Whether you simply want a pasta bowls set that is functional, or you want something that will turn heads and garner compliments from dinner guests, there are plenty of options. In fact, there’s so many to choose from that you might not have any idea where to start!
This article will help you pick out some stylish and thoughtful pasta bowls that will help keep your dinner table decorative while giving you something big enough to place your delicious noodles in. Not only that, you’ll have a great set that should last for years and years to come.
Also, don’t forget to check out our buying guide that we’ve included after the list of top options. It’ll help you narrow down your list to just one type!
Top Pasta Bowls for Your Kitchen
1. Euro Ceramica YS-ZB-1001-5 Earthenware Pasta Set Dining Bowls
These gorgeous Spanish style ceramic pasta bowls are simply charming. They’re also totally microwave safe, dishwasher safe, and lead-free. Their hand-applied design will impress your dinner guests and make a statement about your taste when it comes to home décor and kitchenware.
This set comes as four, but if you need more you can always order two sets! You can add a bit of Zanzibar to your home with this bold and beautiful set.
2. Sweese 112.002 Porcelain Salad Pasta Bowls
If you’re a lover of porcelain (aren’t we all?!) then this set will definitely catch your eye. This colorful set provides a modern style to your dining room dinner table. They’ll complement a more sleek, less-is-more approach to kitchen décor—something that is definitely ‘in’ right now.
These stylish 22 oz bowls are dishwasher and microwave safe, non-toxic, and can even be used in the oven or freezer. So to add some life and some color to your dining room table, snag a set or two of these!
3. TGLBT Pasta/Salad Bowls 15 Ounce
This set of 8 navy gray colored pasta bowls strikes a good balance between old school and new school. The design hints at checkered floors of the old days while being neutral enough to fit in at virtually any type of kitchen. They’re safe for the dishwasher, microwave, and are lead-free.
If you want something different than just all one color but don’t want to go totally all-out, these are perfect! You’ll also be able to mix and match with other dishes without it being too out of the ordinary or seem like you’re trying too hard.
4. DOWAN 2 Quarts Porcelain Serving Bowls for Salad, Soup, Pasta, Fruit
These large pasta bowls are anti-slip, stackable, and made of porcelain, which means they’re safe for the dishwasher, microwave, and even the oven! If you’re looking for white pasta bowls, these are definitely some of the best. They come as a two set though, so depending on how many you need, you may want to buy several sets at once.
At 60 oz, these are big ones. If your hubby has a heck of an appetite, then you need these!
Buying Guide
You might be a little bit indecisive still about what type to get and how to choose the right ones, so we’re going to help you decide by providing you with some key things to look out for when picking the right ones for your home. Here’s all you need to know about pasta bowls!
Types of Pasta Bowls
Okay, now it seems like a pretty straightforward concept—bowls for pasta. But there are so many different kinds and they match well with various types of décor. First let’s start with the various options available and take it from there.
Porcelain Vs Ceramic Vs Glass Vs Stoneware
Porcelain is one of the most common types, and for good reason. It’s a durable material that is quite resistant to temperatures. Many porcelain options can be put in the oven and/or freezer, which is pretty awesome.
Some of the most popular are Corelle pasta bowls. They’re cheap, but they’re also quite thin, that’s why they didn’t quite make it on our list of the best options!
Ceramic is very similar to porcelain in that you can put it in the oven. However, when it comes to the freezer, check to make sure that the product you’re buying is freezer safe. And that goes for glass as well. If it’s glass, it must be tempered glass in order to be used in the oven and freezer.
Stoneware offers superior heat retention, which is great for making sure that any thick sauces you use don’t get cold fast. Although they can be a bit heavier than some other types of materials, they are quite durable. Le Creuset pasta bowls are one of the most popular brands when it comes to stoneware options.
Types of Designs
There are a few different options when it comes to design. Here are some of the most common ones out there.
Rimmed pasta bowls
These provide a flat rim that goes around the bowl. This is good for presentation and can be useful depending on the texture and shape of the food you are eating. You’ll notice that a lot of restaurants use them. They’re sort of like a plate with a bowl in the middle. It’s like the equivalent of a ‘spork’ but to put food in!
