30+ Dutch Oven Recipes (2024)

If you’re new to Dutch oven cooking or just want to try out some fresh Dutch oven meals, you’ve come to the right place!

It is our decided option that every household should have at least one Dutch oven. If you use a cast-iron Dutch oven (and some metal Dutch ovens), you can cook in it on the stovetop for soups and stews or in the oven for casseroles. It’s unimaginable to not have one!

Figuring out what to cook in a Dutch oven is the number one problem folks have after unboxing their new pot.

Dutch ovens have been a beloved staple of home cooking for centuries, offering undeniable versatility and exceptional heat retention. Originating in the Netherlands, this thick-walled pot with a tight-fitting lid has made its way into the hearts and kitchens of chefs all over the world. Its ability to perfectly cook a vast array of dishes, ranging from soups and stews to braised meats and even desserts, makes the Dutch oven a must-have kitchen tool for any culinary enthusiast.

The brilliance of Dutch oven recipes lies in the pot’s aptitude for slow, even cooking. Whether you’re using it over an open fire or in a modern kitchen, the superb heat distribution guarantees that your dish will be cooked uniformly and deliciously every time. This unique quality not only makes preparing meals enjoyable but also promises an exceptional dining experience for friends and family.

Thankfully, there are tons of amazing, easy Dutch oven recipes out there that go way beyond your standard soups and stews.

First, let’s look at the Dutch oven itself. While Dutch ovens can technically be made of various materials, the best in my book is cast iron. There’s just something special about cast iron Dutch oven recipes that produce more flavorful meals.

Now, the Dutch oven I’ve always had is a traditional black cast-iron variety. However, my wife and I recently purchased a second enameled cast iron Dutch oven made by Le Creuset, one of the leading makers of Dutch ovens.

We love the enameled cast iron because it is much easier to clean, and unlike our traditional oven, we don’t have to season it every year. Plus, there are tons of Le Creuset recipes out there.

Below, we help answer the question “What do you cook in a Dutch oven?” by providing 28 of the best Dutch oven recipes out there.

Source: justcook.butcherbox.com

1. Chicken Bean Soup

One of our favorite healthy Dutch oven recipes is this white bean and chicken soup with kale. The savory chicken broth, tender white meat chicken, and hearty beans are fantastic!

And the kale upgrades this meal’s nutritional value exponentially.

The ingredients you’ll need for this recipe include chicken tenders, olive oil, onion, carrots, garlic, kale, lemon juice, kosher salt, black pepper, oregano, cannellini beans, and chicken stock.

Source: castironrecipes.com

2. Dutch Oven Shepherd’s Pie

Shepard’s pie is another one of our favorite standard-sized or mini dutch oven recipes. This classic dish, also known as “Cottage Pie,” has layers of veggies, meat, creamy mashed potatoes covered in melty cheese.

The ingredients you’ll need include Yukon Gold potatoes, ground beef (or lamb), French onion dip mix, garlic, canned sweet corn, cream cheese, butter, milk, salt, black pepper, and scallions (optional).

Source: frommetovuu.com

3. One-Pot Pasta Puttanesca

One of my favorite Le Creuset dutch oven recipes is One-Pot Puttanesca. This savory pasta dish is a fun recipe that you can change up in so many ways to make it your own.

Ingredients for this meal include yellow lentil pasta, brown rice, tomato sauce, white onion, kalamata olives, capers, cherry tomatoes, lemon, fresh basil, water, and garlic.

Source: cookieandkate.com

4. Butternut Squash Risotto

If your asking what to make in a dutch oven that’s creamy, nutty, savory, and full of whole-grain goodness, then this recipe for Butternut Risotto is just what you’re looking for.

Ingredients for this dish include olive oil, yellow onion, garlic, vegetable broth, water, short grain brown rice, butternut squash, Parmesan cheese, dry white wine (optional), unsalted butter, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes.

Source: bowlofdelicious.com

5. Best Dutch Oven Whole Chicken

Roasted chicken is one of the best-cast iron pot recipes for large dinners. And this super-easy whole roast chicken recipe delivers juicy chicken with crispy skin seasoned with garlic, lemon, and rosemary butter for an out-of-this-world experience!

Ingredients for this recipe include whole chicken, lemons, garlic, fresh rosemary, large onions, butter, kosher salt, black pepper, and potatoes.

Source: thegraciouspantry.com

6. Dutch Oven Awesome Chili

A steaming hot bowl of hearty chili is one of the best dutch oven dinners you can make. And this recipe really packs in all the savory flavors we love to taste in a good chili.

Ingredients include onion, green and red bell pepper, jalapeno, oil, ground turkey fire-roasted tomatoes, chili powder, ground cumin, garlic powder, canned beans, chicken broth, and tomato paste.

