Buying guide for best casserole bakeware sets

Few things are more heartwarming — and belly-warming — than the scent of a casserole baking in the oven. That’s why having a durable, top-quality casserole bakeware set is essential. After all, you might as well bake your best recipes in the best bakeware you can find.

Casserole bakeware sets are as versatile as you can get when it comes to oven cooking. These dishes are ideal for cooking chicken, meat, pasta, and vegetables. They’re even popular for preparing baked goods like cinnamon buns and croissants.

Casserole bakeware sets come in a variety of materials including ceramic, stone, and metal. Some conveniently come with lids or cases so you can store leftovers (not that there will be many). Best of all, when they’re not being used, most casserole bakeware sets stack or nest, leaving a small footprint inside your cupboard.

While you may not use every piece of a bakeware set, it’s still more cost-effective to get a full set (or two) than to select pieces individually.

Comparing bakeware materials

Ceramic

Pros: Ceramic bakeware is known for its durability. It cooks food evenly and holds on to warmth, even once it’s out of the oven. Since it’s non-porous, it’s easy to clean and won’t hold on to stains and odors.

Cons: Despite its overall durability, ceramic is prone to chipping. Proper handling and care is required at all times, and it’s best to hand wash ceramic dishes instead of placing them in the dishwasher.

Stoneware

Pros: Stoneware excels at holding on to heat and is an ideal choice if you bake crispy foods like chicken parmesan and roasted potatoes. It’s considered superior in terms of reliability and durability, so it’s no wonder that stoneware has been around for thousands of years.

Cons: Stoneware may require seasoning, especially if you notice food or residue have difficulty coming off. It’s also on the heavier side, so if you have any dexterity issues, it might not be the best choice.

Glass

Pros: Since it conducts heat well, glass naturally speeds up the baking process. Not only is glass bakeware an affordable option, it’s also one of the easiest to clean and maintain since it’s generally dishwasher safe.

Cons: Food might cook more quickly than expected in glass bakeware, so you might need to make adjustments to cook times. Glass is also notorious for breaking and chipping.

Mixed materials

Pros: Newer styles of casserole bakeware sets incorporate a combination of materials, like metal and ceramic, to achieve optimal cooking qualities. Despite their cutting-edge technology, they remain on the affordable side of pricing.

Cons: Some mixed-material casserole dishes don’t have PTFE- and PFOA-free nonstick coatings, so they could be toxic to use. Because they incorporate multiple materials, there is a bit of a learning curve when it comes to adjusting cooking times, especially for baked goods.

Features

Size and capacity

Generally speaking, casserole bakeware sets have dishes sized between one and six quarts. More often than not, sets include dishes of different sizes. The exception here is deluxe casserole bakeware sets, which often come with multiples of the same size.

There are other perks to sets that contain different sizes. With a bit of skill, you might be able to fit all of them in your oven for simultaneous cooking. It’s also helpful for storage purposes, as these sets can easily nest or stack to save room in your cupboard.

Shape

Casserole bakeware sets come in four shapes: round, oval, square, and rectangular. Just as these sets come with different sizes of dishes, it’s not unusual to find choices with more than one shape. While some types of food can be better arranged for baking in certain dish shapes, for the most part, the shape is a matter of personal preference.

Lids and covers

Not all casserole bakeware comes with lids or covers. That means you’d need to cover the dishes with plastic wrap or aluminum foil if you wanted to transfer them to the refrigerator at some point. It’s another story if you plan on transporting your casseroles after cooking; in this scenario, airtight plastic or silicone covers are best.

Some casserole bakeware sets come with glass lids, and while they’re not ideal for transport, they assist in keeping food warm.

Ease of care

When it comes to cleanup, each casserole bakeware material requires a different treatment. It’s a good idea to defer to the user instructions to see whether dishes and accessories should be hand washed or placed in the dishwasher. Some casserole bakeware sets are more delicate than others — especially those with painted designs and nonstick coatings. These often call for gentle dish soap and sponges to prevent scratches.

Accessories

Oven mitts: Gorilla Grip Premium Silicone Non-slip Oven Mitt SetCasserole dishes get hot, so you’ll need pot holders to safely remove them from the oven. We like this pair from Gorilla Grip, which is heat-resistant to 485°F. The mitts are BPA-free, non-toxic, and made from FDA-approved silicone.

Casserole bakeware set prices

Casserole bakeware sets cost between $25 and $250. Durability plays a large role in the price. A low-cost set may last a couple of years, whereas a pricier set may last a decade or more.

Inexpensive: Budget-friendly casserole bakeware sets cost less than $50. For the most part, you’ll get between two and six dishes, but not all of them will come with lids.

Mid-range: Mid-range sets run between $50 and $125. This range includes quality brands with well-developed, multi-piece sets. It also includes sets, typically of two or three pieces, from premium cookware brands.

Expensive: If you’re willing to spend between $150 and $250, you’ll be able to choose from a variety of pieces from high-end brands. They typically outlast their less-expensive competitors, and they often come with impressive manufacturer protection.

Tips

• Add to your registry. If you’re getting married or moving into a new home, add casserole bakeware to your registry. You may wish to add sets of different materials and sizes to encompass all of your cooking and baking needs.
• Use proper utensils. Some casserole bakeware scratches easily, especially those with paint or glaze. For these dishes, it’s best to use utensils made of silicone or wood rather than metal.
• Dry thoroughly before storing. After washing casserole bakeware, be sure to dry pieces thoroughly before putting them away. It’s especially important to dry bakeware with lids, as the airtight seal could trap moisture inside the pan.

Because casserole bakeware is built to last for years, find out what kind of protection the manufacturer offers. Some brands offer lifetime replacements.

FAQ

Q. I’m concerned the casserole bakeware I get will be a duplicate gift for someone. What do I do?
A. Believe it or not, your best choice is to give it as a gift anyway. Those who entertain in their home regularly will most likely need the extra pieces to accommodate all the cooking and baking they do. If the recipient truly doesn’t need the set, though, make sure you include a gift receipt so they can exchange it for something else they might need.

Q. What’s the difference between commercial-grade bakeware and regular bakeware?
A. Commercial-grade bakeware is considered to be far more durable than regular bakeware, as it incorporates better materials and technology. The term is sometimes used loosely to describe regular bakeware that is supposed to be more durable — even if there are no certifications or other evidence to prove it. More than anything, “commercial-grade” is an unofficial description to boost product integrity.

Q. Will transferring casserole bakeware from oven to table cause any surface damage?
A. Yes, as bakeware can be hot enough to melt paint and cause permanent damage. Hot bakeware should not be placed on a polyester tablecloth or plastic placemat, either. Your best bet is to invest in trivets, which prop up bakeware on a small platform or rack that allows for airflow beneath the hot item.