13 of the best casserole dishes that will actually be worth your while
The best casserole dish out there is likely one that's been handed down through generations of family members, with many a story to tell and layers of added seasoning from meals gone by. It's probably French-made – all the best are – and, just like Gabriel's in Emily in Paris, it may not have seen a single sud of soap in all its many years.
Unfortunately for the majority of us, heritage and heirlooms (especially kitchen ones) can't just be ordered from Amazon, so we've been working on the next best thing.
When it comes to buying your first casserole dish, there are several factors to consider. Namely, price, material, brand and what you plan to cook in it. To break it down in Layman's terms, most of the best casserole dishes are made of cast iron, but you can also buy them in lighter aluminium/stainless steel varieties if weight is a non-negotiable for you.
Cookware brands like Le Creuset come with associated prestige and high-quality expectations but, if you're not one to judge a book by its cover, brands like Made In Cookware are waiting in the wings at a lower price point with capabilities – ahem, dishwasher safe – that some of their more established competitors aren't offering.
In terms of what you plan to cook in your casserole dish, consider whether your sourdough bread is going to need height, if you're cooking for large gatherings and, for the slow cook fanatics, if your pot is going to need to self-baste (something that not all models promise).
At a glance, John Lewis & Partners' £45 cast-iron casserole dish is a top choice for affordable kitchenware, while the ProCook oval cast-iron casserole, at £89, champions style, size and temperature capabilities at a mid-range price point.
Who makes the best casserole dish?
Depending on who you ask, be it family members, chefs or the customers actually reviewing the products online, you'll likely get a myriad of different answers.
If proudly displaying your casserole dish in a cabinet or atop your stove is first on your list of priorities, consider Serax for Scandinavian-style cookware and a luxury feel. For the chefs, Made In Cookware sites Grant Achatz - Netflix's Chef's Table and Final Table veteran _ as one of its endorsers, alongside fellow Chef's Table star Nancy Silverton. And, for the people, John Lewis dominates with an impressive mass of four and five-star reviews. The brand doesn't disappoint on quality, either, with their products' high-spec standing up against the likes of Le Creuset for less than 25% of the price.
That said, Le Creuset casserole dishes are somewhat of a crowd-pleaser, performing both physically and aesthetically and, though more high-end, leaving 86% of Amazon customers (who purchased the brand's signature cast-iron dish) satisfied.
After more kitchenware content? Head this way for time-saving cooking gadgets, over here for dining tables, and this way for dinnerware sets, gold-rim glasses and cutlery sets. We've also got non-stick frying pans, healthy meal delivery services and saucepan sets to boot.
For more from GLAMOUR UK Commerce Writer Lucy Smith, follow her on Instagram @luceeeeesmith.
Scroll for our full edit of the best casserole dishes in 2022:
Cast iron casserole dish
Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven, £176.99, Made In Cookware
Why we love it: Beating out the Le Creuset on price and functionality, Made In’s casserole dish is both dishwasher and induction friendly and, the clincher, it doesn’t need to be seasoned.
Pros: Signature bold colour design, dishwasher and all-hob (including induction cookers) friendly. Textured lid to ensure moisture circulates the dish and, as mentioned, the Made In Dutch oven doesn’t need to be seasoned. Moreover, it works up to high heats of 300 degrees Celsius and, should that prove to be untrue, you have 45 days to return the item should it not perform to your liking.
Cons: Heavier than some competitors (even more so when filled) and handles are not heatproof.
Best casserole dishes
Serax Surface Cast Iron Casserole Dish - Black - 2.6L, £207, Amara
Why we love it: With its matte black shade and Scandi style, this is our pick for the best casserole dish design.
Pros: Can be used on/in all hob and oven types and is especially suited as a display pot.
Cons: Hand wash only, not self-basting and, while good for searing meat, fish and vegetables, its shallow design means it perhaps doesn’t lend itself to large one-pot meals. It also has an enamel coating, meaning it will most likely work best after seasoning.
Best casserole dishes UK
Serax Pure Non-Stick Aluminium Casserole Pan - White - 24cm, £178, Amara
Why we love it: If cast iron pots and bright colours aren’t for you, you’ll love this lightweight stainless steel casserole pot from Amara.
Pros: Constructed with stainless steel, meaning it’s dishwasher safe, this stovetop induction-safe casserole dish is coated with a triple layer of non-stick and has great heat retention due to its cold-forged aluminium makeup.
Cons: Handles aren’t heatproof, lid isn’t self-basting and no warranty is mentioned (though customers have 30 days to make returns).
Le Creuset casserole dish
Le Creuset Signature cast iron casserole dish 24cm, £240, Selfridges
Why we love it: Le Creuset is the name that springs to mind when you think of casserole dishes, and for good reason. Not only will it do the job marvellously, but it’ll do it all the while serving as a stylish focal point in your kitchen.
Pros: Its cast iron makeup means it’s both oven and hob safe, not to mention this particular model is also suitable for induction hobs. It has a lifetime guarantee and, as an added bonus doubles as a suitable bread cloche. For Prime members, also available on Amazon.
Cons: Not dishwasher safe, and you’ll likely want to buy a natural or scourer free sponge to hand wash it with. It’s also not non-stick in the traditional sense, you’ll need to use oil and ‘season’ the enamel.
Save when you shop for the best casserole dish with these Selfridges discount codes.
Best cast iron casserole dish UK
Crane Cookware Cast iron casserole dish 23cm, £200, Selfridges
Why we love it: Hand cast in France, home cooks will adore everything, from the sleek matte black, to the easy clean design, about this casserole dish.
