Fall is the perfect time for cooking delicious comfort foods such as soups, stews, roasted veggies, and pies. To make preparing these dishes easier, it’s important to have the right kitchen essentials on hand. This list includes high-end options for experienced home chefs as well as budget-friendly choices for those who are new to cooking more complex foods. Items such as saucepans, cupcake pans, stock pots, Dutch ovens, cake pans, pizza stones, Instant Pots, bread makers, waffle makers, and casserole dishes are essential for creating the perfect fall dishes.
A saucepan is a versatile tool that can be used for making pasta sauce, dessert fillings, mac and cheese, and other comfort foods. While a Le Creuset saucier is a high-end choice that will last a lifetime, more budget-friendly options can be found on Amazon for under $20. Fall-themed cupcake pans are great for making festive treats like red velvet, pumpkin, and chocolate cupcakes. Amazon and Wayfair offer cupcake pans shaped like leaves, acorns, and pumpkins, perfect for adding a touch of autumn to your baked goods.
With soup season in full swing during the fall, having a stock pot on hand is essential for preparing large batches of soup for the whole family. Le Creuset offers beautifully colored stock pots that provide ample cooking space, while similar options can be found on Amazon. The pumpkin Dutch oven, a popular kitchenware item seen all over social media, is perfect for making soups, roasts, and other fall favorites. Wayfair offers an orange pumpkin Dutch oven for under $35, adding a festive touch to your kitchen.
Cake pans are another essential item for baking delicious cakes in a variety of sizes and flavors. Fat Daddio pans are professional-grade and provide the perfect golden brown cake layers. A set of three cake pans can be purchased on Amazon. Pizza stones are great for making pizza at home, while camping, or on the grill. Amazon offers a stone pizza pan that can withstand high heat and has handles for easy handling. For increased durability, a cast-iron pizza stone is also available, able to withstand even higher temperatures.
For those who love making gourmet meals at home, an Instant Pot is a versatile tool that can be used to make a variety of comfort foods such as chili, stew, chicken and dumplings, rice and beans, and more. Amazon currently has Instant Pots on sale for $20 off. If you enjoy homemade bread but don’t want to knead by hand, a bread maker is a convenient option. Amazon offers the Neretva 20-in-1 bread maker with 20 different types of bread settings, while Walmart has a compact bread maker that fits on your countertop. Waffles are a classic comfort food, and the perfect waffle maker is essential for making the best waffles. Walmart offers a waffle maker in unique pastel colors, while Amazon has a rotating Belgian waffle maker that is lightweight and easy to use.
Finally, casserole dishes are a staple for Thanksgiving and family gatherings. Walmart sells festive pumpkin-shaped casserole dishes made of stoneware, perfect for serving up delicious casseroles this fall. Le Creuset also offers large casserole dishes in a variety of colors. Investing in these kitchen essentials will make preparing fall dishes a breeze and allow you to create gourmet meals in the comfort of your own home.
