How Does Le Creuset $115 Stoneware Covered Casserole Stack up To Cravings by Chrissy Teigen $50 Cast Iron Enameled Dutch Oven with Lid?

We've all spent so much time in the kitchen over the past year (who else is sick of baking bread?!) that it stands to reason that many of us have upgraded our cooking gear as well. If you've been wondering if the heritage brand Le Creuset's iconic covered casserole dish is really worth the investment or if Cravings by Chrissy Teigen is just as good, read on. Keep in mind that one of these is marketed as a casserole dish while the other is marketed as a Dutch oven, so they're not identical, but they are comparable.

We compared the Le Creuset Stoneware Heritage Covered Oval Casserole with Cravings by Chrissy Teigen 5qt Cast Iron Enameled Dutch Oven with Lid and think you might be surprised to find out which one was our top pick.

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Le Creuset Stoneware Heritage Covered Oval Casserole, $129.95 on Amazon

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The benefits:

• Like everything made by this iconic brand, the covered casserole is absolutely gorgeous and can be kept on your countertop instead of in a cabinet.

• Built to last. Le Creuset takes cookware seriously. This piece is made of stoneware that is fired at a high temp to create nonporous ovenware resistant to chips, cracks, or scratches.

• Heirloom quality. If baking and cooking with your kids is a family affair, there's something special about knowing that these products can be passed down to the next generation making this dish even more special.

• Glazed insides mean easy cleanup. You won't be scraping last week's dinner off for days.

The details: There's a reason that Le Creuset is such a coveted brand and makes a frequent appearance on bridal registries. Not only are the products beautifully made and hand-crafted, but they're also made to take a lot of wear and tear. And as someone who's on the clumsy side, it was reassuring knowing that this deceptively looking delicate dish could actually take a beating. I also love the fact that you can take this from stove to oven to table and not feel self-conscious about serving out of the dish you cooked in. One thing to keep in mind with stoneware though is that it's really, really heavy. And it gets heavier with food added to the equation! You should also experiment before using it in the microwave since the handles get extremely hot. One interesting tip: don't put your frozen dish directly in a preheated oven, but rather place the frozen food-filled dish in a cold oven and then let the food and dish heat up simultaneously.

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The takeaways:

Le Creuset is the OG of dinnerware for a reason. It's the cooking equivalent of Christian Louboutin shoes, instantly recognizable and always superior quality. If you love cooking and really love sharing your creations with social media, this is a worthwhile investment to start building your Le Creuset collection.

Cravings by Chrissy Teigen 5qt Dutch Oven with Lid, 127.99 on eBay

The benefits:

• If you're new to multi-use pots, this is a great starter or future favorite. You can use it for stovetop cooking, baking, or serving.

• Designer name without the designer price. Let's face it, Cravings is a brand that borrows from Teigen's more accessible lifestyle. You may not be able to afford a $13,000 bottle of wine the way Teigen and spouse John Legend did, but you can enjoy some of her star power in her kitchen.

• You can build your collection sooner. If you love this line, you don't have to save up for years to add to your collection.

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The Tryout: I'd previously tested out small ramekins from the Cravings collection, and absolutely loved those, so I thought this was a no-brainer. Not so. As with most iron pots, you will have to add a bit more TLC, which includes hand washing and towel drying immediately after use. You'll also have to season your pot after every use. As with Le Creuset, pretty much everything I cooked/baked came out perfect. There weren't any random cold parts in the middle and cheese bubbled perfectly. I wasn't happy when the finish chipped after only a few uses though. I did a quick search and noticed that a few people had a similar issue.  It was also a slightly unwieldy design, with a narrower bottom, but that also meant that it was easier to stir as I cooked.

The verdict: I was pre-inclined to want to recommend the Cravings by Chrissy Teigen Dutch Oven because it really is a great and well-made line in general. I don't love the handles on the Cravings Dutch oven, not necessarily because of aesthetics, but because when pots get extremely hot, it becomes awkward to hold onto. And while I loved the products I've previously tested from Cravings, for some reason I wasn't as thrilled with the Dutch oven, though it's an excellent introduction to more serious pots. Overall, I'd recommend the Le Creuset Stoneware Heritage Covered Oval Casserole 4 qt. While it's definitely a major investment piece, the quality speaks for itself. This is the kind of pot you will use for years to come and food will be consistently well cooked. There's also no real learning curve, and even if this is the only Le Creuset item you ever buy, it's a stunning piece of kitchen decor.

Cleaning tip: If you have a hard time with anything baked-on or cooked onto your new Dutch oven or casserole, try Dawn Powerwash Dish Spray which degunks nearly anything without scrubbing.

Next up, how does the Wolf Gourmet $595 Pro-Performance Blender stack up to NutriBullet’s $92 blender? 

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