Best Pan for Pasta Sauce – Our In-Depth Review

Boiling pasta and preparing its sauce are two different things. This is why many people ended up damaging their pots and pans when they mistakenly select the same kitchenware to make the pasta sauce. This is why we are here to discuss what is the best pan for pasta sauce and what are the features you should look out when buying one.

Best Pan For Making Pasta Sauces – Our Top 6 Picks

What’s The Best Pan for Pasta Sauce?

As the name suggests a saucepan is actually the best piece of cookware to prep sauces or reheating liquid ingredients. Mostly cooking experts suggest to use a stainless steel pasta sauce pan though it is not good with conducting or distributing heat; however if you use with an aluminum core it works great as a pasta sauce pan.

The best thing about a saucepan that has a stainless steel interior is that it doesn’t react to the ingredients nor changes the taste by adding its own color or flavor to the food. Unlike non stick cookware it is safe, doesn’t flake or peel.

Mostly people consider non stick as the best pan for making sauces; however, non stick saucepan may get blisters if frequently used for acidic sauces or ingredients. Acidic foods shortens the life span of non stick saucepans.

If you have durable Dutch oven in your kitchen then you must know that it is a highly versatile cooking vessel. With Dutch oven pasta sauce can be made on stovetop or in the oven.

So if you are considering buying a Dutch oven for making pasta then do consider it for braising meat cooking soups, preparing stews, and frying chicken as well as it will not disappoint you.

Moreover, your Dutch oven pasta saucepan not only capable of pasta sauces but also good for melting sugar for candies.

The Right Way to Sauce Pasta

• Take a large pan for pasta that offers plenty of space to let the pasta boil comfortably or move around. A Dutch oven pasta sauce maker also works great.
• As per the standard cooking method or Italian cooking experts add four to six quarts of water for 1 pound of pasta. Less quantity of water and small pot will create difficulty in submerging the strands of pasta.  
• Don’t add pasta to cold water. Let the water to boil first. In order to make the water boil faster cover the pot with a lid but keep it partially open so you will hear when it is ready to add pasta without letting the water to spill over.
• Add a tablespoon of salt to 6 quarts of water. If you are using large pan for pasta prepping then use the quantity of water and salt according; however, make sure to add salt to taste. Adding salt while boiling pasta boosts the flavor. 
• Now its time to add pasta to the boiling water. Add a tablespoon of oil to prevent the strands of pasta from sticking to the surface or clump together. Stand vigilant and keep stirring after every 3 to 4 minutes to keep them swirl and free.
• Keep checking the pasta by picking a strand whether it is done or not. Experts suggest not letting the pasta fully cooked as after boiling them you will have to cook them in the sauce as well. Over cooked pasta gets too soft and soggy. 
• Before draining out the whole water scoop out a cup or two into a cup. This starchy water is a secret trick that helps in binding the sauce and pasta together.
• Its time to drain the water, place a strainer in the kitchen sink and drain your pasta. Now put the drained pasta back into the pot. You can add the pasta if the sauce is still cooking but make sure to use a large pan for pasta prepping. Keep tossing your pasta until it is evenly coated in the sauce.
• Cook the boiled pasta with sauce along with that starchy cup of water that you saved to add in your pasta recipe and cook over medium high heat for three to four minutes.
• Now turn off the heat and add some oil, herbs, butter or cheese, before serving.

Things to Consider Before Choosing Best Pan for Pasta Sauce

Material

A stainless steel or cast aluminum saucepan considered the best pan for making sauces. The reason is they both are durable and lightweight moreover they do not react with ingredients or alter the taste of food.

However, stainless steel is not good with maintain heat but you can choose a pan that has an aluminum core inside bonded with stainless steel on both sides.

Titanium or hard gauge aluminum are amazing at heat conductivity but they often come with a expensive price.

Shape

A shape is also a crucial factor when we talk about the best pan for pasta sauce. A cookware or frying pan that has high walls is best for making or boiling pasta.

High walls offer much space for the boiling pasta and keep the sauce from spilling on the stovetop.

Size

The size of your pasta pan depends on the quantity of meal you are required to prepare. You may have bought the best pan for pasta sauce but getting a size that couldn’t serve your needs is useless.

A 4 to 8 quarts sauce pan is best to serve a small family; however, if you own a large family you should better invest in a 12-quart pasta pot

Price

Price is just important like all the other factors significant in buying the cookware. Though buying a high end product is always recommended but that doesn’t mean that inexpensive products don’t always mean quality compromised cooking.  Go for something reasonable with good customer feedback.

Top 6 Best Pan for Pasta Sauce

1.Cuisinart 622-30G Chef’s Classic Nonstick Hard-Anodized

The Cuisinart 622-30G is made of hard-anodized aluminum that keeps your meal from burning offers better heat distribution and faster cooking results without causing any hot spots.

The hard-anodized aluminum construction is snakes it harder than stainless steel to withstand the difficult tasks of your kitchen without any doubt.

If you love to cook then the Quantanium nonstick interior is perfect to bake, boil, broil, sear or fry. The nonporous and highly wear-resistant layer allows you making healthy meal with less oil and cleaning with less effort.

The heavy duty skillet with its 12-inch diameter can prepare large quantities of meal and offers additional surface so you can easily toss and turn your ingredients. Consumers find it a high quality pan in a reasonable price.

The premium quality shatter resistant glass lids helps you keep an eye on your cooking status without having to lift every time.

The cool grip riveted stainless steel handle stays cool on the stove top along with a safe and solid grip. Moreover, it is compatible to different heat sources except induction and is oven safe up to 500F.

