Le Creuset Stoneware Rainbow Set of 6 Coupe Pasta Bowls 22cm

Care & Use Instructions

Before first use: Remove all labels and packaging from your new bowls. Wash each bowl in warm, soapy water, rinse thoroughly, and dry completely. This removes manufacturing residue and prepares the glazed surface for food contact.

Serving pasta and risotto: The wide, gently sloping sides make these bowls ideal for pasta dishes. The coupe shape provides ample room for twirling long pasta, capturing sauce, and comfortable eating. Pre-warm bowls in the oven (around 70-90°C for 10-15 minutes) before serving hot pasta or risotto—the specialist clay retains heat effectively, keeping dishes warm throughout the meal. Use oven gloves when handling warmed bowls.

Salads and cold dishes: The bowls work equally well for chilled preparations. Use them for grain salads, pasta salads, green salads, or cold noodle dishes. For maximum freshness, chill bowls in the fridge before serving—the stoneware keeps salads cold longer than standard ceramic. The wide opening displays colourful salad ingredients attractively.

Desserts: The generous capacity and elegant coupe shape make these bowls excellent for dessert service. Use them for ice cream sundaes, fruit salads, trifles, tiramisu portions, or generous servings of pudding. The playful rainbow colours add whimsy to dessert presentation. Pre-chill bowls in the freezer for ice cream service—they're safe to -23°C.

Oven use—baking individual dishes: The bowls are oven safe to 260°C, perfect for individual baked pasta, mac and cheese portions, pasta gratins, or personal lasagnes. If bowls are at room temperature, don't preheat ovens above 205°C—place bowls in as the oven heats for gradual warming. Always use oven gloves when handling—hot stoneware retains heat exceptionally well.

Oven use—from frozen: For make-ahead meals, prepare individual pasta or grain dishes in the bowls, freeze them, then bake when needed. Never place frozen bowls into a preheated oven. Instead, place frozen bowls in a cold oven, set your temperature, and allow both to heat gradually together. This prevents thermal shock. Verify food is piping hot throughout before serving.

Microwave use: The bowls are completely microwave safe for reheating pasta, risotto, or other dishes. The bowl will become warm along with the food due to heat retention, so use caution when removing—oven gloves or a towel may be necessary. The retained heat helps keep reheated meals warm during eating.

Everyday cleaning: Allow bowls to cool completely before cleaning. Wipe away food residue. For dried or stuck-on pasta sauce or cheese, soak bowls in warm, soapy water for 15-20 minutes to soften before washing. Hand wash and dry, or place in the dishwasher for a full cycle.

Dishwasher cleaning: The bowls are completely dishwasher safe. Load bowls securely in the dishwasher, typically on the bottom rack where water pressure is strongest. The rainbow colours are permanent—fired at high temperatures during manufacturing—and won't fade, dull, or wash away through repeated dishwasher cycles. The colours will remain vibrant after years of daily use.

Removing food stains: Pasta sauces, particularly tomato-based sauces, may leave slight staining if left sitting for extended periods. For stubborn stains, make a paste of baking soda and water, apply to stained areas, let sit for a few minutes, then scrub gently with a soft brush. Rinse thoroughly. The non-porous glaze resists staining well, but prompt cleaning after meals maintains pristine appearance.

Maintaining the glaze: The scratch-resistant glaze requires no special treatment. Avoid cutting directly in the bowls with knives (though you wouldn't typically do this with pasta bowls). The non-porous glazed surface prevents staining from sauces and won't absorb odours, even from strongly flavoured dishes like garlic or spices.

Stacking for storage: When storing the set, ensure all bowls are clean and completely dry. The coupe shape with gently sloping sides stacks reasonably well—the gradual slope allows nesting whilst the rim prevents bowls sitting completely flush (which would make separation difficult). For long-term storage, consider placing paper towels or cloth between bowls to prevent any potential scratching.

Serving suggestions: The wide coupe shape makes attractive presentation easy. Serve pasta with sauce pooled in the centre and garnishes around the edges. For grain bowls, arrange proteins and vegetables in sections around the bowl's slope for visual appeal. For salads, the wide opening displays colourful ingredients attractively. The rainbow colours encourage creative, playful plating.

Using colours for variety: The six different colours create natural variety at family meals—each person receives a different hue, adding visual interest to the table. For dinner parties, you can assign guests colours, arrange colours in rainbow order for coordinated presentation, or mix randomly for eclectic charm. The playful sophistication works for both casual weeknight dinners and elegant entertaining.

Temperature transitions: Whilst the stoneware handles extreme temperatures, avoid sudden changes. Don't plunge hot bowls into cold water, don't place very hot bowls directly onto very cold surfaces, and don't move directly from freezer to hot oven without using the cold-oven gradual heating method. Gentle temperature transitions extend longevity.

What to avoid: Don't expose bowls to direct heat sources like stovetops, hobs, or open flames—they're designed for oven use only. Don't use harsh abrasive cleaners or steel wool (though the scratch-resistant glaze is quite robust). Don't leave strongly acidic sauces sitting in bowls for days, though normal meal use presents no issues.

Versatility across meals: These pasta bowls transition seamlessly across meal occasions. Use them for breakfast grain bowls, lunch salads, dinner pasta dishes, and desserts. The generous capacity and coupe shape suit almost any dish that benefits from a wide, accessible bowl. The rainbow colours make every meal feel special, elevating everyday comfort food to something worthy of celebration.

Long-term value: With proper care, these pasta bowls should provide decades of daily use. The specialist clays and premium glaze are engineered for longevity. Clean promptly after meals, avoid thermal shock, handle carefully to prevent chips, and store thoughtfully. Follow these practices and your Rainbow Set becomes treasured tableware you'll use for countless family dinners and gatherings.

Maintaining warranty coverage: Le Creuset's 10-year guarantee covers manufacturing defects but not damage from misuse or accidents. Follow these care instructions to maintain coverage. Don't expose to thermal shock, don't use on direct heat, don't drop or impact bowls. Normal wear from regular use is expected—minor glaze crazing from thermal cycling over years doesn't constitute a defect.