51 Stress-Free Cast Iron Skillet Recipes (2024)

Table of Contents
1. One Skillet Greek Sun-dried Tomato Chicken And Farro 2. Skillet Chipotle Chicken Enchilada Bake 3. Chocolate Skillet Cake 4. Skillet Roast Chicken With Peaches, Tomatoes And Red Onion 5. Baked Caprese Chicken Skillet 6. Lemon Garlic Chicken And Rice One-pan Skillet 7. Skillet S'mores Cookie 8. Skillet Chicken With Creamy Spring Vegetables 9. Creamy Parmesan Pesto One Skillet Chicken 10. Easy Cherry Skillet Cake 11. Skillet Nacho Dip 12. Blackberry-raspberry Skillet Cobbler 13. Skillet Chicken Tortilla Pie 14. 15-minute Spicy Korean Skillet Chicken 15. Broiler S’mores 16. Skillet Peach Cobbler 17. Skillet Mac And Cheese 18. Monterey Chicken 19. Skillet Cornbread With Cheddar And Scallions 20. Giant Cinnamon Roll 21. Bruschetta Chicken 22. One-pan Creamy Chicken Fricassee With Sage 23. 30-minute Creamy Chicken, Corn And Tomato Skillet 24. Balsamic Cranberry Roast Chicken 25. Mini Skillet Funnel Cakes 26. Cheater’s White Wine Coq Au Vin 27. Greek Chicken And Rice Skillet 28. Pan-roasted Chicken With Shallots And Dates 29. Skillet Gnocchi With Sausage And Broccoli Rabe 30. Skillet Vegetable Fried Rice 31. Healthy Balsamic Chicken Skillet With Pomegranates And Feta 32. Skillet Chicken Fajitas 33. Ricotta Berry French Toast Casserole 34. Skillet Chicken Fajitas 35. Turkey Cauliflower Caprese Skillet 36. Skillet Chocolate-chip Cookie 37. Spiralized Sweet Potato Enchilada Skillet 38. Skillet Chilaquiles 39. Red Shakshuka 40. Onion And Arugula Frittata 41. Skillet Cherry Pie 42. Green Shakshuka 43. Skillet Steak With Asparagus And Potatoes 44. Skillet Pizza 45. Skillet Lasagna With Corn And Cherry Tomatoes 46. 15-minute Skillet Pepper Steak 47. Skillet Pasta With Summer Squash, Ricotta And Basil 48. Deep Dish Double Chocolate Pecan Skillet Pie 49. Brussels Sprouts Skillet With Crispy Pancetta-garlic Bread Crumbs 50. Cheater’s Skillet Paella 51. Mini Skillet Pizzas With Mushrooms And Roasted Tomatoes Food Editor FAQs References

food

51 Stress-Free Cast Iron Skillet Recipes (1)

By Heath Goldman

•

Published Nov 10, 2020

Additional reporting by

Rebecca Shapiro

Cooking at home is one of the easiest ways to eat healthy and save money, but we’re not into that whole “spending hours in the kitchen” thing. So reach for your secret weapon and new best friend: the cast-iron skillet. Here, 51 of our favorite cast iron skillet recipes, from cheater’s white wine coq au vin to chicken tortilla pie. The best part? (Aside from a satisfying meal in next to no time) barely any dishes!

RELATED

The 101 Best Chicken Recipes for When You’re in a Dinner Rut

51 Stress-Free Cast Iron Skillet Recipes (2)

Half Baked Harvest

1. One Skillet Greek Sun-dried Tomato Chicken And Farro

Greek seasoned chicken with fresh oregano, dill, garlic, lemon and paprika is pan-seared and cooked with farro, sun-dried tomatoes and olives.

51 Stress-Free Cast Iron Skillet Recipes (3)

What's Gaby Cooking

2. Skillet Chipotle Chicken Enchilada Bake

When you layer enchilada chicken with all the cheese, fresh corn and black beans, you get an instant family favorite—in just 20 minutes.

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

3. Chocolate Skillet Cake

We recommend eating it by the spoonful, straight from the hot pan.

Get the Recipe

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

4. Skillet Roast Chicken With Peaches, Tomatoes And Red Onion

If you have an hour, you can easily whip up this bright and juicy skillet chicken dinner.

Get the recipe

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

5. Baked Caprese Chicken Skillet

If it were up to us, we’d top everything with mozzarella. So naturally, this is one of our favorite dinners.

