Lidl is releasing a new 2L Cast Iron Casserole Dish for £34.99 on Thursday, October 1, which looks similar to a Le Creuset dish priced at £315. The budget-friendly option could save shoppers around £280.
Product Details and Availability
The supermarket updates its Middle Aisle range every Thursday and Sunday. The new casserole dish will be available in stores from October 1. According to Lidl's product description, the dish is "ideal for cooking and serving meat joints and poultry," featuring an "easy-care, durable enamel coating" with "even heat distribution and long-lasting heat retention."
The dish is oven safe up to 260°C, suitable for all hob types including induction, has a usable capacity of 2L, a base thickness of 5mm, and inner dimensions of W27 x H6cm. It comes with a three-year warranty.
Comparison with Le Creuset
Lidl's version bears a close resemblance to Le Creuset's Cast Iron Pumpkin Shallow Casserole, which costs £315 on the brand's official website. Both dishes share a similar shape, size, and colour, and are made with heavy-duty enamelled cast iron, a material valued by chefs for its heat retention and distribution.
Each features a tight-fitting lid designed to lock in moisture, which continuously bastes food during long, slow braises. Both brands use a smooth, light-coloured inner enamel coating that prevents sticking, simplifies cleanup, and allows cooks to monitor browning.
Visually, the two dishes look almost indistinguishable. Lidl's version has a pumpkin-shaped design with moulded ridges and a silver, stem-shaped knob. Its vibrant orange enamel mirrors Le Creuset's iconic 'Volcanic' colourway. Both are compatible with all hob types and oven-safe up to 260°C. However, the Le Creuset dish holds slightly more at 2.5 litres, compared to Lidl's two litres.
Le Creuset's product description says: "Bring the vegetable patch to your table with our Cast Iron Pumpkin Shallow Casserole. Complete with a stem-shaped stainless steel knob, this centrepiece is ideal for autumnal tablescapes. Its flat shape enhances braising and simmering, making it ideal for fork-tender stews."
Cooking and Cleaning Tips
An enamelled cast iron casserole dish is versatile, excelling at tasks that require steady, even heat. Suitable meals include beef bourguignon, coq au vin, pulled pork, stew, slow-cooked beef chilli, massaman or rogan josh, chickpea and sweet potato curry, whole pot-roast chicken, braised lamb shanks, pork belly with apples, French ratatouille, and lentil shepherd's pie base.
For cleaning, always let the dish cool down completely before washing, as splashing cold water onto a hot cast iron dish can cause thermal shock, cracking or chipping the enamel coating. Fill the cooled dish with warm, soapy water and let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes to loosen food particles. Use a soft sponge or non-scratch nylon mesh pad to wipe away grease and food debris. Rinse thoroughly with warm water, then dry the dish completely with a tea towel before putting it away to prevent rust from forming on any exposed cast iron rims.
