Marcato Professional and Home-Style Pasta Machines

On a pasta machine, roller width and cutter width are different technical specifications. The roller determines the maximum width and thickness of the dough sheet; the cutting attachment then divides the prepared sheet into tagliolini, fettuccine, spaghetti, or another shape. Marcato pasta machine prices vary by 150 or 180-millimeter body, manual or motorized operation, and compatible attachment range.

Marcato is an Italy-based brand that has been manufacturing pasta and dough-processing equipment since 1930. The Atlas model has been one of the brand's core designs since 1965. Its current product line includes Atlas, Ampia, Atlasmotor, Pasta Fresca, and various pasta-cutting attachments. The active selection on Mutfak10 focuses on the Atlas 150, Atlas 180, Ampia 150, Ampia 180, motorized Atlas, and Multipast sets.

What Is the Difference Between the Marcato Atlas and Ampia?

In the Atlas series, the cutting section can be removed from the main body, and different pasta shapes can be prepared with suitable additional attachments. The Atlas 150 is one of Marcato's most flexible manual bodies, working with the brand's wide attachment range.

On the Ampia, the standard cutting rollers are fixed to the machine body. The user prepares lasagna sheets along with the two basic strip shapes the unit offers; not all Atlas 150 attachments fit the Ampia.

If only fixed products such as lasagna, fettuccine, and tagliolini will be prepared, the Ampia can provide simpler operation. If the menu includes ravioli, spaghetti, linguine, or different strip shapes, the Atlas 150's attachment system can be more flexible.

Atlas 150 and the 150-Millimeter Dough Sheet

The Marcato Atlas 150 has an approximately 150-millimeter roller. The dough sheet can be gradually thinned for lasagna, ravioli, noodles, sweet dough, or other suitable recipes.

Depending on the model, the standard cutting section produces tagliolini of approximately 1.5 millimeters and fettuccine in the approximately 6-millimeter class. Even when the product names use terms such as spaghetti or noodle, the actual cutting width should be verified from the technical attachment.

The Atlas 150 comes in different colors and surface finishes. Color does not change roller or cutting capacity; a cleaning method suitable for the coating should be used during maintenance.

Atlas Classic 180 with a Wider Dough

The Atlas Classic 180 uses an approximately 180-millimeter roller. A wider lasagna sheet can be considered for filled dough or larger-portion production.

An 18-centimeter dough sheet is not automatically compatible with standard Atlas 150 accessories. Marcato states that Atlas 150 cutting attachments cannot be used on the Atlas 180.

A wider sheet can provide higher production; the dough must be fed evenly and in parallel onto the roller. Supporting the emerging dough with both hands can become more difficult on a narrow counter.

10-Stage Thickness Adjustment

Marcato Atlas and compatible machines have a clearly numbered 10-position thickness dial. The early positions correspond to a wider roller gap, while later positions produce a thinner dough sheet.

The dough should be thinned gradually, starting from the thickest setting. On the first pass, the sheet can be folded and run through the rollers again, which helps regulate the dough's surface and rectangular shape.

Skipping several stages to jump to a very thin setting can cause the sheet to tear, the edges to crack, or the dough to stick to the roller.

Anodized Aluminum Rollers

Select Marcato Atlas models feature food-contact-safe anodized aluminum rollers. The manufacturer states these surfaces are developed to avoid leaving abraded metal particles or harmful dust.

The rollers should not be cleaned with a knife or metal scraper. If the surface is scratched, dough sticking and cleaning difficulty can increase.

Removable combs and scrapers make it easier to clean dried dough around the rollers. The user should only disassemble parts as shown in the manual.

Atlasmotor and the Pastadrive System

The Atlasmotor pairs the Atlas body with the Pastadrive electric motor. The motor takes over the crank handle's role, turning the rollers at a steady speed.

The user can use both hands to manage feeding and outfeed of the dough. In motorized operation, clamping the machine to the counter may not be required, but the unit should still be placed on a flat, non-slip surface.

The motor does not mean it can safely force dough that is incorrectly prepared or overly stiff. If the roller slows or the sound changes, the unit should be stopped and the dough quantity reduced.

Ampia 150 and Ampia 180

The Ampia 150 combines an approximately 150-millimeter dough sheet and two fixed pasta cuts in a single body. It can be considered for home and low-to-medium-volume kitchens that want minimal attachment changes.

The Ampia 180 is oriented toward preparing a wider sheet. As width increases, clamping the machine to the counter and supporting the dough with both hands becomes more important.

Ravioli, linguine, or pappardelle attachments made for the Atlas should not be fitted to the Ampia. Compatible motors and accessories should be verified against the exact product code.

