I just picked up a Dutch Oven last week, it’s the first time I’ve ever owned one, so far I’ve cooked a stew and also roast chicken and it turned out great.
They’re awesome for pasta sauce. I sautee a diced onion and tomato paste in olive oil, add a ton of chopped garlic, and then a couple large cans of tomatoes (or peeled whole tomatoes if available). Add 1/4-1/2 cup of red wine, some salt, perhaps mushrooms and herbs, and simmer for 20 minutes and then put in the oven at about 360 for 2-2.5 hours. It takes way less stirring then on the stovetop and comes out very nicely reduced and flavorful.
I like to make a variation zuppa tuscana (the olive garden soup) in mine.
1lb spicy italian sausage
1lb bacon, cut small
4-6 big potatos depending on size, cut small
1 onion, diced
1 bulb garlic, crushed
1 cup heavy cream
1 big box of chicken broth
1 bag spinach
Crushed red pepper
Brown the sausage with red pepper first then remove.
Start to cook onions and garlic then add and cook bacon.
Add broth and potatoes. Once potatoes are cooked add sausage back in.
Finish with heavy cream and spinach. The whole bag of spinach seems crazy at first but it will shrink fast.