The best casserole dishes for baking, roasting and serving in style

Casserole dishes are versatile pieces of kit – they can be used to make soups, stews, pot roasts, sauces – the list goes on. And for a home cook, a good one is an essential. The best casserole dishes are suitable for the hob and oven and are attractive enough for serving at the table, to maximise practicality and minimise washing-up.

Cast iron may seem like an expensive option, but a dish that will last for decades is an investment worth making. As for other materials, we found non-stick metal or ceramic casseroles offered unique points and were more budget-friendly. Read on for our expert testers' recommendations.

Best casserole dishes at a glance

5/5 stars:

• Best PFAS-free casserole dish: Our Place Titanium Perfect Pot Pro, £145
• Best luxury casserole dish: Le Creuset Cast Iron Round casserole, from £219
• Best contemporary casserole dish: Made In Enamelled cast iron round Dutch oven, £219
• Best casserole dish: HexClad 4.7-litre casserole dish, £204

Best of the rest:

• Best oval casserole dish: ProCook cast iron casserole dish 30cm, £75
• Best budget casserole dish: Nuovva cast iron Dutch oven casserole pot with lid 6L, £59.99
• Best casserole dish for versatility: Our Place Perfect Pot, £109
• Best casserole dish for lid-off cooking: Prestige casserole and glass lid 5.7L, £49.99
• Best lightweight casserole dish: MasterClass cast-aluminium casserole dish, £35.98
• Best-looking casserole dish: Staub cast-iron Cocotte, from £229
• Best large casserole dish: Samuel Groves 27cm oval cast-iron casserole dish, £74.99
• Best cast-iron casserole dish: Le Creuset signature 26cm shallow casserole dish, from £149
• Best chemical-free casserole dish: GreenPan 5.3-litre Featherweight casserole dish, £115

Jump to:

• Best casserole dishes to buy in 2025
• Which size casserole dish do you need?
• How we tested casserole dishes

How we tested casserole dishes

We reviewed a representative range of casserole pots and scored them against the following criteria:

• Durability: a casserole that could stand a certain amount of wear and tear.
• Versatility: we wanted a pan that ticked at least three of the following boxes – suitable for all hob types, the oven, serving, the dishwasher and/or the microwave.
• Depth: having a pot that’s deep enough to submerge chunky ingredients in like whole chickens gives you flexibility over what you can cook.
• Surface area: when it comes to browning ingredients like chicken thighs, a large surface area enables you to do so evenly.
• Good heat distribution: the key to teasing out a richness of flavour from ingredients.
• Looks: casseroles are for sharing so get a dish you’re proud to bring to the table.
• Well-sealed: we wanted all the flavours and moisture to remain firmly intact.
• Heat: the hotter the dish can handle, the better.

Best casserole dishes to buy in 2025

Good Food in partnership with Tower 24cm stainless steel casserole pot with lid

Available from Amazon (£44), Tower (£44.99) – save 30% with code GOODFOOD30

Ideal for hearty stews, fragrant curries and so much more, the Good Food 24cm casserole pot offers the perfect combination of style and practicality.

Created in partnership with Tower, the pot's stainless steel and aluminium base guarantees quick and even heating, with no hot spots, while the mirror finish and glossy interior are enough to justify displaying it on the countertop full-time.

Like the other casserole dishes in this guide, this Tried, Tested and Trusted piece of cookware has also been been rigorously tested by Good Food’s recipe development team to ensure brilliant performance.

Available from:

• Amazon (£44)
• Tower (£44.99) – save 30% with code GOODFOOD30

Good Food in partnership with Tower 24cm hard anodised casserole pot with lid

Available from Tower (£79.99) – save 30% with code GOODFOOD30, Amazon (£79.99)

Tried and Tested by our expert recipe development team, the Good Food 24cm casserole dish – created in partnership with Tower – is crafted with 3.5mm forged aluminium and a tough non-stick coating, so can withstand years of use.

As well as the two pouring lips on each side of the dish, there are also dual-sized straining holes on the lid to help you avoid spillages, plus riveted steel handles that offer easy manoeuvrability.

