Dutch ovens (also known as casserole dishes) are large, heavy pieces of cookware that are ideal for cooking stews, breads, soups and more. If you want to learn more about what a Dutch oven is and how to use one, read our guide: Ask the Experts: What Is a Dutch Oven?. Dutch ovens lock in flavours and heat the food evenly, allowing you to cook delicious dishes every time.

---

Dutch Oven Shapes

Before deciding on a Dutch oven size, it pays to consider what you'll be cooking in yours as this will impact the shape you should buy. Once you choose a shape, you can then find the best size.

Round

Round Dutch ovens are ideal if you're planning to do a lot of stove-top cooking. Due to their round shape, they sit better on the burner, allowing for a more even heat. Round Dutch ovens can be switched between the stove top and oven easily and offer the most versatility. They're great for cooking stews, pastas, soups, casseroles and more.

Oval

Oval Dutch ovens are great if you love making pot roasts. If you do a lot of oven cooking, the oval shape is the more popular way to go. It has flexibility for larger roasts and cuts of meat like chicken, turkeys, or leg of lamb. It also gives you the ability to bake loaves of bread.

Square

Not all Dutch ovens need to be rounded. Square Dutch ovens are ideal if a lot of your cooking occurs in your oven. The square shape allows for more roasting and baking whilst also giving you more space for larger items. Square Dutch ovens are great for baking desserts like brownies or crumbles.

Rectangle

A rectangular Dutch oven is a great option if you love to bake. The length also allows for roasting vegetables and cooking different kinds of meats.

Dutch Oven Sizes

When it comes to finding the right Dutch oven size for your needs, consider how many people you usually cook for and what you cook. Keep in mind that 2 qt. usually makes enough for one person. Dutch ovens come in a variety of sizes, ranging from as small as 1/4 qt. all the way up to 13 qt. Keep in mind that they are heavy and as you fill them up they get heavier, making it harder to take in and out of the oven.

(Mini) Under 3 qt.

Any Dutch oven under 3 qt. is best for making single or two-person servings of your favourite dishes such as crumbles, small amounts of sauces and dips or even single servings of hot cocoa. They are small and suited for serving individually sized portions. Due to their small size, they can be stored on a shelf as kitchen decor.

(Small) 3–4 qt.

If you're cooking for around 3-4 people, this could be a good option for you. It is small enough to fit in a small storage space or refrigerator, but you can expect 3–4 servings when cooking. This is the perfect size if you are making rice or even a pasta dish for one.

(Medium) 5–7 qt.

This size is easy to maneuver and usually makes about 6 servings, making it a great option if you are looking for a Dutch oven size that works well for cooking for a small group. Try making beef stew, slow-cooked short ribs or your favourite soup.

(Large) Over 7 qt.

If you're cooking for six or more people or love to batch cook, a Dutch oven bigger than 7 qt. is a great option. Due to its size, you can expect to cook over 8 servings, depending on the size you choose. As you get into larger Dutch ovens, you have more freedom with what you are making, like braising larger pieces of meat or baking long loaves of bread. A Dutch oven larger than 7 qt. can hold a lot of liquid and is great for cooking large, deep casseroles or big batches of sauce or soup.

Tip: For a more in-depth look into dutch ovens, check our Le Creuset cooking guide.