One of the best ways to ensure your noodles are going to be just the way you like them is to make them yourself.
The thing is, noodles and pasta, in general, come in all shapes and sizes, so there are plenty of models out there you can look into if you aim to just make an ordinary dinner. On the other hand, if you want to impress your friends and family and make a special sort of gourmet pasta-based meal that you can proudly claim to have made yourself from the ground up, one of the best ways to go about this would be to make your pasta.
For example, if you’re making spaghetti, the pasta you may by yourself will have a distinct flavor depending on the sort of ingredients you decide to put in it – which is entirely up to you, of course.
Now, while it is possible to make noodles, spaghetti, and other kinds of pasta with just your two hands and a knife, there’s a far better alternative out there – noodle and pasta makers. These contraptions can help you mix in the dough, spread it evenly, and then you can use their special tools to cut the thin sheets you’ve made into the well-known thin stripes.
In this article, we’re going to talk about noodles and pasta-making machines and why it’s useful to have one of these in your kitchen. We’ve prepared a brief buyer’s guide, so you have some idea of what you’re getting into in case you never had one of these machines before. Also, below is a list of the 10 best noodles and pasta makers currently on the market. Last but not least, we’ve ventured to answer some of the most frequently asked questions in this particular category, so you can consult this section in case you have any questions about these useful spaghetti-making contraptions.
Right then folks, without further ado, here’s the deal.
Top Picks : 5 Best Noodle and Pasta Maker
Best Noodle and Pasta Maker – A Short Buying Guide
Maintenance
Whenever you have some sort of food-making contraption that comes in contact with dough often, you have to take into consideration the amount of effort it will take to clean the darn thing after you’re done using it.
The thing is, depending on the ingredients you used to make the dough itself as well as the proportion of them, the dough can range from fairly easy to work with to incredibly sticky.
So, to avoid pulling your hair out trying to figure out how to clean these pasta makers after a particularly sticky pasta, try to find a model that comes with a special brush for this purpose. (Even better, if you can find a dishwasher-friendly one, you won’t even have to use a brush.)
Durability
When it comes to having your pasta-making tool of choice do its job in the best way possible, you must understand that any sort of metal contraption that comes in contact with water will eventually start to rust.
Unless, of course, that metal has some sort of protection against such a sour turn of events. This can be chrome plating, which is a well-known way of repelling water damage because chrome doesn’t rust.
On the other hand, simply buying a tool made out of stainless steel can be a perfect solution for this purpose, since stainless steel doesn’t rust with coating or without it.
Cost
Let’s just say that noodles and pasta makers aren’t exactly inexpensive.
But here’s the thing – once you buy a well-made pasta maker, the idea many manufacturers have is that you’ll be able to use these for years to come, so even though it is a bit of a steep initial investment, so to speak, it will all pay off in the long run.
Generally, automatic pasta maker machines are more expensive with their price range being from about $100 to $300. On the other hand, manual pasta makers tend to cost anywhere from $30 to about $100.
So, there’s something for everyone and let’s just conclude this section by saying that the manual models can be just as good and effective as their automatic counterparts, so you shouldn’t think less of them just because they’re manual.
Type (Manual vs. Automatic)
Speaking of the devil, there are two major types of pasta makers – manual and automatic ones.
As their names suggest, these two types help you make noodles and pasta in two different ways – the manual ones you have to operate yourself, while with the automatic ones you only need to push a few buttons et voila! – Your lasagna is ready.
Now, as far as the manual models are concerned, the idea is that you pick the roller and the cutter of your choice, and then use the hand crank to push the dough through these, which then creates the noodles.
Both of these types can make some excellent noodles, but the automatic ones could be described as less difficult to use.
Clamp
This mostly goes for manual models, because they need to be securely fitted onto the surface below before you can use them. (Pull the crank and rotate it.)
So, if you plan to buy a manual model of this contraption, try to get one that comes with a convenient clamp you can use to secure the entire tool to the surface below. This clamp doesn’t have to be any sort of special clamp, as any old clamp will do for this purpose.
On the other hand, you can also look for a model that comes with a suction base. It’s another form of securing the tool to the surface below, only the case with suction bases is that they use a vacuum instead of clamps to make it happen.
