If you’ve been following me for a while, you already know about my Dutch oven obsession, the one where I’ll find any excuse, to pull it out and use it one more time. And I am not even a bit sorry about it. That love is totally earned.
So I finally sat down and pulled my favourite Dutch oven recipes. Thirty three of them – from quick and easy weeknight soups to slow Sunday roasts to a chocolate baklava that it is festive, and incredibly easy. Whatever you are craving, there is something here to cover that for sure.
I grouped everything by what it actually is, so you can jump straight to what you need instead of scrolling forever looking for it. Soups and stews go first, then the mains and roasts, pasta and sauces, sides and small bites, and wrapping up with few breakfast and sweet treats at the very end.
New to the Whole Dutch Oven Thing?
Hear me out, you don’t need to be intimidated. Here are few tips to help you choose a Dutch oven that actually fits your kitchen and your life, and few very helpful tricks how to clean it properly so you are not scared to reach for it every time. And if you are still on the fence about whether you even need one, this might change your mind.
Now, grab a coffee, bookmark this page, and let’s get into the juicy stuff. I will share with you my favourite recipes for Dutch oven cooking.
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Soups & Stews
There is nothing a Dutch oven does better than soup. Everything goes in the pot, it simmers away while you do literally anything else, and the payoff is a big pot of soup that saves the day. Here are few of my favourite Dutch oven soup recipes.
Turkish Lentil Soup
This spicy Turkish lentil soup is the recipe you’ll make on a tired day when dinner needs to happen fast. It’s favourful, budget friendly, and so delicious and easy to make.
Once you make it the first time, you will want it on repeat.
Easy Wonton Soup
A quick and easy wonton soup ready in 15 minutes. Try this easy wonton soup for a warm, flavourful meal that fits your busy schedule.
It is also one of those recipes you can shape however you like. Adjust how much veggies you want, or make it spicier – go for it!
And it works no matter what kind of wontons you choose: chicken, pork, veggie, or whatever you already have in the freezer.
Mom’s Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup
Get ready for the best chicken noodle soup recipe ever. This easy homemade soup is a classic cherished recipe in my home – my Mom’s famous chicken noodle soup.
It is a real life-saver especially when you are feeling under the weather, weak or just craving a warm comforting meal. It is incredibly easy, simple to make, and so flavourful.
Healthy Carrot Soup with Ginger and Turmeric
Learn how to make a creamy, anti-inflammatory, healthy carrot soup with ginger and turmeric. It’s an immune-booster bowl of comfort everyone needs.
Roasted Pumpkin and Cauliflower Cream Soup
Try this delicious roasted cauliflower and pumpkin cream soup, packed with roasted fall flavours and a fun little twist. Here I share a small secret on what brings the best out of the ingredients.
Healthy Broccoli Cream Soup
One of the easiest and tastiest ways to enjoy broccoli is in the form of a creamy, comforting soup that is both nutritious and satisfying. Let’s me show you how easy and delicious it can be. As usual, I have a special twist.
Healthy Spinach Cream Soup
Same trick, different greens. Try this easy, delicious, and exceptionally simple recipe for a healthy creamy spinach soup. You may think it’s just any other spinach cream soup – but there is something that makes it special like no other.
Easy Vegetable Ginger Soup
Super easy and absolutely delicious vegetable ginger soup, made with simple and fresh ingredients. This is one of our favourite family soup recipes, that helps us fight colds and get our strength back when we need that the most.
One-Pot Vegetable Chickpea Stew
A Mediterranean-style stew that comes together fast and cleans up even faster. The leftovers are almost better than night one, stuff them into tacos or pack them for lunch the next day. This is one of my favourite vegetarian one pot Dutch oven recipes.
Traditional Beef Stew (Tas Kebap)
A popular Middle Eastern beef stew that is deeply flavourful and honestly pretty low effort for how good it is. One batch gets you several days of dinners, and cleanup is just the one pot.
Mains & Roasts
This is where the Dutch oven really earns its keep. Low and slow, mostly hands off, helping you prepare dinner that makes people happy. Check out my collection of Dutch oven dinner recipes.
Pork Roast with Apples
Juicy slow-roasted pork shoulder with apples, perfect for Easter, Christmas, or just a weekend dinner with friends, family, or guests. This recipe is our family special roast, popular among friends and regular staple for almost every festive season.
Sticky Ribs in Dutch Oven
Learn how to cook tender, oven-baked ribs in a Dutch oven with this easy Asian-inspired recipe. A flavourful marinade and rich sticky sauce make these ribs irresistible.
Delicious Short Ribs in Dutch Oven
These short ribs cooked in Dutch oven are so delicious and tender, amazing when you need to save on time without compromising any flavours.
My kids made me promise that I will make this dish at least few times a month, that is how much they love it.
The Perfect Sweet and Spicy Meatballs
A savory-sweet glaze made with hot sauce and honey, incredible spooned over rice. Turn the heat up or down depending on who’s eating, this one works for kids and adults alike.
Chicken Parmesan with a Mushroom Twist
Try this easy and delicious Chicken Parmesan with a mushroom twist. It takes the classic recipe we all know up a notch. Perfect for busy days and even better as next-day leftovers.
The Best Chili Con Carne (with a bit of a twist)
Let me show you how to make this simple delicious classic Chilli Con Carne with a bit f a twist. It is the perfect meal for busy families that want to enjoy a good food.
