A receptacle, which is adapted for nesting and stacking with similar receptacles. The invention, the receptacle is intended in particular to be utilized as a food pan for the receiving and storing of hot or cold food items, and, which may be employed in connection with buffet or steam tables, among other diverse uses thereof. The receptacle is preferably constituted of a metallic material, such as aluminum or stainless steel, which is compatible with food service requirements and sanitary prescriptions or regulations having a generally rectangular flat bottom, and wherein lower side and end walls extend upwardly in an outwardly angled slope from rounded edges connecting the receptacle bottom to the lower ends of the walls. At the upper ends of each of the side and end walls, these extend into outwardly and upwardly curved wall structures, which form a curvilinear ledge. The upper and resulting radially outer edge of this ledge extends into the lower ends of upper side and end walls which slope inwardly towards their upper ends to define a receptacle opening somewhat closer to the size of the opening of the receptacle defined by the upper ends of the lower side and end walls of the receptacle.