The Ultimate Casserole Pan: Your Kitchen's Best Friend

A casserole pan is a large, deep pan or bowl used for cooking a variety of dishes in the oven. The term 'casserole' comes from the French word for saucepan. Casserole pans can be made from glass, ceramic, cast iron, or metal and come in different shapes and sizes. They are typically used for cooking and serving one-dish meals, such as casseroles, which consist of a mix of different ingredients baked together in the oven.

Casserole Pan Materials: Ceramic, glass, cast iron, and more

A casserole pan is typically a large, deep pan used for cooking a variety of dishes in the oven. It is also used as a serving dish. The type of material used for a casserole pan can impact the flavour and baking results of a recipe.

Ceramic Casserole Pans

Ceramic and glass casserole pans are interchangeable and are considered multipurpose pans. They conduct heat evenly and are visually attractive. However, they cannot withstand sudden changes in temperature and take a long time to heat up and cool down. Ceramic pans are clay-based, usually more decorative, and more expensive than glass pans. Glass pans are silica-based, less decorative, and more affordable.

Glass Casserole Pans

Glass casserole pans are good options for new cooks as they allow visual cues to "doneness". They are also good for maintaining a consistent temperature while cooking casseroles, roasting, and thick dishes like lasagna. Glass bakeware is heavier than metal and can shatter with extreme temperature changes or when dropped.

Metal Casserole Pans

Metal casserole pans are made from materials such as aluminium, stainless steel, and carbon steel. They are durable, easy to clean, and conduct heat well, making them ideal for baking cookies, cakes, and breads. Metal pans can cause over-browning or burning, especially if they are not lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat. Metal pans are also not suitable for storing food as they can add a metallic taste.

Cast Iron Casserole Pans

Cast iron is a popular material for casserole pans due to its ability to retain and distribute heat evenly. It also has a natural non-stick surface that improves over time. Cast iron can endure high temperatures, making it ideal for baking bread.

Pros and Cons: The advantages and disadvantages of different materials

A casserole pan is a large, deep pan used for cooking various dishes in the oven. It is also used for serving. Casserole pans can be made from different materials, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Here are the pros and cons of some common casserole pan materials:

Ceramic & Glass Casserole Pans

Pros: Multipurpose, conducts heat evenly, visually attractive.

Cons: Cannot withstand sudden temperature changes, takes a long time to heat up and cool down, prone to breaking if extreme temperature changes occur, not non-stick, food prone to burning.

Metal Casserole Pans

Pros: Conducts heat quickly, can withstand sudden temperature changes, creates a browned crust on casseroles.

Cons: Not suitable for storing food, not ideal for acidic recipes as they can add a metallic taste to the food, not dishwasher-safe.

Cast Iron Casserole Pans

Pros: Affordable, durable, versatile, can handle high heat, retains heat well, naturally non-stick, easy to clean.

Cons: Requires extra care to clean and maintain, not ideal for cooking acidic foods as it can strip the seasoning, can rust if not maintained properly, heavy, not induction compatible.

Enameled Cast Iron Casserole Pans

Pros: Has the cooking benefits of cast iron but is easier to clean and doesn't require seasoning, better for cooking acidic foods, has a porcelain coating that prevents rust.

Cons: Pricey, non-stick quality may not be as strong as a well-seasoned cast iron pan, heavy, not induction compatible.

Stainless Steel Casserole Pans

Pros: Non-reactive, won't affect the taste of food when cooking with acidic or alkaline ingredients, heats up quickly, dishwasher-safe, oven-safe.

Cons: Doesn't distribute heat as well as some other materials, tougher to clean, not induction compatible.

Cleaning: How to clean glass, ceramic, and metal casserole pans

Casserole pans are a type of baking dish that is large, deep, and used in the oven and as a serving dish. They can be made of glass, ceramic, or metal. Cleaning your casserole pan will depend on the type of material it is made of.

Glass and Ceramic Casserole Pans

If your glass or ceramic casserole pan has baked-on stains, the best way to clean it is with a combination of baking soda and dish soap.

• Remove most or all of the food particles from the pan.
• Fill the pan with a mixture of baking soda, dish soap, and hot water and let it sit for at least 15 minutes.
• Then, scrub the pan with a sponge and wash normally.

It is also a good idea to wash your pan as soon as possible after using it. The longer grease sits on a pan, the harder it is to clean.

Metal Casserole Pans

The best cleaning method for your metal pan depends on the type of metal the pan is made of and the coating it has.

Aluminum

Aluminum pans can be difficult to clean, especially when they don't have a non-stick coating. A great technique is to sprinkle baking soda on the pan and rub it in with a wet paper towel. Then, use aluminum foil to buff out the stains.

Cast Iron

Cast iron pans are naturally non-stick, so you don't need to worry about removing stuck-on food. However, maintaining cast iron requires a specific cleaning process. After cooking, scrub the pan with salt and a cloth to remove burnt food. The pan can be rinsed briefly with water and soap, but keep in mind that you will need to re-season your skillet if you expose it to water.

Stainless Steel

Once the pan has cooled completely, rinse the pan with warm soapy water to remove large food particles. If you're cleaning a pan with burnt-on food, make a paste out of water and a non-abrasive cleaner and scrub the pan with a non-abrasive sponge. Then, wash the pan normally.

