A gratin is mostly crust. Scalloped potatoes, a cauliflower bake or a pan of mac and cheese all come down to one thing: how much browned, bubbling surface you get for each serving. That is why the classic dish is a wide, shallow oval, not a deep casserole. Less depth means more top, and a cream sauce that reduces as it bakes.
This guide is narrower than our baking dish guide, which covers the deep rectangles you want for lasagna and big casseroles. Here we look only at low dishes made for browning: porcelain and stoneware that bring the dish to the table, clad stainless that heats fast, and carbon steel that can start on the burner. We note each stated oven limit, because finishing under the broiler is the point of a gratin, and not every dish on this page is rated for it.
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Quick verdict: which oval au gratin dish to buy
For most home cooks, the best gratin dish is the Made In Oval Baking Dish: French porcelain, rated by the maker to 650 degrees, with a low oval shape and a maker statement that its bakeware is made without lead and cadmium. If you want two sizes at once, the Staub Ceramic Oval Baking Dish Set is rated to 572 degrees and safe under the broiler. If you prefer metal, the Hestan Provisions 2-Quart Oval Au Gratin is clad stainless steel rated to 600 degrees.
Five picks are compared below, and all eight are reviewed in full after the table.
Five gratin dishes side by side
Who each dish suits, what it is made of, and its size and oven limit, as each maker or listing states.
| Dish | Best for | Material | Size and oven limit | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Made In Oval Baking Dish, Navy RimBest overall
|
Family-sized gratins at the table | French porcelain | 10 x 6.6 in surface; 650°F | View on Amazon |
| Two sizes in one purchase | Ceramic, glass-porcelain finish | Sizes not stated; 572°F | View on Amazon | |
| Even heat in metal | Clad 18/10 stainless | 12.5 x 9 in, 2 qt; 600°F | View on Amazon | |
Made In Stainless Steel Oval Gratin Dishes, Set of 2Best for sides
|
Long, narrow side dishes | 18/10 stainless, set of 2 | 9.94 x 4.5 in; 750°F | View on Amazon |
HIC Round Au Gratin Dishes, 4 oz, Set of 6Best for portions
|
Individual portions, set of 6 | Fine porcelain | 4 oz; 350°F | View on Amazon |
Our picks for the best gratin dish
We looked at ceramic first, then metal, and then at the small individual dishes. Lead statements appear where they apply: stainless and carbon steel have no glaze to consider.
1. Made In Oval Baking Dish, Navy Rim – French Porcelain Rated to 650 Degrees
Made In sells this same shape on its own site as an oval gratin dish, so it is exactly on target here. The baking surface is 10 by 6.6 inches, with a total size of 14.38 by 8.5 inches including the handles and a height of 3.2 inches with them. On its website, Made In gives the capacity as 2.4 quarts.
The oven limit is the highest of any ceramic on this page, at 650 degrees Fahrenheit, and the listing calls it thermal shock resistant and able to go from freezer to oven to table. That is a real help with a gratin you assemble ahead and bake later.
On lead, Made In’s own product page says all of its bakeware pieces are made without PFAS, PFOA, PTFE, lead, cadmium, aluminum and BPA. It is crafted in France, according to the listing, and sold by Made In’s own storefront. Made In’s site also calls it dishwasher, oven and freezer safe.
Why we like it
- 650-degree limit, the highest ceramic rating here
- Maker states its bakeware is made without lead and cadmium
- Crafted in France from porcelain
- Freezer to oven to table, per the listing
Key specifications
| Model | BAKE-3-OVAL-BLU-RIM |
|---|---|
| Material | Porcelain |
| Size | 10 x 6.6 in surface; 14.38 x 8.5 in overall |
| Capacity | 2.4 qt, per maker’s site |
| Count | 1 |
| Oven limit | 650°F |
| Care | Dishwasher safe, per maker’s site |
| Made in | France |
Why we recommend it
It suits a cook making a gratin for four or so who wants a dish that looks at home on the table and shrugs off high heat.
