Every kitchen should have a Dutch oven. Why? Dutch ovens have high sides and tight-fitting lids that trap steam and produce aromatic juices for braises, soups, and stews. The slow, even heat from the heavy cast iron allows the ingredients to meld together, creating a depth of flavor that's hard to replicate with other cookware. Plus, the larger capacity is ideal for family meals and batch cooking.
If you have a craving for some hot, cheesy, or creamy comfort food, consider grabbing that big ol' pot and making one of these best Dutch oven recipes for dinner. Bonus: Most of the recipes here are one-pot meals, too, so you can get your dinner on the table with less dishes. They're also oven-safe—which means you can toss in all of the ingredients, pop the pot in the oven, and let it cook while you take care of more important things. It's dinner made easy for any night of the week!
You can cook beef stew, creamy goat cheese pasta, as well as classic chicken and dumplings. The large capacity meals you can cook a whole pot roast or juicy chicken for a crowd, batch cook soup to warm you up for the chilly week ahead, or even bake a loaf of bread. This cookware is your trusty friend no matter what you're in the mood for. So get that pot on the stove, because you've got some one-pot cooking to do!
Cheeseburger Soup
Satisfy your burger cravings all year round with this creamy soup! It's beefy, cheesy, and heartwarming with fries and all your favorite fixings stirred right in. Serve with hot buttered rolls to complete your burger experience.
Get the Cheeseburger Soup recipe.
Pork and Sauerkraut
Your Dutch oven pulls double duty with this impressive dish. First, it browns the sides of the meat to develop flavor and then it braises the roast, onions, and apples until they're meltingly tender.
Get the Pork and Sauerkraut recipe.
Chicken Stew
Old-fashioned chicken stew is one of the coziest stews you can make. It's full of carrots, potatoes, parsnips, and shredded chicken, simmered in a creamy broth flavored with fresh ginger and turmeric.
Get the Chicken Stew recipe.
Buffalo Chicken Sloppy Joes
This twist on sloppy joes take the spicy, saucy, messy glory of buffalo wings and turn it into a delicious sandwich filling. Pile high on buns with some blue cheese or ranch.
Get the Buffalo Chicken Sloppy Joes recipe.
Gumbo
You don't have to travel down to New Orleans to savor this hearty Cajun stew. It's dark, thick, and rich with lots of shredded chicken and andouille sausage. Serve with rice and warm right up!
Get Ree's Gumbo recipe.
Lentil Soup
A bowl of lentil soup is one of those meals that is so cozy that it makes you forget that it's vegetarian. It's packed with protein so it fills you up without the meat!
Get Ree's Lentil Soup recipe.
Chicken Fajita Pasta
Get everything you love about sizzling fajitas in pasta form. Each element from the chicken to the veggies and, of course, the pasta is cooked and then tossed together in one Dutch oven.
Get Ree's Chicken Fajita Pasta recipe.
Cowboy Stew
Ground beef, bacon, and kielbasa are mixed with potatoes, corn, and beans in a savory, smoky broth that ties everything together. It's like the best of chili and beef stew, all in one Dutch oven.
Get Ree's Cowboy Stew recipe.
Sausage, White Bean, and Kale Soup
Go on, make a giant batch of this when you're craving comfort. Beyond the sausage, white beans, and kale, it has a creamy base with a touch of smokiness from roasted red peppers.
Get Ree's Sausage, White Bean, and Kale Soup recipe.
Albóndigas (Mexican Meatball Soup)
Try something a bit different but still so familiar for dinner. This meatball soup features a tomato-based broth, rice, and lots of veggies like potatoes, carrots, zucchini, and a hint of jalapeño.
Get the Albóndigas recipe.
Lemon Pasta
All you need is a Dutch oven and a few simple ingredients like garlic and lemon to make this fresh, flavorful pasta. Best of all, you'll have it on the table in less than 30 minutes.
Get the Lemon Pasta recipe.
Ham and Bean Soup
The secret to this soup is store-bought ham, which lets you skip having to simmer a ham hock for hours. You still get the salty, smoky flavor but in just 35 minutes.
Get the Ham and Bean Soup recipe.
Goulash
This American-style goulash is like if chili and mac and cheese had a cozy, comforting offspring. It's the best of both worlds, all simmered in the same pot so there are less dishes to worry about after dinner.
Get the Goulash recipe.
Jambalaya
Another taste of New Orleans without leaving home! Spicy and flavorful rice gets mixed with chicken, shrimp, and andouille sausage for a filling and unforgettable meal.
Get the Jambalaya recipe.
Sweet Potato Chili
Check all of the boxes you want in a chili recipe: hearty, warm, tasty... so much so, that you won't even miss the meat. Top with anything and everything you want from cheese to sour cream.
Get the Sweet Potato Chili recipe.
Chicken Pot Pie Soup
Get all the flavors of the classic comfort meal in a fraction of the time! The best part? The "dippers" you make out of store-bought pie crust that are like cheesy crackers to dunk as you eat.
Get Ree's Chicken Pot Pie Soup recipe.
Cauliflower Soup
Ree says, "Out of all the soups in my repertoire, the one that most says 'comfort food' to me is my mom's time-tested cauliflower soup." It's perfect for warming you up a chilly day!
Get Ree's Cauliflower Soup recipe.
Irish Stew
No, it doesn't have to be St. Patrick's Day to enjoy a bowl of this traditional lamb stew. And if you don't like or can't find lamb, it'll be just as tasty using beef chuck roast.
Get Ree's Irish Stew recipe.
Red Beans and Rice
Nourish your body and soul with this classic bean stew. It's packed with veggies, spices, and some salty pork for extra flavor. When mixed with rice, it will fill you right up.
Get the Red Beans and Rice recipe.
Creamy Chicken and Corn Chili
Using store-bought rotisserie chicken and canned beans makes this chili much faster to make. And the secret ingredient that gives it so many body? Cream cheese!
Get Ree's Creamy Chicken and Corn Chili recipe.
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