Cast Iron Cookware

Discover durable and versatile cast iron cookware designed for exceptional heat retention and dependable everyday cooking. From slow-cooked casseroles and braised dishes to seared meat and vegetables, cast iron provides excellent cooking performance across a wide variety of recipes.

Our collection features premium Le Creuset cast iron cookware, including round casserole dishes, shallow casseroles, oval casseroles and cast iron grill pans in a choice of sizes and iconic Le Creuset colours.

Le Creuset Cast Iron Cookware

Le Creuset cast iron cookware combines traditional cast iron construction with a durable enamelled finish. Designed to distribute and retain heat effectively, these pieces can be used for everything from gentle slow cooking to roasting, baking, braising and searing.

The enamelled surface also means Le Creuset cast iron does not require the traditional seasoning associated with unfinished cast iron cookware. With proper care, it provides a durable cooking surface designed for years of regular kitchen use.

Cast Iron Casserole Dishes

A cast iron casserole dish is one of the most versatile pieces of cookware you can own. Excellent heat retention makes cast iron particularly well suited to dishes that benefit from steady, consistent cooking, including casseroles, stews, curries and braised meats.

Our Le Creuset range includes round, shallow and oval cast iron casseroles, giving you different shapes and capacities for different recipes and household sizes.

Le Creuset Round Casserole Dishes

The Le Creuset round casserole is an iconic piece of enamelled cast iron cookware. Its deep cooking area and close-fitting lid make it suitable for soups, stews, casseroles, curries, braised dishes and a wide variety of one-pot meals.

Our collection includes Le Creuset round casseroles in different sizes and colours, allowing you to choose according to the quantities you normally prepare and your preferred kitchen style.

Le Creuset Shallow Casseroles

A Le Creuset shallow casserole provides a wider cooking surface with lower sides than a traditional deep casserole. This makes it particularly versatile for dishes where browning ingredients before adding liquid is important.

Shallow casseroles can be used for one-pan meals, curries, risottos, pasta dishes, braising and many other recipes, while their attractive enamelled finish also makes them suitable for serving food at the table.

Le Creuset Oval Casseroles

An oval cast iron casserole provides an elongated cooking area that can be particularly useful for larger cuts of meat, poultry and recipes where a round cooking surface is less convenient.

Le Creuset oval casseroles retain the heat-retention benefits of enamelled cast iron while providing a different shape for roasting, braising and slow cooking.

Cast Iron Grill Pans

For high-temperature searing and grilling, a cast iron grill pan provides excellent heat retention and a ridged cooking surface designed to create distinctive sear lines on suitable foods.

Cast iron grill pans can be used for steaks, burgers, chicken, fish and vegetables, allowing you to achieve grilled results from your kitchen hob without requiring an outdoor barbecue.

Le Creuset Grill Pans

Our collection includes Le Creuset cast iron grill pans, including Signature Square Grillit models in a choice of classic Le Creuset colours.

The ridged cooking surface raises food above the base of the pan while producing characteristic grill marks. The cast iron construction retains heat effectively, making these pans particularly suited to searing and high-temperature cooking.

Enamelled Cast Iron Cookware

Enamelled cast iron combines the heat-retention characteristics of cast iron with a protective enamel finish. Unlike traditional unfinished cast iron, enamelled cookware does not normally require seasoning before use.

The enamel also provides a colourful exterior and cooking surface that can be maintained with appropriate cleaning and care. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions to protect the enamel and maximise the life of your cookware.

Why Choose Cast Iron Cookware?

One of the principal advantages of cast iron cookware is its ability to retain heat. Once heated, the substantial cast iron construction holds temperature effectively, helping provide consistent cooking across long recipes.

This makes cast iron particularly useful for slow cooking, braising and roasting, but its versatility extends much further. The right piece can be used for searing, frying, baking and serving as well as traditional casserole dishes.

Cast Iron for Slow Cooking

Cast iron casserole dishes are particularly well suited to slow-cooked recipes. Their substantial construction retains heat effectively, while lidded casseroles help retain moisture during longer cooking times.

This makes them a popular choice for stews, casseroles, curries, braised meats and other dishes where ingredients benefit from gradual cooking and the development of rich flavours.

Cast Iron for Searing & Browning

Cast iron's ability to retain high temperatures also makes it useful for searing and browning. A grill pan can provide a hot ridged surface for meat and vegetables, while shallow casseroles provide plenty of surface area for browning ingredients before completing a recipe.

Allow cookware to heat gradually and follow the manufacturer's guidance regarding appropriate heat settings and cooking oils.

Cast Iron Cookware for Induction Hobs

Le Creuset enamelled cast iron cookware is suitable for a wide range of hob types, including induction hobs. The iron construction is naturally compatible with induction technology, making cast iron a useful choice if you have changed from gas or conventional electric cooking to induction.

