Which Cast Iron Casserole is Right for You?
The iconic Le Creuset casserole, also known as a Dutch oven, is an indispensable tool in the kitchen.
Expertly crafted from enamelled cast iron, our most iconic range is renowned for its excellent cooking performance and heat retention, meaning you can cook on lower-to-medium heats for flavourful meals that just happen to be energy-efficient too!
The hardest part will be choosing what size, shape and colour to get, but we have plenty of tips to help you find the perfect one for your cooking style.
Tips for choosing the right casserole
Having the right collection of cookware can make a world of difference in the kitchen. And while all cookware is versatile for many different types of recipes and cooking techniques, each shape does have its own advantages.
Many people find that having a variety of pot shapes and sizes in their kitchen collection allows them to best match the pot to the recipe. Let’s see how our different casseroles shape up.
· What are the different casserole shapes?
You may be wondering whether you need a Round or Oval shape (or both) for your specific needs or might be curious about the variety of dishes you can prepare in your casserole.
To help you choose the perfect casserole dish for your cooking needs, here are some of the top features of each shape.
Round Casserole
· Key features
Rounded with tall sides, this all-around favourite can be used for anything from slow-cooking stews to roasting meats and vegetables and even baking bread.
· Great for
We especially like it for one-pot meals that start on the stove, finish in the oven, and go straight to the table for effortlessly elegant serving.
· Most popular size
24cm (4.2 l) | Serves 4-5
Oval Casserole
· Key features
This elongated shape thrives in the oven and is ideal for roasting larger cuts, allowing plenty of room for air to circulate around the meat.
· Great for
Baking oval-shaped loaves of bread and meal-prepping large batches.
· Most popular size
31cm | 6.3 l | Serves 6-8
Shallow Casserole
· Key features
Shallow depth and wide base for searing and browning without crowding.
· Great for
In addition to braising meats like short ribs and lamb shanks, try it for pasta and curries, or even a golden focaccia bread.
· Most popular size
30cm | 3.2 l | Serves 4-6
· What else should you consider?
Besides shapes, consider which casserole size is best for your cooking needs. While all sizes of casseroles have a use, choosing one you need really comes down to what kinds of things you like to cook and how many people you typically feed. We also offer casseroles in different materials, such as non-stick or stainless steel.
Versatile for any cooking style
Our casseroles can be used to prepare a variety of your favourite recipes and help you experiment with ingredients and cooking techniques you may not already be familiar with. Explore each method below and discover delicious recipes.
Slow Cooking
This method cooks food, such as stews, slowly over a long period of time, typically in a rounded, lidded pot like our Signature Round Casserole. The technique infuses hearty flavours gradually.
Braising
Braising is typically used to prepare tougher cuts of meat and hearty vegetables. Our Signature Shallow Casserole is ideal for this method, as it locks in moisture and heat using a tight-fitting lid.
Baking
Use any of our casserole shapes to achieve an even bake on breads, cakes, and more. Bread will conform to the shape of the pot it is baked in, especially with wet doughs like the ‘no knead’ variety.
Roasting
Roasting is a slow-cooking process, using indirect, diffused heat to cook its ingredients. Our Signature Oval Casserole’s elongated shape is perfect for roasting large joints of meat and thrives in the oven.
Why choose Le Creuset?
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Discover a hard-working, durable casserole for your next kitchen adventure.
More to explore
Read more tips on how to get the best out of your cast iron cookware.
