Cooking for a Crowd? Here’s the Cookware You Need

Whether it’s Sunday night dinner with the in-laws or you’ve somehow agreed to host your kid’s soccer team, cooking for a crowd can be… a lot. You want food that’s hearty, reliable, and ready when everyone’s starving, without needing four pots on the go or an hour of scrubbing afterwards. That’s where the right family cookware can really save the day.

If you’ve been making do with a too-small frypan or saucepans that overflow every time you boil pasta, it might be time to upgrade. Here’s the kind of gear that actually works when you’re feeding more than just a couple of people (and how to make it all a little bit easier).

Go Big with a Dutch Oven

There’s a reason every home cook swears by their Dutch oven, and when you’re cooking for more than four, a big one earns its keep fast.

A large oval dutch oven is a solid pick for roasts, braises and big-batch anything. The oval shape means you can fit a whole chicken or lamb shoulder without awkward tucking, and the cast iron holds heat evenly so everything cooks through perfectly.

If you’re more of a one-pot meal person, a classic round Dutch oven is another winner. Great for pasta bakes, risottos, stews or even a big batch of soup – just throw everything in and let it do its thing.

Dutch ovens make easy work of big-batch cooking – less stirring, more serving.

The Power of a Proper Frypan

If you’ve ever tried to cook stir-fry in a pan that’s too small, you’ll know the frustration. Enter a deep ceramic frypan. It’s wide, deep, and non-stick, which means you’ve got room to move (and no burnt onions clinging to the sides).

Ceramic cookware is great for quick dinners when time’s tight, or for those moments where you’re sautéing enough mushrooms to actually make it to the plate – not just get eaten as you cook.

A shallow casserole Dutch oven is a serious family cookware winner.  

Casserole Pots & Air Fryers

Big meals don’t need to be hard work. A shallow casserole Dutch oven is one of those sneaky favourites – it looks fancy, cooks evenly, and can handle anything from a stacked lasagna to a golden-topped potato bake.

If you’re trying to keep things a bit healthier (or you just want to cook dinner without turning on the oven), an air fryer is perfect for larger portions. Roast veggies, crisp up chicken, or throw in a tray of frozen chips and feed everyone without lifting a finger.

Don’t Sleep on the Steamer

Don’t forget about kitchen accessories! When you’re cooking for a few different dietary needs (we see you, vegans and picky eaters), a steamer is an underrated sidekick. Steam veggies, dumplings or fish without taking up another burner—and keep everything fresh, light and separate.

A steamer is a crowd-feeding sidekick – perfect for veggies, dumplings or extra side dishes.

Cook Bigger, Without the Chaos

Feeding a full table shouldn’t mean juggling five pots or washing up for an hour. With a few key pieces that hold their own – whether it’s a big Dutch oven, a deep frypan or a hard-working air fryer – you can cook meals that are generous, delicious, and actually enjoyable to make.

Explore Crumble’s Family Cookware collection and build a setup that works for real kitchens, real meals, and real people you love to feed (most of the time).