UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT
                     Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15(d) of the
                         Securities Exchange Act of 1934


Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)           May 16, 2008
                                                --------------------------------

                         AMERICAN ITALIAN PASTA COMPANY
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             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

        Delaware                      001-13403                84-1032638
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(State or other jurisdiction        (Commission             (IRS Employer
    of incorporation)               File Number)          Identification No.)

4100 N. Mulberry Drive, Suite 200, Kansas City, Missouri          64116
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(Address of principal executive offices)                       (Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code (816) 584-5000
                                                  ------------------------------
                                 Not Applicable
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         (Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to
simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the
following provisions:

[ ] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17
     CFR 230.425)

[ ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17
     CFR 240.14a-12)

[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the
     Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the
    Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Item 2.02   Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

     On May 16, 2008,  American  Italian Pasta Company (the "Company")  issued a
press release providing certain financial information for the second quarter and
first  half of the  fiscal  year  ended  March 28,  2008.  The press  release is
attached as Exhibit 99.1 hereto and incorporated herein by reference.

Item 9.01  Financial Statements and Exhibits.

            (d) Exhibits.

            99.1      Press release dated May 16, 2008.

                                   SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.


     Date: May 19, 2008             AMERICAN ITALIAN PASTA COMPANY


                                    By:  /s/  Paul R. Geist
                                    --------------------------------------------
                                             Paul R. Geist
                                             Chief Financial Officer

                                  EXHIBIT INDEX


Exhibit Number             Description
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    99.1                   Press release dated May 16, 2008.