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The Spruce Eats / Lecia Landis
Tired of trying to force your fancy fettuccine into a too-small pot (or worse, breaking the noodles in half to fit)? What about having to awkwardly hold a colander while pouring a heavy pot of macaroni through it with the other hand or losing slippery strands of pasta down the drain? Well, it might be time to consider purchasing a dedicated pasta pot. Not only are they sized to fit long strands of pasta and plenty of cooking water, but many are also designed to make straining easier.
The best pasta pots come in several different types: Some have a perforated insert that can be lifted out to strain your pasta, others have holes in the lid for straining, and a third kind features mesh baskets with handles that function as lift-out sieves. Each type has its advantages, and which you should choose depends on your needs, preferences, and intended uses. Of course, we also recommend a few lightweight stockpot options we've come to love after testing.
Best Overall
All-Clad 6-Quart Stainless Steel Pasta Pot and Insert
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Amazon
Quick and even heat distribution
Induction ready
Great value
Insert sits higher than some other models
This 3-piece set from All-Clad is made from heavyweight, but single-ply, 18/10 stainless steel, with the core of the 6-quart stockpot’s base made of aluminum for quick and even heat distribution. The 4-quart strainer insert nestles inside so that you can simply lift your cooked pasta out of the pot when it’s done, without having to lift and pour a heavy pot full of pasta and boiling water.
One caveat is that the pot's strainer might feel a bit short, as it seems to sit higher than some similar models. This makes the strainer great for steaming, but you might find yourself having to find the "sweet spot" when it comes to finding the maximum fill line for boiling water for noodles.
It’s not just for pasta, though—it can also be used for making stocks (just lift out the ingredients when it’s ready, leaving the broth behind in the pot) or steaming vegetables in the insert. It works on induction stovetops and in the oven (up to 600 degrees) and is dishwasher-safe. Plus, it comes with a lifetime limited warranty.
Price at time of publish: $100
Material: Stainless steel | Capacity: 6 quarts | Induction Ready: Yes | Oven Safe Temperature: 600 degrees | Dishwasher Safe: Yes, but handwashing recommended
“A pasta insert ensures you’ll always keep your tears of the gods (aka pasta water) safe so you can use it to finish off your dish like pasta royalty.” — Nadia Caterina Munno, author of "The Pasta Queen"
Best Budget
Gotham Steel 5-Quart Multipurpose Pasta Pot
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Amazon
Durable, triple-coated nonstick finish
Dishwasher safe
Locking lid
Cannot be used on induction
Lid handle gets hot
This nifty, 5-quart pot is not as large as some of our other picks, but it has one of the best designs. With a built-in strainer lid that features two different sizes of straining holes (one on each side) and handles that twist to lock the lid securely in place, the design ensures that it won’t slip while you’re straining out the cooking water, letting your pasta slide into the sink. The locking lid feature also makes this a great pot for popping popcorn.
The transparent tempered glass lid lets you monitor cooking without removing it, and the interior of the pot features a durable nonstick titanium-ceramic coating that’s resistant to scratching, even with metal utensils. The pot is both oven- and dishwasher-safe, so it can also be used for baking casseroles, with effortless cleanup.
Price at time of publish: $40
Material: Stainless steel, aluminum | Capacity: 5 quarts | Induction Ready: No | Oven Safe Temperature: 500 degrees | Dishwasher Safe: Yes
“In general, a big criteria for purchasing a pasta pot is to make sure it is big enough for the pasta you are trying to serve. In order for pasta to be cooked efficiently, it needs space to cook. Pasta does not cook to perfection when in a small pot, so might as well get a big pot and only fill it up as much as you need.” — Chris Schembra, professional chef, founder of 7:47 pasta sauce, and author of "Gratitude and Pasta: The Secret Sauce for Human Connection"
Best High-End
Viking 8-Quart 3-Ply Stainless Steel Pasta Pot with Steamer
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Amazon
Attractive design
Large insert
Induction-ready
Pricey
There’s a lot to like about this pasta pot—other than the hefty price tag. It’s made of stainless steel and aluminum, so it’s suitable for a variety of cooking methods, including induction.
"The high-quality 3-ply construction provides even heat distribution while the pasta cooks, which will help you to achieve the perfect al dente pasta every time," says Nadia Caterina Munno, author of "The Pasta Queen" cookbook.
What really sets it apart from others, however, is the large insert and its genius design, according to Chris Schembra, professional chef, founder of 7:47 pasta sauce, and author of "Gratitude and Pasta: The Secret Sauce for Human Connection." With this design, you can use the water reserved at the bottom for additional rounds of cooking.
“When dealing with multiple pasta dishes, one usually has to strain the entire pot of water, and then reheat the pot to cook separate pasta dishes,” he explains. “With this insert, you can cook a batch of pasta and pull it out of the water to make room for the next batch of pasta, just like in the restaurants, without losing water.”
