Our top picks for this versatile piece are perfect for potlucks.
Laura Denby is a food writer and chef with six years of professional culinary experience. Find her work in Real Simple, Food Network, Better Homes & Gardens and more. Lava Casserole 28 Cm
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They might not seem glamorous or trendy, but casserole dishes are one of the most versatile pieces of cookware any cook can have. They're durable and heavy-duty, and if treated properly, these pieces often get passed down from generation to generation. From lasagna to macaroni and cheese to enchiladas, the best casserole dishes can handle cheesy, melty, meaty, and everything in between.
In search of the best casserole dishes (also often referred to as lasagna pans), we tested some of the leading models with a classic lasagna recipe. They're not flashy, but casserole dishes are workhorse tools that don't need a ton of bells and whistles. Read on for more of our favorite dishes.
This heavy-duty pan produced crispy lasagna both times we baked it, and we didn't notice any difference in quality when baking it straight from frozen. Large, looped handles make it easy to grab even with oven mitts.
Be careful when using metal tools — this pan is not scratch-proof.
This chic casserole dish is one of the more functional options we tested, and we love that it comes in five colors. Large loop handles make it easy to grab even with thick oven mitts on. This dish performed exceptionally well in our lasagna test by baking casseroles with crispy, golden edges and perfectly tender centers. We love that it's easy to take in and out of the oven, and it fits both horizontally and vertically in a standard oven. Extra-deep sides are perfect for layering homestyle dishes like mac and cheese or enchiladas.
This dish is made from ceramic and is not entirely scratch-proof, so be mindful when using metal tools. It's oven-safe up to 500 degrees and can also be used in the microwave and freezer. We didn't notice any difference in quality when baking lasagna straight from frozen. The ceramic construction was able to warm up and maintain heat throughout, which ensured an even cooking experience. This is an affordable piece that's built to last, and the cute design and colorful options make it a joyful addition to any home kitchen.
Material: Ceramic | Dishwasher-safe: Yes | Oven-safe: Up to 500 degrees
Food & Wine / Nick Simpson
Food & Wine / Nick Simpson
Food & Wine / Laura Denby
This is a high-quality piece available in six classic colors at an affordable price.
This dish has a lower capacity than some others, so it can't accommodate large batches.
Staub's enameled ceramic dishes come in an array of pleasing colors that can easily transfer from oven to centerpiece. Nothing sticks to the porcelain-enameled ceramic, so the dish is easy to clean even when cooking cheesy, gooey casseroles. Each lasagna we cooked came out with crispy edges and golden crusts. We love how affordable this option is, and it's a great choice for any home cook looking to invest in a heritage piece from a reputable brand.
Although we love the look of the porcelain enamel, we noticed that the lack of texture in the material made the dish feel more slippery than others. Though it was easy to clean, we needed to be extra careful handling it when it was wet and soapy. This dish is microwave, broiler, freezer, and dishwasher-safe.
Material: Porcelain-enameled ceramic | Dishwasher-safe: Yes | Oven-safe: Up to 572 degrees
Food & Wine / Nick Simpson
Food & Wine / Nick Simpson
Food & Wine / Laura Denby
Thanks to the porcelain construction, nothing sticks to this naturally slick dish that can easily handle high heat.
The handles aren't as wide as we would like, so grabbing them with oven mitts can be tricky.
This super-slick casserole dish surprised us with how easy it is to clean. Not only did it bake up a perfectly gooey lasagna with a crisp bottom and golden edges, but each piece came away from the pan cleanly, meaning no bits of sauce or cheese were left behind. Although it's dishwasher-safe, we had no trouble washing it by hand.
It can accommodate 5.3 quarts of food, so it's perfect for roasting a big batch of veggies or loading up a tray of baked ziti. Thanks to the porcelain construction, it can handle temperatures of up to 650 degrees and conducts heat evenly and efficiently with no hot spots. We didn't notice any difference in quality when baking lasagna directly from frozen, and this pan cooked up a casserole that was crispy, golden, and gooey throughout. However, the handles aren't as big as we would like them to be, and we didn't feel like we could get the most sturdy grip with oven mitts on.
Material: Porcelain | Dishwasher-safe: Yes, but hand washing is recommended | Oven-safe: Up to 650 degrees
Food & Wine / Nick Simpson
Food & Wine / Nick Simpson
Food & Wine / Laura Denby
Courtesy of Sur La Table
The lid of this two-piece set doubles as a serving platter.
This casserole dish isn't as big as others we tested, so it's better for smaller batch casseroles.
For a casserole dish that can transition straight from the oven to the dining table, look no further than Le Creuset's Rectangular Dish with Platter lid. Like all Le Creuset goods, this enameled dish comes in gorgeous colors that make for a beautiful centerpiece on any dinner table. The glazed stoneware has a slick surface, and although a few bits of cheese and sauce stuck to the edges, it was easy enough to clean by hand. It's dishwasher-safe and can handle the freezer, oven, microwave, or broiler up to 500 degrees.
The stoneware heats evenly and efficiently, and our lasagnas came out crispy around the edges and perfectly cooked in the center during testing. The lid doubles as a platter, but it still creates a tight seal when in the oven. This dish has large, loop-style handles that are easy to grab, and the lid has raised, textured handles that make serving easy and slip-free. If you're looking for a two-in-one product that's just as functional as it is decorative, this option from Le Creuset is a great choice.
