The 12 Best Casserole Dishes To Impress Your Dinner Party

A casserole dish is a cooking and entertainment staple that every home cook should have in their kitchen. This 9-inch by 13-inch rectangular pan can be used for a litany of savory and sweet recipes, including casseroles, classic lasagna, brownies, and roasted vegetables. Like other cookware products, the price of these dishes can range from a mere $10 to upwards of $300 and come in materials including glass, ceramic, and porcelain. But what is the difference between these casserole dishes, and will it genuinely make a difference for your Sunday night lasagna if you opt for the thriftiest one?

Deciding what to look for in a casserole dish is often guided by your intended use for it. For example, if you want a dish you can bake and serve, you might want to go with a more high-end ceramic dish. If you want to see if your brownies are done baking underneath, then a glass pan is going to be a better option. Setting your intended use will then allow you to set your budget and find an appropriate pan that fits your needs. Here are some of our favorite casserole dishes with the features everyone wants.

The primary things we looked for in an outstanding casserole dish boil down to ease of use. For example, are the handles on the sides of the dish sturdy and wide enough to maneuver with oven mitts? After all, when you're carrying a bubbly tray of cheesy ziti around your kitchen, the last thing you want is to drop it. We also wanted to know if the dishes were easy to clean and relatively immune to scrapes and abrasions that could damage the finish. A dishwasher-safe pan was worth extra brownie points, as well as a finish that was aesthetically pleasing enough to double as an "oven-to-table" piece.

To develop our rankings, we examined the listed features of the individual products and what verified purchasers and other outlets had to say about the durability, ease of use, and value of the dish. Here are some of the most outstanding casserole dishes we reviewed.

Mora's ceramic baking dish is where elegance meets both functionality and frugality. The ceramic material of this dish is highly resistant to both scratches and to temperature shock — meaning that you can take this tray from your freezer to your oven without needing to preheat it.

We love how modern and functional the glossy finish is; food easily slides off, which makes cleaning a breeze. Plus, the handle size on this dish is practical and optimal for serving. We would reckon this dish outperforms those three to four times more expensive, which makes Mora's ceramic dishes a good deal in our book.

Purchase the Mora Ceramic Baking Casserole Dish with Handles on Amazon for $39.99.

Ceramic is a timeless material that is highly resistant to damage and can withstand temperatures up to 500 F. At just over 3 inches in height, the Dowan Casserole Dish is much deeper than other products we've reviewed.

This feature makes it a solid option for casseroles and lasagna but not for baking or recipes that require a shallow baking pan. We also love that this dish is dishwasher-safe and maintains a flawless finish (available in both white and light blue) for several years after purchase.

Purchase the Dowan Casserole Dish on Amazon for $26.99.

If you're looking for a porcelain piece that comes in many different colors, Sweejar needs to be your go-to brand. This dish has a timeless shape and upturned handles that make gripping from underneath easy.

The finish on this dish makes it easy to clean and ensures that it can withstand everyday wear and tear. Plus, you can purchase different Sweejar products in the same color for the matchy-matchy kitchen of your dreams.

Purchase the Sweejar Porcelain Baking and Casserole Dish on Amazon for $34.99.

Glass casserole dishes come with some important precautions. Rapid temperature shifts, such as going from cold to high temps, can cause thermal shock,resulting in cracks, breaks, and bursts. That's why preheating is such an important cooking step, especially when working with glass trays. To further prevent thermal shock, you should also avoid placing a hot glass dish on a cold countertop.

Despite these precautions, Anchor Hocking is one brand setting the standard for glass casserole dishes. It's one of the most shock-resistant, durable, and relatively inexpensive glass baking dishes on the market. We love that this pan has a fill-line indicator to prevent spills and comes with extra-large handles for easy carrying.

Purchase the Anchor Hocking Oven Baking Glass Casserole Dish on Amazon for $19.99.

Not only is the Lovecasa a deep pan perfect for baking lasagna or a tater tot casserole, but its color and finish make it a statement piece for any home. The material is suitable for temperatures up to 428 F and can be used in the dishwasher for easy cleanup. This pan and its accompanying lid are heavier than other ceramic pieces at around 9 pounds, but it's a practical piece if you're looking to use it for both serving and cooking.