Source: tasteofhome.com

7. Dutch Oven Enchiladas

Enchiladas is another one of those easy dutch oven recipes you can make that taste way better than anything you’ll find in restaurants. And this recipe puts all the savory, spicy, cheesy goodness of your favorite enchiladas on full display.

Ingredients include shredded cooked chicken, black beans, condensed cream of chicken soup, green enchilada sauce, green chilies, fresh cilantro, lime juice, tortillas, and shredded Colby-Monterey Jack cheese.

Source: smalltownwoman.com

8. Pork Stew with Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes really bring something unique to any dish that traditionally uses white potatoes. This recipe for pork stew is a perfect example. The sweetness of the sweet potatoes really adds new complexity to this stew.

Ingredients include flour, salt, black pepper, bork shoulder or butt, vegetable oil, sweet onion, garlic, marjoram, crushed rosemary, dried thyme, chicken broth, bay leaves, tomato paste, carrots, russet potatoes, sweet potato, frozen peas, and fresh thyme leaves.

Source: simplyscratch.com

9. Copycat Zuppa Toscana Soup Recipe

Zuppa Toscana is a seriously delicious soup made with kale, potatoes, sausage, and different types of beans that’s super simple to make in your dutch oven.

The ingredients you’ll need include bacon, hot Italian sausage, yellow onion, garlic, kosher salt, thyme leaves, potatoes, chicken broth, water, canned cannellini beans, kale, heavy whipping cream, black pepper, and parmesan cheese.

Source: thekitchenmagpie.com

10. Pork Stew with Root Vegetables

This classic homestyle pork stew recipe with root veggies is another great dish for your Dutch oven. There’s nothing quite like tasting tender, savory, falling-apart pork swimming in a fragrant broth along with seasoned veggies.

The ingredients needed to make this dish include celery, flour, pork shoulder, pepper, salt, garlic, white onion, beef stock, tomato paste, Worchesthire sauce, red wine, dried thyme, dried rosemary, carrots, thick-cut bacon, and russet potatoes.

Source: southerncastiron.com

11. Chicken and Sausage Gumbo

I’m from Louisiana, and one of the most passionate dishes is gumbo. And this Dutch oven gumbo recipe is by far one of the best I’ve ever tasted – period. The art of making delicious gumbo can be tricky, but this Dutch oven recipe makes it so simple.

What you’ll need are andouille sausage, vegetable oil, kosher salt, black pepper, all-purpose flour, bone-in skin-on chicken thighs, yellow onion, green bell pepper, celery, garlic, chicken broth, fresh thyme, bay leaves, Worchestershire sauce, and creole seasoning.

Source: thecookinchicks.com

12. Dutch Oven Chicken and Dumplings

One of my wife’s favorite dishes is Dutch oven chicken and dumplings, and she absolutely raves about this recipe, which is even better than her family recipe!

The ingredients you need are olive oil, chicken breast, carrots, celery, poultry seasoning, chicken broth, heavy cream, all-purpose flour, baking powder, egg, milk, salt, and parsley.

Source: thefamilyfoodkitchen.com

13. Balsamic Braised Lamb Shanks

If you’re looking for the perfect fancy dinner sure to impress any guest, then try this recipe for Dutch oven Braised Lamb Shanks. As you can see, the meat is practically falling off the bone while swimming in a seasoned, savory gravy.

The ingredients you need for this recipe include lamb shanks, olive oil, sea salt, black pepper, flour, onion, carrots, celery, garlic, balsamic vinegar, white wine chicken stock, chopped parsley, and red chilis.

Source: blessthismessplease.com

14. One-Pot Ziti with Sausage

Dutch oven-baked ziti features savory pieces of sausage, spinach, and cheesy noodles in a delicious tomato sauce that’s sure to send your taste buds into orbit!

You will need Italian sausage, garlic, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, salt, dried oregano, sugar, red pepper flakes, water, ziti, fresh basil, baby spinach, and whole milk mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, and whole milk ricotta cheese.

Source: thekitchn.com

15. Dutch Oven Chicken Pot Pie

Chicken pot pie remains one of my favorite comfort foods, and back when I worked overnight, I used to love those microwave pot pies. However, I stopped buying those forever after trying this Dutch oven pot pie recipe.

The recipe calls for all-purpose flour, shredded sharp cheddar cheese, fresh thyme leaves, baking powder, kosher salt, heavy cream, olive oil, yellow onion, garlic, chicken broth, whole milk, shredded chicken, frozen peas and carrots, kosher salt, and black pepper.

Source: keyingredient.com

16. Homemade Broccoli Cheese Casserole

Sometimes it’s nice to have a meatless meal every once in a while, and this recipe for Dutch oven broccoli and rice hits the spot with tender broccoli and rice encased in a cheesy, creamy casserole delight.

