Best Casserole Carrier for Potlucks

When I was growing up, we’d attend potlucks at least once a month. I loved it! It was like eating at a free buffet. Of course, the best part was the dessert table. My mouth waters just thinking of it! It was always fun to decide what to bring to the potluck and to see what deliciousness was waiting on those long tables. We knew some amazing cooks, so taking a small portion of each dish was the key to success. My best friend and I even brought divided plates so our foods didn’t cross-contaminate. Those who feel the same way will understand; the rest of you will probably just think I’m crazy.

Everyone knew my mom for her classic casseroles. Most of the meals I ate as a child came out of a 9×13 Pyrex. When going to a potluck, there was always one problem: keeping the food hot from the house to the dinner location. At that point in history, there wasn’t a product we could call the best casserole carrier. Instead, we wrapped the dish in a few towels and put it in a cardboard box. We needed to keep the food hot without burning ourselves along the way. It definitely wasn’t the ideal solution.

As I got older, I started bringing my own food to potlucks. I noticed a distinct absence of cardboard. Instead, there were carrying cases made specifically for 9×13 pans. I probably shouldn’t admit this, but those casserole carriers got me very excited. My husband says I have an addiction to kitchen products, but he actually buys most of our kitchen stuff while claiming it’s for me. Let’s just say we’re both infatuated with kitchen technology. It was the Christmas season, so I began doing research on the best casserole carrier that night. My hubby wanted gift ideas, and to me, there’s nothing better than a kitchen gadget.

The Best Casserole Carrier

After my research, and independent research from my review-obsessed husband, I chose the best casserole carrier: the Rachael Ray Expandable Lasagna Lugger. I’m not a huge fan of the name because I rarely carry lasagna in it (much to the chagrin of my husband). I’ll look past the silly nomenclature because of its great features. What’s in a name? That which we call a lasagna by any other name would taste as savory.

I’ve gone long enough without telling you the best feature of this product: expandability! The best casserole carrier has not just one, but two insulated compartments. Yes, you potluck-overachievers finally have a way to carry both casserole dishes to and from your home. During my research, I found other products that carry two dishes, but Rachael Ray’s Lasagna Lugger has a collapsible top compartment that zips closed when not in use. You can carry one or two dishes without carrying around any extra bulk. There’s also a handy zipper pocket on the top of the carrier to store serving utensils as you travel.

The best casserole carrier also comes with superbly insulated compartments. They have “SuperFoam insulation plus Therma-Flect radiant barrier.” There are two positives here. The first is that your hot food stays hot, and your cold food stays cold. This is necessary for any serious potlucker. The second is that the two sections are separate and insulated on all sides allowing for different temperatures in each compartment. You can have a hot dish in one compartment and a cold dish in the other.

Lastly, the best casserole carrier has two handles that snap together at the top. It’s easy to carry around and get in and out of the car. It also comes in three colors (red is my favorite). Most of the carrier is a solid color, but the expandable portion and handle have a striped design. Come on, it’s Rachael Ray; of course it looks good! Well, if you like loud colors.

Next time you go to a potluck or bring a dish to a friend’s house for dinner, you’ll definitely want to have the Rachael Ray Expandable Lasagna Lugger. Its style and function make it the best casserole carrier on the market. Priced under $30, it is well worth the investment. I’ve been using our best casserole carrier recommendation for over a year, and I still love it. As with all of our reviews, if you think you’ve seen something better, please let us know in the comments. We put a ridiculous amount of time into our research, but we’re happy to consider alternatives for all our recommendations.