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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 VSokbyp/Z49YuReVZXRAPir3t15RvMkHG3y+M1gyTgpRgDrQtanqqKnzTEzUiVIQ
 zoJLHmhriSH2NfIKTrI4tA==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000922907-03-000425.txt : 20030918
<SEC-HEADER>0000922907-03-000425.hdr.sgml : 20030918
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030918112024
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000922907-03-000425
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030908
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030918

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			TAPP DOUGLAS W
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001263507

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-13403
		FILM NUMBER:		03900613

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O AMERICAN ITALIAN PASTA CO
		STREET 2:		4100 N MULBERRY DRIVE STE 200
		CITY:			KANSAS CITY
		STATE:			MO
		ZIP:			64116
		BUSINESS PHONE:		8165845614

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_091703tappex.xml
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<!-- - EDGAR Ease Plus 1.0                                   07/25/03  TT    -->
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>
   <periodOfReport>2003-09-08</periodOfReport>
    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000849667</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>AMERICAN ITALIAN PASTA CO</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>PLB</issuerTradingSymbol>
   </issuer>
   <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001263507</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>TAPP DOUGLAS W</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O AMERICAN ITALIAN PASTA CO</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>4100 N MULBERRY DRIVE STE 200</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>KANSAS CITY</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>MO</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>64116</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
         <isDirector>0</isDirector>
         <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
         <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
         <isOther>0</isOther>
         <officerTitle>Vice President-Human Resources</officerTitle>
      </reportingOwnerRelationship>
   </reportingOwner>
 <nonDerivativeTable>
   <nonDerivativeHolding>
      <securityTitle>
         <value>Common Stock</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <postTransactionAmounts>
         <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
           <value>2500</value>
            <footnoteId id="F1"/>
         </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
         <directOrIndirectOwnership>
            <value>D</value>
         </directOrIndirectOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
   </nonDerivativeHolding>
 </nonDerivativeTable>
 <derivativeTable>
   <derivativeHolding>
      <securityTitle>
         <value>Employee stock option</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <conversionOrExercisePrice>
         <value>42.47</value>
      </conversionOrExercisePrice>
      <exerciseDate>
            <footnoteId id="F2"/>
      </exerciseDate>
      <expirationDate>
         <value>2013-09-08</value>
      </expirationDate>
      <underlyingSecurity>
         <underlyingSecurityTitle>
           <value>Common Stock</value>
         </underlyingSecurityTitle>
         <underlyingSecurityShares>
           <value>15000</value>
         </underlyingSecurityShares>
      </underlyingSecurity>
      <ownershipNature>
         <directOrIndirectOwnership>
           <value>D</value>
         </directOrIndirectOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
   </derivativeHolding>
 </derivativeTable>
   <footnotes>
      <footnote id="F1"> Award pursuant to Employment Agreement. This restricted stock vests on September 8, 2006.</footnote>

      <footnote id="F2"> Option vests in five (5) equal installments beginning on September 8, 2004.</footnote>
   </footnotes>
   <ownerSignature>
      <signatureName>/s/ Douglas W. Tapp</signatureName>
      <signatureDate>2003-09-09</signatureDate>
   </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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