The Best Pasta Pots

Gotham Pasta Pot

The Key for Cooking Pasta

With twist-and-lock handles, draining your pasta is a cinch.

Best Overall

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The defining feature of Gotham’s pasta pot is its twist-and-lock handles that allow you to flip and drain without worrying about anything spilling. The handles also stay cool, even under high heat. It has a transparent tempered glass lid so you can keep an eye on your pasta’s progress without lifting the lid and allowing heat to escape. Each side has a spout to pour out your pasta, and the cover comes with a built-in strainer on one side. It’s also an ideal size at 5 quarts — just the right size for cooking for a small group, but not a full-blown party. Pro tip: the locking mechanism also makes this pot particularly ideal for popcorn.

Pros:

• Dishwasher-safe and oven-safe up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit
• Nonstick titanium-ceramic coating

Cons:

• Doesn’t come with any removable baskets

Mockins Pot, Three-Piece Set

Small and Just Right

If you're cooking for one or two, this convenient pot is perfect for you.

Best for Smaller Meals

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This pot from Mockins is slightly smaller than average, which is why it’s ideal for smaller meals. It’s made of heavy-duty stainless steel with an aluminum core at the bottom to ensure heat is evenly distributed. It comes with a two-quart steamer basket that perfectly fits the pot and a glass lid with a small ventilation hole. We like that the pot rims have a slight lip to reduce the chance of drips and spills. The pot even has measurements marked on the inside.

Pros:

• Versatile and particularly great for steaming veggies, dumplings,  and even chicken breast
• Works on all stovetops — gas, electric, and induction

Cons:

• Not oven-safe

Bialetti Oval Pasta Pot

Going the Distance

This oval-shaped pot is great for your spaghetti, linguine, or fettuccini — or a whole lobster if that's how you roll.

Best for Long Noodles

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This Italian-designed pasta pot’s oval shape makes it optimal for longer strands of pasta. It features a twist-and-lock lid with holes on the top for built-in straining. Its handles are made of Bakelite, a plastic that’s known to be lightweight and durable, as well as heat-resistant. The pot is made of nonstick aluminum and is PFOA-free and PTFE-free, so you don’t have to worry about any chemicals leaching into your food. It comes in different colors, from a burnished red to a bright turquoise-blue, so you can pick one that matches your kitchen.

Pros:

• Easy to clean
• Oval shape makes it an excellent multitasking pot that’s ideal for longer foods

Cons:

• The multiple holes mean a lot of boiling water comes out at once, so you need to be careful

Cuisinart Pasta Pot, Four-Piece Set

A Basket Case

A deep pasta basket and shallow steamer tray make this pot the best of both worlds.

Best Set

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Cuisinart’s pasta pot set looks like it’d be right at home in a professional kitchen — besides its large size, it has a sleek, elegant look. It’s made of mirror finish stainless steel, with an aluminum encapsulated base so that it heats quickly but evenly. We like that the handles on the pot and deeper pasta basket stay cool on the stovetop. The lid also fits securely to lock in moisture and heat, and the rim features a tapered for drip-free pouring. The shallower steamer basket has convenient swinging handles that fold down. Overall, it’s a great set if you’re cooking for a large crowd.

Pros:

• Dishwasher-safe, though we recommend washing by hand, and oven safe up to 550 degrees Fahrenheit
• Particularly ideal as a stockpot as well

Cons:

• This pot takes up a lot of space

Avacraft Saucepan With Spouts

Easy and Breezy

Minimal and sleek, this single-handle pot is made for fuss-free cooking.

Most Convenient

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Avacraft’s saucepan isn’t a pasta pot, per se, but it functions well as one and is an all-around versatile piece to have in your kitchen. It’s made of food-grade stainless steel, with a matte finish inside to prevent scratches and a mirror finish on the exterior for extra shine. The shatter-proof glass lid comes with straining holes on both sides, with a silicon cover on the handle. The pot features spouts on both sides for convenient pouring, and the long handle is heat-resistant and easy to handle.

Pros:

• The handle is a standout for us; it makes handling the pot feel more balanced
• Ideal if you want to save on space and heat foods up quickly

Cons:

• An in-between size that may not be convenient for some

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I consider when buying a pasta pot?

The first consideration should probably be the size that works best for you — think about how many people you usually cook for. Secondly, if you’re looking for a pot with spouts on the side for convenient pouring, make sure you look for one with spouts on both sides if you’re left-handed or just want some extra security.

Can I put my pot in the dishwasher?

Always check the instructions, but we recommend handwashing your pots and pans even if they are dishwasher-safe. It’s gentler on them, which means they’ll last longer.