Picture this: you have spent all your time pre- and post-pandemic wisely nailing the art of pasta-making. You host a dinner party, it’s a resounding success and everyone is blown away by your mastery of the Chinese-born delicacy.
There are few things as warm, as enticing and as comforting as a huge bowl of pasta. The supermarket variety is good, but what if we tell you that there’s a way to create restaurant-worthy fresh pasta from the comfort of your own home? Your Italian themed evening is about to get a serious upgrade.
It may take slightly longer than just emptying a bag and boiling the kettle, but it’s so worth it.
What does a pasta machine do?
While it is possible to use a rolling pin, a pasta maker machine simplifies the process. There are two types - manual or electronic. The versatile manual devices are typically crafted from a hard-wearing metal and come complete with a crank so you can roll your dough through for the optimal thickness and consistency. Meanwhile, electric does the work for you.
No matter which you opt for, they tend to have a variety of settings and you can invest in accessories like a Ravioli Round Cutter or Ravioli Pasta Making Tray for perfect shapes every time. The sheets come out even and you can even have the machines cut it up to the preferred size whether you want a pappardelle, tagliatelle or a vermicelli.
It’s much easier than you believe. The dough is easily made up from eggs, flour and salt but you can switch things up to put a healthier twist on the hearty dish or to suit your dietary requirements with the likes of red lentil, peas, spinach or quinoa.
Think outside the box and play around to create different colours, shapes, fillings and when it comes to sauce - Bolognese, Neapolitan, Carbonara - there’s so many possibilities. The combinations are truly endless and you can constantly mix and match as you start to master it.
Tim Siadatan, co-founder of Padella and Trullo, shares his top tips for nailing the process at home:
- To save time, make a couple of batches of pasta dough and then divide into meal-sized portions, wrap thoroughly and freeze.
- Simply defrost and shape when you’re ready to use. Even better if you can shape before freezing as you then just cook directly - just add two-three minutes onto the cooking time.
- For plain pasta dough, use a ratio of 200g of 00 pasta flour to 10 (140g) egg yolks.
- Flour quality is key! It makes a real difference to your dough if you get hold of good quality pasta flour.
- Opt for free range or organic egg if possible.
Already own a KitchenAid or a Carrera stand mixer? The brands offer attachments to your existing devices.
Best pasta makers at a glance:
- Best for beauty and functionality: KitchenCraft World of Flavours Stainless Steel Red Pasta Machine - £26.09, Amazon
- Best for stick-resistant versatility: Marcato Atlas 150 Wellness Pasta Machine, Pink - £89.99, Amazon
- Best for aesthetic and monetary value: Imperia Pasta Machine - £74.32, Amazon
- Best for industrial-style simplicity: Lakeland Pasta Machine Chromed Steel - £29.99, Lakeland
- Best for gourmet pasta on a budget: KitchenCraft Deluxe Double Cutter Pasta Machine - £19.99, Robert Dyas
- Best for the ultimate pasta maistro: Premier Housewares Multi Pasta Maker Set - Chrome - £48, Amazon
- Best for high-tech dough lovers: Marcato Electric Pizza Dough & Pasta Fresca Machine - £399.99, Amazon
We’ve gathered the best free-standing pasta makers to shop now.
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KitchenCraft World of Flavours Stainless Steel Red Pasta Machine
Best for: beauty and functionality
Let’s face it, this new piece of tech is about to become the most important thing in your kitchen so it should come in a show-stopping shade like the bold red hue of KitchenCraft’s World of Flavours machine.
But while attractiveness does appear on our list of ‘must-haves’, when it comes to our pasta maker, it’s the features that we are paying most attention to and this certainly excels in that regard.
There are nine different pasta widths that you can adjust to give you the size of your choice, ranging from fettuccini to ramen noodles - just twist at the side to change it up. Add flour to the rollers to make the process more seamless. The sturdy chrome frame is robust and will stand the test of time, while the crank is easy and smooth to operate - so you can get the kids involved too. Just beware of where they are putting their fingers. It’s also detachable for easy storing.
