What Size is a 2 Quart Baking Dish?

For casseroles, a 2 quart baking dish is commonly used. But what size is a 2 quart baking dish and how much volume does it hold?

The general rule of thumb is a 2-quart casserole dish holds 8 cups or 64 fluid ounces. Double what a 1-quart casserole dish.

2 Quart Baking Dishes

If you have a casserole recipe that calls for a bunch of ingredients, the easy part is layering everything into the dish.

The hard part is finding out too late that you don’t have the right size pan to accommodate everything!

A typical two-quart casserole dish holds 8 cups. But that is saying that the dish has an exact two-quart volume.

I have standard size white ceramic dishes that I use all the time.

But they vary slightly with fancy or decorative frilly edges and are often a weird shape?

Some square dishes say it’s the size of a 2-quart dish but really it’s slightly smaller or larger size than stated.

Hopefully this guide of common casserole dish sizes helps you avoid using the wrong size dish when making your favorite recipe.

​What is the equivalent of a 2 quart baking dish?

An 8×8 square pan, with a 2 inch depth, will hold 2 quarts. The space provides just slightly larger than 8 cups of volume.

If you only have one that is 1 inch or 1.5 inches deep, you will be cutting it close.

Another dish to use is an 11 x 7 rectangle dish that is 1.5 inches deep.

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Typical Casserole Dish Sizes and Quarts

Here are the quarts per casserole for various sizes of casserole dishes.

• 2 quart dish (8″x8″) square pan – holds 8 cups
• 2½”-quart dish (9”x 9”) square – holds 10 cups
• 3-quart dish (12” x 9”x 2”) rectangle – holds 12 cups
• 4-quart dish (12” x 10”x 2”) oblong – holds 16 cups
• 5-quart dish (11” x 15” x 2″) oblong – holds 20 cups

Is an 8×8 pan 2 quarts?

It is if it is at least 2 inches deep. I would measure it before pouring your recipe ingredients in it. I have had quite a few casseroles that have spilled out or bubbled over when I baked them.

The size of the casserole dish can be correct around the edges but if it is not deep enough, the volume will be off.

Table of Casserole Dish Sizes and Volumes

Quarts	Inches	Cups
2 quarts	8×8 inches	8 cups
2 1/2 quarts	9×9 inches	10 cups
3 quarts	9x13x2	12 cups
4 quarts	10x13x2	16 cups
5 quarts	11x15x2	20 cups

Should it be square, round, or rectangle?

There are so many different sizes and shapes for baking pans! I tend to choose the shape once I know the number of people I am serving and what type of dish it is.

If it’s a casserole, I like a rectangle or square because they make it easy to portion out the dish.

For a baked dessert, I prefer a round pan or loaf pan. These dishes tend to be served in thin wedges of slices and look more decorative in a different shape than square.

Cake pans tend to be made of thin metal so be careful when baking them. You don’t want to burn your meal.

What is the best material for a two quart baking dish?

Casserole dishes come in a variety of shapes, and made with different materials.

The most popular ones are from Pyrex or are glass baking dishes. Used most frequently because they are so versatile and usually have a sealable lid.

You can mix in them, cook in them, and then use them for food storage. Especially when making casseroles for the freezer.

I also like these because they are clear glass so you can see the food while it’s cooking.

My next favorite one is enamel coated cast iron. They can be very heavy when full, or empty for that matter, but hold the heat so well.

I am fond of Le Creuset but they can be very expensive. I have quite a few of their dutch ovens but also love their casserole dishes too. Luckily, I received them as gifts:)

​You can now find much more affordable ones on the market. I have a few from Lodge and even Amazon Basics have some in a variety of shapes and sizes.

Not only can they look great, the material they are made from can affect the cooking time.

If they are thinner and baked at high temperatures, the edges and bottoms can cook quicker and burn.

Thicker ones can take a while to reach the desired cooking temp, and increase baking time to cook all the way through.

How many quarts is a 9×13?

If the traditional 9×13 dish is 2 inches deep, that it will hold 3 quarts of liquid. These are most used for sheet cakes or a classic hamburger casserole.

If you love this recipe as much as I do, pin this to your favorite casserole Pinterest board and share it on your favorite social media channels!

Whether your high-stacked lasagna or your delectable desserts recipe calls for a 2 quarts casserole dish, you have a variety of shapes and pan sizes to choose from. In my opinion, the 8×8 or 2-quart baking dish is the perfect size for side dishes, desserts like bread pudding, or cookie bars.

My Favorite Dishes

• 2 Quart 8×8 Casserole Dish
• 2 Quart Dish with Lid
• 2.5 Quart Glass Oblong Baking Dish
• 9 x 13-inch Pan
• Bundt Pan

{Originally published 05/18/2022 – post updated 08/03/2023}

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