Casserole Dishes

Casserole Baking Dish: What You Need to Know

These large-capacity dishes work well in commercial kitchens because multiple servings can be prepared at the same time in a single dish. Typically, casseroles require little attention during cooking, enabling chefs to turn their attention elsewhere. Fine porcelain casserole dishes also provide a potential serving vessel for a finished meal, as the simplicity of its design lends room to artistic decoration and stylization.

Common Questions About Casserole Dishes

What constitutes a casserole dish?

These dishes come in a variety of styles, colors, and shapes but are unified by a deep indentation in which to combine and cook ingredients. Foods cooked in casserole baking dishes are usually homogenous and only browned or crisped on top because the top is the only portion of the dish exposed to hot air. The encompassing walls keep the internal portions of the food moist since there is less room for moisture to evaporate compared to other pans. Because the options for cooking in these dishes are broad, creative chefs utilize them in all sorts of ways. Further increasing the variety of casseroles and other foods that can be cooked, the dishes themselves vary in their depth, capacity, and style.

Who needs a dish for casseroles?

These dishes are popular in commercial establishments and residential kitchens. Casseroles usually don't require excessive attention or maintenance, so they're great for busy chefs in any kitchen. Slow cook times mean chefs can direct their focus to side dishes, meals for other guests, or any of the other myriad tasks always waiting in a kitchen. Another benefit of a casserole dish is it can also be used as a serving dish, saving time during cleanup.

Along with dishes for casseroles, operators may want to stock rarebit and au gratin dishes, creme brulee and souffle dishes, and French onion soup crocks.

What material should I get for my casserole dish?

Two factors determine the best material for your purpose: temperature durability and aesthetic appeal. All baking dish materials will be oven safe to a point, but if you're going to be baking at very high temperatures, such as 500 degrees Fahrenheit, you'll need to ensure your dish can handle it. A ceramic casserole dish may have a lower heat tolerance than a stainless steel or cast iron casserole dish. However, if the dishes you plan to cook do not require temperatures above 350 degrees Fahrenheit, ceramic models provide a classy aesthetic that can double as a serving dish to save time and effort during cleanup. Consider the type of meals you'll prepare, as well as the existing aesthetic of your kitchen, and then try to find a dish that will both enable you to cook at your desired heats and complement your decor.