The best pasta machines for cannelloni sheets
Cannelloni asks less of a pasta machine than almost any other shape: no cutters, no dies, just even flat sheets around 1–1.5 mm. That means the classic hand-crank roller — the simplest, cheapest category — is also the best fit for most readers. Here’s the honest hierarchy.
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First, the free option
Because cannelloni needs individual squares rather than meter-long ribbons, a rolling pin genuinely works. If you make fresh pasta a few times a year, spend the money on good Parmigiano instead and follow the pin instructions in the from-scratch guide. A machine earns its shelf space when you want perfectly even thickness, or you make fresh pasta monthly or more.
Our picks
Stainless hand-crank roller (150 mm)
The century-old design for a reason: 7–9 thickness settings, nothing to charge or break, clamps to any counter. For cannelloni you’ll live on the widest four settings plus one thin pass. Look for all-steel rollers, a solid clamp, and a removable crank. Expect decades of service.
Check hand-crank pasta machines on AmazonRoller attachment for your mixer
Frees both hands — one feeds the dough, one catches the sheet — which makes solo pasta-making dramatically easier. If your kitchen already has a compatible stand mixer, this beats a standalone machine on convenience. Buy the roller only; cannelloni never uses the cutters.
Check pasta roller attachments on AmazonCompact electric pasta machine
Worth it if you batch-cook for a crowd or sell at markets: consistent motorized speed and no cranking fatigue across double and triple batches. Overkill for a monthly dish of 12 tubes — the hand-crank does that in ten minutes.
Check electric pasta machines on AmazonWhat to ignore
- Extruder-style machines (the ones that push dough through dies) — they make spaghetti and macaroni shapes, not sheets. Wrong tool for cannelloni.
- Cutter attachments and accessory bundles — cannelloni uses none of them; pay for roller quality instead.
- Plastic-geared budget clones — the price difference to all-steel is small and the lifespan difference is enormous.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a pasta machine to make cannelloni?
No — cannelloni uses individual squares, so a rolling pin works fine. A machine buys speed and perfectly even 1–1.5 mm thickness, which matters most if you make fresh pasta regularly.
What thickness setting for cannelloni sheets?
Roll to about 1–1.5 mm — typically the second-thinnest setting on a standard hand-crank machine. Thin enough to see your hand's shadow through, sturdy enough to roll around filling.
Are extruder pasta machines good for cannelloni?
No. Extruders push dough through dies to make shapes like spaghetti; cannelloni needs flat rolled sheets. Buy a roller-style machine (hand-crank, attachment, or electric), not an extruder.