Okay, it’s time for true confessions.
What? Like I typically tell a bunch of lies on my blog?
Side note: I always kind of laugh inside when people use the phrase, “To be completely honest…” or “To tell you the truth…” Why do people say this? Because usually they are not being completely honest or not telling me the truth? Oh, we are funny people are we not?
But seriously. I’m not gonna lie. It’s time for true confessions. I am not even kidding.
(Somebody stop me.)
I am often asked, “How many 9×13 casserole dishes do you have?” I can’t be sure, but I am guessing that they ask this when they read about how much freezer cooking I do, how many people I feed at one time, or how many lasagnas I make in one afternoon. It makes sense. A person can’t make eight lasagnas without eight 9×13 pans to put them in, right?
I counted, because while I had a guess, I wasn’t completely sure how many I actually have. It turns out that I have nine glass 9×13 pans (with lids), two stone 9×13 pans, one 10×15 glass dish, plus a nice variety of smaller glass dishes that I won’t even take the time to document. I also have two metal 9×13 pans, but I rarely use them because they aren’t stainless steel and are kind of junky.
Seem excessive? Maybe kinda. But I believe it would only be ridiculous to have this many casserole dishes if I didn’t actually use them all. If you can believe it (and you should, because I am, after all, being completely honest here), I use all of these so often that sometimes I don’t have any in my cabinet when I need them. They are all in use, in the freezer, or at a friend’s house because I delivered meatballs there last week.
How do I store this many casserole dishes? I find it easy because they stack and/or nest together in my cabinet. I slide the lids toward the back of the cabinet and just reach behind to find the right size.
Yeah, I got lazy the other day and just put my stone casserole dish on top of the stack instead of nesting it. To tell you the truth, I do it that way quite frequently. Just wanted to be completely honest.
And now it’s your turn to share. Tell the truth: How many 9×13 casserole dishes do you have? Do you feel that you have enough? Do you love Pyrex like I do?
I might lose my “homemaker” card for this response, but I don’t have one single 9×13 pyrex dish. Not one! I have a couple of odd shaped casserole dishes (one with a broken handle), and some round ones, but no 9×13 pyrex. I seriously NEED some, but it’s not one of those things I remember to purchase. I think I just figured out what to ask for at Christmas-time! :-)
Uhm, I have 3 PYREX 9×13’s with lids, 1 8×8 PYREX with lid, 2 metal 9×13’s and we will not even go into all the other cookie sheets and bakeware that I have of all shapes and sizes. LOL
Four 9×13 pyrex and 4 9×9 pyrex. Just have to. Sometimes it is not enough!
I used to have (2) 9×13, but one was never returned to me after I took a meal to someone :( and I just never have gotten around to buying a new one, but I need one! I also have a 10×15, (2) 8×8, and something like a 7×12? I’m not really sure exactly what that one measures. I obviously don’t have enough to freeze with them, so I use the foil/plastic wrap method to flash freeze casseroles in the dishes, and then pop them out to store them in the freezer.
Can you describe in detail how to use the “foil/plastic wrap method to flash freeze”? I don’t have enough pyrex for all the bulk/freezer cooking I do and would love to find an easy/reliable way to store more in the freezer. Thanks!
Basically, you line the glass dish with foil, leaving lots of extra on each end.
Then, layer plastic wrap. I use the large foil that Costco sells, so one sheet is usually enough.
But I usually have to use two sheets of plastic wrap and overlap them an inch or so down the middle of the dish. Then, put your casserole in the dish and carefully wrap the plastic wrap over it,
getting out as much air as possible; it should be pretty air tight. Then, I just loosely fold the foil
over the top and stick it in the freezer. Once it is frozen, it will pop right out of the dish,
and I more securely fold the foil, sometimes adding a whole extra layer if needed. Then just label
and put back in the freezer. When you go to cook it, unwrap the casserole, and place it back in the same dish to thaw. The only thing I have found is that this method doesn’t work the best with dishes
that have lots of liquid, but things like lasagna, etc. it works great. The method is described in the cookbooks “Don’t Panic, Dinner is in the Freezer.”
Thanks Sarah! That sounds like such an easy way to do it. Do you think it would be okay to substitute parchment paper for the plastic wrap? I’m trying to get away from plastic wrap and containers because of my concern over chemicals leaching into our food. That book sounds like just what I need to read this summer (especially since I spent over an hour last night marking the calendar for our activities for NEXT school year – and this year isn’t even over yet!). I’m adding it to my list!
Ann Marie – I’ve never actually used plastic wrap when I do mine – just foil – and it works great for me!
I do the same as Emily – and if you don’t have a problem with foil, you can put the casserole straight back into the pan in the foil and have easy clean up too!