Get the recipe

51 Stress-Free Cast Iron Skillet Recipes (7)

Lexis Clean Kitchen

6. Lemon Garlic Chicken And Rice One-pan Skillet

Loaded with creamy flavors, plenty of leftovers and none of the cleanup.

7. Skillet S'mores Cookie

This cookie gives us all the melted chocolate and toasted marshmallow goodness we crave.

51 Stress-Free Cast Iron Skillet Recipes (9)

Damn Delicious

8. Skillet Chicken With Creamy Spring Vegetables

The chicken comes out amazingly crisp tender with carrots, mushrooms and asparagus all cooked in the best herb cream sauce.

RELATED

What Goes with Shrimp? 33 Sides To Complete Your Meal

51 Stress-Free Cast Iron Skillet Recipes (10)

Carlsbad Cravings

9. Creamy Parmesan Pesto One Skillet Chicken

We give you permission to use store-bought pesto. Bonus points if you serve everything over cauliflower rice.

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

10. Easy Cherry Skillet Cake

We love this with cherries, but really, any fresh fruit would work well. Just be sure not to skimp on the whipped cream on top.

Get the Recipe

11. Skillet Nacho Dip

Load up your plate with your ideal toppings-to-chips ratio.

Get the Recipe

Robert S. Cooper/A Real Southern Cook

51 Stress-Free Cast Iron Skillet Recipes (14)

Pinch of Yum

13. Skillet Chicken Tortilla Pie

Come Thursday, we’re tempted to skip the kitchen all together and order take out. Instead, opt for this easy, cheesy recipe, which will satisfy all of your cravings in practically no time.

51 Stress-Free Cast Iron Skillet Recipes (15)

Averie Cooks

14. 15-minute Spicy Korean Skillet Chicken

Fast, spicy and so much healthier than ordering a boat-load of takeout.

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

15. Broiler S’mores

The ’mallows will be toasty and the chocolate melted just enough--without all the fuss. (You’re welcome).

Get the Recipe

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

16. Skillet Peach Cobbler

This is everything a cobbler should be—be still our summer-loving hearts!

Get the Recipe

17. Skillet Mac And Cheese

Crispy on the outside, melty on the inside.

51 Stress-Free Cast Iron Skillet Recipes (19)

Dinner at the Zoo

18. Monterey Chicken

Seasoned chicken breasts smothered in barbecue sauce, cheese, bacon and tomatoes. Nom, nom, nom.

RELATED

55 Keto Dinner Recipe Ideas to Try Tonight

19. Skillet Cornbread With Cheddar And Scallions

Our final words of wisdom? Eat it straight from the skillet.

Get the Recipe

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

20. Giant Cinnamon Roll

The only thing better than a freshly baked cinnamon roll? A giant freshly baked cinnamon roll.

Get the Recipe

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

21. Bruschetta Chicken

A speedy summer dinner that tastes super indulgent (thanks to juicy pieces of tomato and a dusting of Parm) but is actually low-cal, low-carb and packed with protein.

Get the recipe

Helen Cathcart/Tuscany

22. One-pan Creamy Chicken Fricassee With Sage

This simplified version of an Italian classic tastes like it was made by an Italian grandma. Plus, the sauce is thickened with egg yolks and lemon juice, not heavy cream.

Get the recipe

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

23. 30-minute Creamy Chicken, Corn And Tomato Skillet

A handful of ingredients and just three simple steps are all it takes to whip up this crowd-pleaser.

Get the recipe

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

24. Balsamic Cranberry Roast Chicken

If you can’t find fresh cranberries, it’s completely OK to use frozen ones; just thaw and drain them first.

Get the recipe

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

25. Mini Skillet Funnel Cakes

They’re super easy to make at home (and the mini versions are just too cute for words).

Get the Recipe

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

26. Cheater’s White Wine Coq Au Vin

Ready in under an hour and totally foolproof. Plus, it’s made with dry white wine instead of red for an elegant twist.

See Also
Standard Process 21 Day Cleanse Recipes

Get the recipe

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

27. Greek Chicken And Rice Skillet

Easy, gorgeous and so damn delicious. Save it for those nights when you’re entertaining a crowd and need to casually dish up something sensational.

Get the recipe

Cook Beautiful

28. Pan-roasted Chicken With Shallots And Dates

Juicy chicken with crispy skin rests on a caramelized layer of Medjool dates and green olives. The dish is salty-sweet and bright (thanks to lemon juice and zest) all at once.

