Pasta Maker Accessories

Upgrade Your Pasta Game: The Best Pasta Maker Accessories and Where to Find Them in the UK

Why pasta maker accessories are worth the investment

Think of a pasta maker as a basecamp for culinary adventure—handy, reliable, but not always complete. Accessories are the ropes, carabiners, and headlamps that let you climb higher and stay safe while doing it. Buying a few well-chosen attachments can turn a basic roller into a multi-purpose pasta workshop, letting you make spaghetti, capellini, pappardelle, ravioli, and even fresh extruded shapes with confidence. Not only do they expand what you can make, they often speed up preparation and improve consistency, so your pasta looks as good as it tastes.

Where to shop in the UK for pasta maker accessories

Shops in the UK range from specialist boutiques to large department stores and online marketplaces. If you want genuine Marcato attachments for an Atlas 150, retailers like Nordic Nest often stock brand accessories, while mainstream stores such as Lakeland, John Lewis, Amazon UK, Argos, and Robert Dyas carry a broad range of pasta tools and compatible attachments. Each type of retailer has its benefits: specialist shops bring expert selection, department stores offer brands with a quality guarantee, and online marketplaces give quick comparisons and user reviews.

Nordic Nest — specialist selections and Marcato parts

Nordic Nest is a good place to look if you’re after niche accessories and brand-specific add-ons like Marcato cutters for spaghetti, capellini, bigoli, and pappardelle. They tend to list exact model compatibility so you can buy with confidence, and they often showcase higher-end finishes that last. If you already own an Atlas 150, Nordic Nest is a logical stop for spare rollers and branded attachments.

Lakeland — UK-focused kitchenware and value options

Lakeland is a stalwart for practical kitchen tools across the UK, offering a mix of affordable extras and well-known brand attachments. If you like to see items in person or pick up clever little gadgets—drying racks, measuring tools, or folding cutters—Lakeland often stocks them. It’s also a friendly place to browse if you’re building a pasta kit on a modest budget.

John Lewis — reliable brands and quality assurance

John Lewis tends to stock reputable brands and often lists attachments with clear compatibility notes. Their quality-focused range means you can find stainless steel accessories and solidly made rollers, which are worth spending a little more on if you plan to use them frequently. Plus, John Lewis can be useful when you want consistent build quality and a straightforward buying experience.

Amazon UK and Argos — convenience and broad selection

Amazon UK and Argos are unbeatable when you want fast browsing, price comparisons, and user reviews. Amazon’s marketplace includes both brand-new Marcato accessories and third-party alternatives, while Argos can offer quick in-store collection for last-minute upgrades. Be careful to check seller ratings and compatibility notes—convenience comes with responsibility.

Robert Dyas and Dunelm — practical picks for everyday cooks

Stores like Robert Dyas and Dunelm stock a range of kitchen basics and mid-range pasta tools. If you’re a new home cook wanting to try pasta making without a big outlay, these shops are practical stopping points. They often pair accessories with simple recipes or starter kits, making the learning curve gentler.

Key accessories and what they do

There’s an accessory for almost every pasta dream. Think of each attachment as a new brush on your artist’s palette—thin brushes for capellini, broad brushes for pappardelle. Below are the must-haves that cover most needs.

Cutting rollers: spaghetti, capellini, and pappardelle

Cutting rollers are the most transformative add-ons. A spaghetti roller slices sheets into narrow strands, while a capellini cutter makes ultra-fine noodles for light sauces. Pappardelle cutters give you thick ribbons that hold hearty ragù. For Marcato Atlas 150 owners, compatible cutting rollers slide on easily and produce consistent widths every time.

Bigoli roller and special shapes

The bigoli roller creates a thicker, chewier strand with a slightly rough texture ideal for rustic sauces. Once reserved for Italian households, special-shaped cutters are now widely available so you can experiment with regional textures at home.

Ravioli and stamp attachments

Want stuffed pasta without sculpting each parcel by hand? A ravioli attachment or stamp can form, fill, and seal neat little pockets in a fraction of the time. These accessories are fabulous for dinner parties—imagine rolling out fifteen perfectly formed ravioli in minutes.

Extruder and die sets

Extruder attachments let you force dough through dies to create shapes like penne, fusilli, and bucatini. They open up an entirely different set of recipes and textures. If you love variety, an extruder is like adding a whole new machine to your kitchen without the footprint.

Drying racks and storage solutions

Drying racks are unsung heroes. Fresh pasta needs space to dry without sticking, and a collapsible rack saves countertop real estate. Compact storage cases for cutters and dies help keep your collection organized and ready for the next pasta night.

