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From swirls of linguine to pillows of ravioli, find the perfect dish for your dinner in our round-up
The pasta bowl is, perhaps, the most diverse vessel in your kitchen’s eating armoury. While the name hints at its primary purpose – dishing up swirls of linguine or pillows of ravioli – a well-designed bowl can, in fact, do so much more.
With a wide, flat base (much like its cousin, the plate), and a perky rim to keep liquids contained (like a soup bowl) it can serve in almost any eating scenario, whether you’re feasting on stews, couscous salads or yes, spaghetti bolognese.
Given that you’re likely to be reaching for your pasta bowls rather often, it’s important to choose the best one you can. “Best” doesn’t mean the most expensive. It means the one that will suit your circumstances and needs most accurately.
For example, if you have little ones, you are going to want bowls that are near-indestructible and easy to run through the dishwasher.
If you’re a cheffy type, you might want something artisan that really makes your painstakingly crafted food shine: hand-glazed ceramic, say.
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Whatever your individual wishlist, all the best pasta bowls should look great on your kitchen shelf and, certainly, when filled with a serving of noodles. So, we inspected each of the best pasta bowls below closely, multiple times: first, when empty, then again, filled with a hot meal – pasta, as well as fried rice, porridge or roasted veg – to make sure they were always ticking visual boxes.
Other factors we considered when testing? Heat retention – the best pasta bowls shouldn’t cool your food too quickly after serving, nor should they get too hot to the touch. They should be easy to clean, too; if not dishwasher-safe, then easily freed of leftover carbonara sauce with minimal hand-washing effort.
Finally, we were picky about size. If you’re cooking pasta, it’s probably because you’re craving something generous, deliciously messy and comforting – not dainty portions. So, to channel that vibe, we chose mostly large bowls. That way, you can load up your bowl with a hefty portion of life-affirming carbs and really get stuck in.
When buying your dream pasta bowl, you need to consider how, and how often, you’ll be wanting to use it. But whether your priority is durability, looks or versatility, we believe that Denby’s Studio Blue set ticks every box.
If you’re looking for a dish with an artisan touch, we are big fans of Daylesford’s Campagna pasta bowl – made in Italy, it oozes rustic vibes while still feeling classy. Plus, it’s big: great for greedy eaters.
Finally, if you’re looking for a plate with personality, try Emma Bridgewater’s Artichoke Bowl. With its beautiful, colourful print, it had us salivating over the prospect of veggie pasta before our pot was even on the boil.
For the latest discounts on knives and other kitchen appliances offers, try the links below:
For more kitchen accessories, read our review of the best salt and pepper mills, the best bread knives and the best slow cookers