Novice cooks and professional chefs gather round because if you’re looking to get maximum enjoyment and minimal faff from your cooking, then it’s time to invest in a casserole dish.
This versatile piece of cookware - allowing you to make everything from stews and soups to roasts and risotto - is an essential in every kitchen.
Generally suitable for hobs, ovens and grills, a casserole dish helps you achieve the pinnacle of one pot cooking. What’s more is that most casserole pots are stylish enough to go straight from the kitchen to the table, making them a great choice when cooking for the who family or a large group.
What should you look out for in a casserole dish?
The many benefits of a casserole dish can make them pricey items so before investing or upgrading, there are two things to consider.
Firstly, decide on whether you prefer cast iron or ceramic. Cast iron dishes are more durable and versatile but do tend to be higher in price point and rather heavy - something worth considering if you don’t fancy a gruelling upper body strength test every time you lift the pot.
In contrast ceramic dishes, either porcelain or aluminium, are far more lightweight and easy to transport between appliances. However, you may find they lose their heat quicker and feel slightly flimsier compared to cast iron models.
Secondly, consider size. Casserole dishes tend to range in size from 18cm - perfect for solo cooking - to 30cm which is ideal for mass and batch cooking. If you’re cooking for a family go for a 24cm or 26cm dish whereas a smaller 20cm pot is perfect for a couple.
With all this in mind, shop our range of best casserole dishes below that come in a variety of colours, prices and shapes.
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Denby Cast Iron 28Cm Oval Casserole Dish
- Serves four to six
- 3.75kg
- Oven safe up to 250 degrees
- Suitable for all hobs
- Dishwasher safe
A real looker of a pan, it comes in numerous shiny colour options including this pastel blue. It has a capacity of over 4 litres (4.25 to be specific) and can be used either on the hob or in the oven.
Its shape is ideal for cuts of meat such as lamb shanks and large roasting joints as well as casseroles, stews and bakes. It has a great non-stick coating which really does work - perfect for jobs like browning onions - and its lid comes with built-in ‘basting rings’ to collect and recirculate moisture as it evaporates.
A quality pan with the style credentials to match, and a price point that is more reasonable than some of its equally high quality counterparts - a winner.
Buy now £136.49, Amazon
Le Creuset Signature Cast Iron Round Casserole
- Capacity between 1.8L to 8.1L
- Oven safe up to 260 degrees
- Suitable for all hobs and grill
- Easy large handle grip
You can’t think about cast iron pans without Le Creuset coming to the forefront of your mind. The French brand dates back to 1925 and is a chef’s favourite as well as the market leader when it comes to high-end kitchenware.
The range comes in 15 colours, from meringue cream to deep cassis to the classic bright orange ‘volcanic’ shade. From look to feel, to how it cooks, it exudes class and perfectionism and as it’s available in sizes between 18cm and 30cm so you’re sure to find the perfect size for your culinary needs.
It comes with a slightly domed lid, which works like a mini tagine to recirculate moisture into your dishes as it evaporates. A decorative stainless steel knob does well to resist excess heat so it’s easy to remove the lid, while small handles simplify lifting, despite its size and heavy build. Seriously hard to beat, but with a price tag that knows it.
Buy now £185.00, Amazon
Our Place Perfect Pot
- 5.2L capacity
- 2kg weight
- Oven safe up to 215 degrees
- Not dishwasher proof
Haters of cluttered kitchen cupboards rejoice as you can now throw out up to eight types of cookware and replace it with the Perfect Pot - which does everything from boil and bake, to steam and strain. We put this claim to the test by trying out various recipes that would usually involve up to four different pots and pans and we can confirm that the Perfect Pot is revolutionary.
Compatible with all hobs and built out of lightweight and durable cast aluminium, ingredients heat up quickly even on a low heat. The pot also features nifty additions such as a large pour spout, a beechwood spoon which rests on the pot and a custom roasting rack that doubles as a steamer. The modular lid is also a standout feature as it allows you to let out steam and lock it in depending on what’s being cooked.
It also comes with a 30 day trial so you have nothing to lose by trying it out.
