Top 10 Best Pots For Boiling Pasta

For some of us, pasta is a way of life. It’s filling, delicious, and with a little kitchen craft, the variety of pasta feasts you can whip up is truly amazing! You’re going to need the right gear, though, so what is the best pot for boiling pasta?

Selecting the best pasta pot involves considering factors like boiling water efficiency, cook time, and the material of the pot.

Ideally, you want at least a 5-quart pasta pot, made of either aluminum or stainless steel, so that you can boil your water quickly and produce up to a pound of cooked pasta.

For those who prefer long pasta or different pasta shapes, a larger pot ensures enough room for boiling without sticking.

For larger families or folks who like to entertain guests, a 7 or even a 12-quart pot will be an even better fit. It really all depends on YOUR specific needs.

Whether you’re an executive chef or a home cook, the right pasta pot can make the cooking process smoother, especially for recipes like cacio e pepe or aglio e olio.

In this article, we’re going to share some of the best pots for boiling pasta, along with some important information so that you can know exactly what each one brings to the table.

On the way there, we’ll share a few tips, and before we conclude we’ll also give you the scoop on our favorites and why we picked them.

From a stainless steel pasta pot for perfect al dente pasta to a large pot with a perforated insert for quick draining, our top pick caters to every need.

What’s the best pot for boiling pasta? Let’s get this party started and find out!

Our top 3 picks at a glance

For those folks in a hurry, we’ve got a quick sneak-peek synopsis so that you can see our top 3 favorites now and read more about them later in the article when you’ve got a little more time. Here are those 3 favorites:

• Best Personal Use Pasta Pot – Bialetti Oval Aluminum 5.5 Quart Pasta Pot with Strainer Lid – The Bialetti Oval Aluminum 5.5 quart pasta pot with strainer is a lovely blend of form and function that makes for a great personal use pasta pot that can still make enough for leftovers later!
• Best Family Pasta Pot – Rachael Ray Brights 8-quart Hard Anodized Nonstick Pasta Pot – Good-looking, well-made, and with an 8- quart capacity for some serious pasta making, this Rachel Ray Brights series pasta pot is definitely a great pot to have at home for the family. 
• Best ‘Pasta Workhorse’ pot – EXCELSTEEL 12 Quart Multifunction Stainless Steel Pasta Cooker with Encapsulated Base – When you need to make pasta in volume, the Excelsteel is the right beast for the job. It’s built solid and the silicone-on-stainless-steel handles are also a nice touch!

What makes a good pasta pot, anyways?

When you are looking for a good pasta pot, the good news is that it doesn’t have to be complicated. There are just a few things that you’ll need to look for and as long as the basics are met, just about any pot will do. But remember, the best pasta pot should maintain a rolling boil on high heat without losing too much water.

The first consideration is the size – to make 1 pound of pasta, you need at least a 5 quart pot. Size is also important because you want there to be a little extra room in there while your pasta is cooking.

As far as the metal goes, aluminum works fine, although if you have an induction stove then you’ll need to check the packaging before you purchase – unless it’s an aluminum alloy or built especially for induction, an aluminum pot will not work on that surface. Aluminum is nice in that the pots are quite solid and they heat up quickly, so that your pasta is done in a flash!

Stainless steel pots are also fantastic options and many of them will feature a single layer of aluminum in the base for more even and faster heating. Some pots even come with a nonstick coating, perfect for delicate thin pastas and ensuring easy cooking and cleanup.

As a final consideration, keep straining in mind – some pots will have pour spots and drainage holes in their lids, while other pots will be quite basic and just have a covered lid with a single ventilation hole. Ideally, you want one that has a locking strainer lid so that the whole cooking and draining process will go as quickly and smoothly as possible.

That’s really all that you need to worry about for the basics, so let’s take a look at the pots that we’ve got showcased today and you can see what they ‘literally’ bring to the table.

The best pots for boiling pasta

In the sections below we have collected for you a wide range of pasta pots with their own special features. For each listing, we’ll give you useful information like materials, dimensions, and other useful info tidbits. After that, we’ll also share what we liked and didn’t like and you can see if you agree.

With that said, let’s take a look at the best pots for boiling pasta and you can see which one looks like the best fit for you!

