17 Easy Cast-Iron Skillet Recipes

Explore some of the best cast-iron skillet recipes for making use of this versatile kitchen workhorse.

1. 1. Cast-iron skillet cornbread: Cornbread is a staple bread in South and Southwest cuisine. The batter is made with cornmeal, flour, eggs, buttermilk or milk, and a leavening agent, which is then poured into a preheated cast-iron skillet, where the hot oil fries the outer layer of the quick bread.
2. 2. Dutch baby pancakes: A Dutch baby is a large popover baked in a cast-iron skillet. This billowy popover is sometimes called a German pancake, a Dutch baby pancake, or an oven pancake. A Dutch baby is baked in the oven in a cast-iron skillet, whereas pancakes and crepes cook on the stovetop. Dutch babies have an eggy flavor, fluffy texture, and tend to swell around the edges and dip in the middle. You can fill the center of a Dutch baby with toppings such as fresh fruit, maple syrup, and powdered sugar.
3. 3. Pan-fried pork chops: You can find bone-in pork chops and boneless pork chops in the prepackaged meat aisle of most grocery stores. Both types of pork chops work well pan-fried, grilled, baked, or breaded in various preparations. Pair pan-fried pork chops with nostalgic side dishes like mashed potatoes and green beans for the ultimate comfort food meal.
4. 4. Asparagus frittata: An asparagus frittata (Italian for “fried”) is a baked egg dish similar to a quiche without the crust or a custardy omelet. Your asparagus frittata can be simple, incorporating few ingredients beyond asparagus and eggs, or it can serve as a base for more vegetables, such as artichoke hearts, shallots, zucchini, and other spring vegetables. You typically serve an asparagus frittata warm or at room temperature.
   
5. 5. Cast-iron skillet pizza: Cast-iron pizza, also called pan pizza, is an easy way to make pizza at home. For an easy weeknight dinner, spread store-bought pizza dough to cover the bottom of your cast-iron pan. Top with your favorite tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, and the toppings of your choice. Bake your pan pizza in an oven set to 500 degrees Fahrenheit until the crust turns golden-brown—about 15 minutes.
   
6. 6. Caramelized pear tarte tatin: Tarte tatin is a French upside-down tart that is typically made with apples. In this pear tarte tatin recipe, pears are caramelized in sugar and butter on the stovetop, then cooked in the oven beneath a layer of buttery puff pastry. Before serving, the baker flips the French dessert out of the pan to reveal a crown of glistening caramelized pears and a crispy, crackly crust.
7. 7. Whole roasted skillet chicken: For this whole roasted chicken recipe, heat a cast-iron skillet on the stovetop over medium-high heat before adding the seasoned chicken to the pan. Finish roasting the chicken in the oven for roughly an hour for an easy chicken dinner.
8. 8. Skillet nachos: Skillet nachos are the perfect game-day appetizer. Simply cook ground beef in a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Remove the cooked beef from the pan and layer your favorite tortilla chips, beans, and veggies in the pan. Top with the cooked ground beef and shredded Mexican cheese. Place the nachos in an oven set to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and bake until the cheese is melty and everything is warmed through.
9. 9. Crispy skillet hash browns: The trick to getting crispy hash browns is to spread the shredded potatoes in an even layer in a well-oiled skillet. Cook them undisturbed over medium heat until the bottom layer is golden brown and doesn’t stick when you gently shake the pan. Grab a plate or platter that is slightly larger than the cast-iron pan. Carefully slide the hash browns onto the plate and add a little more oil to the pan. Take a second plate, place it on top of the hash browns, and carefully flip the plates over so that the uncooked hash browns are now on the bottom. Return the hash browns to the pan and continue cooking until both sides are golden brown.
10. 10. Skillet lasagna: Make this classic Italian comfort food in a cast-iron skillet by layering cooked lasagna noodles with tomato sauce, parmesan, ricotta, and mozzarella. Broil your skillet lasagna in the oven for a few minutes or until the top is golden brown.
11. 11. Easy roasted veggies: Simply toss your favorite veggies—such as cubed sweet potatoes, brussels sprouts, and red onion—in some olive oil. Season them with salt and pepper, and spread them in an even layer in a cast-iron skillet. Place the veggies in an oven set to 425 degrees Fahrenheit for about 30 minutes, or until your veggies are tender.
12. 12. Pan-seared chicken thighs: Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs are great for cooking in a cast-iron pan. By searing the chicken thighs skin side down on the stovetop, then transferring them to a 475-degree oven for 30 minutes, you get perfectly cooked, juicy, crispy chicken thighs. Perfect for a weeknight dinner, the chicken is cooked to perfection in about thirty minutes and is a healthy alternative to fried chicken.
13. 13. Chicken stir-fry: Although stir-fry is traditionally made in a wok, a cast-iron pan is a great alternative. This single-skillet dinner comes together quickly and is a real crowd-pleaser.
14. 14. Skillet enchiladas: Instead of fussing with additional nonstick pans, prep your enchilada fillings in the same pan they'll bake in. Simply cook your protein or veggies in the cast-iron pan, then assemble the enchiladas, nestle them into the pan, top them with enchilada sauce, and bake.
15. 15. Chicken pot pie: The average chicken pot pie recipe is typically a labor of love, but using store-bought rotisserie chicken and puff pastry dough can make this classic comfort food a quick and easy weeknight dinner.
16. 16. Steak fajitas: Cast-iron pans are perfect for searing steak and quickly charing veggies. This easy recipe for steak fajitas is sure to please the whole family. Serve with a side of tortillas and a generous spread of toppings such as salsa, guacamole, and cilantro.
    
17. 17. Deep dish skillet cookie: Simply make your favorite cookie dough recipe (such as oatmeal chocolate chip cookies) and spread the dough evenly in a cast-iron skillet. Bake the giant cookie a few minutes longer than you would if you were baking multiple small cookies. Serve your cast-iron cookie warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

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