Skip it if you feed a big group often, because 10 by 6.6 inches is a modest baking surface.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Very high stated heat limit
- Clear maker lead statement
- Freezer-to-oven use
Cons
- Modest surface for a crowd
- Handles add width in the oven
- Porcelain can chip if knocked
2. Staub Ceramic Oval Baking Dish Set, 2-Piece – Two Sizes Under One Glaze
If you make a side for two on a weeknight and a larger gratin for a holiday, a two-size set covers both. Staub’s ceramic ovals have a glass-porcelain finish, described as highly scratch resistant, and the listing rates them to 572 degrees Fahrenheit, including microwave, freezer and broiler use.
Broiler safety is the point for this page. Many dishes will bake a gratin but aren’t stated for that final blast. The set is also dishwasher safe, according to the listing. The warranty field covers manufacturer defects for life.
The Amazon listing doesn’t give the two sizes, so check the current page or Staub’s own information before planning around them. These are designed in France and made in China, as the listing says. Staub’s safety page states its products are cadmium free and lead-free.
Why we like it
- Broiler safe and rated to 572 degrees Fahrenheit
- Staub’s safety page states lead-free
- Two dishes in one purchase
- Dishwasher safe, per the listing
Key specifications
| Model | 40508-630 |
|---|---|
| Material | Ceramic with glass-porcelain finish |
| Size | Not stated |
| Capacity | Not stated |
| Count | 2 |
| Oven limit | 572°F, broiler safe |
| Care | Dishwasher safe |
| Made in | China; designed in France |
Why we recommend it
It suits a household that wants two sizes of dish for different meals, with a clear broiler rating and an easy cleanup.
Skip it if you need to know exact sizes before you buy, as this listing omits them.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Two sizes
- Stated broiler safe
- Dishwasher safe
Cons
- Sizes not stated on the listing
- Made in China, if origin matters
- Ceramic is heavier than clad steel
3. Hestan Provisions Oval Au Gratin, 2-Quart – Clad Stainless Heats Fast and Evenly
A metal gratin dish heats faster than ceramic, and browns the bottom and sides as well as the top. Hestan’s is 18/10 stainless with an aluminum core, 12.5 by 9 inches, 2 quarts, rated to 600 degrees Fahrenheit. It was designed with chef Thomas Keller, according to the maker.
The flush rivets and handles sit level with the interior, so nothing catches food or makes cleaning harder, which matters with a sticky cheese crust. Stainless won’t react with tomatoes or wine, and there is no glaze to consider.
The care line isn’t stated on this listing, although a smaller Hestan listing in the same line says dishwasher safe. Expect to soak the baked-on bits. It won’t hold heat at the table as a thick ceramic does, so serve soon after it comes out.
Why we like it
- Aluminum-core clad stainless
- Rated to 600 degrees Fahrenheit
- Flush rivets for easier cleaning
- 2-quart capacity with a wide surface
Key specifications
| Model | 31722 |
|---|---|
| Material | Clad 18/10 stainless with aluminum core |
| Size | 12.5 x 9 in |
| Capacity | 2 qt |
| Count | 1 |
| Oven limit | 600°F |
| Care | Not stated |
| Made in | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits a cook who wants crisp browned edges on the bottom as well as the top, and likes a dish that heats quickly.
Skip it if you want a dish that stays hot on the table for a long dinner.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Wide surface
- High stated heat limit
- No glaze to consider
Cons
- Cools faster at the table
- Care not stated on this listing
- Metal shows wear from scrubbing
4. Made In Stainless Steel Oval Gratin Dishes, Set of 2 – Narrow Dishes for Sides
Made In calls these stainless steel gratin dishes, and describes them as a modern take on classic French bakeware. Each is 9.94 inches long, 4.5 inches wide and 1.75 inches high, in 18/10 stainless, with low, curved walls. There are two in the set, and they are rated to an unusually high 750 degrees Fahrenheit.
