Blog Home > > What’s a Dutch Oven and Why Do You Need One?
March 21, 2023 in 0
A Dutch oven is the ultimate cookware for one-pot dinners. It’s a large, wide, deep pan with a tight-fitting lid that stands out from other pots and pans in a well-stocked kitchen for its ability to take high temperatures and retain heat.
Dutch ovens are typically made from cast iron or enameled cast iron. (Fun fact: Enameled Dutch ovens are also known as French ovens.) Our Rockcrok® Dutch Oven is made from durable, heat-resistant clay that’s surprisingly lightweight and goes in the microwave, too.
Most people think of Dutch ovens only for hearty soups and stews, but it’s also one of the best pots you can use for browning meats, boiling, braising, baking, and deep-frying. Here are some of our best Dutch oven recipes that show off what it can do.
Make Pasta In a Dutch Oven
You need plenty of room to fully incorporate all the cheesy goodness and noodles in this Skinny Mac ‘N Cheese. It’s a big hit with families because it’s easy, yummy, and it’s loaded with vitamin-rich cauliflower.
“My husband and I love it, as well as our 13-year-old daughter. We play around with different cheeses, sometimes add sausage, and it's always good. And, you don't feel guilty because of the cauliflower.”
Dutch ovens are perfect for cooking pasta and mixing sauce all together in one dish. You can combine everything together without losing a single noodle.
This fresh, easy Bruschetta Pasta dish is cooked entirely in the microwave.
“I do this recipe at parties all the time! I love that it's quick and easy and in one pot! It's a great meal for people who don't think they can cook.”
Alicia
from New York
Simmer Stews and Chowders
The reason Dutch ovens are associated with soups, stews, and chowder is that you can build flavors and richness easily on the stovetop and in the oven using one vessel.
Our Chicken Pot Pie Chowder starts building flavor by softening onion and garlic on the stove and then baking the whole thing in the oven with biscuits sitting on top until they turn golden brown.
“Our family loves this recipe! It looks and tastes delicious!”
Deb
from Tennessee
Browning meat is another way to develop deep, savory flavors in stew or soup. This White Bean, Kale & Sausage Stew starts with browning the sausage and then building up the dish all in one pot until it’s bubbling and delicious.
“OMG! I love this so much. I can eat the whole thing by myself. Definitely a winter favorite this year.”
Dina
from New York
Slow Cook in a Dutch Oven, Too
Our Dutch oven easily converts into a slow cooker with a slow cooking stand, so you don’t have to leave the oven running all day to make Root Beer Ribs. They’re so easy to make! Just add your favorite barbecue seasonings, barbecue sauce, and root beer.
“Amazing! This will be my third time making these ribs in my Pampered Chef Rockcrok®. This is an all-time favorite in our house. The meat falls right off the bone.”
Kate
from Missouri
Why wait for a formal Sunday night dinner for hearty ? This corned beef cooks all day while you’re away and then finish the cabbage in the microwave when you get home. That way, the cabbage is tender, but not soggy. This corned beef recipe cooks while you’re out doing other things and then you finish the cabbage in the microwave when you’re ready to eat.
“This recipe did not disappoint. It was easy to assemble, and the kitchen smelled wonderful as it cooked. I was skeptical about not cooking the cabbage in the microwave at the end, but it worked.”
Ken
from Pennsylvania
Now that you know what makes cooking in a Dutch oven so great, what recipes will you try? Homemade bread? Braised chicken? Chili? Tell us in the comments below.
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