Its ample capacity is ideal for serving generous portions for guests or batch cooking, and you can use it on induction hobs and in the oven (up to 220C), too.

Available from:

• Tower (£79.99) – save 30% with code GOODFOOD30
• Amazon (£79.99)

Good Food in partnership with Tower 28cm TriPly casserole pot with lid

Available from Tower (£89.99) – save 30% with code GOODFOOD30, Amazon (£52.19)

Created in partnership with Tower, the Good Food 28cm TriPly casserole with lid is ideal for creating hearty family meals. Made from 2.5mm tri-ply stainless steel, it ensures excellent heat retention and even cooking. The sleek satin interior and polished exterior provide both durability and style, while riveted steel handles offer added strength and comfort.

Featuring a tempered glass lid with straining holes, this casserole allows for easy serving and monitoring. Oven-safe up to 220C and compatible with all hob types, including induction, it's also dishwasher safe for simple cleaning.

Available from:

• Tower (£89.99) – save 30% with code GOODFOOD30
• Amazon (£52.19)

Our Place Titanium Perfect Pot Pro

Available from Our Place (£145), Healf (£145), Amazon (£180)

Best PFAS-free casserole dish

Pros:

• Non-stick, PFAS-free interior
• Dishwasher safe
• Limited lifetime guarantee

Cons:

• Expensive

Star rating: 5/5

The first thing we noticed about this stock pot was the textured construction on the inside of the base. It’s designed to create a non-stick effect without the need for a non-stick coating, and we were impressed at how well it worked when cooking – and the fact that means it’s PFAS free.

The base and lid are made from a combination of shiny stainless steel on the outside, a titanium interior and an aluminium core sandwiched between the two.

The result is one very durable bit of kit that’s heat-safe up to 535C – much higher than other dishes we tested and ideal if you need to crank the oven up at the end of cooking. The fully-sealed rims meant this pot locked moisture in well when slow-cooking a beef casserole, and the fact it’s dishwasher-safe was the icing on the cake for us.

Available from:

• Our Place (£145)
• Healf (£145)
• Amazon (£180)

Le Creuset Cast Iron Round Casserole

Available from Le Creuset (from £219), John Lewis & Partners (from £249), Harts of Stur (£255.20)

Best luxury casserole dish

Pros:

• Generous size
• Looks great
• Lifetime guarantee

Cons:

• Expensive

Star rating: 5/5

Everything about Le Creuset’s classic casserole dish has been carefully thought out and engineered for ease – starting with the extra-large handles, which make carrying it from hob to oven just that little bit easier when you’re wearing bulky oven gloves. Likewise, while all the dishes we tested had a knob on the lid for lifting, Le Creuset’s has slightly softer edges, a more ergonomic shape and size, and it’s heat-resistant to 260C.

We also found this dish had impressive heat-retaining qualities, keeping food piping hot even once out of the oven. We tried out the 28cm option and loved the roomy proportions, although the dish was a little large for a recipe for four and could have easily been doubled to fill the dish.

The prohibitive price is our only niggle for what is otherwise an excellent buy.

Available from:

• Le Creuset (from £219)
• John Lewis & Partners (from £249)
• Harts of Stur (£255.20)

Made In Enamelled Cast Iron Round Dutch Oven

Available from Made In (£219)

Best contemporary casserole dish

Pros:

• Looks stylish
• Lifetime guarantee
• Retains moisture well

Cons:

• Fairly expensive

Star rating: 5/5

This enamelled cast iron Dutch oven has a slightly more palatable price tag than some of its pricier competitors, with no drop in quality and a lifetime warranty that means you can expect it to last. Hand-crafted in France, it has a sleek, simple design that would work well in a contemporary kitchen and we really liked it in the goes-with-anything linen white option.

We were impressed at the dish’s non-stick qualities when cooking – and, later, cleaning – and found it retained heat very well. The lid fits snugly and has lots of little raised circles on the inside, which are designed to trap steam and lock in moisture. The 5.2-litre size was perfect for a big family meal, and our beef casserole came out tender and rich.