Pros: 30% of the materials are recycled, 10 year guarantee, plus, in terms of wear and tear, the high-quality black enamel prevents any thermal shocks and scratches. Lids also have a universal fit across the whole Crane range.
Cons: Not dishwasher safe, handles not heatproof (though they are designed with a power grip) and surface will acquire a patina with age.
Save when you shop for the best casserole dish with these Selfridges discount codes.
Best casserole dishes UK
Cast Aluminium 3L Casserole Dish, £39.50, Marks & Spencer
Why we love it: Our top pick for affordability, this casserole dish from M&S promises the stave stove to oven versatility as its high-end counterparts for just a fraction of the price.
Pros: Triple layer non-stick and self-basting functionality perfect for pot roasts and braising and, with its sleek cream design, it’s smart enough to serve out of at your next dinner party, too. Also dishwasher and induction hob suitable.
Cons: Slightly smaller three litre capacity and handles not heatproof.
Save when you shop for the best casserole dish with these Marks and Spencer discount codes.
Best casserole dish for hob and oven
Le Creuset 3-Ply Stainless Steel Shallow Casserole, £205, Harrods
Why we love it: Perfect for minimalist kitchens, the clean stainless steel design is the ideal bakeware for oven cooking and searing and, with its shallow design, it serves both as a frying pan and casserole dish for the ultimate versatility.
Pros: Even heat distribution, 360 degree pouring rim, capacity markers and a lifetime guarantee. The shallow casserole dish is also dishwasher and oven safe, as well as being lightweight and suitable for all hob types, including induction.
Cons: Not suitable for extremely high temperatures and handles aren’t heatproof.
Best casserole dish with lid
Cast Aluminium Casserole 5 Litre, £59.99, Lakeland
Why we love it: If the faff of seasoning your cast-iron casserole dish is not for you, fear not, for Lakeland have come through with a double non-stick option for your perusal.
Pros: Lighter than its cast-iron counterparts, this round casserole dish from Lakeland is self-basting with a specially textured lid, induction and dishwasher safe and, even with its non-stick coating, it’s still suitable for oven use. Not to mention it’s extremely affordable at less than £60.
Cons: Handles aren’t heatproof and lighter makeup means it won’t retain heat as well as a cast iron casserole pot.
John Lewis casserole dish
Cast Iron Round Casserole, £45, John Lewis & Partners
Why we love it: £45 for the same appearance and, according to over 260 five-star customer reviews, performance as a Le Creuset casserole dish? We’re sold.
Pros: Self-basting, suitable for oven and all hobs (including induction), lifetime guarantee and ‘stick-preventing’ interior.
Cons: Not French-made, slightly heavier at 3.7kg (though, this is light compared to some) and handles aren’t heat proof.
Save when you shop for the best casserole dish with these John Lewis discount codes.
Best casserole dish with lid
Habitat Another Eden 3.3 Litre Cast Iron Casserole Dish, £40, Argos
Why we love it: For just £40, this cast iron round casserole pot is top tier for both style and functionality, with raving five-star ratings from buyers.
Pros: Naturally non-stick, oven (and hob, including induction) safe up to 260 degrees celsius, even conductivity and it has a 12-month guarantee.
Cons: Slightly smaller capacity - more like a cocotte (‘small casserole’) - this three-litre dish is perhaps suited to veggies and smaller meals. Some reviews also claim it gets a tad rusty if not dried properly.
Save when you shop for the best casserole dish with these Argos discount codes.
John Lewis casserole dish
Anyday Cast Aluminium Non-Stick Round Casserole, Black, 24cm, £40, John Lewis & Partners
Why we love it: The Anyday range from John Lewis is serving a masterclass in affordable, yet high-performing, kitchenware and we’re thrilled about it. This casserole dish is no exception with an average 4.4 out of 5 stars from customers and a very much accessible £40 price point.
Pros: Non-stick, oven and hob compatible (including induction) and dishwasher safe. This casserole dish can handle up to 220 degrees celsius - quite a generous range - and, for the less strong of us, weighs less than 1.5kg.
Cons: Handles get hot, hand wash is recommended (despite dishwasher safe claim…) and some reviews claim heat wasn’t distributed as evenly as heavier pans.
Save when you shop for the best casserole dish with these John Lewis discount codes.
Best casserole dish for hob and oven
Pavilion Cast Iron 26Cm Round Casserole, £160, Denby Pottery
Why we love it: At £80 less than its Le Creuset counterpart, but with that same sleek appearance, the Denby casserole dish is not one to ignore, especially considering it - unlike the Le Creuset - is dishwasher safe…
Pros: Suitable for all hobs (including induction), constructed with in-built ‘basting rings’ - textured ridges in the dish’s lid to ensure the circulation of moisture to keep food succulent - and dishwasher safe. Also available on Amazon.
Cons: Pot and lid handles aren’t heatproof, can’t be heated dry and isn’t suited to very high heats. Like it’s Le Creuset competitor, it too works best when pre-seasoned.
Cast iron casserole dish
Cast Iron Casserole, £89, ProCook
Why we love it: The only oval casserole dish in our round up, this pick from ProCook is perfect for serving at large gatherings and comes in at an accessible price, too.
Pros: Hob and oven safe up to a generous 260 degrees celsius with a self-basting lid and no need to pre-season. It has an large six plus litre capacity perfect for big chillis and batch soup prep and, impressively so, a 25 year guarantee.
Cons: Not dishwasher safe, stainless steel handle isn’t heatproof and, given its size, it is naturally rather heavy.
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