After Baking 14 Lasagnas, We Found the 4 Best Casserole Dishes for Browned Cheese and Crispy Edges (2024)

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This chic casserole dish is one of the more functional options we tested, and we love that it comes in five colors. Large, looped handles make it easy to grab even with thick oven mitts. This dish performed exceptionally well in our lasagna test by baking casseroles with crispy edges and perfectly tender centers. We love that it fits in a standard oven both side-to-side or front-to-back and is easy to insert, remove, or rotate. The 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°F and can also be used in the microwave or freezer. We didn't notice any difference in quality when baking lasagna fresh or frozen. The ceramic construction was able to warm up and maintain heat throughout, which ensured an even cooking experience. This is an affordable dish built to last, and the cute design and colorful options make it a joyful addition to any kitchen.

Dimensions: 16.5 x 9.25 x 3 inches | Material: Ceramic | Oven-Safe: Up to 500°F | Dishwasher-Safe: Yes

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 to scrub away. 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 all-porcelain material, it can handle temperatures of up to 650°F 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 crispy, golden, and gooey casserole. However, the handles aren't as big as we would like them. Wearing awkward oven mitts, we didn't feel like we could get the most sturdy grip.

Dimensions: 10.75 x 17.25 x 2.75 inches | Material: Porcelain | Oven-Safe: Up to 650°F | Dishwasher-Safe: Yes (hand-wash recommended)

Staub's enameled ceramic dishes come in an array of pleasing colors that can easily transfer from the oven to the dining room table. 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 were careful while handling it when it was wet and soapy. As long as you avoid dropping it, though, this dish is durable and safe in the microwave, broiler, freezer, and dishwasher.

Dimensions: 9.8 x 16.1 x 3.1 inches | Material: Porcelain-enameled ceramic | Oven-Safe: Up to 572°F | Dishwasher-Safe: Yes

For a casserole dish that can transition straight from the oven to the dining table, look no further than this casserole. Like all Le Creuset goods, the enameled dish comes in gorgeous colors that make for a beautiful centerpiece on any dinner table. Its secret is the triple-purpose lid, which can cover the dish in the oven, flip over to act as a serving platter, or act as a cookie sheet-shaped baking dish. The glazed stoneware piece has a slick surface, and although a few bits of cheese and sauce stuck to the edges in testing, it was easy enough to clean by hand. Both pieces are dishwasher-safe and can handle the freezer, oven, microwave, or broiler up to 500°F.

Le Creuset stoneware heats evenly and efficiently, and our lasagnas were crispy around the edges and perfectly cooked in the center. The multipurpose lid still creates a tight seal, and the large handles on the dish and lid are easy to grab. 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. The main downside is its fairly small capacity compared to the rest of our list, especially given its price.

Dimensions: 15.25 x 8.88 x 3 inches | Material: Glazed stoneware | Oven-Safe: Up to 500°F | Dishwasher-Safe: Yes (hand-wash recommended)

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the difference between a casserole dish and a baking dish?

  “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, an Emmy Award–winning culinary producer and food stylist. "They can come in various shapes, with the most common being rectangular, oval, or square.They're most often used for pasta bakes, lasagna, gratins, bread puddings, and cobblers." These dishes have thick walls that transfer heat slowly but very evenly. The terminology gets confusing when you talk about baking pans. These are most often made of thin metal that heats and cools more quickly, and come in a wider range of shapes and sizes. They're used for things like cakes and breads – think cookie sheet or loaf pan.

• What is the average size of a casserole dish?

  Casserole dishes are one of the most important large-capacity kitchen tools you'll need. "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."

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