Which is correct?

[Ikeatears]

What we need are more pots and pans Or what we need is more pots and pans?

"what we need is" because "what" is the subject, which is a singular thing. The fact that it is followed by a plural is neither here nor there.

Ooooh tricky one.

We had an example in linguistics: there are 6 chairs, there is 6 chairs. Of course most pedants would say the former, but the latter is also acceptable because you are talking about a group of things.

I'd say the same would happen here. And weirdly "is" seems more natural to me.

But it is "what" in the plural, clary.

Why is we not the subject?

No, it's not, surely, it means the thing that we need, the generic matter or dooberry that must be had, there is no suggestion at that stage of the sentence that we need plural things, so it's singular. More pots and pans are what we need, but what we need is peace love and understanding.

Word order is crucial to meaning in English in a way that it just isn't in some languages. German for example. And Latin.

I feel I am right about this but I have to say I have not confirmed it by looking at any sources. So please feel free to prove me wrong!

Yes you're right of course, the subject of the verb need is we, what I meant was that the subject of the verb to be was what. I think.

Of course! Lightbulb! I think... What it is that we need is more pots and pans or what is it that we need? We need more pots and pans! Got it! ( I think)

What we need are more pots and pans is correct. If you needed a pot or pan it would be "what we need is another pot etc"

What Copy said.

The "what we need" clause can refer to both singular and plural things-which-are-needed. In this case it's referring to plural kitchenware, so uses a plural verb.

If we only needed another pot, the verb would be singular.

(I think.)