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).
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Gallery23 PhotosAt 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.
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