The 10 Best Casserole Carriers for Transporting Food Dishes
Make bringing a dish to your next gathering a breeze with these well-constructed food carriers.
Casserole carriers, or food carriers, are certainly one of those items that you may not use often but you'll want to have them on hand the next time you're invited to a potluck, holiday party, tailgate or just gathering with friends. Casserole carriers go beyond just casseroles, they're designed to keep whatever you made hot (or cold!) and often have a handle for easy transport. They're equally great to lug the dirty pan back home post-event.
No need to worry about spills all over your outfit, most casserole carriers are also designed to keep the drips contained. If any drips occur inside the carrier, most of them can simply be wiped down with a damp towel. Here are 10 of our favorite casserole carriers you can buy online, along with a few tips on what to look for to find the best fit for your needs.
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Nothing beats a good, old-fashioned casserole. Whether you're craving a classic like tuna noodle or looking for a recipe with a twist, these options are sure to satisfy.
Features to Look for in a Casserole Carrier
When choosing a casserole carrier, you'll want to look for the following features:
Size: A good food carrier fits whatever container you are trying to tote. Most casserole carriers are designed to fit the most popular nine-inch by 13-inch dish, but there are carriers available for smaller-sized dishes and round ones, too. Some carriers can be flexible with size.
Material: Most casserole carriers have a fabric exterior (polyester). You'll want to choose something that is functional (stain- or water-resistant), and then have fun picking out the pattern or color of your carrier.
Insulation: Whether you're bringing a hot or cold dish, you'll want to ensure it stays a food-safe temperature until you get to the event. If you’re planning to travel a longer distance to a party (say, more than 30 minutes), we recommend an insulated carrier.
Portability: The whole point of having a carrier is to carry it from place to place. A good solid strap and solid construction will make your dish easier to transport.
Unique Features: Some carriers have pockets for utensils, collapsable or expandable designs, or other features that set them apart. A drip or splash is inevitable when you're moving with food, so a carrier that's easy to clean is essential.
What Is a Casserole?
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The Hold Everything Food Carrier line from Williams Sonoma has every shape and size you need to transport your freshly baked dishes to and from potlucks, holiday dinners and parties. The carriers boast water-resistant linings to prevent leaks, insulated interior to keep dishes hot or cold, and reinforced handles to make carring a breeze. Snag the carriers in a single, round or double design.
- Material Recycled cotton, water-resistant PEVA lining
- Dimensions 16 x 10.5 x 4 inches
- Insulated? Yes
This slim, modern casserole carrier made of 100 percent recycled exterior fabric has room for a nine-by-13 casserole dish, extra-long handles and space in exterior pockets for any serving utensils. The aluminum lining is easy to clean and keeps everything from baked ziti to mashed potatoes warm for hours.
- Material Recycled fabric, foam insulation, aluminum fabric lining
- Dimensions 16.9 x 11.2 x 4.5 inches
- Insulated? Yes
The Rachael Ray "Lasagna Lugger" Casserole Carrier is perfect for most standard nine by 13 dishes. The Temperfoil lining and insulation keep your favorite dish at the proper temperature — warm or cold — for hours. Spills? No problem. Simply wipe down with warm water and a little mild soap. The fabric container has a full-length zipper for easy loading and unloading and a zippered side pocket for any extras you need to bring. If you plan on bringing more than one dish, opt for the double-decker version of the carrier.
- Material Polyester, foam insulation, Temperfoil lining
- Dimensions 16.5 x 10.5 x 4 inches
- Insulated? Yes
Transporting a delicious chili, braised short ribs or something else whipped up in your Dutch oven is generally not an easy feat. The Le Creuset Round Dutch Oven Tote Bag changes that. Safely carry a 4.5- or 5.5-quart Le Creuset oven in this heavy-duty canvas tote, with light insulation to keep your meal warm. The padded handles make the heavy pot easy to hold. Even better? The bag pulls double duty by protecting your Dutch Oven from scratches or dings when not in use.
- Material Heavy-duty cotton canvas, quilted cotton lining with nylon barrier
- Dimensions 15 x 12.6 x 6.9 inches
- Insulated? Yes
If you're looking for an all-in-one solution, this four-piece Pyrex set comes with a deep, five-quart glass baking dish, a lid, a carrier and a hot/cold pack that keeps your creation at a consistent temperature for up to two hours. The padded handles make it easy to carry, and there's no need to worry about the dish being a perfect fit; they're designed to go together. This set also makes a great gift for a hostess or holiday parties.
- Material Polyester, foam insulation
- Dimensions 16.5 x 11.25 x 4.25 inches
- Insulated? Yes
This stylish insulated casserole carrier is sure to get a few compliments when you show up. The heat-resistant interior keeps the dish warm (but your hands protected), and the full zipper closure makes for easy loading and unloading. The carrier also features a large front pocket for storing utensils, napkins and more.
- Material Oxford fabric, foam-filled foil
- Dimensions 15.7 x 11.4 x 8.3 inches
- Insulated? Yes
A round food carrier is a great tool to have on hand, especially when toting sweet or savory pies or warm dips. This carrier measures 12.25 inches in diameter and has a reinforced snap handle for extra secure transport. And clean-up is a breeze. Simply wipe down the aluminum and foam insulation easily with a little warm water as needed.
- Material Polyester, foam insulation
- Dimensions 12.25 x 4.5 inches
- Insulated? Yes
This sturdy, insulated casserole carrier has an extra accessory that is sure to come in handy: a heatproof silicone mat. It's perfect for using when you put out the food or as a drying mat after you wash your casserole dish. The interior is big enough to hold a nine-by-3 pan and perfect for a disposable foil tin, too. The generously sized top pocket can fit multiple kitchen tools, an oven mitt or whatever else you need to hold.
- Material Polyester, foam-filled foil
- Dimensions 16 x 16 x 6 inches
- Insulated? Yes
For when you need to bring along more than one dish, this leakproof carrier makes it simple. The two compartments of this carrier are big enough to each hold a 9 x 13 dish, and the top compartment is collapsible when not in use. The aluminum foil and foam insulation makes it so you can carry one cold and one hot dish (or two of either) and they’ll maintain their respective temperatures.
- Material Polyester, foam-filled foil
- Dimensions 16 x 11 x 7.4 inches
- Insulated? Yes
This carrier goes beyond keeping your dish warm for a few hours; it can actually heat up your food or even cook with low-conduction heat. This makes it the perfect vessel for traveling longer distances with your casserole or heating up your previously made dish en route. It does require a plug-in 40 minutes before use and is adaptable to a glass, plastic or metal container. As a bonus, it expands into a full tote bag, perfect for carrying all of your other party needs.
- Material Polyester, foam insulation
- Dimensions 16 x 10.5 x 5.5 inches
- Insulated? Yes
