The 10 Best Pasta Bowls of 2024, Tested & Reviewed

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These bowls are perfect for more than pasta pomodoro.

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The best pasta bowls can handle more than their namesake suggests. They are a kitchen workhouse that is the perfect halfway point between a plate and a bowl, and they can hold more than just noodles. Frequently, the exaggerated lip provides the ideal safeguard for dishes such as steamed rice topped with fried eggs, way too many sliced scallions, and a hefty dose of your favorite chili crisp. Unlike a soup bowl, you can plate salads more effectively, and the lip gives diners something to bear against with their fork or spoon for leverage. We also love them whenever we are breading something like chicken cutlets because they are the perfect depth for large, flat ingredients. They are also easy to mix and match with most dinnerware sets if you Iike layering.

We spoke with home expert Alisa Barry, founder of Bella Cucina, a prepared foods and housewares brand sold nationwide at retailers such as Neiman Marcus. Barry has fashioned herself an expert on the “essentials for beautiful living” who knows how to set a gorgeous Italian table. She sells everything from artisan oils from Italy to antique charcuterie boards she sources in her travels to her signature stark white dishware. “I like either white or black because I'm more of a non-decorative person,” says Barry. I let the colors and texture of the food be the source of inspiration. I tend to be a little bit more minimalist in that area.”

Barry says she prefers porcelain for the best pasta bowl due to its durability and chip resistance. She looks for pasta bowls with a “wide, shallow edge so you can curl the pasta up or run it up the side a little bit so you can get it on the fork or the spoon a little bit better and then easy access to the mouth.” After testing pasta bowls amongst F&W editors, we found the 10 best sets for any pasta recipe you can dream up.

The Y YHY Pasta Bowls set is wildly popular thanks to its simplicity and affordability. It is the kind of pasta bowl set you can easily replace if you break one, but it is elegant enough to serve dinner for your particular in-laws. It has plenty of rave reviews, with many shoppers saying they’ve replaced their plates with these bowls for day-to-day use.

The sizeable, low pasta bowls hold everything from topping-packed salads to cozy soups, and they’re chip-resistant and safe for the microwave, dishwasher, and freezer. “I like that these pasta bowls are a less expensive option, without compromising a ton of the quality,” says Kristin Montemarano, News & Deals writer. “They’re thick, not too heavy, have a smooth, even finish, and can go in the dishwasher or microwave without any fuss.”

What’s included: Set of 6 bowls | Material: Porcelain | Diameter: 8.5 inches | Depth: 1.75 inches | Capacity: 30 fluid ounces

These thick, durable pasta bowls are an excellent splurge pick. They're simple and elegant, and they're sure to last for years. The bowls are made of high-quality stoneware that is resistant to chipping and cracking. They also have a durable enamel glaze that is easy to clean.

"These bowls are shiny, yet food doesn't slide around," says Senior Commerce Editor Daniel Modlin. "I'm not sure what kind of witchcraft is happening here." The bowls are also stackable, which saves space in your cupboard. While these bowls are on the expensive side, we think they are well worth the investment if you're looking for a high-quality set of pasta bowls that will last for years.

What’s included: four pasta bowls | Material: stoneware | Diameter: 8.5 inches | Depth: 1.5 inches | Capacity: 32 fluid ounces

West Elm's Kaloh Stoneware Pasta Bowl sets are designed by Aaron Probyn, who is known for his minimal homeware designs. The pasta bowls come in simple white, but there are exciting colorways in the two-tone varieties. These glazed bowls have white stoneware on the interior and a contrasting matte on the exterior in colors such as golden oak, burgundy, anchor gray, and black. The matte finish has a slight texture, making these modern bowls feel organic but elevated.

Even though they are handmade, they are durable for everyday use and dishwasher and microwave-safe. “I love the look and size of these pasta bowls, their sturdy feel, and how easy they are to clean, as food doesn't stick,” says Commerce Editor Mary Lagroue. “They would be a great fit for anyone who wants a quality, handmade pasta bowl without a large price tag.”