Italian pasta bowls
These provide a more decorative approach that you might equate with mom-n-pop Italian restaurants. Decorations might include painted designs of flowers or herbs against the white background of the dish itself. Certified International pasta bowls are one of the most popular brands for this design.
Japanese bowls
Although not really designed particularly for pasta, they do work well. They’re big enough to contain a hefty serving and are actually nice and decorative too. Although they’re typically deeper than the other options, it’s nice to mix styles sometimes!
Deep plates
These are plates that come up around the edges enough to keep any sauces contained. They are pretty much meant to be all-purpose, but work perfectly for spaghetti or other types of Italian deliciousness.
Other Considerations When Buying
Now that you have figured out what type to go with (hopefully!), here are some other things to keep in mind before you click that ‘buy now’ button.
Warranty
It’s always nice to have a warranty. This will protect you in situations where the material failed, such as the dish cracking in the oven when it explicitly stated that it was supposed to be oven-safe.
Likewise, if you stick it in the freezer and it develops a crack as a result, wouldn’t it be nice to simply be able to send the whole set back? Even if just one of the individual pasta bowls had broken?
Obviously in that case you wouldn’t want to try again with one of the other ones. So, a warranty is definitely a good thing to have right off the bat—at least for the first couple of times you use it.
Shipping
You’ll certainly need to be sure that the company you buy them from ships to your region. Also, the price of shipping should be fair. If you think you’re getting a good deal and the shipping ends up being outrageously high, that’s no good!
Another potential issue is timeliness. If you are planning on making a big dinner for Christmas for example, and you want to show off your sleek new dishware for your guests and family, having your items arrive by a certain time will be key.
Be sure that your shipment will arrive by the time you need it and that it is insured. If your set breaks on the way then you ought to be able to get a replacement—and fast!
Durability
If you need something that absolutely will not break if it hits the floors, then by all means, use plastic. For a family that has young kids, it could save you some money on dishes in the long run. The only problem with that, however, is that some plastic bowls aren’t microwave safe. Also, it’s important to be sure that they are BPA-free as you don’t want any chemicals seeping into your food when you’re eating.
Metal could also be an option, but to be frank, it simply won’t look anywhere near as classy as a set or porcelain or ceramic ones. Metal can also never be used in the microwave, obviously.
Stone on the other hand looks very nice and is known for its durability. This is due to its relative lack of pores, which lends to its ruggedness. They can be heavy though, so watch your toes!
Which Types of Pasta Go Best with Which Types of Bowls?
This is really a matter of preference, but as you may have seen at many restaurants, wide-rimmed pasta bowls are a very popular choice for serving spaghetti and other kinds of long pasta. The wide rim also allows you to be creative when choosing a garnish.
Also, if you chose to add cheese to the top of your meal, then wide-rimmed dishes are a good choice for that too. It’s nice to be able to use the side of the plate as a flat surface to cut your food. And since cheese can get stringy when melted, it’s an appropriate choice. For things like lasagna or even slices of casserole, they’re super ideal.
Italian or Spanish style bowls are great for serving cultural dishes. When you feel like preparing something that is as authentic as can be, topping it all off with a gorgeously decorated dish can make all the difference. It can make your dinner guests actually imagine that they’re in a small restaurant in Italy enjoying a delicious local dish!
Deep plates and Japanese bowls are for pretty much anything else. Tortellini, rigatoni, ravioli—you name it! They also make good salad bowls as do the others, so you can actually use two different kinds if you want to mix things up. That way, it’ll be quite clear as to which bowl is for salad and which one is for the wonderful carbs.
Conclusion
Ultimately, you’re just going to have to make up your mind and choose! All of these options are super nice and would look great in your kitchen—we know! But in order to narrow it down, figure out what sorts of dishes you’ll need them for and who you’ll be serving to. Then, it’ll be much easier to pick some out. Thanks for reading, and happy cooking!
Blog Comments
Alex
December 5, 2019 at 4:15 am
A bowl of pasta tossed with fresh ricotta, chopped walnuts, some olive oil, and a little fresh parsley is a beautiful thing. Just saying. The little black dress of Italian-American cooking. This recipe is from Palizzi Social Club in Philadelphia, PA.