Non-Stick

If you're using a non-stick metal pan, the non-stick coating will prevent most food from sticking. In most cases, non-stick casserole pans can be hand-washed in warm soapy water with mild dish soap. Washing these pans in the dishwasher can damage the coating, so hand washing is best.

Sizes: How to choose the right size and the most common sizes

Casserole pans come in different sizes and shapes, with the most common shapes being square, round, and oblong. The size of the pan you choose will depend on the capacity required for your recipe and the number of people you are serving.

The most common sizes for casserole pans are 9x13-inch rectangular pans, which can hold about 3 quarts of volume, and 8x8-inch or 9x9-inch square dishes. These sizes are versatile and can be used for a variety of dishes, from savoury casseroles to sweet desserts. For example, an 8x8-inch square baking dish is perfect for 2-4 people with leftovers or for serving 9-16 guests with smaller portions. On the other hand, a 9x13-inch rectangular pan is great for larger groups, meal prepping, batch cooking, and dinner parties.

If you're looking for a pan that can be used for both cooking and serving, a casserole pan with a capacity of around 3 to 5 quarts and measurements of 13x9x2 inches to 11x17x8 inches is a good option. This size is commonly used for casseroles and can also double as a storage container if you purchase one with a snap-on lid.

It's important to note that the size of the casserole pan can impact the cooking results. Using a pan that is too small may cause the casserole to spill over, while a pan that is too large can affect the cooking time and the final texture of the dish. Therefore, it's always a good idea to follow the recommended pan size in your recipe or adjust the recipe accordingly if you need to use a different-sized pan.

Recipes: Examples of dishes to cook in a casserole pan

A casserole pan is a large, deep pan used for cooking a variety of dishes in the oven. Casseroles can be sweet or savoury and typically consist of a mix of different ingredients cooked together in the oven. Here are some examples of dishes that can be cooked in a casserole pan:

Main Dish Casseroles

• Cheesy Hamburger Pasta Casserole
• Tater Tot Casserole
• Lancashire Hotpot
• Cassoulet
• Moussaka
• Timballo
• Shepherd's Pie
• Chicken and Rice Casserole
• Chicken Pot Pie Noodle Bake
• Broccoli Rabe & Italian Sausage Lasagna
• Pizza Casserole
• Sloppy Joe Casserole
• Hamburger Casserole
• Chicken Nugget Parm Casserole
• Mexican Chicken Casserole
• Baked Eggplant Parm
• Skillet Lasagna
• Sausage & Vegetable Skillet Dinner
• Feta Shrimp Skillet
• Beef Tortellini
• Easy Chili Mac
• Stuffed Pepper Skillet
• Skillet Beef Tamales
• Beef and Shells
• Chicken Pot Pie
• Skillet Mac and Cheese
• Pulled Pork Pasta
• Bacon Cheeseburger Rice
• Ham Pasta
• Sausage Pierogi Skillet
• Ravioli with Snap Peas & Mushrooms
• Beef Skillet Supper
• Gnocchi Chicken Skillet
• Ground Pork Pasta
• Macaroni and Beef
• Chicken Rice Skillet
• Sausage Potato Skillet
• Cashew Chicken with Noodles
• Beef with Broccoli
• Potato Kielbasa Skillet
• Easy Chicken Creole
• Beef with Ramen Noodles
• One-Pot Creamy Vegan Pasta
• Easy Italian Sausage and Peppers
• Italian Turkey Skillet
• Skillet Tacos
• Barley Beef Skillet
• Asparagus 'n' Shrimp with Angel Hair
• Vegetarian Farro Skillet
• Sausage and Vegetable Skillet
• Beef and Spinach Skillet
• Spanish Rice with Ground Beef
• Quick Italian Veggie Skillet
• Sausage, Rice and Broccoli
• Israeli Couscous & Chicken Sausage Skillet
• Unstuffed Peppers
• Farmhouse Pork and Apple Pie
• Skillet Ham & Rice
• Spanish Noodles and Ground Beef
• Shrimp & Feta Skillet
• Pierogi Beef Skillet
• Mexi-Mac Skillet
• Baked Cheddar Eggs & Potatoes
• Pinwheel Steak Potpie
• Broccoli, Rice and Sausage Dinner
• Pastelón
• Ratatouille Casserole
• Pastitsio
• Braised Beef Casserole
• Easy Sausage Casserole
• Smoky Sausage Casserole
• Mediterranean Veggie Casserole
• Veggie Sausage Casserole
• Mexican Chicken Stew with Quinoa & Beans
• Chicken Casserole with Herby Dumplings
• Beef Bourguignon
• Bigos (Polish Hunter's Stew)
• Leftover Turkey Casserole
• Chicken, Chickpea & Lemon Casserole
• Chicken Casserole with Red Wine, Ham & Peppers

Side-Dish Casseroles

• Green Bean Casserole
• Mac and Cheese
• Kugels
• Gratins
• Sweet Potato Casserole
• Confetti Kielbasa Skillet
• Zucchini & Sausage Stovetop Casserole

Breakfast Casseroles

• Keto Breakfast Casserole
• Cheesy Croissant Casserole
• Biscuits and Gravy Bake
• Overnight French Toast Casserole
• Huevos Rancheros Casserole

Dessert Casseroles

• Coconut Milk Bread Pudding
• Raspberry Cookie Butter Baked Oatmeal
• Cheesy Mashed Potato & Ham Bake
• Pastrami Matzo Kugel
• Sushi Bake
• Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole
• Reuben Casserole

Frequently asked questions