Choosing compatible attachments for the Marcato Atlas 150

The Marcato Atlas 150 is one of the most popular home pasta rollers, and a lot of accessories are specifically designed for it. When buying, look for explicit compatibility with Atlas 150 or universal-fit tags. Marcato-branded cutters and rollers usually guarantee a snug fit, but third-party manufacturers sometimes offer adapters that work just as well.

How to verify compatibility quickly

Check the product title and description for “Atlas 150” or “Atlas 150 compatibility.” If you’re shopping in a store like Nordic Nest, product pages typically list which models an accessory fits. When in doubt, images of the attachment mounted on the Atlas 150 are a good sign—retailers normally show how it connects.

Materials and build: stainless steel, chrome, and food-safe plastics

Materials matter because they influence durability, hygiene, and performance. Stainless steel and chrome-plated steel are preferred for cutters and rollers for their strength and ease of cleaning. Food-safe plastics appear in extruder housings and some parts of ravioli stamps. Aim for metal where longevity matters and high-quality plastic where weight and cost savings are sensible.

Why stainless steel often wins

Stainless steel resists corrosion and holds sharp edges longer, making it ideal for cutters and dies. It cleans well and looks professional on the countertop. Think of stainless steel as the suit of armor for your pasta tools—durable, easy to polish, and ready for battle with dough.

Budget picks vs premium accessories: what to buy first

Not every accessory needs to be top-of-the-line. Start with what extends your immediate repertoire—spaghetti or pappardelle cutters and a drying rack—then invest in pricier items like an extruder or stainless steel die set. If you make pasta once a month, mid-range pieces from John Lewis or Lakeland will do nicely. If you cook pasta weekly or host often, spend more on Marcato-branded components for longevity.

Essential starter kit on a budget

A sensible starter kit includes a basic roller and a spaghetti cutter, a drying rack, and a small cleaning brush. Even budget tools from Argos or Dunelm can yield restaurant-quality noodles with good dough and technique. It’s like learning to drive—start with a reliable, sensible car before upgrading to a race machine.

Care, cleaning, and maintenance tips

Most pasta accessories benefit from minimal but consistent care. Never immerse the main roller unit in water unless the manufacturer explicitly says it’s safe. For cutting rollers and dies, use a dry brush or a cloth to remove flour and dough, then wipe with a slightly damp cloth if needed. Oil moving parts occasionally with a food-safe oil to keep metal-on-metal interfaces happy.

Long-term storage and avoiding rust

Store accessories in a dry place and, when possible, use silica gel packets to keep moisture at bay. A simple cotton cloth wrapped around sensitive pieces will protect them from scratches. If you live in a humid area, wipe down metal before storage to prevent rust; think of it as tucking your tools into bed with a dry blanket.

Recipes and uses to get the most from your accessories

Accessories change what you can cook. Try capellini with a garlic-lemon sauce and a light sprinkle of Parmesan for a weeknight winner, or make pappardelle and pair it with a slow-cooked beef ragù for Sunday dinner. Use an extruder to make short tubular pastas for baked dishes that need a little bite, or fill ravioli with ricotta and spinach for a classic starter. The accessories expand your toolbox—think of them as keys that open different doors in the house of Italian cuisine.

Simple dough ratio for reliable results (imperial)

For consistent pasta dough, a classic ratio is 2 cups of all-purpose flour to 3 large eggs, plus a pinch of salt and a teaspoon of olive oil if desired. That amount will yield around 8 to 10 ounces of dough and make enough for two to three servings of fresh pasta. If you need more, simply scale up by cups and eggs—pasta making is generous with straightforward math.

How to compare prices and find the best deals

Compare prices across specialist retailers like Nordic Nest and mass-market outlets like Amazon UK and Argos. Use product model numbers to match identical items and read reviews to spot quality differences. Seasonal sales—around holiday periods or during kitchenware promotions—often offer significant savings. Think of comparison shopping like tasting multiple sauces before deciding your favorite: a little sampling pays off.

When to buy used and when to avoid it

Used metal cutters and dies can be fine if they’re not rusted and the edges are intact. However, avoid second-hand extruder dies if you can’t verify sanitation and compatibility. For most buyers, lightly used accessories from a trusted seller offer the best balance of price and function.

Final thoughts before you click “buy”

Decide what shapes you actually want to make, check compatibility with your roller, and balance price with build quality. If you love variety, prioritize a few cutters and a drying rack; if you crave authenticity and longevity, invest in Marcato accessories and stainless steel dies. With the right accessories, your home kitchen can deliver restaurant-style pasta that’s both playful and precise.

Conclusion: Pasta maker accessories unlock creativity and efficiency. Whether you shop at Nordic Nest for brand-specific Marcato parts or pick up budget-friendly extras at Lakeland or Argos, buying thoughtfully will elevate your meals and make pasta night something you look forward to. Now go roll some dough and experiment—your next perfect noodle is only an attachment away.