Best Noodle and Pasta Maker – A list of the 10 Best Products
1) Kitchen Aid – 3-Piece Pasta Roller & Cutter Attachment Set
To ensure the highest sanitary as well as durability standards, the folks at KitchenAid made sure that all of the attachments and tools you get in this set that come in contact with the dough are made out of high-quality of stainless steel.
Other than the standard spaghetti cutter, this offer also includes a special cutter for another form of noodles – the Fettuccine kind. These noodles are wider, so there’s no other way of making these with a machine other than having this special attachment.
Pros:
- Comes with two cutter attachments – one for spaghetti noodles and other for Fettuccine noodles
- Features a special cleaning brush
- All the attachments are made out of stainless steel
- This package includes a mixer and a pasta roller
- The attachments fit all KitchenAid stand mixers
Cons:
- These attachments do not work with mixers with cages
- A bit expensive
2) Philips Kitchen Appliances – Noodle Retail Box Packaging
The folks at this Philips company claim that using this tool of theirs, you can make noodles in less than 15 minutes, so if you need a noodle-making tool that can help you make them quickly as well that they’re of high-quality, going for this contraption may be a good idea.
As far as the attachments are concerned, that come with this model, you can count in the special cutters for Spaghetti, Fettuccini, Lasagna, and Penne types of pasta. Other than these four shapers and cutters, you also get a special scraping and cleaning tool, as well as a water cup and a flour cup. The clever thing that the designers at Philips came up with would be that the cleaning tools feature the same shape as the cutters, so cleanup will be a piece of cake.
Pros:
- Comes with four shaping discs for – Spaghetti, Fettuccini, Penne, and Lasagna
- Makes pasta automatically in less than 15 minutes
- 40-inch power cord
- Scraping tool
- This offer includes a flour as well as water measuring cups
- The storage drawer at the bottom, so you can keep all of the attachments there
Cons:
- Some users reported problems with the rotor chipping pieces of plastic inside the machine
- Fairly expensive
3) OxGord – Pasta Maker Machine Hand Crank
As far as the cutter on this model is concerned, the folks at OxGord made the mechanism so that it can be adjusted to 9 thicknesses. This gives you a wide range of choices so you can go for – from Spaghetti to Fettuccini and other kinds of thick pasta.
To ensure this thing will be able to work for a long time and that it’s easy to clean too, the folks at OxGord made it out of stainless steel. So, you can rest assured that this thing won’t rust d that it will be a breeze to clean. What’s more, this pasta maker is entirely dishwasher safe, so you don’t even have to clean it yourself.
Pros:
- Stainless steel build
- Easy maintenance
- Nine different adjustment sizes
- Comes with three-blade attachments
- Dishwasher safe
Cons:
- Not automatic
- Does not come with a roller (only cutters)
4) KitchenAid – KPRA Pasta Roller and Cutter for Spaghetti and Fettuccini
Since this thing is made out of stainless steel, you can rest assured that your food won’t be compromised with any harmful chemicals or other forms of pollution. What’s more, easy maintenance is a well-known advantage of kitchen utensils made out of stainless steel. Also, while we’re at the topic of cleaning, this set comes with a special cleaning brush, so you can clean out the residue of pasta from the cutters with ease.
Pros:
- Compatible with all KitchenAid stand mixers
- A sturdy, all-metal housing
- Made out of high-quality stainless steel
- Comes with a special cleaning brush
Cons:
- Some users complained about the fact that the dough tends to stick to the surface of this machine
- Fairly expensive
5) CucinaPro – Pasta Maker Deluxe Set
To be precise, using this thing, you can make spaghetti, fettuccini, ravioli, lasagna, as well as the so-call angel’s hair pasta. The fact that this is possible is thanks to several attachments that this CucinaPro tool comes with.
All of these attachments were made out of chrome-coated steel, which means that this thing won’t rust, no matter how much it comes in contact with moisture. (In fact, the only way chrome-coated steel can rust is if the coating is somehow removed – for example, if you drop this machine to the floor and the chrome gets chipped. Otherwise, there’s no rust to worry about with this tool.)