Purchase the Lovecasa 4.5-Quart Casserole Dish with Lid on Amazon for $69.99.

Do we see a "treat yourself" sign on the horizon? We do with the Staub casserole dish. This brand is among the most quality ones you'll find on the market. Its painted finish is unmistakable and makes for a dish you'll want to show off to your friends and family as much as you want to cook with it.

In addition, Staub is the best brand for folks who plan to use the dish for high-heat cooking. The brand is rated to withstand up to 572 F, which is much higher than other brands on the market.

Purchase the Staub Rectangular Baking and Casserole Dish on Amazon for $79.95.

Sometimes, just one casserole dish isn't enough — or you just don't want to take up precious oven space for a small batch of cobber. You shouldn't have to sacrifice quantity for quality when purchasing a set of casserole dishes.

The Artahausen ceramic stoneware bake set includes three stunning farmhouse pieces, including an 8-inch, 10-inch, and 13-inch pan. These pans are sturdy enough for casseroles and baking and are dishwasher-safe for painless cleaning. Plus, they are very affordable, and Arthausen also makes other complementary farmhouse pieces to outfit your entire kitchen.

Purchase the Arthausen Ceramic Bakeware and Casserole Dish Set from Amazon for $74.99.

At just under 3 pounds, the Caraway non-stick ceramic casserole dish is standing up as one of our favorites. The cleaning on Caraway products is an absolute breeze, thanks to the non-stick coating, which is free of chemicals like PTFEs, PFAs, and heavy metals.

Despite its lightweight material, this tray can withstand temperatures close to 550 F, which means you can broil the cheese on your lasagna without fear. And although this pan might not be the most traditional aesthetic, it is a super functional piece for an amateur cook to have on hand. When shopping Caraway, rest assured that it's one of the best cookware brands you can buy.

Purchase the Caraway Non-Stick Ceramic Rectangle Casserole Dish on Amazon for $49.50.

Your casserole dish doesn't have to break the bank, which is why we love the OXO Good Grips casserole dish. This heavy-duty glass dish comes with a lid, which makes it perfect for making family dinners or transporting food from one place to another.

It's also extremely resistant to shattering, which makes it a safe option to have in your kitchen. Perhaps the best part about this pan, though, is its price. At less than $30, it's one minor investment you won't regret making.

Purchase OXO Good Grips 3-Quart Casserole Dish on Amazon for $21.99.

This casserole dish from Wisenvoy is giving us "Little House on the Prairie" vibes, and we're loving it. The pan comes in two color options, blue and teal, and it has decorative flower accents on the inside and outside of the pan.

This baking dish is made with durable porcelain and is highly chip-resistant. Plus, at just under $40 (though it's currently on sale for even less), this piece is going to be one you can use for almost everything without having to invest hundreds of dollars into a dish. Serve, bake, and use it to your heart's content.

Purchase Wisenvoy Casserole Dish Baking Dish on Amazon for $25.99.

We are readily impressed by the sturdiness and finish of all of Lodge's products, from the Dutch ovens to the casserole dishes. This 3.6-quart round dish is thoughtfully designed with large handles on the sides, as well as a lid with a massive handle for easy removal.

This pan comes in many different colors, including reds, blues, greens, and nude shades, to match any kitchen. Plus, the price isn't outrageous for all the things you can cook in it.

Purchase Lodge 3.6-quart Enameled Cast Iron Dish with Lid on Amazon for $94.90.

All-Clad is one of the most reputable names in cookware, and this pan is a testament to its thoughtful design and craft. The hands are easy to hold and carry food with, and the handles secure the lid for mess-free transport.

Since it's made of heavy-gauge stainless steel, you can also cook on it using an induction, gas, electric, or ceramic stove. When you're done with it, pop it in the dishwasher for easy clean-up.

Purchase All-Clad Specialty Stainless Steel Lasagna Pan on Amazon for $99.95.