You don’t have to be from the Midwest to love a casserole, though this region is known for its love of these baked, melty, satisfying dishes. If you’re heading to a family gathering anytime soon, you’re probably bringing one of your favorite casserole dishes to share.
Casseroles are wonderful but they can be tricky to transport. Just out of the oven, they’re too hot to handle, but you don’t want to lose all that heat- many casseroles are best served warm. The solution: a casserole carrier.
Casserole carriers are great for hot dishes, cold dishes, and pies!
Casserole carriers are a fantastic addition to any quilter's project list. These practical, insulated carriers are perfect for transporting hot (or cold) dishes to family gatherings, potlucks, picnics, and more. They’re useful year-round, whether you’re headed to a summer family reunion or a wintertime holiday celebration. In this post, we’re talking about some of the sizes, shapes, and options that you need to consider when you’re planning to make a casserole carrier.
Uses of Casserole Carriers
Casserole carriers are incredibly versatile and can be used in a variety of settings:
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Family Gatherings and Holiday Meals: Keep your mac and cheese, stuffing, or green bean casserole warm while on the road to a relative's house for Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner.
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Outdoor Picnics: When eating outside, you’ll want to make sure your dish is served at the ideal temperature.
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Hostess Gifts: We love a handmade casserole carrier as a gift. Pick fabrics and trims that match your host’s taste and create a one-of-a-kind thoughtful and functional gift.
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Everyday Use: Keep your carrier handy so you can use it to keep one dish warm while you’re waiting for the rest of the meal to be done.
Styles of Casserole Carriers
Casserole carriers come in several styles to suit different needs:
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Flat Carriers: These are simple, flat designs that wrap around the casserole dish, often with overlapping flaps secured by Velcro or snaps. We’ve even seen versions with zippers, but you definitely don’t need to install a zipper to make a great carrier. (This flat carrier will come together quickly.)
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Rounded Carriers: Rounded carriers can resemble a basket, complete with a stiffened handle (as shown in this tutorial).
Common Sizes
Casserole carriers are typically designed to fit standard casserole dishes:
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9” x 13” Dish: The most common size, suitable for most family-sized casseroles.
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8” Round Dish: For smaller casseroles, side dishes, and pie plates.
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Custom Sizes: Carriers can be made to fit any dish by adjusting the pattern dimensions. Of course the benefit of handmaking a casserole carrier is that you can tailor it exactly to your needs.
Materials and Supplies Needed
To make a casserole carrier, you'll need these basic supplies:
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Cotton Fabric: aim for 1/2 yard for the exterior and 1/2 yard for the lining. (Cotton is preferable to synthetic fibers because cotton isn’t at risk of melting under extreme heat.)
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Insulated Batting: approximately 1/2 yard, to keep food hot or cold.
Depending on your design, you may also need these supplies:
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Cotton Webbing or Fabric for Straps: We recommend straps that loop fully around the bottom of the carrier for extra security.
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Velcro or Snaps: For keeping the carrier closed (to maintain the insulating properties).
Optional Features
Enhance your casserole carrier with these optional features:
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Pockets: Add a small slip pocket on the top to hold utensils or napkins.
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Elastic Loops and Buttons: If you have a stash of fun buttons, opt to secure the carrier with a loop and button closure instead of Velcro or snaps.
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Extra Insulation: Consider double layers of batting for additional temperature regulation.
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Decorative Elements: Consider adding an embroidered design (either by machine or hand), especially if you’re giving the carrier as a gift. You might also want to play with fun decorative quilting patterns as you finish the carrier.
Benefits of Having a Casserole Carrier
There are several advantages to having a casserole carrier:
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Temperature Control: Keeps your dish at the desired temperature longer.
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Portability: Makes it easier to transport dishes without spills.
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Reusable: An eco-friendly alternative to disposable containers.
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Versatility: Can be used for hot or cold dishes, and even as a makeshift basket.
Cons to Watch Out For
While casserole carriers are highly useful, there are a few potential downsides:
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Size Limitations: Custom sizes may be required for non-standard dishes.
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Material Durability: Frequent use may wear out fabric and insulation.
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Complexity: Beginners might find the sewing project a bit challenging due to multiple layers and insulation.
You’re ready for your next gathering!
Whether for personal use or as a thoughtful gift, casserole carriers make transporting dishes a breeze while keeping them at the perfect temperature. With various styles, customizable sizes, and numerous optional features, you can create a carrier that meets your specific needs and preferences.
When you’re ready to get started, visit Quilters Quest for your fabric. We have fat quarter bundles for every season and taste, and so many bolts of fabric your head will spin.
Quilters Quest is also your source for all things quilting– classes, kits, patterns, Bernina, Janome, longarm quilting, longarm rentals, machine repair, and so much more! Visit us in store or online today!
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