Aldi is beloved for its ever-changing roster of specialbuys, and if imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then the return of its cast iron cookware is practically a love letter to Le Creuset, the brand famous for its iconic Dutch ovens. The drop lands in stores on Sunday, June 7, bringing the same aesthetic look that has made Le Creuset a kitchen icon for decades, but at a very different price point.
Where a single Le Creuset cast iron pan can easily set you back well over £100, Aldi’s version is just £19.99, making the aesthetic a far more accessible price point. Who can resist that classic enamelled look for less than £20?
They don’t just look the part, either. The pans are suitable for all stovetops, including gas, electric, glass ceramic and induction, and are oven safe up to 260C. You can even choose from three colours: grey, black, or cream, whatever suits your decor best.
The budget friendly supermarket will also be dropping mini ceramic dishes, priced at just £2.99.
As ever, these are expected to be popular middle-aisle finds, with stock unlikely to hang around for long. Here are the pieces you can pick up in stores this week.
Read more: Sainsbury’s cast iron casserole dish looks just like Le Creuset’s
Aldi’s cookware specialbuys
Cast iron dutch oven
This 22cm, 4l cast iron pan from Aldi can be used on all stovetops, including gas, electric, glass ceramic and induction. It’s oven safe up to 260C, and you have a choice of neutral grey, black or cream finishes.
Read more: Best cast iron skillets, tried and tested
Buy now £19.99, Aldi.co.uk
Mini ceramic dishes
These mini ceramic dishes are available in star white, thyme, or dusty blue. You can pick up an mini oval baking dish, mini dutch oven, mini pie dish or a pack of two mini ramekins.
Read more: Can M&S’s £42 cast iron casserole dish rival Le Creuset?
Buy now £2.99, Aldi.co.uk
More Le Creuset alternatives
Habitat cast iron oval casserole dish
This cast iron oval casserole dish from Habitat has a generous 5.3l capacity and works on all hob types including induction. It’s also oven safe up to 260C, so you can transfer from your stovetop to oven with ease.
Buy now £45, Sainsburys.co.uk
M&S cast iron large casserole dish
Expert tester and food writer Emma Henderson described M&S’s cast iron casserole dish as “an excellent alternative for anyone not wanting to spend hundreds of pounds”, after putting it to the test. She praised its performance in her review, particularly how “it cooked everything evenly, and there weren't any obvious sticking points.”
She added, “It retains heat very well, which is always helpful for serving up (or using as a serving dish on the table), especially in a small kitchen like mine.”
Buy now £42, Marksandspencer.com
John Lewis cast iron round casserole
John Lewis’s offering comes with a 3.5l capacity, designed for use on the hob or in the oven. It’s made from cast iron with a stainless steel and enamel finish, with various size and colour options to choose from.
Suitable for induction, hob and oven use, it’s oven safe up to 220C. The pot is hand wash only, and is not dishwasher or freezer safe.
Buy now £65, Johnlewis.com
Read more: The viral Our Place pan has a £30 rival from M&S – here’s how they compare
