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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000922907-05-000144.txt : 20050222
<SEC-HEADER>0000922907-05-000144.hdr.sgml : 20050222
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20050222152743
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000922907-05-000144
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20050217
FILED AS OF DATE:		20050222
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20050222

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BAUM JONATHAN E
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001253466

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-13403
		FILM NUMBER:		05631027

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		120 W 12TH ST
		CITY:			KANSAS CITY
		STATE:			MO
		ZIP:			64105
		BUSINESS PHONE:		8182835259

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>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>form4buam_022205ex.xml
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2005-02-17</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

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

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001253466</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>BAUM JONATHAN E</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>120 WEST 12TH STREET</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>SUITE 800</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>KANSAS CITY</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>MO</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>64105</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Class A Convertible Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2005-02-17</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>715</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>2635</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>Owned directly by Holdings.</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Class A Convertible Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>4809</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Class A Convertible Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>1800</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>Includes</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Class A Convertible Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>1172.16</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>Owned directly by Granchild, L.P.</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F4"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Award pursuant to AIPC Remuneration Plan</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Jonathan E. Baum is the President and holds all of the voting stock of Holdings.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">200 shares held directly by Sarah Baum, Jonathan Baum's wife and 1,600 shares held directly by Sarah Baum as custodian for
each of Jonathan and Sarah Baum's four minor children. Mr. Baum disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares, and this
report shall not be deemed an admission that the reporting person is the beneficial owner of such shares for purposes of
Section 16 or for any other purpose.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">Jonathan E. Baum holds four 16.5% limited partnership interests in Grandchild, L.P. as custodian for each of his four minor
children. Except to the extent of his beneficial ownership of Grandchild, L.P., Mr. Baum disclaims beneficial ownership of
such shares, and this report shall not be deemed an admission that he is the beneficial owner of such shares for purposes of
Section 16 or for any other purpose. The percentage interest and proportionate share of AIPC shares changed December 9,
1998.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Jonathan E. Baum, by Timothy S. Webster, as Attorney in Fact, pursuant to the Power of Attorney dated February 25, 1998 previously filed.</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2005-02-22</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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