10 perfect recipes to make in a mini-casserole

The Le Creuset mini cocottes are so pretty they dress the table; their colors bring it to life and their size is ideal for serving individual portions of whatever you fancy (besides also using them to serve all kinds of appetizers, soups, or creams).

Since we know you're eager to make the most of them and want ideas to make all kinds of recipes with them, here are 10 perfect recipes to make in a mini-casserole, enjoy!

1. Chocolate lava cake in a mini-casserole

I think we can all agree that if there is one addictive and well-known French dessert, it is the traditional and delicious chocolate coulant. You can make it in a large format (in an oven dish), but prepared and served as an individual portion is the perfect way to enjoy it.

Made in mini cocottes not only gives you the ideal vessel to serve it directly to your guests, but the heat distribution is quick and even, and they retain temperature after coming out of the oven, so the chocolate inside stays liquid for a good while (in case you take a bit to serve). Delicious!

2. Cherry tomato and cheese clafoutis

The classic clafoutis, originating from France, are sweet, but for some time there has been a wide variety: both sweet and savory, clafoutis are delicious and very quick to prepare. They are similar to a quiche but without the shortcrust base, and while there are many combinations that work fabulously, the tomato and cheese clafoutis is a real winner: most people like it and you can have it ready quickly and easily! Served individually, as Le Creuset mini cocottes allow, they are a little gem in your recipe collection.

Chocolate coulant (no. 1) and tomato and cheese clafoutis (no. 2)

3. Truffled eggs with mushrooms

I’ve said on several occasions that I’m an "egg-lover" like no other. I like eggs cooked in every way and paired with all kinds of ingredients and flavors, and one of the accompaniments I enjoy most, without a doubt, is mushrooms. So this recipe for eggs in a mini-casserole with mushrooms and truffle oil has me in love. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

This is a very easy recipe to make, but with intense and delicious flavors. Many would say it's an autumn recipe; I say it's perfect in autumn with fresh mushrooms, and wonderful the rest of the year with rehydrated mushrooms.

4. Raspberry crème brûlée

If you're looking for another sweet recipe to make in mini-cocottes, crème brûlée is an ideal dessert. Crème brûlée is a custard cooked in a bain-marie that turns out smooth and delicious, and with that touch of a crisp, caramelized sugar layer it becomes, as a Set, an elegant custard, perfect both for everyday and for the most festive days.

The recipe I invite you to see (here) achieves a mousse-like texture that doesn't tire, and it's a special version thanks to the raspberry touch, which makes it distinct and delicious.

5. Cheese soufflé

You don't have to be a chef to make a good soufflé; it's more about knowing a few important points: if you follow certain guidelines, you'll get delicious soufflés.

You can make both sweet and savory soufflés, and the one I think is a real winner and will give you lots of room to create many other recipes is the delicious cheese soufflé that I leave you in this link.

In the recipe for this cheese soufflé you'll not only see tips for getting it right, but the result is delicious in flavor. The good thing about the cheese soufflé is that it's a light dish that appeals to both adults and children. I'm sure you'll enjoy it at home!

6. Shepherd's pie

I think this meat pie (shepherd's pie, as they call it in England) has it all: it's a dish with a meat and vegetable base, topped with mashed potatoes and gratinéed. What does that mean? That it's a hearty dish that will delight your guests, but can also be an everyday dish to use leftover meat from the weekend.

It's very easy to make, and prepared in the individual portions that mini cocottes allow, it makes baking and serving very easy. Don't miss it!

Shepherd's pie (no. 6) and truffled eggs with mushrooms in mini cocottes (no. 3)

7. Eggs in a mini-casserole

Here are some more eggs in mini-casserole, super easy to make and very tasty: these are accompanied by asparagus, blue cheese and a bit of ham. Tasty, right?

I must confess that this recipe for eggs in the mini-casseroles is similar to what I usually make: I grab some ingredients from the fridge that go well together, like egg with smoked salmon and Roquefort, egg with veggies and a little truffle oil, eggs with mushrooms and pepper... Everything into the mini-casserole, and into the oven. The combinations are whatever you want!

8. Mini ratatouille

Ratatouille is a very easy dish to prepare, made with vegetables sliced thinly, a tomato base and a good seasoning. It's uncomplicated, and presented as an individual flower it is a recipe that will get you out of more than one bind.

I invite you to see the recipe we prepared with chef Stéphane Poussardin which you'll see starting at minute 5:58 of the video on our YouTube channel. You can also see the recipe on our blog, to have the step-by-step whenever you want (here).

Raspberry crème brûlée (no. 4), individual chicken and bacon pies (no. 10) and flourless chocolate cake (no. 9)

9. Flourless chocolate cake with raspberry sauce

I know, these sweet recipes in a mini-casserole are addictive and I should stop talking about them... But they have to be on this list! If you want to make a delicious chocolate cake, served in the minis and accompanied by a bit of raspberry sauce, your guests will lick their fingers. I’ll leave you here the recipe.

The recipe for this chocolate cake is made in a cast-iron casserole, but as you’ll read you can prepare it the same way if you divide the batter into the mini-casseroles before baking. The only thing to keep in mind is not to fill the minis more than 3/4 of their height, because the cake will rise, and that way they’ll turn out perfect.

Likewise I encourage you to prepare the recipes you usually make in oven dishes as individual portions: simply distribute the batter into the minis instead of the dish or bundt pan you usually use. The result will be just as good, but served individually: the presentation will be perfect!

10. Individual chicken and bacon pie

This is a recipe that draws a lot of attention: while the mini cocottes are beautiful on their own, when turned into little shortcrust pastry pies they end up being a complete surprise and generate a lot of curiosity since you don't know what they hide inside.

This recipe suggests filling the mini chicken and bacon pies, a hearty and full-flavored dish. Dare to make it, because you'll really enjoy it at home!

I hope you enjoy these recipes a lot! And not only them, but that they inspire you to prepare variations and create your own. Remember that Le Creuset ceramic mini cocottes can go in the oven, microwave, or refrigerator, so they are almost limitless... Make the most of them!