Sauerkraut Casserole (Podvarok)
Sauerkraut Casserole (or better known as Macedonian Podvarok) is one of the all-time favourite winter comfort meals in my home. You can serve it as a side dish with just about anything, or enjoy it all on its own. Either way, it’s a winner.
Traditional Stuffed Peppers with Beef and Rice
Traditional stuffed peppers with beef and rice. Learn tips on freezing stuffed peppers, how to reheat stuffed peppers, and how to make ahead of time.
Pasta, Sauces & Casseroles
Yes, pasta dishes belong in the Dutch oven too. Everything cooks in one pot, the sauce actually has time to develop real flavour, and there is less dishes to deal with after. What a blessing, right?
Ground Beef Pasta Casserole in Rose Sauce
My favourite way to turn leftover pasta into a complete meal. The creamy rose sauce with ground beef, finished with a crispy Parmesan and breadcrumb topping that gets genuinely irresistible.
Creamy Turkey Pasta
Make this easy creamy turkey pasta in a Dutch oven for a rich, flavourful meal with minimal cleanup. This recipe is creamy, comforting, and perfect for busy days.
Creamy Mushroom Pasta
This creamy mushroom pasta is pure comfort food with minimal effort. Perfect for those busy nights when you want something simple but delicious.
Classic Potato Moussaka
Get ready to enjoy this classic potato moussaka with a bit of a fun twist! Whether you stick with the traditional flavours or opt for a no-meat variation, this dish is sure to become your new favourite!
The Best Bolognese Sauce
This Bolognese sauce recipe is a the best! It is versatile, family-approved favorite and perfect for bulk cooking and adapts easily to different meat or meatless options.
Best Homemade Tomato Sauce
Roasted cherry tomatoes, onion, garlic, and fresh basil, blended into a sauce that stretches across pasta, pizza, and stews. This is exactly what I make when the tomatoes in my garden are getting away from me.
Sides, Spreads & Snacks
Not every Dutch oven recipe needs to be the main event. These are the extras that round out a meal or fill in for a snack, a starter, or a lazy breakfast.
Fluffy Dinner Rolls
Try these soft, fluffy dinner rolls perfect for any holiday celebration or simple breakfast treat. These delicious homemade rolls are easy to make and sure to impress.
Roasted Eggplant Spread
Roasted eggplant, peppers, tomato, and garlic blended into a smoky, creamy spread. It goes so well spread on a slice of sourdough bread, just as good as a dip with a good cracker.
Easy Wrinkled Cheese Pie (Gibanica)
A traditional Balkan cheese pie that only takes about 15 minutes of actual hands-on work. Crispy on top, creamy inside, and one of my favourite lazy-morning breakfasts.
Easy Dumplings Sauce
Takes just few minutes and completely changes a bag of frozen dumplings. Flavourful, and just a bit spiced, miles better than plain soy sauce.
Breakfast & Desserts
A good Dutch oven isn’t just for dinner. These Dutch oven dessert recipes are the ones I reach for when I crave something special without much effort needed.
Cinnamon French Toast
A custard-style French toast made with stale bread for rich, bakery-style texture. Feels special without being complicated, which is exactly how a good breakfast should feel.
My Easy Apple Crumble Pie
Warm apples and a buttery crust, with the best golden crumble on top. Grandma’s apple pie, just a little easier to pull off on a random day.
Homemade Chocolate Baklava
Phyllo pastry sheets layered with chocolate and walnuts, soaked in an orange-cinnamon syrup. Make it a day or two ahead, the flavour only gets better as it sits.
Delicious Caramelized Apples
Apples cooked down with cinnamon and brown sugar until warm and soft. Spoon it over oatmeal, use it as a pie filling, or pile it next to a roast, it works everywhere.
Delicious Caramelized Apples
Try these caramelized apples enhanced with cinnamon, brown sugar, and maple syrup. Perfect on pancakes, pies, or even with roast pork. Super easy to make and so delicious, they will add cozy flavor to any meal.
Few Questions I Get About Dutch Oven Cooking
Do I need a fancy Dutch oven to make any of these recipes? No. Any heavy, oven-safe pot with a lid will get you most of the way there. A good Dutch oven is worth the investment over time, but it’s never the reason you can’t cook well tonight.
What size should I be using for most of these recipes? For most families, a 5 to 7 quart Dutch oven handles almost everything on this list, soups, stews, roasts, casseroles, all of it. If you’re cooking for one or two, a smaller 3 to 4 quart pot works great too. Read more about this here.
Can I make these in a slow cooker or Instant Pot instead? For most of the soups and stews, yes you can. You just need to adjust the cook time depending the type of pot you use. For the roasts and the casserole-style bakes, the Dutch oven really is doing double duty as both stovetop pot and oven, so those are trickier to convert.
How do I store leftovers from these recipes? Almost everything here keeps in the fridge for 3-4 days, and most of the soups, stews, and sauces freeze so well. I’ll usually make a double batch on purpose just so future me already has dinner sorted.
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Hi, I’m Biba, the creator of Chick in Apron! As a busy mom and food blogger, I am passionate about making cooking fun and stress-free. I share simple, delicious recipes that are quick and easy to prepare, along with helpful kitchen hacks to save you time.
So, let’s turn cooking into something you enjoy with tasty meals and handy tips to make kitchen tasks a breeze! ✨
