-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
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>0001104659-06-043354.txt : 20060623
<SEC-HEADER>0001104659-06-043354.hdr.sgml : 20060623
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20060623133635
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001104659-06-043354
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20060622
FILED AS OF DATE:		20060623
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20060623

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			LEDER MARC J
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001193052

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-13403
		FILM NUMBER:		06921651

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		5200 TOWN CENTER CIRCLE, SUITE 470
		CITY:			BOCA RATON
		STATE:			FL
		ZIP:			33486

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			KROUSE RODGER R
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001193057

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-13403
		FILM NUMBER:		06921650

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		5200 TOWN CENTER CIRCLE, SUITE 470
		CITY:			BOCA RATON
		STATE:			FL
		ZIP:			33486

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			SUN CAPITAL SECURITIES FUND L P
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001288467

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-13403
		FILM NUMBER:		06921654

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		5200 TOWN CENTER CIRCLE
		STREET 2:		SUITE 470
		CITY:			BOCA RATON
		STATE:			FL
		ZIP:			33486
		BUSINESS PHONE:		561-394-0550

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

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Sun Capital Securities Offshore Fund Ltd
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001344696
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			CA

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-13403
		FILM NUMBER:		06921655

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		5200 TOWN CENTER CIRCLE
		STREET 2:		SUITE 470
		CITY:			BOCA RATON
		STATE:			FL
		ZIP:			33486
		BUSINESS PHONE:		5613940550

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		5200 TOWN CENTER CIRCLE
		STREET 2:		SUITE 470
		CITY:			BOCA RATON
		STATE:			FL
		ZIP:			33486

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Sun Capital Securities Advisors, LP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001358621
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-13403
		FILM NUMBER:		06921653

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		5200 TOWN CENTER CIRCLE
		STREET 2:		SUITE 470
		CITY:			BOCA RATON
		STATE:			FL
		ZIP:			33486
		BUSINESS PHONE:		(561) 394-0550

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		5200 TOWN CENTER CIRCLE
		STREET 2:		SUITE 470
		CITY:			BOCA RATON
		STATE:			FL
		ZIP:			33486

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Sun Capital Securities, LLC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001358622
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-13403
		FILM NUMBER:		06921652

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		5200 TOWN CENTER CIRCLE
		STREET 2:		SUITE 470
		CITY:			BOCA RATON
		STATE:			FL
		ZIP:			33486
		BUSINESS PHONE:		(561) 394-0550

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		5200 TOWN CENTER CIRCLE
		STREET 2:		SUITE 470
		CITY:			BOCA RATON
		STATE:			FL
		ZIP:			33486

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			SCSF Equities, LLC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001358623
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-13403
		FILM NUMBER:		06921649

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		5200 TOWN CENTER CIRCLE
		STREET 2:		SUITE 470
		CITY:			BOCA RATON
		STATE:			FL
		ZIP:			33486
		BUSINESS PHONE:		(561) 394-0550

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		5200 TOWN CENTER CIRCLE
		STREET 2:		SUITE 470
		CITY:			BOCA RATON
		STATE:			FL
		ZIP:			33486
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>a4.xml
<DESCRIPTION>4
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2006-06-22</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

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

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001358623</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>SCSF Equities, LLC</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>5200 TOWN CENTER CIRCLE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>SUITE 470</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>BOCA RATON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>FL</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>33486</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001344696</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Sun Capital Securities Offshore Fund Ltd</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>5200 TOWN CENTER CIRCLE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>SUITE 470</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>BOCA RATON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>FL</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>33486</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001288467</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>SUN CAPITAL SECURITIES FUND L P</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>5200 TOWN CENTER CIRCLE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>SUITE 470</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>BOCA RATON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>FL</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>33486</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001358621</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Sun Capital Securities Advisors, LP</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>5200 TOWN CENTER CIRCLE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>SUITE 470</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>BOCA RATON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>FL</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>33486</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001358622</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Sun Capital Securities, LLC</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>5200 TOWN CENTER CIRCLE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>SUITE 470</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>BOCA RATON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>FL</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>33486</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001193052</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>LEDER MARC J</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>5200 TOWN CENTER CIRCLE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>SUITE 470</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>BOCA RATON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>FL</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>33486</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001193057</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>KROUSE RODGER R</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>5200 TOWN CENTER CIRCLE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>SUITE 470</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>BOCA RATON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>FL</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>33486</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Class A Common Stock, par value $0.001</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2006-06-22</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>53300</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>8.16</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>2250900</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Class A Common Stock, par value $0.001</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2006-06-22</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>53300</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>8.16</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>2250900</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>By SCSF Equities, LLC</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">SCSF Equities, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (&quot;SCSF Equities&quot;), is the direct beneficial owner of the shares reported in Table I.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">The securities reported in Table I may be deemed to be beneficially owned by Sun Capital Securities Offshore Fund, Ltd., a Cayman Islands corporation (&quot;Sun Offshore Fund&quot;), Sun Capital Securities Fund, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (&quot;Sun Securities Fund&quot;), Sun Capital Securities Advisors, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (&quot;Sun Advisors&quot;), Sun Capital Securities, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (&quot;Sun Capital Securities&quot;), Marc J. Leder (&quot;Leder&quot;) and Rodger R. Krouse (&quot;Krouse&quot;). Leder and Krouse may each be deemed to control SCSF Equities, Sun Securities Fund and Sun Advisors, as Leder and Krouse each own 50% of the membership interests in Sun Capital Securities, which in turn is the general partner of Sun Advisors, which in turn is the general partner of Sun Securities Fund, which in turn owns a majority of the membership interests of SCSF Equities.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">Leder and Krouse may each be deemed to control the Sun Offshore Fund by virtue of them being the only directors of the Sun Offshore Fund. Sun Offshore Fund, Sun Securities Fund, Sun Advisors, Sun Capital Securities, Leder and Krouse expressly disclaim beneficial ownership of the shares reported in Table I, except to the extent of any pecuniary interest therein.  The filing of this form shall not be deemed an admission that the Reporting Person is, for Section 16 purposes or otherwise, the beneficial owner of such shares.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>SCSF Equities, LLC, by: /s/ Marc Leder, its Co-CEO</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2006-06-22</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Sun Capital Securities Offshore Fund, Ltd., by: /s/ Marc Leder, its Director</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2006-06-22</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Sun Capital Securities Fund, LP, by: Sun Capital Securities Advisors, LP, by: Sun Capital Securities, LLC by: /s/ Marc Leder, its Co-CEO</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2006-06-22</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Sun Capital Securities Advisors, LP, by: Sun Capital Securities, LLC by: /s/ Marc Leder, its Co-CEO</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2006-06-22</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Sun Capital Securities, LLC by: /s/ Marc Leder, its Co-CEO</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2006-06-22</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Marc Leder</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2006-06-22</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Rodger Krouse</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2006-06-22</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----