You probably reach for a bowl more than any other dish. Ceramic bowls hold heat, look beautiful and work for everything from cereal to slow cooker stew. Here is how the common types and sizes compare, so your cupboard has the right mix.
The Short Answer
Most households need 3 kinds of ceramic bowls: all-purpose bowls (16 to 24 oz) for cereal and soup, wide pasta bowls (30 to 40 oz) for stews and pasta, and a few small dessert bowls. Add large serving bowls for family meals.
Types of Bowls
| Bowl | Typical size | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Dessert or prep bowl | 6 to 10 oz | Ice cream, sauces, snacks |
| Cereal bowl | 16 to 20 oz | Cereal, oatmeal, side salads |
| Soup bowl | 16 to 24 oz | Soup, chili, stew |
| Pasta bowl | 30 to 40 oz | Pasta, grain bowls, stews |
| Ramen or noodle bowl | 35 to 50 oz | Ramen, pho, big soups |
| Serving bowl | 2 to 5 quarts | Sides and salads |
Bowls We Love
- Large solid color ceramic pasta and soup bowl
- Hand-painted ceramic covered bowl with lid
- Lemon ceramic soup bowl
- European ceramic floral dessert bowl
- Flower-shaped ruffled edge bowl
- 3-piece ceramic serving bowl set
Stoneware vs Porcelain Bowls
Stoneware bowls are thicker and hold heat longer, perfect for soup and stew. Porcelain bowls are thinner, lighter and more chip resistant. More detail is in our dinnerware guide.
Care Tips
- Check microwave and dishwasher labels, especially for metallic trims.
- Avoid thermal shock from fridge to hot oven.
- Stack with a paper towel between delicate bowls.
Equipment I Used
- 3-piece ceramic serving bowl set: takes food straight from the crock to the table.
- Large ceramic pasta and soup bowls: deep enough for stews, soups and saucy dinners.
New to slow cooking? The Easy Slow Cooker Recipes guide is a beginner-friendly collection of easy crockpot breakfasts and dinners.
Ceramic Bowls FAQ
What size is a standard cereal bowl?
About 16 to 20 oz.
What is the best bowl for soup?
A 16 to 24 oz stoneware bowl that holds heat; wide pasta bowls are great for chunky stews.
Are ceramic bowls microwave safe?
Most are, unless they have metallic glaze or trim.
How many bowls do I need?
About 8 all-purpose bowls for a family of 4, plus a few pasta and serving bowls.