The long, narrow shape suits potatoes au gratin or macaroni and cheese for two, or a pair of different sides. The listing says it is non-reactive and lightweight, so these are easier to move around than ceramic.
Unlike the Hestan, these are not described as clad, so they may brown less evenly on a hot rack. Keep an eye on the corners of a thin sauce. The Antique Brass listing refers to a finish, so check the photos to see what you are buying. Made In sells them through its own storefront.
Why we like it
- Rated to 750 degrees Fahrenheit, per the listing
- Two dishes in 18/10 stainless
- Low, curved walls for browning
- Non-reactive, per the maker
Key specifications
| Model | COOK-2-BKR-SS-GD |
|---|---|
| Material | 18/10 stainless |
| Size | 9.94 x 4.5 x 1.75 in |
| Capacity | Not stated |
| Count | 2 |
| Oven limit | 750°F |
| Care | Not stated |
| Made in | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits a couple who cook small gratins or two different sides at once, and who want something light and hard to break.
Skip it if you want a single large dish for a family meal.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Very high stated heat limit
- Light
- Two dishes
Cons
- Not described as clad
- Narrow for family meals
- Capacity not stated
5. Made In Carbon Steel Gratin Dish, 14-Inch – From Burner to Oven at High Heat
This one is more of a roasting pan in gratin shape. It is 14 inches, 17.75 inches long with its handles, 10.5 inches wide and 2 inches deep, in carbon steel made in Sweden. The maker rates it up to 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit, and it is compatible with induction, so you can sear on the stove and finish in the oven.
It arrives pre-seasoned with a blend of shea nut and coconut oil. Made In suggests it for roasting vegetables, crisping fish, browning gratins and larger cuts of meat. If you also want a roaster for weeknight chicken, it can do double duty.
Carbon steel needs looking after as a cast iron pan does. Keep it dry and oiled, and expect a tomato or wine sauce to take some of the seasoning with it, especially at first. It is the wrong tool for a slow, acidic bake.
Why we like it
- Rated up to 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit
- Induction compatible
- Pre-seasoned, per the listing
- Made in Sweden
Key specifications
| Model | COOK-14-OVLG-CN-S |
|---|---|
| Material | Carbon steel |
| Size | 14 in; 17.75 x 10.5 in with handles |
| Capacity | Not stated |
| Count | 1 |
| Oven limit | 1,200°F |
| Care | Not stated; pre-seasoned |
| Made in | Sweden |
Why we recommend it
It suits a keen cook who wants one pan to sear, roast and brown, and doesn’t mind caring for carbon steel.
Skip it if you want an easy, low-care dish, or you mainly bake acidic sauces.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Starts on the stove
- Largest here
- Very high heat limit
Cons
- Needs seasoning care
- Not ideal for acidic sauces
- Large for a small oven
6. Le Creuset Heritage Oval Au Gratin Dish – A Small Stoneware Dish for One
Le Creuset’s Heritage dish is a small stoneware oval with a size field of 6 ounces, in Cerise on this listing. It has a nearly nonstick glazed interior, and the listing says it is safe for the freezer, microwave, oven, broiler and dishwasher.
The listing says dense stoneware blocks moisture from getting in and so prevents cracking and crazing. That makes it a good choice for single portions you might bake often. The name is well known, and the color looks good at the table.
Le Creuset says its cookware complies with FDA safety regulations; we found no explicit lead-free statement from the maker. If that matters to you, the HIC set or the Made In porcelain gives a clearer answer. A third-party seller, BigKitchen, fulfills this listing.
Why we like it
- Listed for the broiler, freezer and dishwasher
- Nearly nonstick glazed interior, per the listing
- Dense stoneware, resists crazing
- A single-portion size
Key specifications
| Model | 71107017060005 |
|---|---|
| Material | Glazed stoneware |
| Size | Not stated |
| Capacity | 6 oz |
| Count | 1 |
| Oven limit | Not stated; broiler safe |
| Care | Dishwasher safe |
| Made in | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits someone cooking one portion at a time who already likes the Heritage line or wants its color.
