50 Best Dutch Oven Recipes for Cozy Dinners

updated Oct 23, 2024
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beef stew with carrots and potatoes in a bowl
Credit: Kelli Foster

Dutch ovens are the workhorses of pots. They go from stovetop to oven with ease, making them ideal for braises, soups, stews, and more. Even better, Dutch ovens can be covered to keep foods warm or to transport a hot dish over to a sick friend. Whether you choose a classic cast iron Dutch oven or the ever-popular enameled version, Dutch ovens are easy to clean and can last decades with proper care.

I like to think of the day I brought home a Dutch oven as the day my kitchen changed forever. That may sound dramatic, but seriously — there really is no better pot around. I now cook with my Dutch oven so much that it has a permanent spot on my stove. Rather than getting tucked away after I am done with it, like all my other pots and pans, it stays put because I am almost certain I’ll be reaching for it again the next night.

Want to get hooked like me? Embrace these 50 Dutch oven recipes for soups, stews, braises, pasta, and more.

Dutch Oven Beef Recipes

From classic Beef Bourguignon and beef stew to braised short ribs, these are the essential beef recipes to cook in your Dutch oven.

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Beef Bourguignon

Ultra-tender chunks of beef chuck roast, seared vegetables, and a rich, velvety red wine sauce make this French stew ultra-cozy.

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Texas Chili

Better the next day is an understatement. Top it with a dollop of sour cream, some diced white onion, and a generous handful of Fritos corn chips.

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Hungarian Goulash (Gulyás)

It’s the time of year when soups and stews have returned to our dinner rotation, and one of our favorites is Hungarian goulash (or gulyás), a stew made from browned beef and hearty vegetables simmered in a paprika-spiced broth. Hungarian paprika gives this hearty beef stew its signature flavor and color.

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Braised Beef

For the most tender cut of beef, look to this tried-and-true method. While the beef slowly braises, it gives me time to make a side dish like mashed potatoes or creamy polenta.

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Beef Tips

Beef tips and gravy is our go-to for low-and-slow braising. In this recipe, the meat simmers slowly in a rich, brown gravy until meltingly tender. It’s perfect for serving over fluffy mashed potatoes or egg noodles — anything to sop up that savory sauce.

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Chile Colorado

Learn how to make traditional Mexican Chile Colorado, a beef stew simmered in homemade chile sauce. You can serve chile Colorado over Mexican rice (arroz rojo) or in flour tortillas with some radishes and lime juice squeezed over top.

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Beef Ragù

Whether you toss it with pasta or serve it over creamy polenta, you can't go wrong with this cozy Italian-style meat sauce.

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Beef Daube

Daube is a classic hearty stew hailing from the Provence region of France. Beef chuck is slowly braised in wine and flavored with spices and herbs until it’s meltingly tender.

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Cola-Braised Short Ribs

In this make-ahead meal, Coca-Cola adds a tangy sweetness while tenderizing the beef short ribs.

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Hearty Vegetable Beef Soup

Vegetable beef soup made with hearty pieces browned beef and a smart mix of fresh and frozen vegetables. While some beefy winter favorites take all day to tenderize, this hearty soup can be made any night of the week.

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Guinness Beef Stew

There are a lot of ways to cook up a hearty, comforting pot of beef stew and this Guinness beef stew is high up on that list. It also happens to be our favorite dinner to cook for St. Patrick’s Day.

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Sancocho

Learn how to make sancocho, an iconic stew native to Puerto Rico with chunks of beef, hearty vegetables, fresh sofrito, sazón seasoning, and adobo spice blend.

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Cabbage Roll Soup

All the classic flavors of stuffed cabbage rolls stewed together into an easy, filling soup.

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Carne Guisada

Carmelizing brown sugar is the secret trick to making this carne guisada rich and browned. Serve this stew with steamed white rice and a side of tostones.

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Beef Barley Soup

Packed with tons of veggies, a wholesome bowl of beef barley soup is the definition of warmth and comfort.

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Dutch Oven Chicken Recipes

It goes without saying there is no shortage of ways to cook chicken in your Dutch oven. These just happen to be some of our absolute favorites.

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Easy Chicken and Dumplings

When it comes to comforting “bowl” foods, people tend to fall into one of three camps: team soup, team stew, or team chili. We'd like to present you with a fourth option: team chicken and dumplings. This hearty dish straddles the line between soup and stew, with a thickened broth, bite-size bits of chicken, a mix of vegetables, and a blanket of light and fluffy dumplings that covers the top of the pot.

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One-Pot Chicken Thighs with Pearl Couscous and Eggplant

This one-pot dish features crispy chicken thighs, pearl couscous, and eggplant simmered in a flavorful tomato base. A complete dinner with minimal dishes to wash? Yes, please!

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Lemon Orzo Chicken Soup

There are so many different types of delicious chicken noodle soup out there, but there’s something especially delightful about a version that adds in bright and bold lemony flavors. This lemon orzo chicken soup fits the bill. It’s hearty, flavorful, and makes a big batch with enough leftovers that are perfect for freezing.

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Filipino Chicken Adobo

This Mom-approved classic Filipino recipe will wow everyone at the table. Serve it with steamed white rice to soak up the delicious sauce.

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One-Pot Lemon Pasta with Asparagus and Chicken

The creamy lemon sauce makes this one-pot pasta dinner tastes like spring any time of the year.

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Seared and Braised Chicken Thighs With Zucchini & Salsa Verde

Chicken thighs are covered in a super flavorful salsa verde. Serve them with your favorite grain on the side.

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Arroz con Pollo

Bone-in chicken and flavorful aromatics make this chicken dinner the best reason to eat in. Serve arroz con pollo with crispy tostones and an avocado salad to complete the meal.

