Aldis new cast iron cookware looks worthy of an expensive kitchen (but costs less than £20)

I always thought that by the time I was a ‘grown up’, I’d have a huge house, walk-in wardrobe and kitchen full of Le Creuset. Life hasn’t quite worked out like that (although I certainly have enough clothes to fill a walk-in wardrobe), but that doesn’t mean I have to give up on my cast iron cookware dream.

Enter Aldithe budget store where I walk in to buy a single bag of walnuts and exit carrying a head-sized candle and three bottles of bargain bubbly.

The supermarket has just brought back its cast iron cookware range, and I have to admit I was shocked when I saw it – it looks so expensive and chic. In fact, it’s just the type of thing you might want to buy if you’re hosting this Christmas (only six weeks to go people, got to start preparing!).

The star of the show is the 26cm Cast Iron Dutch Oven Dishavailable in three colours: a traditional orange, festive green and a beige shade that will look great if you go in for that Scandi minimalist vibe. At £19.99, they are quite the bargain too.

Alternatively, there’s the Cast Iron Shallow Casserole Dish (£19.99)featuring a wide base to avoid overcrowding and suitable for one-pan dishes like a warming shakshuka or tasty paella.

If you’re going to be doing some serious cooking this festive season, there’s a Cast Iron Grill Pan (£12.99), Cast Iron Frying Pan (£9.99) and Cast Iron Skillet (£12.99). Plus you can grill, sauté and stir fry meats and vegetables with the Cast Iron Saucepan (£9.99).

Everything in the range is practical as well as looking nice, designed to be oven safe up to 250 degrees and suitable for all hob types. What’s more, the enamel coating makes for easy cleaning with no stubborn stains.

The only sticky issue really is getting your hands on it – the range dropped in stores today (13th November) and these bargains disappear notoriously fast, so if you’re keen then it may be worth hot-footing it down to the Aldi Specialbuys aisle as fast as you can (casser)roll.