina Pro mold is a highly practical, two-piece metal tray designed to make ravioli prep quick and easy. It features a handy plastic press that lets you easily form uniform dough pockets, which you can then fill with your favorite ingredients. Simply place a second sheet of pasta over the top, use a rolling pin to seal the edges, and you will instantly yield 12 perfect ravioli. The two-piece setup solves teh dough sticking to the bottom of the mold.
12 Large Round [Check Price on Amazon]
The Hand-Crafted Alternative: Marcato Ravioli Stamp Set
While a multi-pocket mold is highly efficient for batching, there is an unmatched artisan appeal to using a traditional hand stamp.
When choosing between these two styles, consider your preferred cooking pace and technique:
- Tactile Precision and Control: With a mold, your filling must fit into predetermined, fixed wells. With a stamp, you control the filling volume. You can place generous mounds of ricotta directly onto the flat sheet of dough and drape the top layer over naturally, adjusting the drape of the pasta yourself to eliminate air pockets before you press.
- Better Seal, Less Air: Air is the enemy of ravioli; trapped air expands in boiling water, causing them to burst. Using a stamp allows you to cup your fingers around the filling mound, easing the air out manually before stamping down to cut and seal in one motion.
- Zero Waste on the Edges: Because you stamp only where you place the filling, you can optimize your pasta sheet layout. With a mold, the outer margins of the metal frame inevitably trap extra dough that must be trimmed and re-rolled.
- Easy Clean-Up and Storage: Storing a long metal tray can be awkward in smaller kitchens. These stamps are compact enough to tuck into a utensil drawer, and they clean up easily with a simple dry brush after the flour dries.
Mercato Ravioli Set [Check Price on Amazon]
If you are hosting a large Sunday dinner and need to feed a crowd quickly, a traditional mold is your best friend for cranking out dozens of uniform pieces. However, if you treat pasta making as a relaxing weekend ritual, the Marcato Ravioli Stamps offer a deeply satisfying, hands-on experience that lets you experience what it is like to be an Italian nonna.
Shaping Pasta Tools
While a machine does the heavy lifting, these hand tools are great additions to expand your pasta making journey. There are plenty more but these I believe are the basics and will allow you to get started making artisan level pasta at home!
Pasta Cutter – I recommend bronze, but steel also works. La Gonda Set of 2 Bronze Cutters
Bicicletta – Help to cut even squares. This is great for tortellini, farfalle etc. Mercato adjustable bicicletta
Gnocchi board – Creates texture to gnocchi as well as cavatelli. (Avoid inexpensive ones where the wood splinters) Mercato Gnocchi Board
Pasta Tree – For hang drying fresh pasta Mercato Plastic Pasta Tree (budget option Wooden Pasta Tree)
Bringing the Italian Tradition to Your Kitchen
Investing in the best pasta making tools isn’t just about making prep work faster—it’s about preserving a beautiful, hands-on culinary tradition right in your own home. Whether you choose the heirloom-quality Marcato Atlas 150 or start your journey with a budget-friendly manual roller, the joy of turning simple ingredients into a world-class meal is entirely worth the effort. Once you have your kitchen counter prepped and your tools ready, head over to my step-by-step guide on How to Make Fresh Pasta at Home to master your dough consistency, or explore our collection of authentic Pasta Recipes to find the perfect sauce for your freshly cut noodles. Happy rolling!