This Oster Sangerfield Stainless-Steel 5-quart pasta pot with a steamer and strainer is next on our list and it’s a handy little personal pasta pot. The pasta pot itself measures 11.25″ long, 8.5″ wide, and  6.5″ high, while the included steamer insert is 8.25″ in diameter and 2.25″ tall.

It also features a capsulated base, with aluminum incorporated with the stainless steel for even heating and it works on any cooking surface. All in all, it’s a nice little set, and the sturdy stay-cool handles are also wide for easy use.

Consider if you need a pasta pot with a built-in strainer or a steamer basket, especially when working with fresh pasta or cooking a one-pot meal like pasta with tomato sauce.

Pros:

It’s durable, seals well, and the polished stainless steel is both non-reactive and easy on the eyes. The steamer insert comes in handy, too, so you can get a little extra versatility to play with.

Cons:

While the stay-cool handles do stay cool for a while, they can still get hot, and we would have preferred an extra layer of insulation to prevent that.

Our next pasta boiling pot is the Gotham Steel 5 quart stock multipurpose pasta pot and it comes with nifty locking handles to keep the transparent glass straining lid closed while you strain. Those ergonomic handles are also heat resistant and ready to use in an instant, simply by twisting them and locking them into place. This 5-quart capacity bowl measures 13.15″D x 9.45″W x 7.15″H and the interior is a non-stick ceramic and titanium coat – so you can use metal utensils if you like! Oven safe up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit, it’s a great aluminum pasta pot that can save you from a lot of the strain of straining.

Pros:

The lock handles click right in place securely and the non-stick coat is quite durable and indeed, it does not stick! It is also dishwasher safe, so there’s no fuss when it’s time for cleanup.

Cons:

This aluminum pot is NOT good for induction stoves and while a 5 quart pot can cook up to a pound of pasta, for larger families a bigger pot will be a better option.

This good-looking pasta pot is the Bialetti Oval Aluminum 5.5 quart and it’s a versatile number with some serious Italian style. This aluminum non-stick pots measures 9.5″D x 16.25″W x 7.75″H and weighs about 3 and a half pounds, so it’s a study pot for your pasta, and you can get in in black, red, or stainless steel – whichever fits best with your décor.

This pot comes with a well-fitted strainer lid and features ridges on the pouring edge of the pot for smooth draining when your pasta is done, as well as a non-stick interior. It’s also got heat-resistant handles on the top and both sides to keep you from getting scalded. As an added bonus, that good-looking lid also locks securely in place and if you’ve ever accidentally dumped out pasta when an ill-fitting lid betrayed you, then you know what a comfort a lock-lid can be!

Pros:

The aluminum heats up fast and this pot has a good heft to it that leads us to believe it’s built to last. It also looks pretty sleek and it’s never a bad thing when style and substance go hand in hand in your kitchen cookware.

Cons:

This aluminum pot will not work with induction stoves, so it’s not going to be a good fit for everyone.

While many aluminum pots are not induction compatible, this Michelangelo Aluminum 6-quart pot for pasta and soup is a lovely exception that will definitely work with induction, gas, or electric stoves. Measuring 10.23″D x 15.55″W x 7″H and weighing in the neighborhood of 4.8 pounds, this pasta pot sports a natural granite coating that is 100% non-stick and PFOA and APEO free and also has convenient pour spouts built-in and ready to use.

The handles for the pot are wooden patterned Bakelite, to help ensure that you don’t burn your hands, so if you’d like a pasta pot that uses an aluminum alloy but will still work with your induction stove, this humble Michelangelo gets the job done nicely.

Pros:

It’s a solid pot and the non-stick coating is quite effective. It’s also nice that you can get an aluminum pot that will work with your induction stove – while more and more are hitting the market, most folks are making due with stainless steel and it’s nice to have an option.

Cons:

A locking lid would be a nice touch for this, as you’ll want to use a strainer to stay on the safe side. Other than that, it’s a great pot for personal use that will let you make enough spaghetti to enjoy some leftovers later.

Tramontina offers a nice 6-quart pasta cooker that’s made of 18/10 stainless steel and which features a tri-ply base that incorporates aluminum for easy and even heating. It also comes with a tempered glass lid and a ‘lock and drain’ style strainer to help ensure that your pasta stays put while you drain it. This pot will work with induction and all other cooking surfaces and if you’re looking for a pot that’s a little bit bigger than personal but not HUGE, then this iht be your new favorite pasta pot!