Buy now £140.00, Our Place
John Lewis & Partners Cast Aluminium Non-Stick Round Casserole, Black, 24cm
- Lightweight cast aluminium
- Two layers of non-stick coating
- Suitable for all hobs
- 24cm dish weighs 1.4kg
Whilst cast iron casserole dishes offer many benefits, one thing it usually isn’t is lightweight. Enter cast aluminium dishes - equally as great but far less heavy. From John Lewis’ ‘Anyday’ range, this cast aluminium round casserole dish comes in sizes 20cm, 24cm and 28cm.
The angular large handles on the dish make it easy to transport between hob, oven and grill as you cook up your favourite one-pot meal. The aluminium provides good heat distribution across the pan in the same way cast iron models would.
We made a slow cooked stew in this casserole dish and found no signs of sticking even after hours of cooking – likely thanks to its two layer non-stick coating. With a 4.65L (for the 24cm dish), it was perfect for serving up an entire hungry family all without the stress of an overwhelmingly heavy dish.
Buy now £40.00, John Lewis
Staub 16cm Tomato Ceramic Cocotte Cherry
- 1kg weight
- Not suitable for induction hobs
- Oven and microwave compatible
- Dishwasher safe
From a brand synonymous with the best of cast iron pans comes a high quality yet innovative casserole dish designed in the shape of a Brandywine tomato. This novelty dish measures 16cm and has a capacity of 0.5L, making it perfect for individual portions of dinner or the ideal roasting dish that doesn’t take up too much space in the oven.
We love the easy to grip handles and Staub’s signature convex lid also helps retain both moisture and flavour as condensation is evenly distributed onto the dish below. In essence, it does the same thing as a tagine.
Other casserole dishes in the range include various coloured pumpkins, peppers and artichokes which come in sizes between 11cm to 16cm.
Buy now £24.95, Zwilling
Riess Porcelain Enamel Lidded Casserole Pot, 20cm, Pure Grey
- Suitable for all hobs
- Porcelain enamel coating
- 1.7kg weight
- Energy-saving lid
Handcrafted in the Austrian Alps, this sleek and shiny casserole pot looks as good on the table as it does on the stove. Considering its small size, at just 20cm, it offers plenty of space to stew, roast and bake for deep dish creations. Weighing just 1.7kg, it’s easy to transport between appliances and when it comes to washing up, well that’s what dishwashers are for.
The porcelain enamel design heats up food quickly and evenly making so cook stews and sauces to your heart’s delight. We were impressed by the lid’s functionality as it starts to rattle when it’s time to turn the heat down, helping you save energy and from burning food.
Buy now £53.00, MADE
Le Creuset Signature Cast Iron Shallow Casserole
- Long lasting heat retention
- Dishwasher safe
- Suitable for all hobs
- Tight-fitting lid
Just as iconic as its round casserole dish comes this wider and shallower model from Le Creuset. Where we found the round dish to excel in stews and saucier meals, the shallow pot was perfect for browning meats and vegetables as well as making a tasty stir-fry thanks to its wide surface area.
In the 30cm dish, we were able to roast enough joints of meat to feed eight people. The sturdy large handles made transportation of the dish from the hob to the oven (where it is safe up to 260 degrees) to the centre of the dining table.
The newly designed lid has been improved to be tighter fitting in order to lock in moisture for better results. Despite its premium price tag, Le Creuset stands the test of time and its durability - plus a lifetime guarantee - makes it worth investing in.
Buy now £202.50, Amazon
Terra.Cotto Cast Iron Oval Lidded Casserole Pot, 30cm
- 5kg weight
- Dishwasher safe
- Not suitable for microwaves
- Good non-stick surface
If feeding a small village is on the agenda then it’s worth investing in a large 30cm casserole dish that will stand the test of time. Designed by Italian kitchenware aficionado Sambonet, this striking deep orange oval dish screams luxury. The combination of traditional terracotta and heat-conducting cast iron means food is well cooked and ensures its durability.
Having cooked a casserole in this dish (what other way to truly test it?), the non-stick surface worked well and we found only a few grains of rice had stuck to the bottom. At such a large size we were grateful that it was dishwasher safe as washing by hand could have been tricky. Do note the weight of the dish as at 5kg it did feel like a gym session at times when lifting the pot.
Buy now £143.00, MADE
