Does it matter whether you use a glass or metal baking pan?
Here’s When to Use a Glass or Metal Baking Pan
Updated Mar. 20, 2019
If you’re trying to declutter your kitchen and choose one 13×9 pan (or 8×8, or loaf pan, or…you get the idea) for all your cooking and baking needs, I have some bad news: You might want to consider keeping two. Whether you reach for a glass or metal baking pan depends on a few factors.
Psst: You need these 13x9s in your collection.
When to Use Metal Bakeware
When I was a restaurant chef, everything we used was metal. Glass not only had an increased chance of breaking at our high-volume usage, but the metal pans were just more versatile. Metal bakeware minimizes cleanup on dishes like braised short ribs—you can put the pan directly on the cooktop to sear the meat before adding liquid, covering it with aluminum foil and transferring it to oven to braise. You could also place it directly underneath the broiler to melt cheese on top of your casserole after it bakes.
On the flip side, while metal is a great conductor of heat, it’s not ideal for retaining heat. It will heat up rapidly, but it loses that heat just as quickly when it’s removed from the oven. It’s also important to remember that acidic foods can react with the material, adding a slightly metallic flavor to your meal.
Reach for metal when you’re: making quick-roasted meals, browning food or braising meats.
Skip metal when you’re: making casseroles you want to stay warm in the pan or cooking acidic foods (like fruit cobblers or anything tomato-based).
When to Use Glass Bakeware
Glass is the 13×9 choice of most home cooks (myself included). It might not be great at conducting heat (so it’ll be slow to heat up), but it will retain that heat for significantly longer than a metal pan. This makes it the ideal choice for making tried-and-true casseroles, which may sit on the countertop for some time before serving. In general, glass bakeware is also more dinner table presentable, so it’ll look great if you bring the whole casserole straight to the table.
The one thing you should never do with glass bakeware is put it underneath the broiler. The tempered glass is designed to handle heat but the broiler is too intense; it will definitely crack your dish (or worse). It also can’t be used on the stovetop, so don’t plan on simmering pan drippings in it to make gravy.
Reach for glass when you’re: serving casseroles in the baking dish.
Skip glass when you’re: transferring casseroles from the oven to the stovetop or broiler—even if it’s just to melt cheese on the top of a casserole at the end.
Now that you have the lowdown, try these 13×9 recipes for a crowd. You’ll know just what pan to use.
Potluck-Perfect 13x9 Recipes
Baked SpaghettiThis cheesy crowd-pleasing dish puts a different spin on spaghetti. The leftovers, if there are any, freeze well for a quick future meal. —Ruth Koberna, Brecksville, Ohio
Mint BrowniesWith an effervescent green hue shining from the center, these mint brownies look stunning and taste novel and delicious. The nice part? They take less than an hour to pull together.
Fold-Over Tortilla BakeHere’s something a little different to shake up taco night. But don’t reserve this zippy dish for a weeknight—it’s perfect for potlucks and serving company, too. something a little different from the usual tacos. It's special enough for potlucks or dinner guests. —Deborah Smith, DeWitt, Nebraska
Double Nut BaklavaIt may take some time to make this rich, buttery treat, but it's well worth the effort! The blend of coconut, pecans and macadamia nuts is irresistible. —Kari Kelley, Plains, Montana
Classic Chocolate CakeIf you need to learn how to make chocolate cake from scratch, this easy homemade chocolate cake recipe is a perfect place to start. It appeared on a can of Hershey's cocoa way back in 1943. I tried it, my boys liked it, and I've been making it ever since. —Betty Follas, Morgan Hill, California
Cuban SlidersThese Cuban sliders are packed with ham, cheese and pickles and baked with a buttery, Dijon mustard topping.