Price at time of publish: $295
Material: Stainless steel, aluminum | Capacity: 8 quarts | Induction Ready: Yes | Oven Safe Temperature: 500 degrees | Dishwasher Safe: Yes
Best Set
Cuisinart Chef's Classic Stainless 12-Quart Pasta/Steamer Set
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Amazon
Versatile
Inexpensive
Dishwasher safe
Not induction-friendly
We're big fans of versatile cookware like this extra large and deep stainless steel set that has both a colander insert and a steamer basket. The larger insert can strain large batches of pasta, while the steamer basket is great for vegetables, seafood, dumplings, and more. Like our pick for the best pasta pot with a strainer insert, the base of this pot has an inner layer of aluminum for heat conduction.
Though we have yet to test this set, we have tested multiple pieces from the Cuisinart Chef's Classic line. We've consistently observed uniform heating in the pots, and the riveted ergonomic handles stay cool no matter how long they're over heat. We especially like how lightweight the 8-quart stockpot was, even when filled. All four pieces of this set (pot, strainer, steamer basket, and lid) are oven- and dishwasher-safe. To top it off, this set is covered by a lifetime warranty.
Price at time of publish: $90
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The Spruce Eats / Russell Kilgore
Material: Stainless steel, aluminum | Capacity: 12 quarts | Induction Ready: No | Oven Safe Temperature: 550 degrees | Dishwasher Safe: Yes
“A pasta insert ensures you’ll always keep your tears of the gods (aka pasta water) safe so you can use it to finish off your dish like pasta royalty.” — Nadia Caterina Munno, author of "The Pasta Queen"
Most Stylish
Anolon Nouvelle 6.5-Quart Stainless Steel Stock Pot
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Amazon
Five layers for great heat performance
Quick to reach a boil when full
Stay-cool, comfortable handle
Slightly heavy
If you want a stylish stockpot for pasta night, you can't go wrong with this beauty from Anolon. The highlight of this 5-ply pot is the copper base layer, which serves for both design and performance. Of all the cookware materials, copper is the most responsive and is extremely efficient at conducting heat.
When we tested the Anolon Nouvelle cookware set, this pot ended up being one of the fastest to come to a boil. And due to the copper layer, it quickly returned to a rolling boil after adding a pound of pasta. The base of this pot also has two layers of aluminum and magnetic stainless steel so you can use this on any kind of cooktop. We found the riveted handles to be extremely comfortable when straining pasta, though the pot could be slightly heavy for some. It is dishwasher safe, and comes with a lifetime warranty.
Price at time of publish: $150
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The Spruce Eats / Russell Kilgore
Material: Stainless steel, aluminum, copper | Capacity: 6.5 quarts | Induction Ready: Yes | Oven Safe Temperature: 500 degrees | Dishwasher Safe: Yes
Best Large-Capacity
Cooks Standard Classic 4-Piece 12-Quart Pasta Pot
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Amazon
Easy to clean
Polished design
Wide steamer insert
Might be prone to rust
For home chefs, pasta pots usually have a capacity of up to 8 quarts. But if you have a large family or cook in volumes, you might need something a little bigger. In that case, this Cooks Standard pasta pot has a extra-large capacity of up to 12 quarts.
“When looking for a pasta pot, I like to use something that can hold at least 8 quarts, but 12 quarts is even better,” Veltri says. This gives you the ability to cook more pasta at once and also contributes to a better consistency.
It checks a lot of the boxes for a great pasta pot: even distribution of heat, compatible with induction, dishwasher safe, and include 10.3-inch-tall pasta and 9.45-inch-wide steamer inserts. The fitted lid keeps heat and condensation in the pot, while the handles are meant to stay cool no matter how hot the kitchen gets. It is dishwasher safe, however, some reviewers note that the pot has rusted or tarnished in a short period of time.
Price at time of publish: $90
Material: Stainless steel, aluminum | Capacity: 12 quarts | Induction Ready: Yes | Oven Safe Temperature: 500 degrees | Dishwasher Safe: Yes
“When purchasing a pasta pot, I would look at the size of the drainer and at the size of the holes in the drainer. If the holes in the drainer are too small, the water won't drain very quickly. On the other hand, if the holes are too big they will not hold smaller pasta shapes. Be aware, when looking for a pasta pot of the depth of the drainer. If it is not deep enough you will not be able to cook enough pasta in it.” — Vittoria Veltri, Italian cooking instructor and the founder of Pasta N’ Play
Quickest to Boil
OXO Mira Tri-Ply Stainless Steel 5-Quart Stock Pot
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Amazon
Lightweight
Extra-wide handles for easier carrying
Measurement markings on the interior
Handles can get warm
Though this doesn't come with a pasta insert, this wide, but lightweight, stockpot can't be beat when it comes to boiling time. The Oxo Mira line is made from stainless steel sandwiching a layer of aluminum, with all the pots designed with extra-wide handles and flat tempered-glass lids.