I haven’t ever done it a different way, so I can’t really say, but I would think it would work. The
plastic wrap just kind of provides a nice “suction” to the food so that it is air tight, but you could also reverse it and put the plastic on the outside of the foil to seal it also. I just tend to freeze things for a loooong time and so I like the extra layers to prevent freezer burn. Good luck!
Yes, it works with parchment. Just don’t use wax paper if you are out, unless you like wax on your food!
I have 5 pyrex, 2 stones and 1 metal with a metal lid that I love! I also have several 8×8’s not to mention all shapes and sizes of stones. I had to buy more when I started freezer cooking and with the size of our family, I really need to buy a few more as I had to buy the disposable pans during my last months freezer cooking day! Gasp!
I only have 3. I also have a smaller glass rectangle one and an 8×8…but hey, when I run out of those, I just use some of my 10 pie plates :)
I currently have no Pyrex pans these days. I used to have a nice set with the 9×13, 9×9, 8×8 and so on. We’ve since moved from Joplin, MO to Nome, Alaska and then back to Joplin, MO. Long story. However moving cross country twice in the last 2 years has left me with few dishes these days. I do have a nice 10x something glass pan from Ikea and some kind of smaller glass pan- both made of super heavy duty glass. I would love to buy some more of those but they only come in those two sizes and they’re a bit on the unusual size side. Plus they don’t have lids which makes it frustrating to take places.
I have 2 9×13 glass pyrex pans (one with a lid and one without) I’d like to have at least 2 more (with lids) because I love to cook in bulk and freeze (lasagna, pizza casserole etc.) but can’t do as much as I would like because of the lack of pans. I also have a great metal 9×13 pan with a sliding lid that was a wedding present to my parents 38 years ago but I use that strictly for baking (it’s perfect for brownies and cakes!)
Hi, my name is Bobbi and I’m a Pyrex addict… “Hi Bobbi”
I have a lot of 3 cup containers, for prepping food for lunches and leftovers, yet I always seem to run out. Our kitchen cabinet space is small and yet I still feel like I need more Pyrex because I can never find the right size at the right moment. I have casserole dishes, nesting mixing bowls, tiny prep bowls, 1 cup to 11 cup dishes, not to mention my four extra large measuring cups… Oye. I think I need to find the nearest PAA (Pyrex Addicts Anonymous).
This is me. :) I have 2 9×13 dishes, 1 11×15, 1 8×11, 1 8×8, every measuring cup size there is (8c, 4c, 2c, 2 – 1c), a set of 3 nested mixing bowls, one huge mixing bowl, 4 sets of the smaller sets with blue lids, a second set of 3 nested bowls with blue lids, my mom’s set of 2 smaller vintage Pyrex (in yellow and orange) with glass lids, 2 pie plates, and MORE! I love, love, love my Pyrex!!!
I have two pyrex portables (9×13) with insulated carriers, I have 2 more pyrex 9×13 (one has a chip, Mom gave it to me) I have 1 pyrex 10×15, one set of 3 pyrex with lids that nest, biggest is about 8×6, (hope chest item) one 9×9 stone, one 9×9 pyrex and I’m missing another 9×9 and an 8×8 pyrex that I can’t find since we moved two years ago. Also 2 metal 9×13 pans but don’t use them very often, don’t want to destroy the nonstick finish by cutting anything in them. I also have pyrex measruing cups- 8 cup, 4 cup, 2 cup, 2 of 1cups, and my nesting pyrex mixing bowls! hmmm maybe I need to join PAA as well!
I have two 9 X 13 Pyrex and two metal. Our family is getting smaller so I do not use the 9 X 13 as much. I have a lot of assorted Pyrex that I use for leftovers and small casseroles.
For our wedding 9 years ago, I received seven 9×13 pans for gifts. I thought that was nuts and returned or re-gifted many of them. Now, with a family of five plus cooking for others, I wish I had them back :)
I currently have 2 Pyrex 9×13’s with lids and a smaller rectangle (7×9?) with lid. A sweet lady from church gave me a Pyrex 10×15 that she no longer used, and that is great for cooking for crowds. I have 9×9 stone. I also have a deep 9×13 lasagna pan with handles that is some sort of blue stoneware that was too pretty not to keep from the wedding gifts.
I have some of the smaller roung Pyrex with lids that I use for leftovers. I want more, but I am trying to get used to using jars instead. I love my set of the four nesting Pyrex mixing bowl with lids :)
Yes! My sister tried to get me to return some of my pyrex but I love the stuff and am so glad I have every piece!
I have one 9×13 w/lid, 1 8×13 with a wicker basket to set it in, a 10×13 (but it’s Corning), 2 8×8 with lids. Not enough! I also have two sets of nesting bowls with lids, 3 sets of small square dishes with lids, a smallish loaf pan with lid, and 2 squarish dishes with lids – all Pyrex. I think I’m a PAA nominee, too!
