Cookware Edition
One glance at the kitchen section of any store will have you thinking you can’t possibly have a well-functioning kitchen without a million pots, pans, and gadgets. Friends, I want you to know, I love a kitchen gadget. I could spend an extraordinary amount of time in Williams Sonoma, Sur La Table or the kitchen section of Target. In fact, I often do. However, after multiple moves, including a few internationally, and various kitchen setups, I’ve currated my list of what I consider ACTUALLY essential to make all the meals and baked goods I love. If you went through my kitchen now, this is pretty much exactly what you would find. It’s what I use to make every recipe on Savor Simple. With these tools and cookware, I feel confident to make any recipe. If you are setting up a new apartment or home, wanting to pare down to a minimalist kitchen or working on a gift registry and wondering what to add, this list of kitchen essentials is for you.
What are the essential cookware pieces?
I’m sure you have seen cookware sets advertising “everything you need for your kitchen.” To be honest, for cookware and my furniture, I am not really a fan of sets. You usually end up with things you don’t need and may be missing things you do. With this list, you can build your own set and be ready to host the next family holiday or make weekly dinners for one. The criteria to make it on this list are that it must be something that is either multipurpose or irreplaceable. For example, the cast iron skillet is great for the grill, stove top or oven. Or the 8×8 glass dish can be used for small casseroles, food storage, or baked goods. To be essential, it must be useful. Everything on this list is exactly that. No more dust-catchers or uni-taskers in the kitchen, amen.
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1. 10 1/4 inch Cast Iron Skillet
I inherrited this skillet from friends in Nicaragua who were moving back to Mississippi. As a Southerner, there is nothing quite like a good cast iron skillet. It is multi purpose, as it is the perfect option for indoor steaks, cornbread, or as an additional casserole dish. No need for a pricier option. This classic from Lodge is my one and only.
2. Large nonstick frying pan
This is THE kitchen workhorse. Breakfast, lunch or dinner, this will be the pan that gets the most use in your kitchen. I use it for recipes like this One Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta, a quick curry, pancakes, everything.
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This Tramotina Pro 14 inch option is one I’ve had for years and have repurchased. Although it is made of an aluminum base, its heavy bottom promotes suprisingly good even heating. For a nonstick pan, this one is quite durable and resistant to scratching. The silicone handle is removable for easy cleaning, which is a nice bonus.
Splurge
Made In cookware is my favorite splurge option. You are paying for the quality rather than the name and it really does hold up. I have a few pieces and hope to add more to my collection. If you are looking for something to stand the test of time and your budget allows, this 12 inch stainless nonstick would be my pick.
3. Small nonstick frying pan
When I lived alone, this was one of my favorite pieces of cookware for daily use. It was perfect for scrambling a couple of eggs, reheating leftovers, or making small portions of almost anything. Now with 3 of us, it gets even more use and is constantly in the pile of dirty dishes.
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Just like in the larger version, I currently use and have purchased multiple times this 8 inch Tramotina Pro nonstick frying pan. It has the same quality contruction and as long as you use wood or silicon utensils, it will last you a while. Sure, you can purchase cheaper options. But, they tend to be lightweight, have hot spots and cook unevenly, and scratch easily. This pan is without a doubt worth every cent.
Splurge
You will see this a few times on this list, but my splurge recommendation for this pan is also the Made In 8 inch nonstick frying pan. This is on my personal list as a future upgrade. The ability to maintain heat and cook evenly is superior to commercially available pans.
4. 8 Qt. Stock Pot
For soups, broth and all things boiled, nothing is better than this pot. In a minimal kitchen, I find it better to have a few items that are on the larger side. Could you use a 6 qt for many of those things? Yep. But, if you are going to choose one large pot, bigger is better. I mean, you can fit 6 qts in an 8 qt pot, but you cannot fit 8 qts in a 6 qt pot. Right? That is my rational and it works. These are my picks.
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Cuisinart is well known for producing quality cookware and this 8-qt stock pot is no exception. This pot has an alumnimun interior and is coated in stainless steel for even heating. It comes with a stainless lid, as well.
Splurge
Is it any surprise that this option is also Made In? I just can’t get enough. Their stainless cookware made it onto my wedding registry and I am loving the pieces I have. This is a piece that could be in your kitchen for years to come.
5. 2 qt sauce pan
Other than my 8 inch frying pan, this is THE piece of cookware that gets the most love in my kitchen. I use it to make tea, oatmeal, rice, sauces, and just about anything else. It works perfectly as a double boiler with an aluminum bowl. In any kitchen, this is a must.
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Again, Cuisinart comes out on top here as my pick for a save option. The quality is exceptional and it would be a great addition to any kitchen.
Splurge
Although this is our last piece of Made In cookware on the essentials list, it is certainly worth a look. If it fits in your budget, this would be an excellent addition to round out your stovetop cookware collection.
6. 9×13 Glass Baking Dish
Cakes, casseroles, you name it, this piece of cookware can do it. It is a classic for a reason and chances are, if you look in your mom’s kitchen you will find a few versions. In my own kitchen I have both glass and enamel versions of this pan. But, if I was chosing just one, it would without a doubt be the glass version. In my experience, things are less likely to burn in the glass pan and I love that many options come with a lid. I use it both for cooking and for food storage when I have leftovers. This is one piece of cookware that really, there is only one option. Pyrex has been around for decades for a reason. No use spending extra $$$ on something pricey. I love that they now come with lids, too!
7. 8×8 Glass Baking Dish
Truth be told, these Best Ever Fudge Brownies alone are worth adding an 8×8 dish to your collection. But if you need more reason, this is perfect for roasting beef, pork or chicken, making macaroni and cheese and lots of other yummy recipes. If you are cooking for 4 people or less, this dish size makes perfect portion of any side dish. Like the 9×13, Pyrex with the lid is also my favorite here. Get this two pack that includes both sizes with lids.
8. Glass Bread Pan
Essential for quick breads and cakes
9. Metal Muffin Tin
For muffins, cupcakes, and more.
10. Metal Baking Sheets x 2
For all your sheetpan meals, bacon, chicken, cookies, pizza, and so much more!
Honorable Mentions
If you are an avid home cook and your budget and space permits, these would be my two additional pieces I would add to this guide to kitchen essentials. I cooked for many years without them and did just fine. But, now that I have them, I find them to add value to my cookware arsenal. They add some additional versatility to your kitchen and are still multipurpose pieces of cookware…a criteria for everything on this list.
First up is a 6 qt Dutch Oven. I have this one from Lodge in Oyster White and love using it often. It cleans up easily and is absolutely beautiful. Of course, I would also love to have the Le Cruset version. That’s just not in the budget right now and that is ok.
My second pick would be a 3.5 qt stainless saute pan with a lid like this one from Made In. Although it isn’t something I use as frequently as other pieces of cookware, I do enjoy using it when I need something a little deeper than a frying pan, but don’t need a stock pot.
Final Thoughts
That’s it. Just 10 pieces of cookware to make just about any recipe. Are you suprised by how few items you actually need? I’m curious, what would make it onto your list? Leave a comment down below with the cookware you feel like you can’t live without.