Available from:

• Made In (£219)

HexClad 4.7-litre casserole dish

Available from HexClad (£204)

Best casserole dish

Pros:

• Robust tri-ply design
• Effective non-stick coating
• Well fitting lid
• Lifetime guarantee

Cons:

• Expensive

Star rating: 5/5

Built with HexClad's signature tri-ply hybrid design – which combines the convenience of non-stick with the searing power of stainless steel – this casserole dish is ultra-modern, with a mirror finish on the lid and ergonomic stay-cool handles on either side.

At 1.6kg, it's also remarkably lightweight for its size but still has the heft and versatility to withstand years of use, backed by a lifetime guarantee. This goes some way to justifying its price tag – it's one of the most expensive of those we tested, second only to the Staub dish below. You can even place it in the oven (up to 480C), on the hob (including induction) and in the dishwasher, though we still recommend cleaning by hand to prolong the non-stick coating.

For those looking for a more aesthetically pleasing cottagecore-style dish that comes in different colours, this casserole dish probably won't fit the bill – but if you'd rather a more contemporary, polished piece of cookware that can go the distance, it's is a superb choice.

Available from:

• HexClad (£204)

ProCook Cast Iron Casserole Dish 30cm

Available from ProCook (£75)

Best oval casserole dish

Pros:

• Easy to clean
• Family sized
• Striking design

Cons:

• Heavy

Star rating: 4.5/5

This chunky cast iron casserole dish weighs in at 6.5kg, so it’s heavy before you’ve even filled it with food. If you don’t mind the weight, that gives it a high-quality feel despite its reasonable price tag – so it ticks the box for value for money.

We like the graduated effect on the high-gloss exterior. In racing green, it’s a statement piece that’s worthy of a spot on the countertop. We also like the fact it’s enamelled on the inside and outside, which made it really quick and easy to clean.

The generous 6.2-litre capacity and oval shape makes this a great option for family cooking, including large and whole pieces of meat, which fill the wider diameter.

Available from:

• ProCook (£75)

Nuovva Cast Iron Dutch Oven Casserole pot with Lid 6L

Available from Nuovva (£54.99)

Best budget casserole dish

Pros:

• Budget-friendly
• Looks great
• Generous 6L capacity

Cons:

• No warranty

Star rating: 4.5/5

This casserole dish got lots of admiring comments from our guests, who liked the muted seasalt colour and ombre design we were sent (though many other colours are available). It makes a good-looking table centrepiece at family meals, and the 6L capacity works well for larger gatherings, too.

We were happy it didn’t need pre-seasoning, just a quick oil before first use – always a bonus when you just want to start cooking. And we were impressed with the results of a slow-cooked stew, which browned well on the hob and came out of the oven perfectly tender.

It’s lighter than other dishes, so it’s ideal if you struggle to carry heavy items, although we did find the handles a little uncomfortable when carrying the casserole dish full of stew.

Available from:

• Nuovva (£54.99)

Our Place Perfect Pot

Available from Our Place (£109), Selfridges (£109)

Best casserole dish for versatility

Pros:

• Comes in a range of colours
• Oven-safe to high temperatures
• Suitable for all hob types
• Notches in spoon for spoon rest
• Modular lid
• Comes with a natural sponge

Cons:

• Handles get very hot
• Very light

Star rating: 4.5/5

From the creators of the much-hyped Always Pan, this colourful 5.2.litre casserole dish by Our Place is designed to replace up to eight cooking tools, functioning as a stockpot, dutch oven, saucepan, roasting rack, steamer, strainer, braiser and spoon rest.

Its non-toxic, ceramic non-stick coating ensures effortless cooking and cleaning, while the modular lid and included roasting rack add functionality. True to Our Place's eco-conscious ethos, the pot also features a chemical-free coating and arrived in plastic-free packaging.