Always check the individual cookware specification and your hob manufacturer's guidance, particularly regarding pan size, heat settings and protecting the hob surface.

Cast Iron Cookware for Oven Cooking

Cast iron casseroles can move from hob cooking to the oven, making them particularly convenient for recipes that begin with searing or sautéing before being transferred to a lower oven temperature for slow cooking.

Maximum oven temperatures can depend on components such as knobs and handles, so check the instructions for your specific piece of cookware before use.

Round vs Shallow Cast Iron Casseroles

A round cast iron casserole generally provides deeper sides and is an excellent all-round choice for soups, stews, curries and slow-cooked dishes. A shallow casserole provides a wider base and lower sides, giving you additional surface area for browning and reducing sauces.

Neither style is inherently better; the most suitable choice depends on the recipes you prepare most frequently. Many keen cooks find that the two shapes complement each other particularly well.

Choosing the Right Cast Iron Cookware

Start by considering what you cook most often. For traditional casseroles, soups, stews and one-pot meals, a round cast iron casserole provides excellent versatility. For recipes requiring plenty of browning space, a shallow casserole may be more suitable.

An oval casserole can provide additional flexibility for longer ingredients and larger cuts of meat, while a cast iron grill pan is a better choice when searing and grilled results are the priority.

Size is equally important. Consider how many people you normally cook for and the quantities you prepare. A smaller casserole may be convenient for everyday meals, while larger sizes provide more capacity for families, entertaining and batch cooking.

Finally, consider colour and design. Le Creuset cast iron cookware is available in a variety of distinctive finishes, allowing cookware to become part of your kitchen and table setting as well as a practical cooking tool.

Browse our collection of Le Creuset cast iron cookware and discover round, shallow and oval casserole dishes alongside cast iron grill pans for versatile everyday cooking.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cast Iron Cookware

What is cast iron cookware?

Cast iron cookware is made using iron cast into a substantial cooking vessel such as a casserole dish or grill pan. It is valued for excellent heat retention and durability. Le Creuset cast iron cookware also has an enamelled finish, providing a protective cooking surface and colourful exterior.

What is enamelled cast iron?

Enamelled cast iron is cast iron coated with a layer of enamel. It retains the heat-holding characteristics of cast iron while providing a finished surface that does not require the traditional seasoning associated with bare cast iron.

Does Le Creuset cast iron need seasoning?

Le Creuset enamelled cast iron does not require traditional seasoning in the way unfinished cast iron cookware does. Follow the manufacturer's care and cleaning instructions to protect the enamelled surface.

Can Le Creuset cast iron be used on an induction hob?

Yes, Le Creuset enamelled cast iron cookware is suitable for induction cooking as well as other common hob types. Always follow the cookware and hob manufacturer's guidance regarding appropriate heat settings and handling.

Can cast iron casserole dishes go in the oven?

Cast iron casserole dishes are designed for versatile cooking and can generally be used in the oven. Check the instructions for your particular product because maximum temperatures can vary depending on components such as lid knobs and handles.

What can you cook in a cast iron casserole dish?

A cast iron casserole can be used for stews, casseroles, curries, soups, braised meats, roasting, baking and many one-pot meals. Its ability to retain heat makes it particularly useful for recipes requiring steady cooking over longer periods.

What is the difference between a round and shallow casserole?

A round casserole typically has deeper sides and is particularly useful for soups, stews and slow cooking. A shallow casserole has a wider base and lower sides, providing more surface area for browning, reducing sauces and preparing one-pan dishes.

What is an oval cast iron casserole best for?

An oval casserole can be useful for longer ingredients, poultry and larger cuts of meat that may fit less conveniently inside a round dish. It can also be used for many of the same slow-cooking, braising and roasting recipes as a round casserole.

What is a cast iron grill pan used for?

A cast iron grill pan is designed for searing and grilling foods such as steaks, burgers, chicken, fish and vegetables. Its raised ridges can create characteristic grill marks while the cast iron retains high cooking temperatures effectively.

Is cast iron cookware heavy?

Yes. Cast iron cookware is generally considerably heavier than aluminium and many stainless-steel pans because of its substantial iron construction. Consider the weight of both the cookware and its contents when choosing a size and when moving it between the hob, oven and table.

How do you clean enamelled cast iron?

Allow enamelled cast iron to cool before cleaning and follow the manufacturer's care instructions. Avoid sudden temperature changes and abrasive cleaning methods that could damage the enamel. Specific cleaning guidance can vary according to the cookware and type of residue.

How do I choose the right size Le Creuset casserole?

Consider the number of people you normally cook for, the dishes you prepare and whether you frequently batch cook or entertain. Also consider the weight and physical dimensions of larger casseroles, particularly when they are full.