I have etched my name onto all of my Pyrex (9×13 and 8×8 pans and pie plates and loaf pans) using etching cream so they always come home again!
Only one, the rest went out and never came back. I love the idea of etching them with our name. I can’t stand the new pyrex design, so I’m watching for the old design at thrift and garage sales.
I have two 9x13s and two 8x8s and a variety of oval, square and round casseroles. My family of 4 aren’t big eaters so I rarely use my 9x13s but my 8x8s get tons of use. I always split dinners into two 8x8s one to eat and one to freeze. I started lining the 8×8 with foil and freezing the meal in the 8×8 and then removing it and once it is frozen and wrapping it with a second piece of foil. When it is time to eat that meal I let it thaw back in the 8×8. That way my dishes aren’t in the freezer when I need them but my frozen dinners fit in the pans they need to bake in.
I found this post funny because I DO find myself thinking, ‘do you REALLY need all these casserole dishes!?’ ….but, *to be honest*, I have 6 (you know, just in case there’s a casserole emergency) (hey, it could happen!) :)
I love Pyrex! I will pick up any size piece at yard sales and thrift stores.
Oh, the humanity! I only have three glass 9×13 pans and two junk metal ones. THOU SHALT NOT COVET THY NEIGHBOR’S PYREX! I need to say this to myself several times today! ;)
I have 6 9×13,2 9×15 glass, 4 9×13 in graniteware and 6 differnt smaller glass & graniteware.I also freeze alot in them. You can never have to many!!!
To be completely honest, Laura, I just love your blog! You are so funny! A woman can never have too many casserole dishes in her cupboard, in my opinion!
I used to LOVE my pyrex, but I have actually gotten rid of all of it and my metal pans (donated it all to an organization that helps homeless families get back on their feet in their own apartments) since I started baking and freezing with Demarle at Home products. I was able to clean out so much space in my cabinets- what took up 3 cabinets, now just takes up 1. It is also so much easier to freeze since once my food is frozen, I just pop it out of the mold, put it in a freezer bag and then can reuse the mold over and over. My pans are no longer “tied up” in the freezer. (Disclaimer: I sell Demarle but have been following this blog since before I became a consultant. I apologize if this sounds like a commercial, but it’s my true answer to the question!)
I only have 2 9×13’s but have 3 2-3 qt glass containers w/lids. I’m definitely putting them on my birthday list b/c only 1 of my 9×13’s has a lid to it.
Wellllll, I knew I had lots but had never counted. Until now that is. I didn’t even go downstairs and count either. Hehehe!! I have 5-9×13 Pyrex or Anchor Hocking, 1 that is deep, 5 metal, 1 is stainless and 3 have lids. I have 3 9×9 pyrex, 1 square glass with lid, 2 oval glass, 1 with lid, 1 round glass. I did not even count all the rectangle pyrex I store with left overs or when I cook for the two of us. Plus I do have some int he freezer I didn’t count. WOW!!! I must be a glass dish addict too. HAHAHAHA!!!
I “only” have 3 of the 9×13 Pyrex casserole dishes. However, I have 22 of the 2 cup capacity Pyrex bowls with lids! I actually acquired these back before I got married. (I’d cook large meals on the weekends and refrigerate/freeze individual servings in the bowls to eat over the subsequent weeks.) I’m so glad I still have them!
They’re great for storing leftovers to send in my husband’s lunch. They’re also the perfect size for freezing cream of mushroom soup for use in recipes. I’ll make homemade soup so I can avoid using the canned stuff. These bowls hold approximately the same amount as is in a can. I just pull a bowl of it from the freezer and thaw it for use whenever a recipe calls for a can of cream of mushroom soup.
Totally jealous of your 22!!!! 2 cup bowls with lids. I love the 2 and 4 cup size for leftovers and would LOVE to use them for freezer storage too. Lucky girl!
I have two 9X13’s, two 9X9’s and one 10X15. I tend to reach for the 10X15 most often so that there will be a chance of leftovers!
Have 4 of the 9×13’s (3 with lids), 3 of the 11×7’s (with lids), and 4 of the 8×8’s (with lids)…when I’m making meals, I use the smaller ones to make an additional meal for my in-laws…great size for just two people :) Another good question might be ‘how many bread pans do you have?’ or muffin pans, or cookie sheets… :) :)
I am with the rest of you…..you can never have too much Pyrex..I have a total of 5 9×13 pans…(3)9×13 with lids, (1) 9X13 no lid and (1) stone 9×13. I also have many in other sizes as well.
I’ve started my freezer stocking journey as I await the arrival of Baby #1. After experimenting with disposable pans, and covering cardboard with foil/plastic wrap to cover unlidded pans, I finally invested in six 8 x 10 pyrex glass pans with real lids.
Remember – squares/rectangles store more efficiently than circles. And glass can be used for anything (ever eat a tomato dish out of a metal pan? The whole dish tastes like a tin can!).