Skip it if you want a maker’s lead-free statement, or more than one small portion.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Broiler safe
- Dishwasher safe
- Strong resistance to crazing, per the listing
Cons
- No explicit lead-free statement found
- Small
- Third-party seller
7. HIC Round Au Gratin Dishes, 4 oz, Set of 6 – A Whole Dinner Party of Portions
These are small and practical. Each dish is 6.875 by 5.625 by 1.25 inches including its flared handles and holds 4 ounces, and you get six. HIC describes them as fine porcelain with a scratch-free glaze, lead-free and cadmium-free, right in the title.
The listing suggests potatoes au gratin, baked macaroni and cheese, French onion soup, baked eggs and mini quiches. They stack, and they are safe for the freezer, microwave, oven and dishwasher, per the listing.
The limit is low: oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, and the broiler isn’t named. Baking below that is fine, but you won’t get the finish that a broiler gives. If your recipe needs one, use another dish. Four ounces is a side or a first course, not a main.
Why we like it
- Set of six
- Lead-free and cadmium-free, per HIC’s listing
- Flared handles for a steady grip
- Stacks for storage
Key specifications
| Model | 98030 |
|---|---|
| Material | Fine porcelain |
| Size | 6.875 x 5.625 x 1.25 in |
| Capacity | 4 oz each |
| Count | 6 |
| Oven limit | 350°F |
| Care | Dishwasher safe |
| Made in | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits a host who wants matching individual gratins or baked eggs for a table of six, at a moderate oven temperature.
Skip it if you plan to brown your gratins under a broiler, since this is rated only to 350 degrees.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Six matching dishes
- Clear lead statement
- Stacks well
Cons
- Low heat limit
- Not stated for the broiler
- Small portion size
8. TrueCraftware Stainless Oval Au Gratin Dishes, 8 oz, Set of 6 – Restaurant-Style Portions in Steel
This is the plain restaurant version: six mirror-finish stainless ovals of 8 ounces each, 8 by 3.875 by 1 inch, with integrated handles and a stated 0.63 millimeter thickness. The listing is written for buffets and family-style restaurants, where dishes get washed many times a day.
The listing says they are for oven-to-table use, and names casseroles, roasts and vegetables, as well as cold items like grapes or nuts. There is no glaze, so no lead statement is needed, and they won’t chip if knocked.
Thin stainless will brown quickly and cool quickly, and it can warp under very high heat. The listing doesn’t give an oven limit or say whether the dishes can go under a broiler, so don’t assume they can. We count TrueCraftware as this page’s one Amazon-first brand.
Why we like it
- Six dishes at 8 ounces each
- Mirror-finish stainless, per the listing
- Integrated handles
- Described for commercial use
Key specifications
| Model | TC-04SLG |
|---|---|
| Material | Stainless steel, 0.63 mm |
| Size | 8 x 3.875 x 1 in |
| Capacity | 8 oz each |
| Count | 6 |
| Oven limit | Not stated |
| Care | Not stated |
| Made in | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits someone who hosts often and wants sturdy individual dishes that won’t chip, and doesn’t need them to look traditional.
Skip it if you want a heavy dish that holds heat at the table.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Six dishes
- Hard to break
- No glaze to worry about
Cons
- Thin metal cools quickly
- Oven limit not stated
- Amazon-first brand
How to choose a gratin dish
1. Width against depth
The aim is a lot of surface and not much depth. A cream-based potato gratin works best in a layer of about two inches or less, so the top browns before the bottom overcooks. If a dish is deep enough for lasagna, it belongs in our baking dish guide rather than this one. For a dish of potatoes, a mandoline gets the even slices that help it cook at one speed.
2. Size for the people you feed
Four people suit a dish around 2 quarts, like the Made In ceramic or the Hestan. Sides for two work in a smaller oval. Individual dishes make serving easy, but check the ounces: 4 ounces is a starter, and 8 ounces is a real side. You can also use ramekins for small servings, though they have less surface.