Lemon Coconut BitesThe tangy lemon flavor of this no-fuss dessert is especially delicious on a warm day. It gives me delightful flashbacks of selling lemonade on the sidewalk as a little girl. —Donna Biddle, Elmira, New York
Pepperoni-Sausage Stuffed PizzaFor 30 years, friends have been telling me to open a pizzeria using this recipe. It even freezes well. —Elizabeth Wolff, Carmel, Indiana
Double-Layer Cheesecake BarsCan't choose between chocolate and vanilla cheesecake? Have both when you make this bar recipe with two distinct layers. —Andrea Price, Grafton, Wisconsin
Creamy Make-Ahead Mashed PotatoesWith five different dairy products, you know this make-ahead mashed potato casserole is going to be super rich and, of course, delicious. It gets even better topped with onions and bacon! —JoAnn Koerkenmeier, Damiansville, Illinois
Sticky Cinnamon-Sugar Monkey BreadYou can do all the prep work for this monkey bread the night before. I prepare the dough pieces and put all the sauce ingredients in the pan so it's ready for the morning. You can sprinkle chopped nuts in with the dough pieces before pouring the sauce on and baking. — Diana Kunselman, Rimersburg, Pennsylvania
Chocolate Chip Cookie DelightThis is a simple chocolate dessert recipe for any type of potluck occasion, and the pan always comes home empty. —Diane Windley, Grace, Idaho
Bacon Cheeseburger Slider BakeI created this dish to fill two pans because these sliders disappear fast. Cut the recipe in half if you want one batch. —Nick Iverson, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Coca-Cola CakeOur coca-cola cake recipe uses not one but two cans of everyone's favorite soda. Move over, mayonnaise! Cola is our new favorite ingredient for an irresistible chocolate cake with an amazing chocolaty glaze.
Chive & Onion Hash Brown PotatoesA friend once told me about a potato dish her mother used to make. She remembered that Swiss cheese and butter were standouts. Here's my re-creation—and my friend actually liked it better than her mom’s version. —Barb Templin, Norwood, Minnesota
Almond-Coconut Lemon BarsGive traditional lemon bars a tasty twist with the addition of almonds and coconut. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
7-Layer Bean DipTo make this zesty 7-layer bean dip, you simply layer the ingredients onto a platter. I like to call it a "walking dip," because you can scoop some on a plate with a few tortilla chips, then take it with you as you walk and talk with guests. —Marieann Johansen, Desert Hot Springs, California
Strawberry Pretzel SaladWhat's a potluck without strawberry pretzel salad? This summer side dish (or should we say dessert?) is definitely a recipe to keep in your back pocket.
Potluck Banana CakeI found this recipe more than five years ago and have been making it for family gatherings ever since. The coffee-flavored frosting complements the moist banana cake. —Kathy Hoffman, Topton, Pennsylvania
Italian Sausage Egg BakeThis hearty entree warms up any breakfast or brunch menu with its herb-seasoned flavor. —Darlene Markham, Rochester, New York
Pumpkin French Toast CasseroleOur pumpkin French toast casserole combines cinnamon-raisin bread, cream cheese and fall spices with canned pumpkin. Prep the casserole in the evening so you can pop it in the oven when you wake up.
Candy Bar BrowniesThe two kinds of candy bars baked into these brownies make them an extra-special treat. —Sharon Evans, Clear Lake, Iowa
Bacon Potato BakeThis cheesy potato casserole is always popular. It's a nice change from mashed potatoes and with a bread crumb and crumbled bacon topping, it looks as good as it tastes. —Helen Haro, Yucaipa, California
Blueberry Angel DessertMake the most of angel food cake, pie filling and whipped topping by creating this light impressive dessert that doesn't keep you in the kitchen for hours. It's the perfect way to end a summer meal. —Carol Johnson, Tyler, Texas
Vegetable StrataWe always serve food at our Bunco games, and since one of us is a vegetarian we like to make fun meatless dishes we can all enjoy. This strata can easily be doubled and tastes fantastic hot or at room temperature. —Doris Mancini, Port Orchard, Washington
Hash Brown & Chicken Brunch CasseroleMy husband and I love to have a hot breakfast, but find it difficult with two kids. This dish is excellent to prepare the night before and bake the next day for your family or to take into work to share with co-workers—there are never any leftovers.—Jennifer Berry, Lexington, Ohio
Fudgy S’mores BrowniesI combined the perfect summer snack with my favorite brownie recipe to get these s'mores brownies. They're sure to wow at your next big party. —Judy Cunningham, Max, North Dakota
Originally Published: February 26, 2019