Pros:

The Tramontina feels quite heavy duty, and the handles that you see are riveted firmly in place. We also like the lock-strainer, as it doesn’t eat up interior space like a full straining insert that you get with some other pots.

Cons:

While the base gives it some good heft, the walls are a little bit thinner than we would have liked. It’s still great for boiling pasta, but some folks may prefer a more robust, heavier pasta pot.

This pot comes from a name we all know and trust – Cuisinart! The Cuisinart Contour Stainless steel 6 quart pasta pot with cover is a great way to boil up spaghetti, linguine, and your other favorite pastas. Like the Cook N Home, it featured an insert for easy draining when the pasta is ready and also has aluminum inside the stainless steel base for even and fast cooking.

This 3 piece set includes your main stockpot, the pasta insert pot, and a tempered glass lid with a nice, wide handle to help avoid any fumbling in the kitchen. It measures overall 12.01″D x 9.92″W x 11.02″H, weighs about 6 pounds, and works for all cooking surfaces – and we’d expect no less from Cuisinart!

Pros:

This set has a nice, thick bottom to it that evenly heats and balances perfectly on your cooking surface. The handles are also a great fit – they’re solid and wide, so that your pots are easy to move around and the lid is easy to lift.

Cons:

The lid doesn’t fit as tightly as we might like and while the bottom is thick, the side walls are a bit thinner. This makes the pot lightweight but it also doesn’t feel as strong as what we’re used to from Cuisinart.

Next up is this 4-piece quart Stainless Steel Pasta set from Cook N Home and you get an 8 quart stockpot, as well as a pasta insert pot, a handy steamer insert pot, and a tempered glass lid with a stainless steel handle on top. It’s a solid set – the 18/10 stainless steel also has an aluminum layer for quick and even cooking and it’s compatible with induction, gas, and electric stoves, as well as up to 500 degrees in your oven (or 350 with the lid on!).

As far as measurements, the main stockpot is 6.9 Inches high and 9.5 inches wide, while the pasta insert is 9.5 inches wide, and 7.1 inches tall and the steamer insert is 2.8 inches tall and .7 inches wide.

Pros:

This is a great set and it’s got a little versatility, since you’ve also got the steamer insert. It’s also big enough that you can make family sized meals without having to boil a second batch. We also like the handles – they’re riveted on quite nicely and they look like they’ll be staying that way.

Cons:

Insert-style pots can be a little tricky – you’ll need to experiment with water amounts to avoid boiling over, so not everyone will like this set’s style.

This bright and cheery pasta pot is from Rachel Ray’s ‘Brights’ series and it’s an 8 quart pasta pot with character. Made of anodized aluminum, it’s completely non-stick, and measures in at 16.9″D x 9″W x 8.2″H and weighs only 5 pounds. This pot also has a small drainage spout, comes with a shatterproof glass lid, and the 3 handles of the pot are double-riveted and fitted with rubberized stainless-steel handles for a secure and cooler grip. When you add in that it’s dishwasher safe for easy cleanup, it’s definitely a handy pasta pot that we think you’re going to love!

Pros:

Aluminum pots are great for cooking pasta and the Rachael Ray Brights does not disappoint in this regard. It’s good looking, well-made, and perfect for cooking LOTS of pasta.

Cons:

As this is an aluminum pot, it will work on any stovetop surface EXCEPT for induction, so you’ll want to keep this in mind.

Tramontina makes our list again with this 8-quart lock and drain pasta cooker that also comes with a strainer lid for easy draining (and to help make sure that your pasta stays in the pot where it’s supposed to be!).

Measuring in at 11.81″D x 13.06″W x 11.5″H and weighing approximately 8.2 Pounds when fully loaded, this pasta pot is made from durable 18/8 stainless steel and has a ceramic coating inside to keep your pasta from sticking. It also works with induction, gas, and electric stoves, and with its tempered glass top this pot is resistant to up to 350 degrees in your oven.

Pros:

This is a nice, heavy pot set, and you can easily produce pasta in volume for your family or friends in a pinch. We also liked the wide handles – they feel well-made – so you can get a lot of mileage out of this pot set.

Cons:

The pasta insert and the lid can be a little tricky to clean, but otherwise we really liked this pasta pot.

