Abstract: An automatic cutting apparatus, applicable to presses for making pasta or to extruders for making snacks includes a main supporting structure, an annular support having a vertical axis, a main shaft arranged coaxially to the annular support, and elements for actuating the main shaft with a rotary motion about its own axis. The annular support can be associated with a press for making pasta or an extruder for making snacks below a die that has a vertical axis and is connected to the outlet of the press or of the extruder, or below a cutting accessory that is interposed between the die and annular support. The main shaft can be coupled to at least one blade that is adapted to act on the lower die face or with at least one blade of the cutting accessory.