Most casserole recipes assume a 9×13 inch dish. But what if you only have an 8 inch square, you’re cooking for two, or you need to feed a crowd? Swapping pans is easy once you know roughly how much each one holds and how many people it serves.
Here’s the simple chart I use, plus how to adjust the baking time when you change sizes.
Casserole pan sizes and servings
| Pan | Holds about | Serves about |
|---|---|---|
| 9×13 in (23×33 cm) | about 3.5 quarts (14 to 15 cups, about 3.3 to 3.5 litres) | 10 to 12 main portions |
| 11×7 in (28×18 cm) | 2 quarts (8 cups, about 1.9 litres) | 6 to 8 |
| 9×9 in (23×23 cm) | 2.5 quarts (10 cups, about 2.4 litres) | 6 to 8 |
| 8×8 in (20×20 cm) | 2 quarts (8 cups, about 1.9 litres) | 4 to 6 |
| 2 quart round or oval dish | 8 cups (about 1.9 litres) | 4 to 6 |
| 1.5 quart dish | 6 cups (about 1.4 litres) | 3 to 4 |
| Half sheet pan, 13×18 in (33×46 cm) | about 2 times a 9×13, but shallow | 12 to 16 for shallow bakes |
Servings are for main-course portions with a side. Rich, cheesy dishes stretch further. Hungry teenagers do not.
Swapping one pan for another
- Halving a 9×13 recipe: use an 8×8 or 9×9 dish, or an 11×7.
- Doubling an 8×8 recipe: a 9×13 is close, but a little smaller. Fill it no more than about three quarters full so it doesn’t bubble over.
- Two smaller dishes instead of one big one: great for freezing one and eating one. Two 8×8 dishes roughly equal one 9×13.
Adjusting the baking time
Depth matters more than width. A casserole that’s deeper than the recipe expects takes longer to heat through, and a shallow one cooks faster.
- Smaller, deeper dish: add 10 to 20 minutes, and cover with foil for the first part so the top doesn’t burn.
- Larger, shallower dish: start checking 10 minutes early.
- Glass and ceramic: they heat more slowly but hold heat longer. Some cooks lower the oven by about 10°C / 25°F when switching from metal to glass.
- Always check the centre. It should be bubbling at the edges and hot all the way through. A thermometer reading of 74°C / 165°F is the usual guideline for dishes with meat, eggs or leftovers.
Picking a dish to buy
If you only own one, a 9×13 is the most useful. A second 8×8 covers smaller dinners and half batches. Dishes with lids are handy for taking food to friends, and disposable foil pans are perfect for freezer meals and potlucks.
Casseroles to try
- Lazy dinner casseroles for no-fuss weeknights
- Quick beef and rice casseroles
- Hearty ground pork casseroles
- Budget-friendly winter casseroles
Freezing one? Read how to freeze and reheat a casserole, or plan a week with the Casserole Planner.
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