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Quick Overview: Le Creuset Signature Cast Iron Shallow Casserole: made in France with a lifetime guarantee, available in 22-30cm for searing and braising.
The Le Creuset Signature Cast Iron Shallow Casserole is made from enamelled cast iron at Le Creuset's foundry in France and comes in four sizes from 22cm to 30cm. Its wide, flat base and shallow sides give more surface area than a standard deep casserole, making it well suited to searing meat without crowding, browning vegetables, reducing sauces, building a risotto, and dishes that need good contact with the base. A tight-fitting lid means you can start on the hob and finish in the oven without transferring to another dish, and large handles make the move manageable even with oven gloves on. It works on every heat source including induction, and the enamelled interior is straightforward to clean. The shallow format is not suited to soups or dishes that need a large volume of liquid, so it works best alongside a deeper casserole rather than as a replacement for one.
Wide Flat Base for Searing: The large, flat base provides more surface area than a standard deep casserole, allowing meat and vegetables to brown without crowding and without steaming in their own liquid.
Tight-Fitting Lid for Hob-to-Oven Cooking: The lid fits closely to retain moisture and flavour, and the shallow format is designed specifically for dishes that start on the hob and finish in the oven.
Universal Hob and Oven Compatibility: Works on gas, electric, ceramic glass and induction hobs, in the oven, and under the grill, covering every heat source you are likely to use.
Cast Iron Heat Retention: The cast iron construction retains and distributes heat evenly during cooking, producing consistent browning and keeping food warmer at the table after serving.
Large Oven-Glove-Friendly Handles: Generously sized handles allow you to move the casserole safely from hob to oven to table, even when wearing oven gloves.
What Customers Ask About This Product
How is the shallow casserole different from a standard deep casserole?
The main differences are the base area and the depth. A shallow casserole has a wider, flatter base with less depth, which gives more contact between the food and the pan for searing, browning, and reducing sauces. A standard deep casserole has more volume and is better suited to soups, stocks, and dishes that need a large amount of liquid. The shallow casserole is also well suited to hob-to-oven-to-table presentation because its shape looks good at the table. If you could only have one casserole, the deep round is the more versatile option; if you already have one, the shallow fills a genuinely different role.
Which size should I choose?
The 22cm (1.4L) suits smaller portions, individual dishes, or households cooking for one or two. The 26cm (2.2L) is a practical everyday size for two to four people and works well for risotto or braised dishes. The 28cm (2.8L) is a good all-rounder for four people and handles larger cuts of meat more comfortably. The 30cm (3.5L) is the widest option, providing maximum searing area and suiting larger gatherings or dishes where spreading ingredients out matters.
Can I put this casserole in the dishwasher?
The Signature range casserole body and phenolic knob lid are generally considered dishwasher safe, but Le Creuset advises that frequent dishwasher use may gradually dull the enamel finish over time. Hand washing in hot soapy water after allowing the casserole to cool is the better long-term option if you want to keep the finish in good condition. If you use the dishwasher occasionally, it is unlikely to cause immediate damage, but regular dishwashing is not recommended.
Does the enamel interior need seasoning like bare cast iron?
No. The enamelled interior does not need seasoning before use or oiling for maintenance in the way that bare or uncoated cast iron does. The enamel provides a protective, non-reactive surface that is ready to use straight away. What the enamel does need is some care around sudden temperature changes, abrasive cleaning materials, and very high direct heat, but there is no seasoning process involved at any stage.
In our experience...
The shallow casserole fills a specific gap rather than replacing a deep one. It is designed for dishes that benefit from maximum base contact: searing, risotto, pasta sauces, braises, and dishes that start on the hob and finish in the oven. It is not suited to soups, stocks, or anything needing a large volume of liquid. Understanding this is the key to knowing whether it belongs in your kitchen as a first casserole or a second.
More surface area changes what you can do when searing. Crowding meat in a pan drops the surface temperature and causes it to steam rather than brown, which is the main reason searing often disappoints in a smaller or deeper pan. A wider base means more food can be in contact with the hot surface at once, which produces better browning without having to work in batches. For anyone who regularly cooks for more than two people, the difference is immediately noticeable.
Thermal shock is the most common cause of enamel damage on cast iron. The enamel on Le Creuset cast iron is durable under normal cooking conditions, but a sudden and extreme temperature change can crack it. The most common way this happens is adding cold water to a very hot casserole or putting it into a cold sink straight from the oven. Letting the casserole cool for ten to fifteen minutes before washing is the single most useful habit to develop with any enamelled cast iron.
The hob-to-oven-to-table format reduces more washing up than it seems. Starting a dish in the casserole, finishing it in the oven, and serving at the table in the same vessel eliminates at least one pan and potentially a serving dish from the washing up. Over many cooking sessions this is a genuine practical advantage, and it also means the food spends less time sitting in a cooler serving dish losing temperature before it reaches the table.