The machine also comes with a one year guarantee.
Buy now £26.09, Amazon
Marcato Atlas 150 Wellness Pasta Machine, Pink
Best for: stick-resistant versatility
In line with one of the most sought-after interior trends, you can find this pasta maker in a chic pink hue. The perfect gift for the foodie in your life, it provides the wow-factor when unboxing. The Italian brand has thought of everything to ensure it is both stylish and practical so it’s clear to see why this is considered the ‘one to beat’ by the kitchen tech brands everywhere.
The pasta maker comes with a huge range of features like the uniquely anodised aluminium rollers that are stick-resistant, a clasp that attaches to your countertop, and an adjustment knob that lets you set the thickness of your pasta - whether you prefer lasagna, fettuccine or tagliolini. There are also 13 additional attachments so you can truly have your pick of the pasta shapes.
There are a huge range of other colours to choose from as well as the more traditional-looking Marcato Otello Ash Wood & Chrome Pasta Machine (£234.50) that has a vintage feel and offers seven thickness levels.
Buy now £89.99, Amazon
Imperia Pasta Machine
Best for: aesthetic and monetary value
This hard-wearing chrome-plated device from Imperia is so sought-after that you’d be lucky to find it in stock. The pasta machine makes homemaking the Italian favourite a breeze. You can easily switch up the shape, size and thickness of your pasta dough with the various cutters. It is hand-operated through the crank at the side that doesn’t require much effort at all to operate and comes with a wooden aesthetic so it fits more seamlessly among traditional design styles.
Buy now £74.32, Amazon
Lakeland Pasta Machine Chromed Steel
Best for: industrial-style simplicity
Whether you are a seasoned chef or trying to expand your repertoire, Lakeland’s own-brand device is on hand to transform your dough into delicious pasta. With a rolling crank, simply feed the mixture in and choose between eight thickness settings. The machine is crafted with an industrial-style polished stainless steel and is complete with a clamp so you can secure it to your kitchen worktop when in use. Simply wipe clean.
Buy now £29.99, Lakeland
KitchenCraft Deluxe Double Cutter Pasta Machine
Best for: gourmet pasta on a budget
KitchenCraft knows a thing or two about pasta makers - as proven by the inclusion of two other models in our list. This is a price-friendly option that will allow you to treat yourself or your loved one to the gift of homemade pasta without costing an arm and a leg. It has adjustable rollers, a clamp for security and an detachable easy-to-use handle.
Buy now £19.99, Robert Dyas
Premier Housewares Multi Pasta Maker Set - Chrome
Best for: the ultimate pasta maistro
Get all the gear to master the art of pasta making with this set that includes the device itself as well as multiple attachments; a roller, double cutter, ravioli cutter and even a drying rack. It is fairly robust and has a clamp to keep it stable while you work on creating your latest pasta masterpiece.
Buy now £48.00, Amazon
Marcato Electric Pizza Dough & Pasta Fresca Machine
Best for: high-tech dough lovers
For the technophiles among you that steer away from manual devices, we have good news. Here’s a hi-tech pasta maker that offers a world of possibilities for your dinner.
The compact Marcato Electric device packs a whole lot of features in. Using a specialised horizontal blade, it can knead pizza, bread or biscuit dough in record time and can also then cut your pasta with the attachments provided for the likes of lasagne, fettuccine and tagliolini. You also have the option to affix any of the additional ones from the label’s expansive offering as they are also compatible.
Buy now £399.99, Amazon
Verdict
Marcato’s Atlas 150 Wellness Pasta Machine is viewed as the gold standard in the genre and it is clear why, it is a hugely impressive device and is easy on the eyes too. But for price, the quantity of setting on offer and style points too, KitchenCraft’s World of Flavours Stainless Steel Red Pasta Machine gets our vote.
