Is Le Creuset cookware worth it? We tested 7 pieces to find out
Round Dutch Oven
We used it to cook: beef stroganoff, broccoli and sausage orzo skillet, chicken pot hotdish, and so much more.
Why we love it: The 5.5-quart version of the popular Le Creuset Dutch oven isn't cheap at $350, but it's the cornerstone of my kitchen; it offers a lot of versatility, a durable design, and crucially, even heat distribution. I use it to cook easy, one-pot meals on most weeknights — everything from beef stroganoff to spring peas and asparagus risotto to a broccoli and sausage orzo skillet. —Ellen Hoffman, director of content strategy
I use a 4.5-quart version of this Dutch Oven, the same one that had previously belonged to my former boss' wife. She and I would swap recipes through her husband, delivering muffins and breakfast bars and favorite recipes to each other via his briefcase. At a holiday party at their home one year, she gifted me one of her Le Creuset pots along with her matching frying pan. She gave it to me because she was growing partial to her Staub Dutch oven and didn't need so many in the house, but it was still one of the kindest gifts I've ever received. I love cooking in it and especially using it to serve stews, sauces, and orzo during dinner parties. —Sally Kaplan, Insider Picks editor
Signature Lite Grill Pan
We used it to cook: grilled summer squash phyllo pie, Beyond Meat sausages
Why we love it: When I'm too lazy to fire up the grill on our rooftop (so, most of the time), I opt for this stovetop grill pan. It gives my veggies and meat substitutes the perfect grill marks, and it's easy to move around on the burner if there's a hot or cool spot (which happens with square-shaped pans). I've been grilling lots of summer squash on it lately, and there's something so satisfying about turning it over to see those little charred and caramelized bits. The surface is relatively non-stick, so food comes up cleanly as your flipping it, and wipes off easily as you're scrubbing it later. —Sally Kaplan, Insider Picks editor
Mini Cocottes
We used it to cook: single-serving/app-sized mac and cheese, veggies, baked eggs, apple pie
Why we love it: These are hands down the most adorable pieces of cookware I own. The mini versions of the brand's classic cocotte are perfect for serving personal desserts, side dishes, and snacks like nuts or candy. They're made from stoneware, so they're best used in the oven — in most cases, on a baking tray and uncovered. The set I got came with a cookbook filled with recipes optimized for tiny portions, but if you're comfortable with experimentation, I can see the potential to get really creative (and cute) with these mini cocottes. —Connie Chen, reporter
Square Dish
We used it to cook: fudgy vegan brownies, roasted apricots with coconut sugar, cornbread, and a million other things
Why we love it: I've had this square dish for about three years now, and it's one of the most-used dishes in my kitchen. I bake quick-breads and brownies in it, use it to roast veggies at high temperatures, and even make pot pies with fluffy, crispy drop biscuit crust. The coating on the stoneware is so glossy and smooth that it's always easy to clean — mine has been through hell and back and still looks as new as it did the very first day I got it. —Sally Kaplan, Insider Picks editor
Nonstick Saute Pan
We used it to cook: vegetarian "meat" sauce, garlicky zucchini noodles
Why we love it: I have a lot of nonstick pans, but I threw two of them out after I cooked with this one for the first time. The nonstick coating is above and beyond what I've experienced before — it took about three seconds to wash the pot I cooked this sauce in because there was absolutely nothing sticking to it. Not only that, but it provided fast, even heat throughout, and the walls of the pan are just high enough that you can use it as a saucepan and saute pan interchangeably. It's an excellent value for $145 — I use it all the time. —Sally Kaplan, Insider Picks editor
Braiser
We used it to cook: lemon thyme chicken thighs, rigatoni and chicken with vodka sauce (family recipe), and lots of other bigger, saucy pasta dishes
Why we love it: This pan is the perfect size for the kinds of one-pot, saucy pasta dishes I make all the time. It's super wide and deep enough that I don't have to worry about adding too much liquid and having the contents spill over the sides. It's also great for cooking meats and veggies since, like I said, there's plenty of surface area so everything has room to get nice and crispy. —Ellen Hoffman, director of content strategy
Rectangular Casserole
We used it to cook: Enchiladas, lasagna, pasta casseroles
Why we love it: The depth of this 3.5-quart casserole dish is ideal for any recipes that call for layering, and the stoneware construction ensures every layer, whether sweet or savory, heats evenly and comes out of the oven piping hot. Though you might think the enamel would be too delicate to touch with a knife, rest assured you can slice into your casserole worry-free. I do wish the handles were slotted so I'd feel safer carrying it out of the oven, so just be extra careful about not dropping your hard work on the ground. —Connie Chen, reporter
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