The ingredients include unsalted butter, Japanese breadcrumbs, shredded extra sharp cheddar cheese, chicken broth, milk, bay leaf, fresh thyme sprig, onion, celery, cremini mushrooms, kosher salt, black pepper, ground red pepper, cloves, all-purpose flour, long-grain rice, sour cream mayonnaise, freshly grated nutmeg, and fresh broccoli florets.

Source: cookinglifetothefullest.com

17. Dutch Oven Tortellini Soup with Sausage

Dutch oven tortellini soup with sausage is another one of our favorite Italian soups we love to make at home or on the campfire. It’s the perfect soup for relaxing under the stars.

The ingredients you need for his recipe include olive oil, Italian sausage, onion, garlic, petite diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, chicken broth, fresh basil, salt, pepper, tortellini, fresh spinach, cherry tomatoes, and Parmesan cheese.

Source: cafedelites.com

18. Julia Child’s Boeuf Bourguignon

What can we say about Julia Child’s beef bourguignon recipe other than it has chunks of tender, fall-apart beef, savory veggies, all in a deliciously seasoned wine gravy that’s beyond incredible!

Source: oursaltykitchen.com

19. Best Ever One Pot Beef Stew

This simple country-style one-pot Dutch oven beef stew recipe features huge chunks of potatoes, carrots, and tender, well-seasoned beef in a savory broth that tastes like heaven.

Grab some fresh bread rolls and dig in.

Source: littlespicejar.com

20. Italian Orzo Spinach Soup

Italian Orzo Tomato Spinach Soup features all the flavors of Italy we love. Plus, it’s vegan-friendly, warm, and so comforting.

The tomatoes really make this dish shine along with the flavor of Parmesan cheese, and the orzo pasta gives it a unique texture.

A great soup for those cold winter nights.

Source: rachelpaulsfood.com

21. One-Pot Chicken & Cilantro Lime Rice

This one-pot Dutch oven cilantro lime rice and chicken dish are filled with incredible flavors! Plus, it’s gluten and dairy-free!

You can easily throw this meal together in minutes, and when it’s finished, you’ll be singing “winner winner chicken dinner!”

Source: dinnerplanner.com

22. Pork and Sauerkraut

One of our favorite New Year recipes is Dutch oven pork and sauerkraut. Of course, you don’t have to wait until next year to enjoy this meal, as it’s perfect for all occasions. The tender, seasoned pork has a somewhat sweet taste thanks to the brown sugar and butter, while the sauerkraut gives this dish a flavorful complexity.

Source: campingforfoodies.com

23. Mustard Chicken Recipe

Another chicken dinner that’s a sure winner is Dutch oven dijon mustard chicken. This beloved campfire recipe delivers tender, juicy chicken that’s flavorful and zesty. You can also use chicken thighs in this recipe. I found thighs really pack in more flavor.

Source: oursaltykitchen.com

24. Dutch Oven Pulled Pork Recipe

Pulled pork is another great meal you can make in your Dutch oven that’s super simple and comes out perfect every time! Plus, you can freeze your pork for other recipes or for a quick meal. The pork in this recipe is well seasoned and tender and makes for amazing pulled-pork sandwiches!

Source: myrecipes.com

25. Yankee Pot Roast

Another of my absolute faves is Dutch oven Yankee Pot Roast. This meal features roast so tender that it’s almost impossible to keep it in one piece before it hits your plate. It also has savory chunks of carrot and onion. Serve with mashed potatoes and enjoy.

Source: tasteofhome.com

26. Dutch Oven Lasagna

A lot of folks are really passionate about their Lasanga. But, this recipe for Dutch oven lasagna is sure to impress even the harshest lasagna critic with its cheesy, saucy, awesomeness. Garfield, the cat, would undoubtedly give this recipe his stamp of approval!

Source: inspiredtaste.net

27. Guinness Beef Stew Recipe

I have to admit, Guinness isn’t my favorite beer, although I’ve found with a bit of whisky, lemon, and Jager, it’s not half bad. However, this dark brew really shines in recipes like this Guinness beef stew. The beer gives the dish a deep complexity that perfectly compliments the other seasonings. Plus, the beef comes out so tender and juicy alongside scrumptious carrots and celery.

Source: bonappetit.com

28. Chicken and Dumplings with Mushrooms

If you’ve spent over a minute staring at the above photo, just know that you’re not alone. This recipe for Dutch oven chicken and dumplings with mushrooms is the legit best!

For mushroom lovers, this recipe is an absolute dream!

And, for more delicious Dutch oven dinner recipes, be sure to check out the video below.