You couldn't have posted this question at a better time, as that is what I have been pondering. I just purchased my first mixer, a kitchenaid, and I saw that they had a pasta attachment, among other attachments that I think I might need but never use. I debated, could I justify that extra money, and would I ever use it. So this thread has me rethinking that maybe I should bite the bullet and add it right on that ol' credit card also. Is there a universal pasta recipe or is it a family tradition type recipe that you folks use? (I remember my grandma making homemade noodles for soup when I was just a tadpole.) So if you folks could answer the pasta recipe question for me, I would greatly consider the pasta attachment. ( Kitchen aid is offering free S&H since I just bought the mixer on any attachment-what an incentive-and no I am not affiliated with Kitchen aid). So once the pasta is made, do you need a dryer rack to dry out the pasta before cooking/boiling it? Or do you use the drying rack if you plan to store it? This is all new to me so any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.