Get the recipe

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

29. Skillet Gnocchi With Sausage And Broccoli Rabe

This hearty and delicious dish is super simple, and it tastes like you spent all day making it.

Get the Recipe

30. Skillet Vegetable Fried Rice

Toss in shrimp or chicken for extra protein.

31. Healthy Balsamic Chicken Skillet With Pomegranates And Feta

This colorful dish is perfect for any night of the week.

32. Skillet Chicken Fajitas

Just add the tortillas and extra guac.

33. Ricotta Berry French Toast Casserole

You can make this in 30 minutes (homemade brioche and all).

Photo: Eric Moran/Styling: Erin McDowell

34. Skillet Chicken Fajitas

Bonus: Since this is a one-pan meal, cleanup is a breeze too.

Get the Recipe

35. Turkey Cauliflower Caprese Skillet

This. Is. Genius. Plus it uses our favorite versatile veg: cauliflower.

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

36. Skillet Chocolate-chip Cookie

Why have a regular old cookie when you can have a skillet cookie?

Get the Recipe

37. Spiralized Sweet Potato Enchilada Skillet

Store-bought veggie noodles would work just as well.

RELATED

23 Mexican Side Dishes That Are Quick, Easy and Cheesy

38. Skillet Chilaquiles

Mmm, basically breakfast nachos.

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

39. Red Shakshuka

Don’t forget the crusty bread for serving.

Get the Recipe

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

40. Onion And Arugula Frittata

What’s so wonderful about a frittata? Well, you can make it with nearly anything.

Get the Recipe

41. Skillet Cherry Pie

Baking a pie in a cast iron skillet not only saves on dishes, but it also makes the crust delightfully crispy.

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

42. Green Shakshuka

Sick of scrambled eggs? Time to meet shakshuka,

Get the Recipe

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

43. Skillet Steak With Asparagus And Potatoes

Here's a one-pan dinner that looks (and tastes) fancy but is totally foolproof.

Get the Recipe

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

44. Skillet Pizza

All you need to make your own pizza is a tried-and-true cast-iron skillet.

Get the Recipe

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

45. Skillet Lasagna With Corn And Cherry Tomatoes

Corn and cherry tomatoes have the same cheesy goodness you crave (and then some), minus the hours of assembly time.

Get the Recipe

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

46. 15-minute Skillet Pepper Steak

Meet 15-minute skillet pepper steak, a simple adaptation of one of our favorite Chinese-American dishes.

Get the Recipe

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

47. Skillet Pasta With Summer Squash, Ricotta And Basil

Best of all, this one-pan meal is ready in half an hour.

Get the Recipe

48. Deep Dish Double Chocolate Pecan Skillet Pie

Crispy, decadent, delicious. You’ve earned it, baby.

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

49. Brussels Sprouts Skillet With Crispy Pancetta-garlic Bread Crumbs

The aromatic topping does double-duty, bringing that extra crunch we crave.

Get the Recipe

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

50. Cheater’s Skillet Paella

It isn’t officially summer until you’ve eaten paella (with a glass of white wine, of course).

Get the Recipe

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

51. Mini Skillet Pizzas With Mushrooms And Roasted Tomatoes

The surface of your trusty cast-iron skillet gets extremely hot, which is the secret to the crispy pizzeria-style crust.

Get the Recipe

RELATED

20 Easy Cast Iron Skillet Desserts, Because You Love Baking but Hate Cleaning

51 Stress-Free Cast Iron Skillet Recipes (53)

Heath Goldman

Food Editor

From 2017 to 2019 Heath Goldman held the role of Food Editor covering food, booze and some recipe development, too. Tough job, eh?

read full bio

51 Stress-Free Cast Iron Skillet Recipes (54)

Rebecca Shapiro

read full bio

51 Stress-Free Cast Iron Skillet Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to cooking with cast iron? ›

To ensure even heating, gradually pre-heat the cast iron skillet on a similar-sized burner. Since cast iron holds heat, it's not necessary to use a heat setting above medium. These steps help prevent food from sticking. Don't forget to use a hot handle mitt!

Read The Full Story ›
Why can't you cook eggs in cast iron? ›

Eggs fall into the category of sticky foods that are not ideal for cast iron skillets that haven't built up their seasoning yet. While cast iron can become non-stick with sufficient use over time, a newer skillet will almost certainly cause your eggs to stick to its porous surface.

Read More ›
What is the best oil to season cast iron with? ›

What oils can I use to season cast iron? All cooking oils and fats can be used for seasoning cast iron, but based on availability, affordability, effectiveness, and having a high smoke point, Lodge recommends vegetable oil, melted shortening, or canola oil, like our Seasoning Spray.