What’s included: A set of four pasta bowls | Material: Stoneware | Diameter: 7.6 inches | Depth: 2 inches | Capacity: 36 fluid ounces

The East Fork Pottery Everyday Bowl is an exceptional dishwasher and microwave-safe product from this Asheville, North Carolina company. Made with 100% lead-free regional materials, this plate and bowl hybrid is the perfect multi-purpose pasta bowl for anyone’s kitchen and also looks excellent on opening shelving. Co-founder Connie Matisse says it is the only tableware she’d send with her kids to college.

“When these bowls first arrived, unboxing them actually felt like unwrapping a personalized gift,” says Senior Commerce Editor Danielle St. Pierre. “East Fork does it right when it comes to presentation, and these Everyday Bowls (plus their mug) are now some of my most frequently used pieces of dishware.”

The pasta bowl is a gorgeous piece of glazed ceramic pottery that feels homespun, and since each item is handmade, they are all unique. Look for core colors like Black Mountain Blue Ridge, Eggshell, Panna Cotta, Morel, Amaro, and seasonal colors as well.

What’s included: One pasta bowl | Material: Ceramic | Diameter: 8 inches | Depth: 2.25 inches | Capacity: 28 fluid ounces

I've been using this set for almost every type of dish, and I found these sturdy porcelain pasta bowls are perfect for everyday use. They have a wide opening that makes it easy to eat your pasta, and they're dishwasher- and microwave-safe. They're also a great size for serving other dishes, such as soups, salads, and stews. The bowls are made of high-quality porcelain resistant to chipping and cracking. They also have a glossy finish that makes them easy to clean. The bowls are also stackable, which saves space in your cupboard.

What’s included: four bowls | Material: porcelain | Diameter: 8.5 inches | Depth: 1.25 inches | Capacity: 16 fluid ounces

These thin, lightweight pasta bowls are a good choice for anyone who wants something simple. They're also versatile and can be used for other foods besides pasta, such as soups, salads, and cereal. The bowls are made of durable ceramic and are resistant to chipping and cracking. They also have a glossy finish that makes them easy to clean. The bowls are also stackable, which saves space in your cupboard.

One thing to keep in mind is that these bowls are on the smaller side. They're perfect for a single serving of pasta, but they may need to be more significant for a large serving or serving multiple people. “I love the bowl’s size and shape the most for pasta, which, after all, is what they're for. The size lets you dish up servings without feeling like the bowl is too big,” says Montemarano.

What’s included: six bowls | Material: porcelain | Diameter: 7.7 inches or 8.3 inches | Depth: 1.6 inches | Capacity: 22 fluid ounces

These modern bowls with a slightly rustic feel are a good choice for those who want something unique. They're also sturdy and lightweight. The bowls are made of durable stoneware resistant to chipping and cracking, and they also have a matte finish that gives them a unique look. The bowls are also stackable, which saves space in your cupboard. On the smaller side, they're perfect for a single serving of pasta, but they may need to be more significant for a large serving or serving multiple people.

“They are lightweight but feel like they are quality dishes,” says Senior Commerce Editor Dana Fouchia. “I think anyone seeing these dishes on a table setting would think they were of high quality. These feel sturdy yet refined out of the box.”

What’s included: four bowls | Material: Glazed stoneware | Diameter: 8.25 inches | Depth: 1.25 inches | Capacity: 23.5 fluid ounces

These simple ceramic bowls are a good starter set for a couple or small family. They're also very durable. The bowls are made of high-quality ceramic resistant to chipping and cracking, and they're safe for use in the oven up to 480°F. They also have a glossy finish that makes them easy to clean. The bowls are stackable, which saves space in your cupboard. Similar to the Anthro Jasper Portuguese Pasta bowls, they are also on the smaller side. They're perfect for a single serving of pasta, but they may need to be bigger for a large serving or multiple people.