Multipast and Pastaset Packages

The Marcato Multipast or Pastaset offers the Atlas 150 body with several cutting attachments in the same package, allowing lasagna, fettuccine, and tagliolini to be prepared alongside ravioli or different strip shapes.

Set contents can vary by product generation and sales package. The phrase "two attachments" should be evaluated by checking which accessories are included beyond the standard cutter on the main body.

A large number of attachments creates extra cleaning and storage space if they are not actually used on the menu. The set should be chosen based on the pasta varieties actually being prepared.

Atlas 150 Cutting Attachments

Spaghetti, linguine, bigoli, capellini, pappardelle, mafaldine, reginette, trenette, and various other cutting attachments are available for the Atlas 150. Some cutters produce results ranging from approximately 1 millimeter to wider strips.

The cutting attachment does not thin the dough. The sheet must first be brought to the thickness position recommended for the attachment on the main roller.

Marcato states that Atlas 150 accessories are compatible across all Atlas 150 versions, and that the Ampia, Atlas 180, and Pasta Fresca each require separate systems.

Filling Control in the Ravioli Attachment

In the ravioli attachment, two dough sheets are joined around the filling to form regular pockets. If the filling is too liquid or too plentiful, it can spill onto the edges and prevent proper closure.

The dough sheets should be prepared at similar thickness and sufficient length. If the top surface is overly floured, the two sheets may not bond fully.

After cutting the ravioli, the edges should be visually checked and air pockets minimized as much as possible.

Position of the Pasta Fresca System

The Marcato Pasta Fresca is an electric system that combines dough mixing and kneading with different cutting or sheeting attachments. It is oriented toward preparing bread, pizza, biscuit, and fresh pasta doughs.

Pasta Fresca's accessories do not use the same connection as Atlas 150 products. Sfoglia and pasta-cutting attachments made specifically for the system must be chosen.

Kneading capacity and motor run time are in the home or small-scale kitchen class. High-kilogram restaurant production may require a larger professional mixer and roller system.

Dough Recipe and Resting

Pasta dough firmness depends on flour, egg, water, and resting time. Dough that is too moist can stick to the roller, while overly dry dough can crack at the thinner settings.

After kneading, the dough should be rested and divided into pieces that will fit through the roller. A large ball of dough should not be fed directly into the machine.

When using colored vegetable purée or a different flour, liquid proportion should be readjusted. The recipe should be prepared by weight in grams, not just by cup measurement.

Dry Cleaning and Maintenance

Marcato pasta machines should not be washed under a tap or submerged in water. Once dough residue has dried, it should be removed with a brush, a wooden stick, or a tool recommended by the manufacturer.

Before first use, a small amount of dough can be run through the rollers to remove production-oil residue; this dough should not be consumed.

A knife, metal rod, or cloth should not be inserted between the rollers. A motorized unit must be unplugged before cleaning.

Key Features

• On the Atlas 150, a 150-millimeter roller, 10 thickness positions, and wide cutting-attachment compatibility
• Wider lasagna and dough sheets on the Atlas Classic 180 and Ampia 180
• The Pastadrive motor freeing both hands for feeding and outfeed of the dough
• Attachments for ravioli, spaghetti, linguine, pappardelle, and various other pasta shapes

How Should a Marcato Machine Be Chosen?

For fixed lasagna and two basic cuts, the Ampia can be considered; for a wide range of attachments, the Atlas 150; for a wider sheet, the Atlas 180; for two-handed and more consistent-speed operation, the Atlasmotor.

Daily dough quantity, desired sheet width, pasta shapes, and manual crank time should be calculated together. For very high production, a larger professional roller system may be needed instead of a home-style body.

Marcato Pasta Machines on Mutfak10

The current status of Atlas, Ampia, motorized Atlas, Multipast, and cutting attachments can be reviewed on the Marcato pasta machines page on Mutfak10, operated by Arlinoks. Marcato pasta machine prices vary by width, motor, and set content.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main difference between the Marcato Atlas and Ampia?

The Atlas 150's cutting section is removable and can be expanded with different attachments. The Ampia offers a fixed sheet and two fixed cuts in the same body and is not compatible with Atlas attachments.

Can Atlas 150 attachments be used on the Atlas 180?

No. Atlas 150 cutting attachments are designed for the 150-millimeter body. The Atlas 180, Ampia, and Pasta Fresca each have different accessory compatibility.

Can a Marcato pasta machine be washed with water?

No. The rollers and cutting mechanisms should not be submerged in water. Dried dough residue should be removed with a suitable brush and the dry cleaning method recommended by the manufacturer.