While it's easier to lift and move around than traditional cast iron options, the lightweight design can cause it to shift during stirring, which means exercising some caution while cooking. On the plus side, its sleek design, choice of colours, and versatility make it a worthy contender for anyone seeking a modern, multifunctional pot.

Read our first-look review of the Our Place Perfect Pot.

Available from:

• Our Place (£109)
• Selfridges (£109)

Prestige Casserole & Glass Lid 5.7L

Available from Prestige (£49.99)

Best casserole dish for lid-off cooking

Pros:

• Glass lid for viewing
• Budget-friendly

Cons:

• Lid is only oven safe to 180C
• Lid can steam up, obscuring view

Star rating: 4/5

This cast iron casserole dish comes with a tempered glass lid that makes it possible to check on the food inside without lifting the lid and letting out all the heat – although it’s worth noting that at some stages of cooking it steams up, meaning you still have to lift it off.

Nevertheless, we found it cooked consistently well. It’s suitable for all hob types including induction, and we were pleased to find that it didn’t need pre-seasoning – just a quick re-oiling after each use as the cast iron isn’t enamelled. Just bear in mind that the lid is only oven-safe to 180C, whereas the cast iron base is up to 240C. It’s a feature we forgave due to the budget-friendly price tag.

Available from:

• Prestige (£49.99)

MasterClass cast-aluminium casserole dish

Available from Amazon (£35.98), Lakeland (£48.49), Harts of Stur (£52.96)

Best lightweight casserole dish

Pros:

• Super lightweight
• Large capacity

Cons:

• Only oven-safe up to 200C

At a glance, the MasterClass dish looks like a cast-iron casserole pot. Pick it up, though, and you’ll be pleasantly surprised by how lightweight it actually is. It’s a deep one, so we recommend trying it between your oven shelves in a cold oven, just in case you need to rearrange them for cooking.

There was no sticking when it came to browning chicken legs on its non-stick base, which heated quickly and evenly. It’s also PFOA- and BOA-free; a good option for chemical-free cooking. The dish has a self-basting lid that successfully kept moisture circulating within a casserole, which came out tender and thick.

It’s safe for oven use up to 200C, so there are limitations to the functionality of this dish when it comes to using in very hot ovens; it’s one for low and slow cooking. However, being so lightweight and dishwasher-safe, it gets points for overall convenience. It also comes with a 25-year guarantee.

Staub cast-iron Cocotte

Available from Staub (£229), John Lewis & Partners (£223.20), Amazon (£209), Fenwick (£319)

Best cast-iron casserole dish

Pros:

• Attractive design
• Wide handles for easy lifting
• Available in a range of sized

Cons:

• Small capacity for the price tag

The Staub Cocotte is a statement casserole dish, almost as delicious to stare at as the meals you can make within it. If you have money to spend on a classic casserole pot, the Staub is a small but perfectly formed option designed to last. At 24cm across, the dish is roughly the same width as any generic pan and compact enough to stack in the average cupboard. This casserole dish is available in 11 different sizes.

We fit four chicken thighs in against its matte black cooking surface and found there to be some initial sticking whilst we seared the skin, even with a layer of oil. However, over time the dish is designed to build up a natural non-stick patina and has a legacy of long-term performance.

Cast iron holds and distributes heat evenly across its surface. With such high sides, we found our casserole simmered well. Small picots beneath its lid guide all condensed moisture back into the casserole itself. Plus, although its little handles are not heatproof, they are a practical shape for gripping and come in handy for lifting it in and out the oven.

Available from:

• Staub (£229)
• John Lewis & Partners (£223.20)
• Amazon (£255.20)
• Fenwick (£319)

Samuel Groves 27cm oval cast-iron casserole dish

Available from Amazon (£74.99)

Best large casserole dish

Pros:

• Feeds eight people
• Secure, tight-fitting lid

Cons:

• Very heavy

This Samuel Groves cast-iron casserole dish is vast, allowing you to cook for up to eight people at a time. Not only is the oval design conducive to cooking whole joints of meat on the bone or an extra large chicken, you could also make loaves of bread inside it.

