Purchasing a Casserole Pan Le Creuset, Fiestaware, Nordic Ware, Pyrex and Corningware

An essential part of every home is the kitchen and what is a kitchen without the right cookware to cook your meals in? I think the pots and pans you cook things in are just as important as the recipes you use. You might not be as bad as a cook as you thought, you might just be using the wrong stuff to cook your food in. One of the most important pieces of cookware to have in your collection is a casserole pan or dish.

I use casserole dishes or lasagna pans for all sorts of things; desserts, main courses, side dishes and almost all of my favorite meals require the use of one. Also, someone holding a casserole dish the first thing you think of when you picture someone welcoming a new neighbor to the neighborhood or making a dinner for someone whose sick?

I think I have 10 of these pans. I am not joking. They have just added up over the years especially when I got married last year. What can you make in them? Enchiladas, casseroles, lasagna, rice krispy treats, au gratin potatoes I can keep going if you want… Think for a minute about some of your favorite things and I bet you could use a casserole pan to cook it.

Anyway, when you are looking for a casserole dish you have a lot of options to choose from. These are 5 brands you can choose from, that I would recommend and some of their casserole pans available to buy.

I’ve spent a lot of time in other articles talking about Le Creuset because I love them and think they should be in everybody’s kitchen. They are cast iron enameled stoneware that make a great addition to anyone’s cookware collection. They are heavy, sturdy and made by a French company. Ok, maybe that last part is irrelevant but aren’t the French supposed to be the best cooks? So, it’s kind of important because they know what they are doing, right?
Seriously, though you will not go wrong with these pots and casserole pans they will last you a long time and come with a lifetime warranty. They also have a lot of fun shapes like hearts and pumpkins, although the pumpkins aren't very large.

 I love Le Creuset but when I went to register for dishes for my wedding last year at Macy’s I knew I wanted to register for all Fiestaware.  And really it’s not that much different from Le Creuset stuff because both are made from established companies and both feature fun colors to add a little more excitement to your kitchen.  In fact, I went a little overboard when I registered.   Instead of just getting 1 or 2 colors I decided to register for 4.  But really it all works out well because some of the colors work great for any holiday or season.  I chose Scarlet, Sunflower, Chocolate and Ivory.  As you can see I can easily mix and match the colors for the occasion.  Sometimes I just like to set all the colors out at the same time.  I always get compliments about it and it matches some of my Le Cresuet pots that I already had. 
Now the great thing is Fiestaware isn’t limited to dishes.  They have mixing bowls, pedestal bowls, trivets, pie dishes, casserole pans, serving platters and a lot of other cookware that is oven, microwave and dishwasher safe.  Fiestaware is a collector’s dream because they change colors frequently. 

I also registered for some Corningware and am glad that I did. I was a little reluctant at first because because I already had registered for the Fiestaware and had some Le Creuset cookware. Plus, they are white and simple unlike what I had registered for. At the time I was only aware of the French white bakeware but I have learned since than that they are getting into the colors game with their creations collection and have a few different colors available.
Even though I got their white cooking stuff you really can’t go wrong with it. They have every size and shape imaginable and most of it is available in cheap cookware sets that can have any where from a couple of pieces to 17 pieces. They also have some more traditional pieces that are geared towards those wanting a more vintage looking set. I personally like that I can bake, serve and store my food in it. With a smaller kitchen you sometimes can’t always have the space to store a hundred different things for different functions. Getting cookware that can be used to serve and store food is an added bonus.

Pyrex is another inexpensive option for those looking for decent bakeware and cookware.  You can find it almost anywhere and they can be used for almost anything.  Yes, I have some too.  It’s starting to make me wonder how I have space for all this stuff.  These are also really great storage containers when you buy pyrex with lids.  I find that some of the lids are a little tempermental though.  It’s usually easy to get on but harder to get the lid off.  Does anyone else have this problem? 
Pyrex also offers a lot of options in terms of shapes and sizes.  The round ones are great as mixing bowls and they also have measuring cups.  I like the one with the lid that makes it pour out easier and without spilling.

Nordic ware is a main stay for bakers.  I know I have some bundt cake pans from them which is what I am more familiar with them for but they have all sorts of stuff.  Ranging from Belgian waffle cookers to jumbo fryers.  For some reason I don’t find Nordic ware casserole dishes as pretty as some of the other brands and I personally don’t have any experience with them.  But they are great for baking and storing leftovers.  They like the other brands also sale sets with lots of different pieces.