-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 RQH+TvMAIrne5BDaD2BZjDtmUoNca4UK0HmArVKP4rxPy2ivsaVaa11hl7/2K5R+
 g6kHA6pq/SGBwX/yetS9yw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000902664-06-002704.txt : 20061211
<SEC-HEADER>0000902664-06-002704.hdr.sgml : 20061211
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20061211165528
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000902664-06-002704
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20061208
FILED AS OF DATE:		20061211
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20061211

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			JANA PARTNERS LLC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001159159
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-13403
		FILM NUMBER:		061269030

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		JANA PARTNERS LLC
		STREET 2:		536 PACIFIC AVENUE
		CITY:			SAN FRANCISCO
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			94133
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2125935955

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			AMERICAN ITALIAN PASTA CO
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000849667
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	MISCELLANEOUS FOOD PREPARATIONS & KINDRED PRODUCTS [2090]
		IRS NUMBER:				841032638
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0930

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		4100 N MULBERRY DRIVE SUITE 200
		CITY:			KANSAS CITY
		STATE:			MO
		ZIP:			64116
		BUSINESS PHONE:		8165026000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		4100 N MULBERRY DRIVE SUITE 200
		CITY:			KANSS CITY
		STATE:			MO
		ZIP:			64116
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>form3_ex.xml
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2006-12-08</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000849667</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>AMERICAN ITALIAN PASTA CO</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>PLB</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001159159</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>JANA PARTNERS LLC</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>200 PARK AVENUE, SUITE 3300</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10166</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Class A Common Stock, $.001 Par Value</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>2083197</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ JANA Partners LLC, by Charles Penner, General Counsel</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2006-12-11</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----