“These are the ideal size for the perfect portion of pasta. They are so clean and minimalist that they allow the pasta to be the star of the show,” says St. Pierre.

What’s included: four bowls | Material: glazed stoneware | Diameter: 8.25 inches | Depth: 2.1 inches | Capacity: 29 fluid ounces

Crafted in Portugal, these glazed stoneware bowls exude a sense of solidity and durability, withstanding the rigors of daily use and dishwasher cycles. Over time, however, minor chips may form along the rims. The diameter and depth are suitable for soups, but the bowls also transition seamlessly into shallow plates. The scalloped exterior and glossy, iridescent finish (currently available in a matte finish as well) lend an elegant touch to the table. Each season brings a fresh rotation of vibrant colors, keeping the collection current.

The pasta bowls accommodate generous servings and offer a comfortable dining experience, with a flat base for plate-like usage and a sloped interior that effortlessly guides bites onto utensils. Dishwasher-friendly for effortless cleaning, the glossy finish facilitates easier food removal than the matte finish. “They're very easy to eat out of. Enough of the base is flat to use it like a plate, but the slope of the bowl keeps food in and makes scooping up bites easy,” says Lagroue.

What’s included: four bowls | Material: glazed stoneware | Diameter: 7.75 inches | Depth: 2.25 inches | Capacity: 22 fluid ounces

Mosser Colored Glass Medium Nesting Shallow Bowls are a delicate and colorful addition to any tablescape. “These bowls have a timeless look, which is great because they have lasted for a very long time!” says Katie McDonald, Editorial Director of News & Deals.

Although they are not microwave or dishwasher-safe, the colored flint glass is somehow modern and vintage all at once. The bowls are shaped in a mold and finished by actual humans in Cambridge, Ohio, so expect some variations amongst bowls. We love how sleek these look on the table and how easily they transition between salad, soups, and pasta. There are various sizes in colors such as pink, jadeite, milk, and Chelsea blue if you want a complete set.

What’s included: A set of four pasta bowls | Material: Flint glass | Diameter: 7.25 inches | Depth: 2.1 inches | Capacity: N/A

After testing over 15 different pasta bowls, we love the set of six Y YHY Pasta Bowls from Amazon. They're made from porcelain and are versatile regardless of your dinner table style. They are also considerably inexpensive for six plates and can go in the dishwasher and microwave. We've written about these multiple times, and they are still favored by many of our editors.

Size matters regarding pasta bowls because the pasta should be framed nicely in the vessel. The size of the rim makes a difference so that you can keep everything inside the bowl. We like one that balances perfectly on our hands and keeps everything inside while we eat on the couch. Some can be too large, so look for a pasta bowl around 7 inches.

Pasta bowls come in many different materials, such as stoneware, porcelain, ceramic, glass, and many forms of plastic mixed with things like bamboo. While melamine plates may seem like a good option for families with small kids or clumsy adults (no judgment), they are not recommended for daily use and repeated spins through the dishwasher. They are better suited for outdoor dinnerware. Due to their durability, we like more natural materials like porcelain and stoneware for everyday use; the materials help ensure the bowls will become a timeless kitchen item.

Since pasta bowls hold so much more than pasta, we use ours for almost everything; we do like separate cereal bowls, for example. That means they constantly need to be washed. The ability to dishwash or microwave a plate is a must. Just check the manufacturer's specifications to see if the bowl meets your household's needs, but lots of stoneware dinnerware can go in the microwave and dishwasher.

Throughout the testing period, our editors and writers tested 18 top-rated pasta bowls and used them in numerous ways.

We tested many pasta bowls, but some didn’t make the list. The Material Open Bowl had too much texture and made too much noise for us during testing. The Jono Pandolfi Union Bowls are relatively heavy, and we recommend touching them before deciding since the texture is surprising. We also found the Briar Pasta Bowl from AnthroLiving got scratched during testing, so we cannot recommend its durability.