Le Creuset, the premium French cookware brand, has produced its iconic enamel cast-iron pans for nearly 100 years. We must say, the range looks fantastic. However – in recent years, it has expanded its product range to include everything from mugs to casserole dishes. But, it’s the classic casserole dish that we all love. So – we’ve rounded up our favourite Le Creuset casserole dish lookalikes and dupes.
Celebrity chefs sing Le Creuset’s praises. For example, Nigella Lawson has said she has “a particular fondness for Le Creuset enamel cast-iron cookware” as she told the New York Post in 2018. Many agree that the brand has found its way into kitchens worldwide and seemingly never goes out of style.
They’re just so swish, don’t you think?
With the rebirth of vintage cookware in full swing, Le Creuset has reached a new generation of homeowners. The classic look of this cookware is attractive. They're the perfect gift for someone who enjoys cooking. Of course – buying Le Creuset pieces will set you back a bit of cash, but they’re worth it. They guarantee longevity and reliability.
So – other brands are jumping at the chance to release cast-iron cookware, similar to Le Creuset's. If you haven’t got the money right now, don’t worry. We’ve listed some worthy lookalikes and dupes from other home brands that you can get your hands on – for a fraction of the price. Cosy up with a hearty stew or casserole as the cold sets in.
Our favourite Le Creuset casserole dish lookalikes and dupes – UK 2022
Premium Casserole Dish
www.procook.co.uk
A bestseller on ProCook, this dish is a decent size. Made from molten iron for incredible strength and optimal heat distribution, this iron casserole dish works perfectly on all hobs. It’s enamelled inside-out with a self-basting lid to lock in that gorgeous flavour. Oven safe, it has a 25-year guarantee. You won’t be replacing this in a hurry. It’s top-of-the-range. Plus, it comes in several different colours.
Capacity: 4.7l. However, ProCook offers a range of sizes
Pros: Great quality and value
Cons: Heavy - as expected
Customer Review: “Very pleased with the casserole dish, especially as it can go from hob to oven. So, I’m only using one pot.”
Top Quality
www.johnlewis.com
Coming in three sizes and two colours, with John Lewis, you can’t go wrong. This cast-iron dish is easy to clean and robust. Stylishly vintage – yet contemporary – this dish is a favourite – with its attractive, durable porcelain enamel exterior. Plus, it has easy-to-hold handles, which come in handy when you want to bring the dish out onto the table to serve. Whether stewing or roasting, it’s great.
Capacity:
21cm has a 2.7l Capacity
24cm has a 3.5l Capacity
28cm has a 5.5l Capacity
Pros: Lifetime guarantee
Cons: Metal handles get extremely hot – invest in some good oven gloves
Customer Review: “Bought this as an engagement gift and I was really impressed with the quality. Loved the contemporary the range comes in and a fantastic price.”
Best lightweight casserole dish
www.marksandspencer.com
Ideally, for a larger family, this cast aluminium dish is available in four shades – red, ivory, charcoal and ochre – one to suit every kitchen interior. A big plus is that it can be put in the dishwasher for easy cleaning. Alongside that, this M&S dish is stylish enough to grace the table at a dinner party.
Capacity: 5l
Pros: Lightweight and sleek
Cons: Definitely best for larger families or dinner parties
Customer Review: “Brilliant! Hob to the oven! Great family size 5L! Good value for money.”
Best casserole dish for slow cooking
Denby is a world-famous British brand renowned for its quality stoneware. This cast iron casserole is ideal for slow-cooking and there are four colours to choose from – Natural Canvas, Halo, Pavilion & Pomegranate. This is a good investment and makes your food taste great. This versatile cast-iron dish cooks food evenly and at lower temperatures with an energy-efficient design.
Capacity: 5.2l
Pros: Easy Grip handles and dishwasher-safe
Cons: Heavy
Customer Review: “I purchased two of these (different sizes) on offer, as I primarily wanted them for baking bread dough. They are great quality although not as heavy as Le Creuset or AGA casserole pans. I line with parchment paper, plop the dough in and bake with or without a lid as required. Makes beautiful bread and is far easier than using a bread basket to shape. Obviously, also great for casseroles for a smaller household. Good value at the price offered.”
Budget casserole dish
www.aldi.co.uk
Needing a decent dish for a stew? Aldi has got your back with this budget option. This sage green dish is perfect for spreading heat evenly, leaving you with delicious food you can share with your family or friends. At 26cm, it’s reasonably shallow and can be used on hobs, as well as in the oven. Tough, it lasts. Plus, it has a non-stick interior and is easy to clean.
Capacity: 5.3l
Pros: Non-stick, oven-safe
Cons: Not dishwasher-safe
Customer Review: “This is a gorgeous colour. So great for £30! Works very well too, very pleased with this purchase.”
Perfect for autumn
www.aldi.co.uk
All good for oven use, Aldi’s autumnal homeware must-have is great fun. This stoneware pot is ideal for whipping up hearty stews and casserole dishes. A dupe of Le Creuset’s iconic pumpkin dish, Aldi gives you the choice of burnt orange or earthy cream. Aren’t we lucky? Plus – for only £20, this is a bargain. With a tight-fitting lid to lock all those delicious flavours inside and a 2.2l capacity, let’s make Halloween – and autumn – hearty, happy and a treat.