Cast iron needs patience to heat up but rewards it with better results. Putting a cast iron casserole on high heat straight away is the most common mistake new users make. Starting on a low to medium heat and letting it warm gradually means the heat distributes evenly before any food goes in, which leads to more consistent browning and less likelihood of sticking. Cast iron holds heat so well that you rarely need high heat at all, and using it gently also extends the life of the enamel.
Cooking technique: Always start on a low to medium heat and allow the casserole to warm up gradually before increasing the temperature or adding ingredients. Cast iron retains heat so effectively that high heat is rarely necessary, and starting gently protects the enamel.
Utensils: Use silicone, wooden or nylon utensils only. Metal utensils can scratch and chip the enamel surface over time.
Cleaning: Allow the casserole to cool for at least ten to fifteen minutes before washing. Wash in hot soapy water and dry thoroughly. If food is stuck, fill the casserole with warm soapy water and leave it to soak before washing as usual. Do not use abrasive cleaning agents, metal pads, or harsh abrasive brushes on any surface.
What to avoid: Never plunge a hot casserole into cold water, and never add cold liquid to a very hot pan straight from the oven or hob. This thermal shock can crack the enamel. After washing, dry the casserole thoroughly and store it in a dry place.
Why Buy From Art of Living?
Founded in Reigate in 1972, we've spent over five decades helping customers select quality tableware and cookware. We've been twice nominated for the Excellence in Housewares award for customer care.
No-quibble returns, even used items
Half-price accidental damage replacement for two years
Return it anyway. Our no-quibble guarantee covers used items. If it's not right for you, get in touch and we'll sort out a refund.
How does the Half-Price Replacement guarantee work?
If you accidentally break this item within two years of buying it, we'll replace it at half price. Just get in touch with proof of purchase and a photo of the damage.
How long does delivery take?
Standard delivery to mainland UK addresses takes 5-7 working days, and it's free on orders over £49. Next day delivery is available for £9.95 on orders placed before 1pm Monday to Thursday, depending on your location and stock levels. You can also collect from our shops in Cobham or Reigate, or our warehouse in Redhill.
Can I collect this item instead of having it delivered?
Yes. You can collect from our Reigate shop (72 High Street, RH2 9AP), our Cobham shop (16 Anyards Road, KT11 2JZ), or our warehouse in Redhill (40 Ormside Way, RH1 2LW). Just select click and collect at checkout. If the option isn't available, this is because there isn't enough stock in your selected collection location. Please get in touch and we can organise stock to be transferred to the right place.
How do I register my Le Creuset product for the guarantee?
Head to Le Creuset's website and register your product with your proof of purchase. You will need to create an account if you don't have one already. It only takes a couple of minutes and activates your 10-year guarantee.
Everything you need to know about getting your order to you — including delivery times, regional charges, knife deliveries, and how to collect in store.
Mainland UK
Service
Cost
StandardFree Standard Delivery — orders over £49 - Up to 7 working days
Free
StandardStandard Delivery — orders under £49 - Up to 7 working days
£4.95
Age VerifiedKnife Delivery — age-verified service - Up to 7 working days
£6.95
ExpressNext Day Delivery - Order before 1pm Mon–Thu, where available
£9.95
SaturdaySaturday Delivery - Order before 1pm Friday
£12.95
Knife deliveries: All knives and bladed products require an age-verified delivery service. A signature from someone aged 18 or over will be required on receipt. This service cannot be combined with Next Day or Saturday delivery options.
Regional & Island Deliveries — Standard Service
Isle of Wight£9.95
Isle of Man£12.95
Isles of Scilly£12.95
Northern Ireland£12.95
Channel Islands£14.95
Click & Collect
Free collection from our stores and warehouse
You can collect your order from our shops in Cobham or Reigate, or from our warehouse in Redhill.
If your closest shop does not appear at checkout but others do, it simply means that location is currently out of stock for your chosen items. Give us a call on 01737 222996 and we can arrange a transfer from another location.
International Delivery
Republic of Ireland & Europe
Currently suspended:
It is not currently possible to deliver to the Republic of Ireland or mainland Europe. We hope to reinstate this service as soon as possible and apologise for any inconvenience caused.
Rest of the World
If your country is not listed — including the USA, Australia, and other destinations — this is most likely because couriers charge by volumetric weight: a combination of package size and weight that makes standard online rates impractical to calculate automatically.
Please call us on 01737 222996 with the details of your order. We will advise on shipping costs within 24 hours and ask whether you would like to proceed.
Before you order internationally, please note:
All overseas shipments are at your own risk. We recommend taking out appropriate transit insurance to cover any damage in transit.
Customs forms for all international packages declare the full value and a description of the contents. Any customs or import duties levied on arrival in your country are your responsibility. Your local customs office can provide further information.
Other Destinations
If your desired country or region is not listed, please contact us and we will do our best to help.