Read More ›
What is the first thing I should cook in my cast iron skillet? ›

We recommend starting with vegetables as they are more forgiving than most proteins - they taste delicious and won't stick to your pan! Keep in mind that using a little bit of oil is necessary to help to keep food from sticking.

View Details ›
Can you use butter on cast iron? ›

Yes, you can season the pans for frying, sautéing, or baking in cast iron cookware like pans, pots, or skillets with butter, but it's not the right choice to season it for the first time. Butter immediately starts to smoke when added to a heated pan because cast iron can withstand a lot of heat.

View More ›
Is it OK to cook in cast iron everyday? ›

The type of iron that comes from cast iron cooking is nonheme iron and is safe to consume. It is the same type of iron as found in plant sources such as beans, spinach and tofu. Children one to three years old only need 7mg iron daily, so if it's best not to cook every meal for children this age in cast iron cookware.

Keep Reading ›
What is the biggest problem with cast iron? ›

Cast iron pans can leach a sizeable amount of iron into your food, exceeding dietary intake in some cases. Acidic foods will contribute to much more leaching while an old, heavily-seasoned pan will leach much less iron than a newer one.

Keep Reading ›
When should you throw away a cast iron skillet? ›

If you notice your cast iron pan starting to crack, you should start looking for a replacement. Several potential problems arise when your cast iron pan begins to crack. Heat will make the metal expand and contract, growing even the tiniest of fractures.

Learn More Now ›
What should you not clean cast iron with? ›

It's important to not use anything too aggressive such as steel wool, sponges or other abrasive cleaning methods as these will strip your seasoning. For particularly difficult to clean messes, fill your pan halfway full with water and heat over the stove.

Read The Full Story ›
Can I use olive oil on cast iron? ›

Why Olive Oil Is Good for Skillet Seasoning. Olive oil is a great option for seasoning your cast iron skillet because it is affordable and easy to find. It also has a high smoke point, which means it can withstand high temperatures without burning.

Keep Reading ›

Why cast iron is not good for cooking? ›

Cast iron works wonders for many foods, but there are a few cases where you might want to avoid cast iron cookware, such as when you're boiling water or letting something simmer. The reason is that your food may absorb more iron flavor than you'd like if it's cooked in cast iron for an extended period of time.

Explore More ›
Can you cook everything in a cast iron? ›

You can always count on your trusty cast-iron skillet for around-the-clock cooking. Use it to make everything from easy weeknight meals to juicy steak dinners, as well as fluffy pancakes and family-sized cookies. Here, we're sharing the cast-iron skillet recipes we whip up on the regular (and think you will, too).

Find Out More ›
Why can't you cook tomatoes in cast iron? ›

“When cooking tomatoes in cast-iron cookware for an extended period, the acidity of the tomatoes does slightly leach trace amounts of iron. [But iron] is found in almost every over-the-counter multivitamin," Randhawa assures us.

Continue Reading ›

References

Top Articles
Food Combining Recipes
New York Strip Roast with Savory Crust • Recipe for Perfection
The 30 Best Sites for Menswear: A Men's Guide to Shopping Online
I Tested No Boundaries Men's Shirts and Here's Why They're a Must-Have for Any Wardrobe
Santa The Barbarian Randall Standridge
Pokemon Infinite Fusion Discord Server
Catalyst Stanton Menu
Used 2017 GMC Acadia SLE-1 FWD for Sale (with Photos)
10 things fertility clinics won’t tell you
How to Apply for Financial Aid
Camping & Maps | Saint Jo, Texas | Rednecks with Paychecks
Rednecks with Paychecks 2023 Fall Mud Crawl
Latest Posts
26 Over-The-Top Stuffed Pasta Recipes Perfect For Any Night
45 Best Vegan Thanksgiving Recipes
Article information

Author: Patricia Veum II

Last Updated:

Views: 5952

Rating: 4.3 / 5 (44 voted)

Reviews: 83% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Patricia Veum II

Birthday: 1994-12-16

Address: 2064 Little Summit, Goldieton, MS 97651-0862

Phone: +6873952696715

Job: Principal Officer

Hobby: Rafting, Cabaret, Candle making, Jigsaw puzzles, Inline skating, Magic, Graffiti

Introduction: My name is Patricia Veum II, I am a vast, combative, smiling, famous, inexpensive, zealous, sparkling person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.