tl;dr Whether it's a fresh cherry or hearty chicken pot pie, Le Creuset delivers the goods with their colorful range of premium pie dishes. The brand has been a trusted name for decades, and they continue to delight baking enthusiasts worldwide with their fun and colorful bakeware. In this guide, we will discover what makes Le Creuset a brand worth considering, and we'll also explore variations of their pie and tarte dishes, with pros and cons (if any!) for each.

From cooking for large crowds professionally to training staff on culinary equipment, I am always excited to try new products in the kitchen. One thing I've learned is that nothing beats a tried and true classic. Le Creuset continues to meet the highest standards of performance and durability, no matter the product. What started as a love for the brand's eye-catching colored enamel has developed into a deep appreciation for the consistent quality of their products. My latest obsession? It just happens to be their Heritage pie dish, which you will learn more about below.

Who is Le Creuset?

Le Creuset is a brand that nearly everyone has heard of, but many may not know about their rich history. Two Belgian industrialists met at the Brussels Fair in 1924 and decided to create a factory that would enamel various cookware items. In 1925, the brand was born in Fresnoy-le-Grand in France.

After World War II, the brand saw an uptick in popularity. Considered an innovator of their time, Le Creuset focused on colorful enameled cast iron and began exporting to other countries, including the US in 1952. Now sold in over 60 countries, Le Creuset has continued to expand their product lines over the years and stands as one of the most trusted names in premier cookware products on the market today.

What Is the Difference Between a Pie Dish and a Tarte Dish?

While many a pie was baked in my kitchen with a tart pan years ago, there is in fact a reason to use the intended dish style when following a recipe for either. The sides of a pie dish are sloped to keep the crust from falling back into the filling, and the deeper interior is ideal for pies with hearty fillings. Pies are also typically served directly from the pie dish.

A tart (also spelled tarte) dish has a shallower base, which can result in a higher ratio of crust to filling, making the pie overly doughy. It also has straight sides and, often, a removable bottom for easy release, allowing your dessert to be served on a separate plate or dish. Bakers aim for a firmer, crumbly crust on a tart, which makes it easier to unmold after cooling.

What Are Le Creuset Pie Dishes Made of?

While Grandma's metal pie pans certainly did the trick back in the day, there are other options to consider when baking today. Many of Le Creuset's dishes are made from premium stoneware material that offers exceptional heat distribution, an important factor in producing a uniformly browned crust.

Occasionally the brand releases a seasonal pie or tarte dish that is constructed with enameled cast iron. Their enameled cast iron apple baker is one example that boasts superior heat distribution and retention — perfect for that warm oven-to-table serving.

What to Consider When Buying a Le Creuset Pie or Tarte Dish

What Can I Use a Le Creuset Pie or Tarte Dish for?

Each new day brings a multitude of innovative pastry recipes from the internet. While fully capable of perfecting your mom's classic apple pie, there are many other ways to put a Le Creuset pie dish to use. Some of my favorites are quiches and savory pot pies, but I've also experimented with layered enchiladas, lasagna, nachos, and more!

How Much Do Le Creuset Pie or Tarte Dishes Typically Cost?

Unless there is a sale (which is actually pretty often!), the pie and tarte dishes range from $54 to $185. Later on, we will highlight the features and benefits of each dish to answer whether investing in Le Creuset bakeware is worth the money.

How Do I Care for Le Creuset Baking Dishes?

While enameled cast-iron and stoneware pieces are generally easy to care for, these tips will prolong the life of your cookware.

• Clean with warm water, mild dish soap, and a non-abrasive sponge rather than placing your cocottes in the dishwasher.
• For stubborn stains, soak the pot or fill with water and simmer on low heat before cleaning.
• If there is food baked into the cookware that is not releasing easily, try a mixture of baking soda and water or lemon juice and salt, which are a few mildly abrasive ingredients that will help with removal without scratching your cookware.

Benefits of Owning a Le Creuset Pie or Tarte Dish

Aside from adding a splash of color to your kitchen, there are many reasons to consider a pie or tarte dish from Le Creuset:

• Nonstick interiors are non-toxic and easy to clean
• Excellent heat distribution across the enameled cast iron and stoneware collection delivers uniform browning, limited hot spots, and even cooking.
• Stoneware is safe for oven, broiler, refrigerator, freezer, dishwasher, and microwave use.
• Stoneware is also resistant to chips, scratching, stains, and cracking.
• Colorful glaze is nonporous, nonreactive, and resists stains, odors, and flavor absorption
• Exceptional durability
• Limited lifetime warranty on each piece
• Even the most basic dish brings a unique, elegant presentation to the table

What Are the Different Types of This Product?