Pros:
- Can be used for making spaghetti, fettuccini, lasagna, ravioli, and angel’s hair pasta
- Comes with several attachments
- Made out of high-quality chrome-coated steel
- The adjustable thickness of the noodles
- Comes with an instruction sheet
Cons:
- Some users reported that this machine was difficult to clean
- A bit heavy
6) Marcato – Atlas 150 Machine
Here’s what you’re getting with this Marcato Atlas 150: You get the machine itself, the crank you use for rolling the dough as well as cutting it, later on, the pasta cutter, and an instruction sheet to help you figure out what’s what when you first start using this thing. Also, you’ll be getting a rather handy 10-year warranty, too, so you won’t need to worry if something goes wrong with it within this period.
As far as the material this thing’s made out of is concerned, the folks at Marcato made good use of nickel-plated steel as well as chrome-plated steel to come up with a construction that will both look good and be complete sanitary for the dough you’re making with it.
Pros:
- Made out of high-quality steel coated with chrome and nickel
- The package includes an instruction sheet
- You can make spaghetti, fettuccini, and lasagna with this machine
- 10-year warranty
Cons:
- Some users reported problems contacting the customer service
- Some users reported difficulties cleaning this thing
7) Nuvantee – Pasta Maker – Highest Quality Pasta Machine
In the department of looks as well as durability, this Nuvantee pasta maker would certainly score fairly highly, mostly because it’s made out of high-quality chrome and nickel-plated steel. This not only gives it an elegant and refined look but makes sure that it won’t ever rust because chrome-plated steel is impervious to moisture.
When you need to clean this one up after use, all you have to do is disassemble it and then carefully wash its parts with warm water.
Pros:
- Elegant design that will fit well into any sort of kitchen décor
- The cutter features 9 different settings, so you can come up with all sorts of noodle sizes
- Heat-treated gears for improved durability
- Made out of chrome-plated and nickel-plated steel
- Easy disassembly
Cons:
- Some users complained that the counter anchor is too small to secure this machine
- Some users complained about the quality of the instruction sheets
8) VonShef – Pasta Maker
The thing is, stainless steel is well-known for its excellent water-resistance, so you won’t need to worry about rust if you get a pasta maker made out of it – such as this VonShef contraption. What’s more, to increase the aesthetic appeal of this model, the folks at VonShef gave it a distinct retro finish, so it will not only be able to make noodles for you but also look good in the process, too.
Pros:
- Features adjustable thickness levels for the pasta you are making
- Made out of high-quality stainless steel
- Comes with a maintenance instruction sheet
- Table clamp
- There’s a dough roller included in the package
Cons:
- Some of the users complained about loose nuts
- Can be a bit hard to crank at times
9) Marcato – Atlas Pasta Machine
As far as the thickness of the dough itself is concerned, the folks at Marcato make sure that this machine allows you to cut your pasta to 10 different thickness levels, so you have some room to work with there.
Another great thing about this contraption, in particular, would certainly be the fact that you can use up to 12 additional attachments with this model. (Of course, you’d have to buy these separately, but the fact alone that this machine is so versatile gives you an idea of what you can do with it.)
Pros:
- This package includes a pasta cutter, a crank, and an instruction sheet
- Comes with a table clamp
- Attractive design
- High-quality build
- 10-year manufacturer’s warranty
Cons:
- Cleaning can be a bit difficult
- Sometimes the crank can fall out if you don’t drive it all the way in
10) Ultimate Pasta Machine – Professional Pasta Maker
To make this thing, the manufacturers of this contraption used two main materials – steel and aluminum. The rollers and cutters that come with this tool have been made out of anodized aluminum, while the main build is made out of chrome-plated steel. (Thanks to the chrome plating, you won’t have to worry about rust, because chrome doesn’t rust.)
As far as the cutting itself is concerned, you can rest assured you can choose between 9 different cutting settings, so you can rest assured that you will be able to make a wide variety of pasta at the sizes you like the most.
Pros:
- Made out of chrome-plated steel and aluminum
- The dial features 9 different positions
- Heavy-duty suction base for more stability in use
- Lifetime warranty
Cons:
- A bit expensive
- The instruction sheet could have been more detailed
How Do You Make Homemade Pasta?
Mix in the Ingredients
Although there are many noodle recipes out there, the essential stuff doesn’t change that much, no matter how you approach making these.
