I have nothing against strainers and colanders. In fact, I own several of each, but when it comes to cooking pasta they can be a bit of a hazard. Lugging a pot of boiling hot water and pasta to a colander in the sink and tipping the pot without getting splashed or burned by steam can be difficult. So when I heard of Bialetti's Pasta Pot, I was intrigued. The 5-quart pot features a locking lid that allows for draining pasta without a colander. The pot's oval shape means there's no need to break long noodles or wait for them to soften before fully submerging in the water. I was pleasantly surprised by how lightweight the pot is, even filled with water and pasta. I tested the pot's nonstick interior by saucing and serving a tomato sauced pasta and cheesy dish, and both times cleanup was a breeze. Dishwasher safe, but hand washing is recommended.
Available in purple, orange, red and charcoal (black).
$30
Food on 07/08/2015