Being 27cm across at its widest point, it will still fit in a standard oven. The lid is tight fitting thanks to its sheer weight, so bread like sourdough, which initially needs steam trapped inside to stop a crust forming too early, would fare well being cooked inside here.

With a small amount of oil we didn’t see any sticking when browning meat or frying garlic. With the right care, you can prevent the marking that sometimes builds on light coloured casserole dishes. Enamelled cast iron gives you longevity and would likely stand the test of time. We'd recommend making space for storing this dish in the bottom of a floor cupboard, as it's very heavy.

Le Creuset signature shallow casserole dish

Available from Le Creuset (from £149), Amazon (£190.99), Harts of Stur (£255.20)

Best shallow casserole dish

Pros:

• Attractive
• Good heat distribution
• Good range of shapes and sizes
• Lifetime guarantee

Cons:

• Expensive

For range of colours, shapes and sizes, Le Creuset’s cast-iron pans and dishes can’t be beaten. This dish is expensive, but we can say from experience that the brand’s products stand the test of time and the cooking results are excellent. For more in-depth advice, we answer 'is Le Creuset worth it?' in our dedicated guide.

With efficient heat distribution, these pans don’t need much oil compared to other cast-iron brands and build up a natural patina with prolonged use that helps with non-stick.

We chose this shallow pan for occasions when a deep pan just won’t do – think creamy risottos, meatballs in tomato sauce or fish curries. It’s about surface area, not depth, and would also be a great option for pilaf rice, gratins and roasting whole chickens.

Big enough to cook for six, this is the kind of casserole dish you get excited about bringing to the table, plus it comes with a lifetime guarantee.

GreenPan 5.3-litre Featherweight casserole

Available from GreenPan (£125)

Best chemical-free casserole dish

Pros:

• PFA, PFOA, lead and cadmium-free
• Lid fits securely
• Lightweight
• Large capacity

Cons:

• Expensive

If chemical-free cooking is a deciding factor for you, the GreenPan Featherweight is a high performing, non-toxic alternative to a traditional non-stick casserole pot. This is a large dish, and the 5.3-litre capacity can comfortably feed eight hungry mouths in one go. You can sear 12 chicken breasts at a time without fear of them sticking.

As the name suggests, it’s lightweight. Despite its size and traditional dark cast-iron design, it weighs less than a normal frying pan when empty – so, no problems lifting when it’s full.

Two custom silicone covers slip snugly onto the dish’s handles, although if you’re sliding the pan between two oven trays, we’d recommend using oven gloves for added hand and wrist protection from any hot metal. We were also impressed with the snug fit of the casserole dish’s lid, which wouldn't slide off even if knocked or jolted in busy kitchens.

A drawback could be the price. At over £100, you don’t get the 'lifetime durability' of a cast-iron pot. But taking into account its non-toxic properties, the GreenPan is a great performing casserole dish.

Available from:

• GreenPan (£125)

Which size casserole dish do you need?

To help you choose the right dish for your household, Good Food recipe expert Anna Glover suggests which casserole dishes to buy for couples and families. Larger casserole dishes are also available and will allow you to feed upwards of four people or have leftovers for popping in the fridge.

• Best casserole dish size for a couple: 20cm/2.4 litre round casserole dish
• Best casserole dish size for a family of four: 24cm/4.2 litre round casserole dish

Top tip: You can make a batch of something in a casserole dish and portion it out for the freezer. Slow cooks and braises are often sometimes a little more time-consuming, so making 4-6 portions can future-proof your freezer. Sometimes you just want something for two – here are some of our favourite recipes for two that you can make in a casserole.

Casserole recipes
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Sausage bean casserole
Simple fish stew
Easy caponata
Lamb & apricot stew
Lemongrass beef stew
Tomato & harissa stew
One-pot chicken casserole
Mexican chicken stew
Chicken & chorizo jambalaya
Simple seafood chowder
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If you have any questions, suggestions for future reviews or spot anything that has changed in price or availability please get in touch at goodfoodwebsite@immediate.co.uk.

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