Making fresh pasta at home has always sounded appealing, but the effort and mess can be a deterrent. Enter the Philips Pasta Maker (also referred to as the “Philips Viva Pasta & Noodle Maker”), an automatic pasta machine claiming to simplify the process. At $99.95, with a 4.3-star rating on Amazon and over 1,800 reviews, it seemed worth a try. Here’s my hands-on experience, from unboxing to cooking.
Where to Purchase
I picked up this pasta maker on Amazon for $99.95.
Unboxing & Features
The packaging promises fresh pasta in 18 minutes, with three shaping discs included for spaghetti, penne, and fettuccine. The unit has a compact, space-saving design with built-in storage for accessories. Inside the box, I found:
- The machine itself
- A recipe guide
- A cleaning brush
- Measuring cups and accessories
The initial setup was straightforward, though assembling the parts after cleaning required some attention. I appreciated the instructional video on the Amazon listing, as it made the process much clearer than the manual alone.
Round 1: Spaghetti
I started with the classic spaghetti disc. After adding 200 grams of flour and a liquid mixture of egg and water (as per the included measuring cup), I turned the machine on. The initial mixing phase created a crumbly dough, which is what the video suggested was correct. Then, like magic, the pasta began to extrude.
Watching the spaghetti emerge was oddly satisfying. The included cutting tool allowed me to control the length of each strand easily. The machine wasn’t loud, which was a pleasant surprise compared to some appliances I’ve tested.
After cooking, the spaghetti was a hit—perfect texture and taste. Cleaning the machine by hand, however, revealed a challenge. While most parts cleaned up well, the shaping disc required significant effort, even with the provided brush.
Round 2: Penne
Switching to the penne disc was a different story. The initial extrusions looked off. They were short, curved pieces that didn’t resemble penne. After a few minutes, the shape improved slightly, but the final result still didn’t match my expectations. The taste was fine, but the irregular shapes might not satisfy someone particular about presentation.
Cleaning up after this batch reinforced my initial impression: without a dishwasher, this might become tedious. This shaping disk was even more difficult to clean than the first one I cleaned.
Round 3: Fettuccine
The fettuccine disc proved to be the most problematic. The pasta came out far too narrow, resembling tagliolini more than fettuccine. Some pieces were brittle and inconsistent, likely due to the standard recipe being too dry. I adjusted by adding a touch more water, which improved the texture slightly, but the results still weren’t impressive.
At this point, I decided to try a new recipe using semolina flour. This made a noticeable difference. The dough was smoother, and the final product was less brittle. However, the width of the “fettuccine” remained too narrow for my liking.
Performance Overview
Here’s a quick breakdown of my experience:
- Ease of Use: The machine is simple to set up and operate, though getting the recipes just right requires some trial and error.
- Output Quality: Spaghetti was the standout, with consistent shape and excellent taste. Penne and fettuccine were less convincing, often inconsistent in size and shape.
- Cleaning: Most parts cleaned up easily, but the shaping discs were stubborn even with the included brush. Dishwasher-safe parts helped, but you’ll still need to manually clean some crevices.
Final Thoughts
The Philips Pasta Maker delivers on its promise of fresh pasta in minutes, but it isn’t perfect. Spaghetti lovers will likely be satisfied, as that shape worked best with minimal effort. However, for other shapes like penne and fettuccine, the machine struggled to meet expectations without recipe tweaks.
If you enjoy experimenting and don’t mind some cleanup, this machine might be a fun addition to your kitchen. For more consistent results or less effort, sticking to store-bought pasta—or rolling your own by hand—may be a better option.
Have you tried the Philips Pasta Maker or a similar device? Tell me what you think in the comments below.
Video Review
Check out the full video review below.