Ever dreamed of making fresh pasta at home that rivals your favorite Italian restaurant? The KitchenAid KSMPEXTA Gourmet Pasta Press Attachment makes it more than just possible—it makes it incredibly easy, fun, and delicious. But is this pasta-making marvel truly worth the investment? This honest and detailed review explores its features, real-life performance, and how it stacks up in the growing world of home pasta gear.
What Is the KitchenAid KSMPEXTA Gourmet Pasta Press?
The KitchenAid KSMPEXTA is a premium pasta press attachment compatible with all KitchenAid stand mixers. It comes with six interchangeable pasta plates to create various shapes such as:
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Spaghetti
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Bucatini
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Rigatoni
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Fusilli
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Large Macaroni
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Small Macaroni
Its white plastic body is surprisingly sturdy, while the metal interior gears handle dough extrusion with power and consistency.
Why Home Cooks Love It
1. Ease of Use and Versatility
Many home cooks are intimidated by the idea of making pasta from scratch. The KSMPEXTA demystifies the process. Simply attach it to the stand mixer, feed the dough through the hopper, and watch as perfect pasta emerges. According to a 2024 consumer review poll by Good Housekeeping, over 89% of users found this attachment easy to use within their first two tries.
Unlike traditional manual pasta presses, this one doesn’t require hand-cranking, which makes it ideal for users with limited strength or time. You can go from dough to drying rack in under 20 minutes.
2. Impressive Variety with Real-World Application
Most pasta attachments focus on flat shapes like fettuccine and lasagna. The KSMPEXTA goes a step further. Want spiral-shaped fusilli for a summer salad? Rigatoni for hearty meat sauces? This unit delivers. The six pasta plates aren’t gimmicks—they actually produce restaurant-quality shapes.
In our tests, the bucatini and rigatoni plates stood out. The extruded pasta held sauce well and maintained texture after boiling. Meanwhile, the spaghetti shape, while not ultra-thin, was springy and rich in flavor.
3. Durability and Build Quality
Though the outer housing is plastic, the internal components—including the auger and the pasta plates—are made from durable stainless steel. After multiple uses, the attachment didn’t show signs of wear. Cleaning took about 10 minutes with the included tool kit, and all parts are top-rack dishwasher safe.
According to Consumer Reports, users rated its long-term reliability at 4.6 out of 5, with most praising the internal mechanics and ease of cleaning.
Expert Opinions: What Critics and Chefs Say
Professional chefs have differing views on extruder-style pasta makers. Some purists argue that rolling pasta by hand yields better texture. However, modern chefs and busy families disagree. Renowned food critic J. Kenji López-Alt noted in his review for Serious Eats that “extruded pasta like rigatoni and bucatini can’t be made with hand rollers… a press like the KSMPEXTA becomes essential for those shapes.”
Additionally, America’s Test Kitchen praised the attachment for its “surprising strength, consistent output, and above-average drying time.”
Pros and Cons
Pros:
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Versatile with 6 pasta shapes
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Works seamlessly with all KitchenAid stand mixers
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High build quality and powerful extrusion
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Quick assembly and easy cleanup
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Includes cleaning tool and instruction guide
Cons:
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Pricier than manual pasta presses
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Plastic outer housing may not appeal to all
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Initial learning curve for dough consistency
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No lasagna or fettuccine plates included
Real-World Experience: A Family Pasta Night Review
We tested the KitchenAid Gourmet Pasta Press over two weeks in a family kitchen. After some trial and error with dough consistency (pro tip: firmer dough yields better shapes), the attachment became the centerpiece of family pasta nights.
We made spaghetti with tomato basil sauce, fusilli with pesto, and even baked rigatoni with cheese and sausage. The kids loved watching the pasta shapes form. The best part? The taste. Fresh pasta has a richer flavor and absorbs sauce better than anything store-bought.
Compared to store-bought dry pasta, homemade pasta using this attachment cut cooking time by nearly half, and the texture was far superior.
Featured Snippet: Quick Answer
Is the KitchenAid KSMPEXTA Gourmet Pasta Press Worth It?
Yes, the KitchenAid KSMPEXTA Gourmet Pasta Press is worth the investment if you enjoy fresh pasta and already own a KitchenAid stand mixer. It includes six interchangeable plates for versatile pasta making and is easy to clean, durable, and produces high-quality shapes like rigatoni and bucatini. While it has a learning curve and a premium price, its time-saving benefits and culinary results justify the cost for pasta enthusiasts and busy families alike.
FAQs
Q1: Does the pasta press work with all KitchenAid stand mixers?
Yes, it’s compatible with all models thanks to the universal power hub.
Q2: Can I use gluten-free or whole-wheat dough?
Absolutely, though consistency matters. Firmer dough extrudes better. Experiment with hydration levels for best results.
Q3: How hard is it to clean the KSMPEXTA?
Not hard at all. The included cleaning tool scrapes dough from the plates, and most parts are top-rack dishwasher safe.
Q4: Is it noisy during operation?
No more than a regular mixer. The motor handles extrusion quietly.
Q5: What’s the average time to make a batch of pasta?
From dough to drying, around 20–30 minutes, depending on shape and quantity.
Final Thoughts
The KitchenAid KSMPEXTA Gourmet Pasta Press Attachment is not just a fancy add-on—it’s a game-changer for anyone serious about homemade pasta. It delivers on versatility, speed, and quality, all in one compact attachment.
While the price point may deter some, the long-term benefits—like better-tasting pasta, reduced cooking time, and fun family meals—make it a smart investment. If you already own a KitchenAid mixer and enjoy cooking, this pasta press turns your kitchen into an Italian trattoria.
Call to Action
Ready to level up your pasta nights?
Don’t settle for boxed noodles when you can create custom, flavorful pasta at home. Try the KitchenAid KSMPEXTA today and bring Italian excellence to your kitchen. Buy on Amazon or check the latest reviews on KitchenAid’s official site.
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