We know that a pasta maker is an excellent tool for making fresh noodles. But if you’re a fan of versatile tools like me, I am happy to share that this machine can do more than that.
Yes, we love these kitchen machines for creating homemade sheets of pasta or noodles. But having the multipurpose feature naturally makes them worth the bench space and the investment.
From pastry crust to wonton wrappers, here are the other things you can do with your small pasta maker.
Multifunctional Pasta Maker
OK, but there are several kinds and models of noodle makers available. Which one is best for producing all sorts of food items?
What you should look for is the roller-type pasta machine. And there are two kinds. One is the hand-cranked pasta machine that you manually operate to produce sheets of dough.
The other is the pasta attachment type that you need to connect to another kitchen machine, like a stand mixer.
Before getting either of these, read the manual first, though. Ensure that you can use it for rolling out other dough types and that it is easy to clean thoroughly.
Some pasta roller brands do not recommend using your machine for producing food items other than pasta. And this is primarily to prevent voiding the warranty.
Other Things to Make Using Your Pasta Maker
With your machine now ready to roll, here are other yummy food items to make that are not ravioli or fettuccine!
Pie Crust
Homemade pie dough is easy to make and roll out with a rolling pin. The problem with this technique is that getting the thickness equal and consistent can be difficult.
A too-thick dough is prone to underbaking, while a crust that’s too thin can result in a soggy bottom. With a pasta maker, you can use your foolproof pie dough recipe and get the thickness right every time.
Use the machine to make tartlets or small hand pies, too. I love using the kitchen pasta maker to decorate my pie with a beautiful lattice top or braided border!
Phyllo Dough
Filo or phyllo is a special dough for making Greek pastries or dishes like baklava and spanakopita. Recipes using phyllo usually require dough sheets arranged in multiple layers to produce a flaky, crisp crust.
It is rather challenging and time-consuming to roll out filo by hand as it is super thin, almost tissue-like. And so, the best way around it is to use a noodle maker.
Now, you can use a crank-type machine for this. But it can be hard to turn the crank and hold thin phyllo sheets simultaneously. So, when doing this, it’s best to ask someone to help you.
Better yet, try making this dough with an electric pasta roller. That way, you have both hands free to hold the thin sheet as it comes out.
Crackers
If you love making affordable and healthy snacks for your kids, why not try making homemade crackers? After making your cracker dough, roll it out into a sheet using your kitchen pasta machine.
Sprinkle it with your favourite flavourings or toppings like herbs, flavoured salt or cheese. Then cut it into bite-sized pieces and bake until crisp. The best thing about homemade crackers is they contain zero preservatives.
You can also make your crackers as thick or thin as you want! On other days, try making similar snacks like graham crackers or sugar cookies with your pasta maker.
Laminated Dough
Lamination is a baking process of folding a layer of fat, usually butter, into your dough. The dough is then rolled out into a sheet then folded again.
This repeated process creates the alternating layers in puff pastry. Once baked, we get flaky and delicate pastries like croissants, Danishes, turnovers and palmier cookies.
Laminated dough is challenging to make as you have to fold and roll it fast enough to keep the butter solid. Rolling it out with a rolling pin can take time and melt the fat.
Using a pasta maker should make the process faster and less tiring.
Egg Roll or Wonton Wrappers
Do you like Chinese food takeaways? I don’t blame you. They’re super delicious! But what if you’re trying to reduce household costs by limiting restaurant food expenses?
The best solution is to make them at home. For example, you can find a recipe for egg roll or wonton dough. Then, bring out your pasta maker and start rolling it flat.
You can cut the dough sheet into small squares or use a cookie cutter to make round wrappers. The hardest part, of course, is probably deciding which filling and dipping sauce to try first!
Flatbread
Flatbreads are unleavened bread (no yeast) that you cook on a hot skillet or griddle. Usually, they contain no flavouring as we usually serve them for dipping or with fillings.
You can even use them as an alternative for pizza crust. The most popular kinds of flatbread are naan, rotis, pita, tortilla and chapatis.
A rolling pin is the tool of choice for rolling out flatbread dough. But a kitchen pasta machine should help you flatten it faster and more evenly.
Marzipan or Fondant Icing
Are you into baking cakes? If yes, you probably enjoy decorating them with almond paste (marzipan) or fondant. Having a pasta maker at home should make it quick to roll out either décor into a smooth layer.
A roller machine should make it easier to work with small sheets of marzipan or fondant, too, especially when decorating mini cakes or cupcakes. More importantly, every small cake will look uniform and professionally made!
Conclusion
Pasta machines are reliable when it comes to fresh pasta making. But now we also know that these tools are also super versatile.
With some experimentation, you can use your small pasta maker for making snacks, bread, savoury dishes and pastries. Such a multipurpose tool deserves a spot in your kitchen for sure.
Keen to try using one at home? Check out some of my best pasta machines and reviews to learn more.
