If you’re diving into fresh pasta at home, you’ve probably come across the CucinaPro pasta machine. With its traditional design and affordable price, it’s a tempting alternative to big-name Italian brands like Marcato. But how does it actually perform in the kitchen?
Here’s our honest take — from an Italian kitchen that makes pasta every week.
🇮🇹 First Impressions
The CucinaPro 150 Imperia Pasta Machine is a classic, heavy-duty manual roller made from chrome-coated steel, with a wooden crank and a solid table clamp. Right out of the box, it feels sturdy and well-built — not like a flimsy knockoff.
It’s clearly inspired by the traditional Italian design, and in fact, Imperia machines are manufactured in Italy, often rebranded under CucinaPro for U.S. distribution. So yes — you’re still getting Italian quality.
🎛️ Ease of Use
With adjustable settings for sheet thickness, the CucinaPro lets you roll dough for:
- Tagliatelle
- Lasagna sheets
- Fettuccine
- Stuffed pastas like ravioli (with an attachment)
What we liked:
- Smooth crank motion, even with firmer semolina dough
- Good stability when clamped to a countertop
- Easy to control the thickness — from delicate sheets to hearty layers
🧽 Cleaning & Maintenance
Like all steel pasta rollers, this one should never be washed with water. Just brush off flour and use a dry cloth to wipe the rollers clean. With good care, it’ll last decades.
🆚 CucinaPro vs. Marcato Atlas
While the Marcato Atlas 150 is a little smoother out of the box and has a more polished finish, the CucinaPro gives it real competition — especially considering the price.
| Feature | CucinaPro | Marcato Atlas |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Made in Italy 🇮🇹 | Made in Italy 🇮🇹 |
| Build | Heavy-duty steel | Anodized aluminum |
| Attachments | Spaghetti, Fettuccine (extras sold separately) | More available |
| Price Point | 💰 Lower | 💰💰 Slightly higher |
If you’re just getting started with fresh pasta and want to save a bit, CucinaPro is absolutely worth considering.
🇮🇹 Wait — Is CucinaPro Made in Italy?
The CucinaPro 150 Pasta Machine is manufactured in Italy by the historic brand Imperia — the same company that’s been making pasta machines in Italy since 1932.
It’s the same model sold in Europe under the Imperia brand. CucinaPro simply distributes it under their U.S. label — which explains the branding differences.
✅ How we know:
- Multiple retailers list it clearly as “Made in Italy” (see Target and Walmart)
- The machine is identical in design and materials to the Imperia 150 model sold directly in Italy
- Unboxing photos and user reviews often show a “Made in Italy” stamp on the machine itself
This is authentic Italian-made quality, just rebranded for the U.S. market.
🧑🍳 Recipes We’ve Made with the CucinaPro
Recipes that are perfect to use with this pasta machine:
It handles both egg and semolina-based doughs beautifully.
🤔 Is a Hand Crank Pasta Machine Right for You?
Before you buy, ask yourself how often you plan to make pasta — and how much time you want to spend doing it.
✅ A hand crank model like the CucinaPro is perfect if:
- You enjoy the process and want a traditional, hands-on experience
- You typically make pasta for 2–4 people at a time
- You don’t mind clamping the machine to your counter and feeding the dough manually
- You value control over thickness and texture (which electric models can rush)
❌ It might not be right if:
- You have limited arm strength or mobility
- You’re cooking large batches regularly
- You prefer to set-and-forget with an electric motor
- Already own a KitchenAid stand mixer or a stand mixer that offers pasta attachments
💡 Tip: Some Marcato models offer a compatible motor attachment — but the CucinaPro is manual-only, so be sure you’re up for the (very fun!) crank workout.