So, to start making homemade noodles from scratch, first combine flour, salt, and eggs, and mix them all in. The way you do this is to crack the eggs into a bowl and then slowly start adding flour until you get the viscosity of the dough you need. (It’s best to do this slowly, or you can add too much flour, which then means you’ll need even more eggs.)
Knead the Pasta Dough
Once you’ve combined the ingredients as instructed above, you need to start kneading the dough you’ve come up with.
This is an important part of the noodle-making process because if you do it properly, you’ll come up with a smooth dough you’ll be easily able to form into thin noodles.
It is at this stage that you should add a little bit of flour in case the dough gets sticky during the kneading phase. After you’re done kneading, you should have a ball of dough ready to be divided and cut.
Divide the Pasta
This part is the simplest one – you just have to use a knife to divide the dough into equal sections, so you won’t have to worry too much about it if you get it wrong.
Once you’ve divided the dough, you can proceed to step number 4.
Roll and Cut the Pasta
This is the part where the pasta maker you have comes in.
What you do is take one of the pasta portions you previously divided, place it carefully into the roller of the pasta-making machine you’re using, and start rolling to thin the dough out.
Once the dough is sufficiently thin, you can take the roller off the machine, set up a cutter of your choice, and then proceed to make fine noodles out of the dough.
Cooking, Drying, Freezing
Once you have the noodles, you can do pretty much whatever you want with them.
You can cook them immediately, freeze them to save them up for later, or dry them out to get rid of the extra moisture, so you can preserve them in a jar or a similar container. (They can survive a couple of weeks this way.)
Frequently Asked Questions:
Is Pasta Really Fattening?
When consumed in moderation and combination with fruits, vegetables, and meat, pasta won’t make you fat.
Of course, if you only eat pasta and eat a lot of it, too, you can expect to gain weight – but that would be because your diet isn’t well balanced, not because of the pasta itself.
Did the Chinese Invent Pasta?
Although it’s not entirely clear who came up with pasta, many historical sources indicate that it may have originated in China and that it was brought to Italy and other European countries by Marco Polo in the 13th century.
If this theory is true, then the modern-day spaghetti and lasagna may have originated from Asian noodles that are still made today throughout Asia and the world.
Can You Wash a Pasta Maker?
Pasta makers, in general, are notorious for their tough maintenance, because cleaning them often takes a lot of effort because the sticky dough that remains, well, stuck on its movable and immovable parts.
That said, many manufacturers offer special brushes for easy cleaning, and there are also models out there that are completely dishwasher-safe, so if you have a dishwasher, you can get one of these models.
What is the Best Flour for Pasta?
Even though the type of flour you’ll be using in your pasta recipes is entirely up to you, if you aren’t sure which type to use in your pasta, you can pick between these three most commonly used flour types for pasta recipes:
- All-purpose flour,
- Semolina,
- Finely milled ‘00’ flour.
Each of these kinds has a special sort of purpose, so you may want to consult a recipe book to get a clearer idea of what to look for when buying these.
How Long Can Pasta Sit Before Cooking?
If you don’t intend to make pasta immediately after making the dough, you can refrigerate it for a couple of days, or even better – dry it off and store it in jars and other containers, depending on the size of these.
Thus arranged, noodles and pasta can last you for a couple of weeks, so if you need a solution that’s more long term, definitely consider drying your pasta before cooking it.
Is Pasta Healthier Than Rice?
When it comes to the nutritional content of these two, the figures come to about the same value.
There’s no real tangible difference between the two when it comes to their nutritional value – so, it’s your call that you will use in your diet. We recommend both.
Is Pasta Better Than Bread?
Although bread and pasta are made of essentially the same ingredients, many people claim that it’s healthier to eat bread than pasta.
This may be because pasta comes in an attractive shape, so to speak, so we eat more of it. On the other hand, we only eat bread in small amounts, so we don’t tend to overeat it too much.
All in all, owning a pasta maker to call your own is a must if you love cooking and would like to be able to enjoy homemade spaghetti or noodles whenever you desire. We hope this article helped you figure out the optimal pasta maker model for your needs and we wish you a merry and hassle-free purchase. Keep practicing your cooking skills and Bon appetite!