Material: Stoneware | Dishwasher-safe: Yes, but hand washing is recommended | Oven-safe: Up to 500 degrees
Food & Wine / Laura Denby
Raised handles make this option easy to carry, no matter how heavy your meal is.
The stainless steel construction prevented our lasagna from getting the crispy edges we hoped for.
This stainless steel casserole dish has a few features that make transporting it to a potluck party clean and simple. First, we love that the plastic lid snaps into place, eliminating the need for plastic wrap or tin foil. Though the lid isn't oven-safe, it's a more sturdy option than plastic wrap because it stays in place and keeps its shape. Next, we love that the raised handles make it easy to pick up and tote around, no matter how heavy the contents of your casserole are. We had no trouble lifting this and transferring it in and out of the oven with oven mitts on.
This dish could easily double as a roasting pan for a whole roasted chicken or whole roasted fish. The stainless steel conducted heat quickly and efficiently, but we did notice that the lasagna was a bit more soggy on the bottom than some of the other models.
Material: Stainless steel | Dishwasher-safe: Yes | Oven-safe: Up to 600 degrees. Lid is not oven-safe.
Food & Wine / Laura Denby
Overall, we found the Great Jones Hot Dish to be the best casserole dish we tested because it combines form and function to deliver exceptionally crispy, golden casseroles. We love that the handles make it easy to maneuver, and the slick surface is easy to clean. It's an affordable and elegant addition to any home cook's collection.
To assess the best casserole dishes, we ran each option through a series of tests that helped us determine how easy each pan is to use, store, and clean. Casserole dishes should be a no-fuss kitchen essential, but we considered a few factors when selecting our favorites.
Material plays a big part in a casserole dish's ability to conduct and retain heat. It's also an important factor in whether or not the pan is nonstick, oven-safe, or dishwasher-safe. Glass pans are simple and convenient, and they allow you to peer in between the layers of your dish to see how ingredients are cooking without cutting into it. Ceramic dishes can handle high heats and are often nonporous and naturally nonstick. Lastly, enameled cast iron casserole dishes can handle super-high heat so that they can retain and conduct heat for deep and even browning. Some casserole dishes also offer a nonstick coating, but these can be less durable and prone to scratches when using metal tools.
Casserole dishes are heavy-duty pieces of cookware, so they can be challenging to lift, particularly when hot. That's why handles are an essential feature to consider when shopping for one. If you have trouble maneuvering heavier pieces of equipment, look for a dish with sizable handles that are easy to grasp. Handles should be big enough to grab easily with bare hands and while wearing oven mitts. No one wants to see thumbprints in their lasagna, so make sure there is ample space to safely transfer heavy dishes—like ziti—without putting too much strain on your wrist or sticking your fingers in melted cheese. Remember that handles come in different shapes, like looped or tab-style, so select the style that works best for you and fits most easily in your oven.
Lastly, as is the case with any new piece of cookware, it's important to consider cleaning and storage before purchasing a casserole dish. Many casserole dishes are dishwasher-safe, but they can be prone to stuck-on messes that require additional scrubbing. If you plan to wash your dish by hand, do so per the manufacturer's instructions. Keep in mind that ceramic or porcelain dishes can chip or break, so use caution when cleaning them.
This nonstick option from Caraway baked up crispy, crunchy lasagna with golden crusts and tender insides. Nothing stuck to the pan, and it was incredibly easy to clean, and we love how easy it is to scoop out even the most gooey ingredients. Though we loved the functionality and convenience of this pan, we found the handles to be a bit too shallow, which made it difficult to transport in and out of the oven with gloves on. Be mindful when using metal tools; we noticed the nonstick surface had scratches after the first use.
Food & Wine / Laura Denby
“A casserole dish and a baking dish are the same thing, an oven-safe piece of cookware, usually made of ceramic, porcelain, or glass,” says Anthony Contrino, Emmy-awarded culinary producer and food stylist. "They can come in various shapes, with the most common being rectangular, oval, or square. Most often used for pasta bakes, lasagna, gratins, bread puddings, and cobblers. It is not to be confused with a baking pan, which is usually made of metal or tin and ideal for baking – think cakes and breads."
"The standard size of a casserole dish is 9 by 13 inches. However, due to varying shapes, they are often measured by volume, with three quarts being average,” says Contrino. “It is important to note that if a recipe calls only for a casserole dish, it is most likely asking for a 9- by 13-inch rectangular size. Different shapes, like ovals, can be the same length, but not the same volume. Also, most standard casserole dishes are two inches deep. So, if your recipe asks for a deep casserole, it is likely needing the extra volume of a three-inch-deep vessel."
Laura Denby is a food and wine writer with a degree in Culinary Arts from the Institute of Culinary Education. She has worked as a caterer and private chef in kitchens throughout the New York area, and utilizes her professional culinary experience to guide her thoughtful, analytical product recommendations. For this piece, Laura performed extensive competitive research as well as hands-on testing to determine the best casserole dishes available. You can read more of her product reviews at Real Simple, Southern Living, FoodNetwork.com, and SELF.
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