This is a list of the essential cookware every kitchen should have! Baking dishes, sauté pans, and stockpots: find the best kitchenware here.
Let's Cook!
When it comes to getting in the kitchen, having the right equipment makes all the difference. The right sauté pan, the perfect nonstick cast iron, or the properly sized baking pan for your favorite cake will truly yield better results. Not to mention allow for a much more enjoyable cooking experience (if you’ve spent any amount of time trying to clean burnt residue from a crappy pan, you know!).
I’ve rounded up a collection of the kitchen tools that I own that I think every kitchen needs. I’ve found options at a variety of price points and styles that I think you’ll love!
10 Piece Cookware Set : This is the cookware set I recently purchased and absolutely love. If you’re opting to purchase individual pieces, I recommend to following items to add to your list:
- Sauce Pan : Having a variety of sizes for saucepans can come in handy depending on what you’re making. The version pictured below is a nice universal size, but other options here and here.
- Large Stockpot: Whether your’re boiling water to make pasta or making a large batch of soup, having a large stockpot is key. Other options here and here.
- Small Skillet: Ideal for frying eggs or sauteéing a small amount of vegetables, having a small skillet allows you to do many things without having to dirty up a large pan. Other options here and here.
- Straight Edge Skillet: Whether it’s stir fry, pan seared chicken cutlets, or a creamy sauce for pasta, a straight edge skillet protects from splatters and provides versatility. Other options here, here, and here.
Other Pieces To Add To Your List
*Note that the above mages are clickable, taking you directly to the item to view and purchase.
A critical pan for any kitchen! I have multiple sizes since I love cooking with them. The lid can be used if you’re slow roasting, yielding delicious, melt-in-your-mouth results. They’re great for roasting chicken, making chili, or making slow cooked grains. I have options! Varying sizes, price points, and styles are here, here, here, and here.
A must have for roasting large birds (looking at you, turkey!), a large roasting pan can also come in handy when you’re making large batches of roasted vegetables or oven-baked ribs. The above pictured option is the one I own, but other versions can be found here, here, and here.
Cast iron is King! It’s oven-proof, serving as an excellent option to make one-pan dinners in. They’re perfect for searing steaks and finishing in the oven, too. Though they take a little special care (don’t use soap!), they’re a critical component in a well-stocked kitchen. Options here, here, and here, in addition to the version pictured above.
A good baking dish is hard to beat. It does it all: bakes cakes, roasts vegetables, and holds bubbling lasagna. I opt for pans that I find beautiful, too. The version pictured above is one of my favorites: I love the handles. Other options here, and here.
Banana Bread. That’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think about a loaf pan, right? This small pan is great for quick breads, meatloaf, mini versions of your favorite casseroles, or even ice cream. Other options here, here, and here).
While used aptly for, well…pie, these dishes can work great for warm dips, too (hello, Artichoke Dip). I love the ruffled edge of the version pictured above!
If cast iron is King, then baking sheets should be considered queen. They literally do it all! I have that I rotate (or use at the same time!). The link to the ones I use is directly in the image above.
Cooling racks are of course helpful to cool things, but I also like to cook with them. I’ll line a baking sheet with tin foil, and place a cooling rack directly on the sheet to cook bacon. This method is helpful when you don’t want what you’re cooking to be sitting in oil or its own juices. Other options here, and here.
I use these smaller baking sheets for smaller tasks when I don’t want to dirty a larger one! Toasting nuts, heating up leftovers, and toasting bread are all examples of this. I also use them to make smaller batches of bars as well. Other options here and here.
Perfect for brownies, bars, and eggbakes, a square baking pan is one you’ll get plenty of use out of. Other options here, here, and here.
There is no better way to make cheesecake than a springform pan! I’ve used this latched pan to make layered dips or ice cream cakes, too! Other options here, here, and here.
A non-negotiable, in my opinion! I have two to account for layered cakes (whether it’s a homemade recipe or a box mix). Other options here, here, and here.
Muffin Tin
Muffins, sure. Egg bites, cupcakes, brownie cups, mini meatloaves…oh my! Like cake pans, I have multiple muffin tins! I also have a silicone version which is helpful for certain recipes, or else traditional versions can be found here, here, and here.
Find this collection of essential cookware every kitchen should have helpful? Check out my “So Happy In The Kitchen” page, where I share helpful roundups of products, ingredient and cooking method education, and recipes tips and tricks! You can also shop all of my favorites here.
I’ve linked a few products in this post that are affiliate links. Note that I may receive a small commission if purchases are made.