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Le Creuset is a brand synonymous with cast-iron cookware, and its durable designs, like the casserole pot, are status symbols for any home chef. But fans of the brand will know that pieces are an investment, with prices for its casserole pot starting at £219. Luckily, the market is full of similar-looking designs, and we've spotted one from Marks and Spencer that can save shoppers over £300.

The cast-iron large casserole dish from M&S looks remarkably similar to the Le Creuset version, but shoppers get it for a fraction of the price at £45. It has a 5.2 litre capacity, and comes in a cream shade reminiscent of Le Creuset's Meringue colour. It also has a gold-toned handle, as opposed to Le Creuset's silver-toned one. When you compare that to Le Creuset's £355 5.3 litre version, that's already a £310 saving. The M&S version also comes in grey with a matching handle, priced at £42. That one is reminiscent of Le Creuset's Flint colour.

A Le Creuset piece comes with a lifetime guarantee and a reputation for quality and durability, but it's worth considering the M&S version as an affordable alternative that is oven safe, has a similar design, and a large capacity.

According to the retailer, the pot is designed to distribute and retain heat, while its heavy lid traps moisture inside, ensuring food stays tender. With the cold weather here for a while longer, it's perfect for stews and braises as it can be used on the hob and in the oven. Thanks to its heat-retention abilities, it can also make a brilliant container for proving and baking bread.

The Le Creuset pot is known to be able to handle oven temperatures up to 260C, and although M&S doesn't specify the maximum temperature its own version can withstand, it does confirm it is oven safe. Le Creuset's version also has a heat-resistant knob on the lid, but it's not clear whether the M&S one has the same feature.

Both pans are coated in enamel, and while Le Creuset says its own version is dishwasher safe, M&S doesn't go into much detail, although shoppers have said it does wash well.

Several shoppers compared the M&S pot to its Le Creuset counterpart, with one saying: "The style, colour, size and quality makes it a useful and versatile cooking pot and is a good alternative to the expensive Le Creuset version."

Another wrote it was "great value for money vs the premium competitor products."

One shopper praised the pot for its versatility, saying: "I bought this as family members were coming to stay for a while. I love it! I have used it for curries and stews and pot roasted chicken."

Others commented on the quality, saying: "Excellent pot! Great quality, great price. I love the colour and the self basting lid."

Some buyers mentioned that the M&S pot is very heavy but that's normal with solid enamel cookware. One wrote: "Heavy but retains the heat very well. Cleans well too."

Another customer said: "Very good casserole pot. Great size for batch cooking. Nice colour too. Solid and heavy, well made and I think it's well priced. "

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