Ray has developed quite an assortment of quality cookware essentials over the years. Even still, she always comes back to this Rachael Ray 5-Quart Covered Oval Sauté With Helper Handle ($80). She sketched out the idea for the pan years ago while trying to cook in her tiny New York City apartment.
"My now husband — but then boyfriend — and I had a very tiny apartment here in New York City, and our stove was very narrow, only three of the four burners worked, and I thought, 'Oh my God.' I invited our family members over to share a meal with us, and I tried to put two round pots on the stove at the same time, and they simply wouldn't fit, and the water would never boil," Ray explains. "I broke into tears, so I drew oval pots."
Pro Tip: While square and circular shapes are more typical for sauté pans, the oval shape is actually a great option when cooking denser dishes like pasta. The product's extended design helps the noodles to cook more evenly.