This kitchenware treat is available to pre-order online from 2nd October and in-stores from the 9th.
Capacity: 2.2l
Pros: Great design and great value
Cons: Smaller capacity, the lid isn't ovenproof.
Tried & Tested by Commercial Content Writer for Yours, Piper Huxley:
“I love the design of this Aldi dupe. It's lightweight; the handles are a decent size and shape to carry around safely from oven to table. Though the lid isn't ovenproof, which is a little disappointing, this dish is lovely for an autumnal casserole. As far as cooking goes, I was very excited to use it! I made a veggie sausage casserole with this pot for three to four people, and the dish held it all perfectly. Plus, it wasn't too difficult to clean either and managed well with washing up liquid and a brush, which was a bonus. Overall, the dish did a good job and I love how it looks."
Editor's Favourite
www.tesco.com
Enjoy festive family favourites with Salter's Cast Iron Collection! Oven safe up to 240 degrees, this casserole dish has a tough, enamel exterior. Plus, it's safe for an induction hob. Guaranteeing excellent heat retention, this dish from Salter is attractive, reliable and durable. This would be a great addition to your kitchen for the festive season.
Capacity: 3.4L
Pros: Induction suitable with excellent heat retention
Cons: None
Tried & Tested by Commercial Content Writer for Yours, Piper Huxley:
"What a sturdy, reliable dish! This cast iron is durable, heavy and large. If you have a bigger family - or just have a larger household - and love to make one-pot dishes... this is the dish you should be considering. It's a great size and cooked my veggie stew with ease, locking in all those flavours. My meal was rich and tasty. This is a great casserole dish, perfect for an autumn or winter meal."
Best cast-iron casserole dish set
www.procook.co.uk
ProCook makes an appearance on our round-up once more. Here, we recommend this set of three dishes for your culinary needs. This set features a 20cm round dish, a 24cm round dish and a 28cm shallow dish. Forged from molten iron, these dishes have great strength. ProCook boasts optimal heat distribution and great flavour and moisture preservation with the enamel interior and lid. Plus, it works perfectly on all hobs, including induction and oven safe to 260 degrees.
Capacity:
20cm has a 2.7L capacity
24cm has a 4.7L capacity
28cm has a 3.9L capacity
Pros: Elegant and good quality
Cons: Pricey
Customer Review: “A little expensive but I hope these will be a once-in-a-lifetime purchase.”
Sturdy and reliable
Also available in lavender, mint and green, this MasterClass dish is very popular on Amazon. It guarantees easy hob-to-oven cooking, working on induction hobs and beyond. Scratch-proof and non-stick, this pot is fuss-free, durable and reliable. With a self-basting lid included, you can roast, stew and simmer whatever you wish. Dishwasher safe, too, it comes with a lifetime guarantee.
Capacity: 4l
Pros: Non-stick and sturdy
Cons: Handles get very hot – invest in oven gloves.
Customer Review: “This is the most amazing casserole pan I have ever owned. Completely non-stick, heat distributes evenly and it stays hot for a good while. The lid effectively collects condensation and doesn't allow it to drip into the food. It's like some kind of sorcery! The only drawback is that the handles get very hot BUT it is weighted enough that you don't actually need to hold it on the hob as it doesn't move while stirring. It is also easy to clean even if left with leftovers overnight. I would highly recommend this product. It's been life-changing.”
Best Le Creuset dupe
Hard-wearing, this strong roasting cooker is perfect for home cooking. With a 10-year manufacturer's guarantee, this dish is suitable for any heat source. The carry handles allow easy grip even whilst using thick oven gloves. Sporting a stylish design, this fiery casserole dish has a sleek exterior and tight-fitting lid for keeping all the goodness inside. It’s versatile and will excel in your kitchen.
Capacity: 2.7l – there are 3.9 and 5.2l versions available
Pros: Well-made, easy to clean
Cons: Smaller capacity
Customer Review: “I've been looking for a good casserole dish for a long time and I love this as it can be used on my induction hob or in my oven. So far, I've used it to bake bread and cook a casserole and it performed perfectly with great results. A really good quality versatile casserole dish/Dutch oven that looks great and performs well. It is heavy but not too heavy and it holds the heat for a long time which is ideal if you want to keep a casserole hot and serve from the table.”
FAQs
How do I clean my cast-iron casserole dish?
Some of our picks are dishwasher safe. But, we recommend handwashing.
1. Allow your casserole dish to cool slightly - for a few minutes.
2. Fill your sink with warm water and a bit of soap. Don't plunge the dish into cold water as thermal shock can occur.
3. Now, onto cleaning. If some stuck-on food won't budge, use a gentle pan-scraper.
4. But, if a pan scraper doesn't work, we suggest simmering some water in the pan for 3-5 minutes. Then, give it another go with the pan after it has cooled with a gentle, bamboo pot brush.
5. Next, comes drying. Do this right away. Use kitchen roll to dry. Don't leave it to air dry.
6. As for storage, pop your dish somewhere airy away from steam.
Fan of a spring clean? Le Creuset has an ecological cleaner for their cast-iron cookware to get back that shine.