When we tested out the entire cookware line, this full stockpot came to a boil in under 15 minutes and, after adding a pound of pasta, it took less than a minute to get back to a rolling boil. This made it the quickest of the stockpots we tested, though it might be due wider surface area and the smaller capacity. We also appreciated how the stockpot had interior measurement marking, so you'll always know when you have enough water. We did notice that the handles got warm during our pasta test—be sure to keep an oven mitt nearby.
Price at time of publish: $130
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The Spruce Eats / Russell Kilgore
Material: Stainless steel, aluminum | Capacity: 5 quarts | Induction Ready: Yes | Oven Safe Temperature: 600 degrees | Dishwasher Safe: Yes
The All-Clad Stainless Steel Pasta Pot nabbed the top spot on our list for its quick and even heat distribution, as well as its convenient 4-quart strainer insert. The Cuisinart Chef's Classic Stainless 12-Quart Pasta/Steamer Set has everything you need, at a great price.
What to Look for in a Pasta Pot
Material
Pasta pots are typically available in stainless steel or aluminum, some with additional nonstick coating or perhaps a layer of copper. You'll mostly find pots with a stainless steel interior since it is scratch-resistant, rust-proof, and nonreactive. That last one is important if you like to sauce your pasta in the pot since it means it won't react with an acidic ingredients. Stainless steel and aluminum are also great for heat conductivity—they both warm up quickly and will cool down if you need them to. While these materials are sure to give your pan longevity and durability, you'll want to be sure that it isn't too heavy to lift when it's full of water. Multi-ply pots tend to be the heaviest, so keep that in mind when choosing the material for your pasta pot.
Capacity
Take into consideration how much pasta you tend to cook at once. Stockpots tend to be 5 quarts and above, with tall straight sides and two handles. The design is important since the smaller surface area translates to less room for evaporation. For a pound of pasta, you'll want at least a 5-quart size; for larger families, 7 to 12 quarts will work well. When going with a large-capacity pot, make sure you have adequate space to store it when it's not in use.
FAQs
How much water should you put in a pasta pot?
"[You'll want to] use 4 quarts of water for every pound of pasta", says Giuseppe Manco, the executive chef at Eataly Los Angeles. If you use too little water, it might cause the pasta to stick together during the simmering, so fill your pot generously and make sure to stir often.
How do you use a pasta pot with a strainer insert?
Pots with strainer inserts are easy to use. Simply leave the insert in the pot and fill it with the necessary amount of water. Bring the water to a boil, then add your pasta. When your pasta cook time is up, lift the strainer insert out of the water, allowing as much water as possible to drain out, and finish your pasta in sauce.
How much salt should one add to pasta water before cooking?
"Calculate one percent of salt for the total weight of the pasta," says Manco. "You should salt the pasta after it has started to boil and just before you are ready to add the pasta. If you salt too early, water will evaporate and make the water more salt-concentrated." Manco recommends using sea salt for perfectly seasoned pasta.
How do you cook dry pasta?
Typically, dry pasta is cooked in boiling water for eight to 10 minutes (see your pasta's package directions). Manco notes that you should use the last minute and a half of cooking time to finish cooking in the pasta sauce.
How do you cook fresh pasta?
"Fresh pasta will cook in boiling water for less than half the amount of time than dry pasta," says Manco. Depending on the shape of the pasta, it can take anywhere from one to four minutes for fresh pasta to cook, so be sure to keep a watchful eye on it.
How We Researched
To compile this list, our team of editors and contributors spent hours researching the best pasta pot on the market, evaluating their key features—like design, material, or price—in addition to reviews from customers and other trusted sources. We then used this research to assign a star rating from one to five (five being the best; one being the worst) to certain products on the list.
Why Trust The Spruce Eats?
This article was written by Danette St. Onge, formerly the Italian Food Expert for The Spruce Eats and a features editor at Cook’s Illustrated magazine (part of America’s Test Kitchen). She’s cooked countless batches of pasta while testing recipes and knows what to look for in a pasta pot. An avid kitchen appliance aficionado, she spends hours combing the internet, comparing options, reading reviews, and testing devices to find the best tool for every job.
This piece was edited by Bernadette Machard de Gramont, an L.A.-based writer who specializes in global food and wine content. After a two-year stint at Williams-Sonoma Headquarters in San Francisco, she now researches and tests a variety of cookware, bakeware, and wine tools and interviews field experts for their insight.
Lacey Muinos, who updated this article, is a food and wellness writer with a soft spot for pasta. Her weekly meal rotation almost always includes pasta in some form. Her favorite pasta shape is cavatappi.
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