I plan on adding to my collection once Baby comes. It’s totally a worthy investment!
I have four 9x13s, 1 a bit smaller, 2 8x8s, and several Pyrex pie and quiche pans.
The 9x13s cost about $10 each and I would love to have 10, total.
Right now I will often line them with parchment paper, fill them with the food, freeze and then pop the food out and wrap in freezer paper. So I basically just used my pan as a mold and then I still have it available to me in my cabinet. That’s an option for those with the horrible condition of limited Pyrex. ;)
I have 2 glass 9x13s (1 lid), and 2 non-stick metal ones. I also have an oddly-sized ceramic pan with lid (something like 9×11), which gets a lot of use for casseroles that would be thin and crispy in a 9×13.
I absolutely love pyrex dishes. I think I have 4 pyrex dishes and I honestly could use a few more.
Love it! I have 3 9×13 pyrex and 2 just smaller than that, and there are only 2 of us, but there have been times I wish I had more!
I’ve got a good collection too! Total of 5 9x13s I think. Two are glass with lids, two are glass without lids and one is stone. A few in the 9×9 size range and an odd one in between. I’ve also got 6 pie plates…yikes. But when they are in perfect shape at garage sales for $1 or .50 how can you not buy them? I use them for meals for smaller families, but they all keep coming back!
My craziest thing is my bread pans. Two cast iron, 2 enameled stone ware, 2 glass, 1 old Pyrex, and one small metal one that is the most fun size. I’d make myself get rid of some, but there are days that I make bread and quick bread in such quantities that I use most of them. So I tell myself it is okay to keep them all :)
glad to see you inherited your love of bakeware from me!! but then again, i remember your mother’s pantry shelves…..
auntie karen
I have 3 glass 9×13 dishes, two metal 9×13, a 9×9, and an 11×7. But like you I use them all so I don’t feel a bit guilty about having them. In fact, I wouldn’t mind having a couple more.
I have recently pared down to:
4 – 9×13
2 – 8×8
2 – 10x10x4
2 – loaf pans.
I used to have 8 9×13’s i think. :) Looooove Pyrex pans
I used to love pyrex…but after a dish burst in the microwave….I am a bit uneasy using them…..has this happened to you ?
I’ve never had that happen, but have heard that if it does happen, Pyrex is good to replace them for you.
Hello,
I am a glass addict.. I love pyrex.. My mom had all those old pyrex sets with lots of designs in them.. I loved those a lot.. Though I do not have one of those.. I have one 9*13, one 8*8 and lot of round mixing bowls… and storage bowls.. But I have a problem here. I live in an apartment. I used to put these bowls in the dishwasher and it leaves a lot of white film or some rainbow colored lines that will never go …Even after washing in hand it does not seem to go so now I have stopped using them.. Do you have any idea how to get rid of these..I refer using glass instead of plastics because I just love using pyrex but I do not like this film thing and do not know how to solve this… I cleaned the dishwasher with vinegar and put rinse aid and changed using powder detergent and even expensive cleaners but nothing seems to work.. I used cascade.
Varsha, you could try contacting PYREX and ask for their help….I have several, but I handwash mine…I still store in them, and eat out of them, but kinda afraid to microwave in them, since I had one to burst in the microwave…..so be careful of this….the entire bottom burst into slivers….but about 2/3 of the sides of the bowl stayed in contact….I still have it and did email Pyrex, to see if they wanted me to return it….waiting for an answer…..
Varsha,did you ever get the film off of your dishes ? Did you happen to call Pyrex ?
My daughter used a dishwashing detergent that was suppose to be ECO FRIENDLY… something that TARGET sold !!!!!but let me tell you….it ruined her stainless steel pans….they came out with a powderery white coat on all of them….and scouring with a brillo pad was the only thing that would bring it off and it took forever to get it off…..so she went back to cascade or some well known brand………so be careful using off brands and the ECO FRIENDLY STUFF…..best sometimes to stay with the well known brands…..
Varaga, I just thought of something you might try….it is called STAIN SOLVER…..you buy it online…..It can be used for lots of things, it is great to make clothes brighter…..one lady had a real bad casserole dish and she soaked it and it looked brand new…..his name is TIM CARTER, email address is…[email protected] the builder.com ….he is the inventor of this product and sells lots of it…..I have purchased twice from him…..
Let me know how this works for you…..
For Alfredo sauce we make sure to store leftovers separately first then to reheat I put it on a low burner and whisk vigorously (not so much as to make butter but enough to re-incorporate the fat. If that isn’t enough add a splash of milk or cream if you have any left. The Alfredo/marinara mix you make is similar enough to be called bolognese sauce. Another great combo is Alfredo/pesto! It is genius especially with spinach, chopped broccoli, and diced sun dried tomatoes added to it with grilled chicken is AMAZING!!!