3. Ceramic or metal
Ceramic heats slowly and holds its heat, so it keeps the dish warm at the table. Metal heats faster, browns the bottom and sides more and cools quickly once it comes out. For a family table, choose ceramic. For a crisp edge, or if you like your side dish hot straight from the oven, go with metal.
4. The broiler and the oven limit
Check this one before buying. Staub and Le Creuset name the broiler. Made In rates its porcelain to 650 degrees. HIC stops at 350 degrees, which is not enough for a broiler finish. Where a listing gives no limit, ask the maker before you put it under the element. A cold dish going under a hot broiler is a risk even for strong ceramic, unless the maker says otherwise.
5. Glaze and lead
Glazed surfaces touch your food. Staub says lead-free on its safety page, Made In says made without lead and cadmium on its product pages, and HIC says lead-free on its listing. Le Creuset says it complies with FDA regulations without an explicit lead-free statement. Stainless and carbon steel have no glaze, so the question doesn’t apply. See our ceramic baking dish guide for more ceramic choices.
6. Cleanup
Browned cheese clings. Soak it, and don’t reach for metal scourers on glazed surfaces. Staub, Le Creuset, HIC and Made In’s porcelain all state dishwasher safety, while the Hestan and Made In steel listings here don’t, so check before you load them. Carbon steel never goes in the dishwasher: wash by hand, dry on a warm burner and rub with a little oil.
How we picked these eight dishes
We looked for shallow oval or round dishes sold for gratins or plainly made for them, sold on Amazon in the United States, in stock when we checked, from identifiable makers, with at most two Amazon-first brands. Glazed picks needed a maker’s lead-free statement or an honest note where there isn’t one. Sizes and limits come from the Amazon listings, plus Made In’s own site for the capacity of its porcelain dish. We searched for an independent gratin dish test and found casserole and Dutch oven reviews rather than a comparison of these dishes, so this page rests on stated details and on the shape of each dish.
We left out Staub’s cast iron gratins, Emile Henry’s gratin bowls, Mauviel’s oval pans and All-Clad’s mini gratin pans because stock was low or they were not in stock. We have not baked in these ourselves. A search of the CPSC recall database by brand listed no recall for these dishes; Le Creuset’s 2011 listing covers glass lids, not these.
Gratin dish questions, answered
What makes an oval au gratin dish different from a casserole dish?
It is wider and shallower. The oval shape and low sides give you more browned surface for the amount of food. A casserole dish is deeper, holding more food but with less crust per serving. Deep casseroles also take longer to heat through.
Can you put a gratin dish under the broiler?
Only if the maker says so. The Staub set and the Le Creuset Heritage dish are stated as broiler safe, and Made In rates its porcelain to 650 degrees. The HIC dishes are rated only to 350 degrees. Other listings here don’t name the broiler, so check with the maker first.
What size gratin dish do I need?
For four, about 2 quarts is a good fit, such as the Hestan or Made In porcelain. For two, look for a smaller oval like the Made In stainless. For individual portions, choose 4 to 8 ounces per person, depending on whether it is a side or a starter.
Are ceramic or metal gratin dishes better?
Ceramic keeps food warm at the table and looks the part. Metal heats faster and browns more on the sides and bottom. Most home cooks find ceramic the easier choice, but if crisp edges are your priority, go with clad stainless like the Hestan.
Are these gratin dishes lead-free?
HIC states lead-free and cadmium-free on its listing. Staub and Made In say so on their own pages. Le Creuset says it complies with FDA regulations, and we found no explicit lead-free statement. Stainless and carbon steel have no glaze.
Our final pick for a golden top
Buy the Made In porcelain for a family-sized dish, or the Staub set if you want two sizes. Choose the Hestan to get more browning from clad metal, and the HIC set if you are serving six small portions at a moderate oven temperature. For deeper bakes, go back to our baking dish guide, and for small servings, see our ramekin guide.
And if you want dinner without the oven on tonight, see the menu or call to order.