2.SHINEURI 5 Pieces Copper Nonstick Cookware Ceramic Pans and Pots Set

Comes in a variety of cooking utensils this SHINEURI copper coated cookware is a practical choice that includes the combined effectiveness of stainless steel, copper, and aluminum to provide a cooking surface that distributes heat evenly and efficiently without any warp or corrosion.

Moreover, the ceramic non stick coating allows fat free cooking and keeps the food from sticking to the surface using less grease or oil.

The heat efficient cookware works on gas, electric, and ceramic glass and is oven safe up to 550F. While a stainless steel layer is infused in the bottom of each piece to help it support induction cooking as well.

The shatter resistant glass lids have vents that support to lock in flavors and aroma of your favorite meals without letting it compromised in lifting every other second. Though these lids are only heat resistant up to 350F.

3.OzeriThe Green Earth All-In-One Sauce Pan

This eco-friendly 5.3 Quarts sauce pan is popular for delivering unprecedented non-stick performance with its custom formulated non stick coating from Germany.

The natural ceramic non stick coating is free from PFOA and PFOS offer a healthy and effortless cooking experience to its users without exposure to any harmful chemicals.

Made with a heat efficient aluminum that conducts and sustains heat pretty well with magnetic stainless steel base that makes it compatible to induction.

For much durability and convenience in handling an additional loop handle is given along side the regular handle; both are silicone coated to keep it cool while on stove top.

The shatter resistant tempered glass lid is given with a steam release a heat resistant knob. The hardened scratch resistant coating is compatible to all heat sources along with its stainless steel base that is oven safe as well. You can easily clean it by hand and use dishwasher as well. 

4.Rachael Ray Create Delicious Deep Hard Anodized Nonstick Frying Pan

Made of hard anodized aluminum this beautiful non stick frying pan adds a sort of nice touch to your kitchen. The high quality nonstick surface is reinforced with platinum shield technology that makes it 9 times harder than titanium non stick coating.

Versatile in nature the durably constructed pan has a stainless steel induction compatible base which is further compatible to almost all cooktops including oven and can withstand temperature up to 400F.

The dual riveted stainless steel handles are rubberized to facilitate easy maneuverability and comfortable grip without causing any strain or damage.

The flared rims add more convenience to pour or transfer liquid ingredients or gravies without causing much mess on your counters.

The heat resistant sturdy glass lid with beautiful grip on top adds an additional elegance along with the ease to monitor your meal without compromising the heat and flavor.

Though this beautiful pan is dishwasher safe but hand wash is recommended to prevent it from getting damage before time.

5.Anolon Advanced Hard-Anodized Nonstick

Constructed with hard anodized aluminum this 12-inch heavy duty frying pan promotes even and efficient heating.

The three layered premium non stick coating ensures toxic free cooking without any risk of flakes or scratches while cooking with less grease. This versatile non stick skillet is long lasting and metal utensil safe.

The ergonomically designed handle covered with plastic grip features with “AnolonSureGrip”that makes it to comfortably snuggle into your hand to offer a steady grip with full control and strong grip over maneuvering and handling.

It is not induction compatible; however, is good with other stove tops and can stands up to oven temperature up to 400F.

As per the manufacturer claims and its consumers feedback it has a highly durable scratch resistant so you can use metal utensils without any worry. 

6.Cuisinart MultiClad Pro Stainless

This tri-ply constructed professional grade Cuisinart MultiClad Pro 22-20N pan is the perfect choice for expert or proficient chefs.

Made with a core of pure aluminum that is bonded between stainless steel cooking surface and a brushed stainless exterior backed with Heat Surround technology it efficiently maintains even distribution of heat across the bottom and walls without causing any hotspots.

The best thing about stainless steel cooking surfaces is that they do not react with foods or alter natural flavors.

The triply steel construction is ideal for prepping delicate meals, simmering sauces, sautéing vegetables, and browning meats.

Though it is not like the typical non stick interior but with low to medium heat settings the stainless steel interior ensures impressive non stick results without tarnishing, peeling or flaking. Compatible to almost all cooktops it is induction, broiler and oven safe up to 550F.

Final Thoughts

We hope that now you are completely aware of how to buy the best pan for pasta sauce and what are the much needed features required in a pasta sauce pan.

While concluding we would suggest you two kitchenware items that could be easily select as the best pan for pasta sauce.

One is the Anolon Advanced Deep 12-inch Frying pan [Buy On Amazon] that is known for its 3-layered versatile non stick coating offers enough space with high walls to prepare large pasta meals with convenience.

If you are short of budget then we do give you another option that is Cuisinart 622-30G Chef’s Classic skillet [Buy On Amazon] which is comparatively less priced than Analon but offers the same quality of meal with its hard anodized body and Titanium reinforced non stick coating.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best pan to cook pasta sauce?

Analon Advanced and Cuisinart Chef’s Classic both are best pans to cook pasta. Both are equally good and deliver optimum cooking results for boiling pasta and prepping its sauce.  

Is it OK to cook pasta sauce in stainless steel?

A stainless best pan for making sauces is perfect for making sauces, gravies, or soups, as it is stainless steel is a non reactive metal and does not alter the taste of the ingredients nor adds an unpleasant smell to the food.

What kind of pan do you use for pasta?

A two-quart stainless steel saucepan with an aluminum base is considered the best pan for making sauces for pasta, reheating pulps, gravies, or soups. You will find such pasta sauce pans in a highly reasonable price in the market.

Can you cook tomato sauce in nonstick pans?

A non stick pan could be considered best pan for pasta; however, non stick pans aren’t good for prepping acidic foods such as tomato sauces and citrus. Acidic food can accelerate the aging process of non stick cookware and causes blister on the slick and smooth interior surface of the cookware.