Measuring 10″D x 13.75″W x 14″H and weighing approximately 7.16 pounds, this Excelsteel 1 quart Multifunction Stainless-steel Pasta cooker is the largest capacity pot on our list today. What you get is the large stockpot, as well as a strainer insert and a steamer inside, and the main pot and strainer also feature red silicone handles so that you won’t get burned moving this pot around. It’s also compatible with all cooking surfaces, so if you want a family sized pot then this 12-quart Excelsteel is really hard to beat!

Pros:

This is a great, big pasta pot that you can also steam veggies, crabs, and other foods with the greatest of ease. It’s also big enough to use for canning if that’s something that you like to do, so you can get a lot of uses out of this giant pasta pot if you like!

Remember, a great pasta pot should have a capacity to hold enough water, usually a quart of water per pound of dry pasta, to avoid sticking at the bottom of the pot.

Cons:

The drain holes are a little big – not so much a problem with larger pasta types, but you might get some small spaghetti bits at the bottom of the pan from time to time.

FAQs

It’s almost time to wrap things up, but before we go, we wanted to share some frequently asked questions about pasta pots and boiling. Let’s take a peek and after that, we’ll get to the ‘verdict’ session and share our favorite pots from today’s showcase!

What pot cooks pasta the fastest?

Well, funny enough, it’s not a pot at all. The FASTEST way to cook a small amount of pasta is actually a frying pan – you just can’t cook a lot of pasta. It makes sense – you’ve got a small volume of water which is not very deep at all , so it boils faster and consequently your pasta is done sooner.

So, if it’s just you – you can save about 5 minutes of cooking time – but this trick isn’t very practical if you’re also feeding a friend.

What size pasta pot is best?

It really depends on your needs. If you want to cook a pound of pasta, then a 5-quart size is the minimum that you’ll need. For cooking larger batches for family or guests, a 7 or a 12-quart size will be a much better option.

Can you boil pasta in any pot?

Yes, you can boil pasta in just about any pot. As long as the water can heat to boiling in less than 15 minutes, then you should be good. If it takes longer than 15 minutes to heat up, however, then you should use a different pot. Aluminum heats the fastest and stainless steel is also pretty good and any pot that can hold sufficient water and heat fast enough will do just fine.

The Verdict

It’s wrap-up time, which means we get to tell you a little more about our favorites and why we picked them before we bid you a fond farewell. Below are our 3 favorites and the reasoning behind it!

Best Personal Use Pasta Pot – Bialetti Oval Aluminum 5.5 Quart Pasta Pot with Strainer Lid – 

The Bialetti is both handsome and well-designed. It’s got Italian style and the locking strainer lid and 5.5 quart capacity mean that you can make about a pound of spaghetti or a little over with very little fuss at all. It also comes in black, red, and silver, so it’s easy to accessorize. That said, it IS an aluminum pot, however, and will NOTwork on an induction stove, so if you have one then another model is going to be a better fit.

Best Family Pasta Pot – Rachael Ray Brights 8-quart Hard Anodized Nonstick Pasta Pot – 

Another aluminum pasta pot, this Rachel Ray Brights series 8-quart pasta pot is quite robust, and will work with all cooking surfaces EXCEPT induction. If that’s not a problem, you get a durable pot built with anodized aluminum and with rubberized stainless steel handles to help avoid those occasional ‘hot-handle blues’. With an 8-quart capacity, you can also make quite a lot of pasta, so we feel this is a great pot for home and the family.

Best ‘Pasta Workhorse’ pot – EXCELSTEEL 12 Quart Multifunction Stainless Steel Pasta Cooker with Encapsulated Base – 

Our final pasta pot is this ‘pasta workhorse’ called the Excelsteel 12-quart multifunction stainless steel pasta cooker. Made of 18/10 stainless steel and featuring silicone-wrapped and strongly riveted stainless steel handles, you can boil quite a bit of pasta and you won’t have to worry about scolding your hands. 

The base is also encapsulated for better heat distribution, so if you’re often entertaining or simply love making large batches of pasta, then the Excelsteel might be an excellent fit for you.

In conclusion, finding the perfect pasta pot, whether it’s a regular pot or commercial pasta cookers, is of utmost importance for cooking perfect size pasta for your entire family or guests.

That’s all the time that we have for today, but we’d like to thank you for visiting and we hope to see you again soon!