Casserole dishes are labeled in quarts, while baking pans are listed in inches and cups. One US quart is 4 cups, so a 2-quart casserole holds about 8 cups, the same as an 8x8x2-inch square pan, and a 3-quart casserole holds about 12 cups, close to a 10x10x2-inch square.
The chart below ties the common casserole sizes to the pans you already know, so you can tell which dish a recipe means.
Casserole Dish Sizes Chart
| Casserole size | Volume in cups | Closest baking pan |
|---|---|---|
| 1 quart | 4 cups | 8 x 4 x 2 1/2-inch loaf pan, or a 6 x 2-inch round |
| 1 1/2 quarts | 6 cups | 8 x 8 x 1 1/2-inch square, or an 8 x 2-inch round |
| 2 quarts | 8 cups | 8 x 8 x 2-inch square, or a 9 x 2-inch round |
| 3 quarts | 12 cups | 10 x 10 x 2-inch square |
| 4 quarts | 16 cups | larger than a 13 x 9 x 2-inch pan, which holds about 14 cups |
Pan volumes are approximate and come from a standard baking-pan chart. A dish measured to the brim holds more than you should fill it with, so leave a little headroom.
What Size Is “A Casserole Dish”?
When a recipe says “a 9×13 casserole dish”, it means a 13 x 9-inch rectangle that holds about 14 cups, or between 3 and 4 quarts to the brim. A recipe that says “a 2-quart casserole” is asking for about 8 cups, which fits a standard 8×8 square pan.
How to Check Your Dish
- Look on the bottom. Many dishes are stamped with a capacity in quarts or liters.
- If there is no stamp, pour in water by the cupful until the dish is full to the brim, and count the cups.
- Divide the number of cups by 4 to get quarts.
Swapping Casserole Dishes
Match the volume first, then check the shape. A dish with the same capacity but a much larger floor area will make the food shallower, which cooks faster and dries out more. A smaller, deeper dish makes the food thicker and needs more time, often at a slightly lower temperature.
If your dish is too small, divide the recipe between two dishes or bake it in a larger one and shorten the time. Check with a thermometer where the recipe is for meat, poultry or egg dishes, and bake to the safe temperature, not only to the time given.
Fill Level
For bubbling dishes such as fruit cobblers and baked pasta, leave about an inch between the filling and the rim, and set the dish on a rimmed baking sheet to catch drips. Cakes and breads that rise should fill the dish only halfway to two-thirds.
Quick Answers
How many cups is a 2-quart casserole? 8.
How many quarts is a 9×13? Between 3 and 4, since it holds about 14 cups.
Can I use a pan instead of a casserole dish? Yes, if the volume and depth are close.
Related
- Bundt Pan to 9×13 Conversion: Batter, Times and Tips
- Muffin Pan Sizes Chart: Mini, Standard and Jumbo Cups
- Ramekin Size Chart: Ounces, Cups, Diameters and Best Uses