🧩 CucinaPro 5-Piece Deluxe Set: Expand Your Pasta-Making Horizons
For those eager to explore a variety of pasta shapes without purchasing multiple accessories separately, the CucinaPro 5-Piece Deluxe Pasta Maker Set offers an all-in-one solution. This set includes:
- Hand crank pasta machine with adjustable thickness settings
- Three interchangeable cutter attachments for:
- Spaghetti
- Fettuccine
- Lasagnette
- Angel hair
- Ravioli
- Countertop clamp to secure the machine during use
- Cleaning brush for easy maintenance
This versatile set allows you to craft a range of pasta types, from delicate angel hair to hearty ravioli, all with one machine. The inclusion of the ravioli attachment is particularly noteworthy, as it’s often sold separately with other brands.Priced competitively at around $65, this Italian-made set provides excellent value for both beginners and seasoned pasta enthusiasts.
Note: We can’t confirm that this product is Made in Italy, if that matters to you.
🛒 Check Price on Amazon →
Affiliate disclosure: We may earn a small commission at no cost to you.
⚖️ Already Own a KitchenAid Mixer? Consider Pasta Attachments Instead
If you already have a KitchenAid stand mixer, it may make more sense to skip a hand-crank machine altogether and invest in KitchenAid-compatible pasta attachments.
Here’s why:
- 🔌 Motor-powered = no crank required
The mixer powers the attachment, so your hands are free to guide the dough. - 🧍♀️ More ergonomic design
Pasta sheets feed vertically from the front of the mixer — easier on your body and kitchen setup. - ⚡ Faster batch production
Ideal if you make large quantities or want to get pasta done in record time. - 🧩 Modular options
Choose only the attachments you need — rollers for lasagna sheets, cutters for spaghetti and fettuccine, or even a ravioli press.
👩🍳 Our Take:
If you’re already in the KitchenAid ecosystem and want efficiency over tradition, the attachments may be the better investment — especially for frequent pasta makers.
⚠️ Why Is the CucinaPro Pasta Machine Frequently Returned?
If you’ve checked the Amazon listing recently, you might’ve noticed a red warning:
“Frequently returned – See product details and customer reviews.”
So what’s going on?
From what we’ve gathered, many of the returns stem from misaligned expectations:
- 🧩 Confusion about attachments – Some buyers assume it includes more cutters or a ravioli press (which are sold separately unless you buy a set).
- 🧼 Cleaning shock – Others are surprised that you can’t wash the machine with water — but that’s true of alltraditional pasta rollers.
- 🇨🇳 Brand confusion – Some buyers expect a Marcato-level finish or assume “CucinaPro” = cheap import, even though it’s often made by Imperia in Italy.
If you know what you’re buying — a manual crank machine, cleaned with a brush, used with care — you’ll probably have a great experience.
But if you expect it to work like an electric roller or come with a dozen attachments, you’ll be disappointed.
✅ Our verdict: It’s a solid pasta maker for the price — but only if you understand what you’re getting.
✅ Final Verdict: Should You Buy It?
If you’re looking for an affordable, Italian-style pasta machine with a traditional hand crank, the CucinaPro 150 Imperia delivers solid performance and classic design. It’s built to last, gives you full control over dough thickness, and handles both egg-based and semolina pastas with ease.
But whether it’s the right pasta maker for you depends on your kitchen setup and how often you cook:
🟢 Buy the CucinaPro 150 if you…
- Want an authentic, hands-on pasta-making experience
- Prefer a manual model with full control
- Cook for 1–4 people and enjoy the ritual of rolling pasta
- Want Italian craftsmanship without the Marcato price tag
🛒 Check Price on Amazon →
Affiliate disclosure: We may earn a small commission at no cost to you.
🟡 Consider the 5-Piece Deluxe Set if you…
- Want extra attachments out of the box (ravioli, angel hair, lasagnette)
- Don’t mind that the manufacturing origin is less clear than the 150 model
- Are looking for maximum value under $70
🔵 Skip both and go with KitchenAid attachments if you…
- Already own a KitchenAid stand mixer
- Want motor-powered convenience for big batches
- Prefer a vertically fed, ergonomic setup
- Don’t need the tradition — just speed and precision
🧩 See our recommended KitchenAid pasta attachments →
