EXHIBIT 23.1


                                    [LETTERHEAD]



                          CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" and to 
the use of our report dated September 3, 1998, except for Note 16 as to
which the date is November 4, 1998, with respect to the financial 
statements of Dakota Growers Pasta Company in Amendment No. 2 to the 
Registration Statement on Form S-1 and the related prospectus of Dakota 
Growers Pasta Company.

/s/ Eide Bailly LLP
- ------------------------
EIDE BAILLY LLP
November 19, 1998
Fargo, North Dakota