The variations of this product are relatively simple and are generally based on size and material or intended use.

Le Creuset Heritage Collection Pie Dish

As mentioned above, this is my favorite Le Creuset piece at the moment. Besides the fact that this 9-inch stoneware dish is a great option for making deep-dish pies with its 2 1/4-inch height, its dimpled edge can be used as a reference for creating a beautiful, evenly fluted top crust.

Pros:

• Interior enamel resists cracking and crazing (fine cracks on the surface of the enamel)
• Unmatched thermal resistance for temps from -9°F to 500°F
• Larger lip, making handling in/out of the oven easier

Cons:

• Slightly smaller than other popular pie dishes with an interior measurement of 8 1/4 inches

Le Creuset Tarte Dish

This 9-inch dish is also made of stoneware, which excels at even heat distribution. It also blocks moisture absorption to prevent cracking and rippling, which is when baked goods develop uneven or “rippled” surfaces. From fresh fruit tarts and cakes to savory quiches, this 1 1/4-inch-tall dish is a versatile addition to your bakeware collection.

Pros:

• Virtually nonstick for easy cleanup
• Fluted sidewalls add an attractive finishing touch to presentation
• Safe for the freezer and dishwasher

Cons:

• Lack of wide lip or handles makes transferring from counter-oven-table more difficult

Enameled Cast Iron Apple Baker

This adorable baking dish is just right for creating all kinds of desserts, casseroles, or side dishes. It is also a charming vessel for serving up a caramel apple party dip! At 11 1/2 inches long and 2 inches tall, this piece can hold 2 1/2 quarts of deliciousness.

Pros:

• Durable enameled cast iron is resistant to scratching from knives or other metal utensils that are used to slice and serve
• Dishwasher safe
• Interior is light colored, which helps determine cooking progress
• Another handy-sized lip for pulling from the oven

Cons:

• It doesn't come in all the apple colors, like green and yellow! (Sorry, I could not find one negative thing to say about this piece!)

Le Creuset Mini Apple Tart Dishes

Much like the cast-iron baker above, these apple-shaped tart dishes are great vessels for baking but are designed for smaller servings. The stoneware dishes come in a set of two — one green and one red petite dish — and are safe to use in your broiler, oven, and microwave. They are approximately 6 1/4 inches across, perfect for an individual serving.

Pros:

• Fun way to get siblings to bake and eat together!
• Charming addition for dips on a charcuterie board
• Small enough to fit in most toaster ovens
• Durable interior resists utensil or knife marks

Le Creuset Heritage Tarte Tatin Dish

This may just be the crown jewel of baking dishes because of the versatility it offers. The 2-inch-tall, shallow design makes for a perfect pie, tart, quiche, and even pizza, but it’s also suitable for sautéing veggies and more on the stove. Constructed of enameled cast iron, which is scratch resistant and exceptional at retaining heat for oven-to-table presentation, this piece is 9 3/4 inches in diameter and 12 inches wide.

Pros:

• Inverted handles for easy transport and flipping of finished baked goods
• Compatible with all stove tops
• Lightest weight cast iron by quart on the market
• Requires no seasoning

How to Choose the Right Le Creuset Pie or Tarte Dish for You

Many customers come to Curated because they are unsure which bakeware pieces are best for them. Below are real customers whom I've helped to find the perfect pie or tarte dish for their needs.

Keryn

Growing up, Keryn marveled at her grandmother's extensive collection of pie plates. Now that she has a daughter, she wants to pass on the tradition of baking and would like to purchase a quality pie dish to start her own collection. Classic fruit pies are her favorite, and she wants a dish that will be as beautiful as the pie itself.

Features Keryn should look for: Unusual characteristics in design and durability

Recommended product: Le Creuset’s Heritage pie dish, enameled cast iron apple baker, or mini apple tart dishes

Miles

Miles lives in a small condo in the city and only has room for a few versatile dishes that he can use to prepare, cook, and serve his meals.

Features Miles should look for: Dishes that can go from stovetop to oven to table

Recommended product: Le Creuset Heritage tarte tatin dish

Find the Right Le Creuset Pie Dish for You

It's always a good time to bake up something good, and Le Creuset delivers an exceptional line of pie dishes that delivers on performance every time. Are you looking for a quality pie or tarte dish for your favorite baked goods recipes? Reach out to me or any of the Kitchen Experts here at Curated. We will help you choose the piece that is exactly right for you!