Casseroles

A casserole dish is perfect for slow cooking stews, ragout, soups, curry, pasta, rice dishes and other perennial favourites or one-pot wonders! Casseroles are designed to move seamlessly from the stovetop to the oven to serving at your dining table. They have tight-fitting lids to seal flavours and aromas that increase during slow cooking.

Casseroles usually come in a round or oval shape, in a range of different sizes and capacities. Casserole dishes and pots also have high and thick walls to help distribute heat evenly throughout the surface while protecting the cookware from shattering, and they come with two handles for easy transferring from stovetop to oven to table.

What are Casserole Pots used for

Depending on the material your casserole dish is made from, you can use it for stovetop cooking, oven baking, and serving straight onto the table. This makes casseroles great for maximising practicality and minimising clean-up, and you’ll even find that many casseroles are made to be ornamental and attractive on the dinner table.

Casserole pots with higher walls are great for saucy and soupy dishes, and a layered casserole or making stews and roasts. A shallow casserole dish can be used to cook paella, pasta, or even focaccia. Casserole dishes are wonderfully versatile and generally easy to use no matter what you are cooking in them!

What is the difference between a casserole dish and a Dutch Oven?

It is common to find people using both the terms Casserole Dish and Dutch Oven interchangeably. However, there are a few things that set them apart from one another particularly in terms of the material that is used to make them and their hob or oven suitability.

Similarities between a casserole dish and a dutch oven:

• Both can be used in the oven
• Both can be made from cast iron
• Both come with tight fitting lids to circulate heat
• Both are either round or oval in shape
• Both come with handles for easy transferring

Differences between a casserole dish and a dutch oven:

• Dutch ovens can be used on any stovetop, but not all casseroles are suitable for use on different stovetops
• All dutch ovens are made exclusively from cast iron, but casseroles are made from a variety of materials such as cast iron, ceramic, glass, aluminium and stainless steel.

In essence, what these differences mean is that because casserole dishes are available in a range of materials, not all of them are suitable for use on the stove. For example, a ceramic or glass casserole dish is not safe to use on the hob.

Features to consider when buying a casserole dish

Shape: Consider what you will be cooking as the shape of your casserole is a key factor. A round casserole dish is fantastic for stews and soups, but the elongated shape of an oval casserole is better for pot roasts, ham, or a whole leg of lamb. Mini casseroles are convenient for individual portions and a shallow casserole dish is great for paella, cinnamon rolls, or pan fried chicken.

Weight: Heavy pots with thicker bases are generally viewed to be better as they help to distribute heat evenly and ensure the food at the top is cooked as thoroughly as food at the bottom of your dish.

Material: Decide if you want a cast iron, ceramic, glass, or non-stick casserole. We expand more on these different materials below!

Heat requirements: Think about whether most of your cooking will be done on the stove or in the oven. A casserole dish that is transferable across both heat sources offers more versatility and practicality. However, bear in mind that if you are finishing dishes under the broiler, you’ll need to have a casserole with a high heat threshold. It's also important to ensure your selected casserole is suitable for your stove type especially if you use an induction cooktop.

Size: The 20cm/2.4L size is the most popular option if you are cooking for 2. For a family of 4, go for a 24cm/4.2L casserole dish. Anything larger than 24cm will be appropriate to feed larger groups or to have leftovers to eat over the week.

Price: Glass casserole dishes are known to be the most affordable option, however these are not suitable for use on the stove. While cast iron casseroles and ceramic options tend to be higher in price, they are more versatile and durable.

Most common casserole dish materials

Cast iron

Cast iron casseroles are often seen to be a superior material due to heat retention and even heat distribution. While raw cast iron will require seasoning, it is extremely durable and heavy. Go for a cast iron casserole with an enamel coating if you want a non-stick surface for easy food release and resistance to thermal shock. In general, cast iron casseroles offer great practicality as you can use them on all stove types including induction and in the oven. Their heat retention ability makes them great for keeping food hot for longer. However, it is also because of these properties that you will have to be extra careful to use mittens and a trivet when serving with a cast iron casserole pot.

Ceramic

Ceramic casseroles include both porcelain casseroles and stoneware casseroles. These types tend to heat up slowly but they are able to withstand high temperatures and retain heat well, though there may be exceptions to whether they can be used under the broiler. Enameled ceramic and stoneware casseroles are attractive in appearance and make beautiful serving pieces. The enamel coating also ensures they do not absorb taste and odours while being resistant to stains. Many are even dishwasher safe.

Glass

Glass casserole dishes are the most affordable types of casseroles. While you can’t use this type on the stove, these are safe to use in the microwave and dishwasher, with borosilicate glass even being freezer safe. Glass is also a relatively reliable material as it heats evenly, retains heat well, and allows you to conveniently monitor your cooking progress. While glass can be susceptible to thermal shock, it is generally lightweight and easy to transfer across surfaces.

Non-Stick

Non-stick casseroles are great options for easy, everyday cooking. The non-stick coating on these types offer easy food release and an easy clean-up, with most being dishwasher safe too. Non-stick casseroles usually come paired with a tempered glass lid, and they are generally lightweight, resistant to scratches, easy to use, and complement modern kitchens. However, be sure to ensure that your non-stick casserole is suitable for induction use if that is your stove type.

Popular casserole brands

Le Creuset renowned for their French-made enamelled cast iron casseroles available in a range of bright and attractive colours that can be coordinated with their other cookware and stoneware.

Chasseur the more affordable of the French cookware brands, Chasseur is a very popular cast iron casserole choice in Australia.

Emile Henry is renowned for their ceramic casseroles and bakeware made in France.

Scanpan is one of Australia's most popular cookware brands with hard-wearing non-stick casseroles made in Denmark.

Tefal is one of France's most famous cookware brands, endorsed by Jamie Oliver and produces a great range of non-stick casseroles made in France that feature their patented ThermoSpot technology which will indicate when the pot is at the right cooking temperature to start searing or browning ingredients.

Pyrex is a fantastic choice for those who want glass casseroles. Considered one of the first cookware brands to use thermal glass as a form of cookware, Pyrex casserole dishes are great for baking and storing left over meals in the refrigerator.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Does a casserole dish need a lid?

Yes, a casserole dish with a lid is important as the lid helps to circulate and facilitate even heat distribution throughout the dish. Casserole pots with self-basting lids are also great to seal in moisture to ensure your dish comes out in tender perfection. Nevertheless, there are casserole pans that are available without lids, and these types are great if you want to achieve that beautiful cheesy melt on top of a casserole.

Can I bake in a casserole dish?

Yes! Your casserole dish can double as a baking dish. Go ahead and try your hand at lasagne, cake, breakfast rolls, or focaccia!