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Jambalaya

A classic New Orleans dish, this jambalaya is packed with rich, deep flavors and stars smoky andouille sausage and juicy chicken thighs.

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Chicken Tinga

This saucy shredded chicken is loaded with smoky, sweet, and spicy flavor. Serve it with refried beans, rice, a simple salad, and side of tortillas or tostadas.

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One-Pot Miso Butter Chicken and Cabbage

What it lacks in dirty dishes, this chicken thighs and green cabbage dinner more than makes up for with its overload of umami.

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Dutch Oven Pasta Recipes

You’ll want to keep this lineup of easy one-pot pasta recipes on repeat.

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One-Pot Beef Goulash

From the sauce-slicked macaroni to the crumbles of ground beef and pockets of melted cheddar, one-pot beef goulash is as comforting as it is easy to get on the table.

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One-Pot Creamy Mushroom and Spinach Orzo

A one-pot recipe for creamy orzo pasta with hearty mushrooms, spinach, and plenty of Parmesan cheese.

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One-Pot Meatballs & Pasta Os

Make everyone around the table excited about dinner with this recipe for pasta and meatballs inspired by a childhood favorite - Spaghettios!

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One-Pot Creamy Tuna Noodle Casserole

This one-pot wonder inspired by Tuna Helper has tuna, noodles, and tender peas cooked together in a creamy sauce.

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One-Pot Creamy Beef Orzo

Everything you love about spaghetti and meatballs made so much easier in this one-pot orzo dinner.

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One-Pot Penne with Creamy Basil-Garlic Sauce

This creamy basil garlic pasta with green vegetables and crispy panko breadcrumbs is a weeknight dinner crowd-pleaser.

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One-Pot Eggplant Caponata Pasta

All the tangy, sweet, and savory elements of the classic Sicilian eggplant dish of tomatoes, olives, briny capers, and more come together in this flavor-packed one-pot pasta.

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One-Pot French Onion Pasta

This one-pot pasta cooked with beef broth, caramelized onions, and port boasts all the classic flavors of French onion soup.

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One-Pot Orzo with Peas and Parmesan

This one-pot dish cooks orzo pasta in flavorful stock and is finished with lemon, peas, and Parmesan for a lighter take on risotto.

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One-Pot Weeknight Beef Stroganoff

Tender noodles, ground beef, and earthy mushrooms all cooked together in a creamy, comforting sauce.

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Dutch Oven Vegetarian Recipes

From beans to soups and stews, your Dutch oven can transform them all into a totally irresistible vegetarian meal.

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Classic Minestrone Soup

This classic vegetable soup is full of tender, hearty vegetables in a Parmesan tomato-herb broth and finished with a swirl of bright basil pesto.

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Roasted Tomato Soup with Cheesy Crouton Topper

This oven-roasted tomato soup is topped with homemade croutons and cheese, then broiled until the bread is extra crispy and the cheese is melted. It’s an easy, all-in-one vegetarian dinner you’ll want to cozy up to all winter long.

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The Absolute Best Lentil Soup

Here's how to make a creamy, comforting lentil soup at home. Best of all, it only needs 20 minutes to cook.

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Vegetarian Mushroom Stew

Once you’ve eaten it in a bowl with crusty bread, serve it again atop creamy polenta or as an open-faced sandwich melt once the coconut-tomato broth thickens for an entirely different dinner.

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Tuscan Bread & Tomato Soup (Ribollita Soup)

An easy, satisfying recipe for Tuscan ribollita soup with white beans, bread, and hearty kale.

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Tomato Tortellini Soup

This creamy, tangy tomato soup is studded with tender cheese tortellini and comes together in just 20 minutes.

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Vegetarian Chili

Thanks to creamy beans, tender vegetables, and stewed tomatoes, this vegetarian chili provides all the hearty satisfaction of a meat-heavy dish (sans the meat).

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Creamy Pumpkin Soup

The easiest (and tastiest) pumpkin soup, thanks to a can of pumpkin and your spice drawer.

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Kale and Cannellini Bean Stew

Like soup, stew is another great fit for the Dutch oven. The heavy weight of the pot allows you to simmer things low and slow for the hours required to result in a deeply flavored stew. It's the only excuse you need to stay in your sweats all Sunday, letting the stew bubble away as you finally finish your book.

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Easy Cabbage & White Bean Soup

This cabbage soup takes the traditional version and adds flavor and body with tomato paste, a thorough sauté of vegetables, and creamy white beans. The recipe calls for Savoy cabbage, the one with the pretty crinkled leaves, but you can substitute a standard green cabbage.

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Dutch Oven Bread Recipes

Dutch oven no-knead bread is a home baker’s best friend. It requires very little in the way of ingredients or prep, and it turns out beautiful, no-fail bread every time.

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Classic No-Knead Bread

This loaf is the simplest bread we know how to bake at home and it requires no stand mixer, no starter, no special knowledge, and no kneading.

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Roasted Garlic and Herb No-Knead Bread

This roasted garlic and herb no-knead bread tastes far better than basic garlic bread — especially when you slather the still-warm slices with a little butter.

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Cheddar and Jalapeño No-Knead Bread

This seriously cheesy no-knead bread couldn't be easier, and is filled with two kinds of cheese and a savory kick from both jalapeño peppers and scallions.

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Rosemary Olive No-Knead Bread

Two types of olives – kalamata and Castelvetrano – and fragrant rosemary makes this one of the best, easiest loaves of no-knead bread you can make.

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5-Seed No-Knead Bread

This easy no-knead bread is extra hearty thanks to a mix of seeds like pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, and sesame seeds.

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