10+ Cast Iron Skillet Recipes for Delicious Home-Cooked Meals

Cast iron skillets are a favorite for many home cooks due to their versatility and ability to retain heat. They can create a variety of delicious dishes, from savory dinners to mouthwatering desserts, all in one pan. These skillets not only improve with age but also provide a unique flavor to your meals.

If you’re looking to impress friends or family with your cooking skills, cast iron skillets can help you achieve that. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned chef, you’ll find that there is a recipe for everyone in the world of cast iron cooking.

1) One-Pan Chicken and Veggies

This One-Pan Chicken and Veggies recipe is perfect for a quick and tasty dinner. You’ll love how easily everything comes together in a cast iron skillet.

Start by seasoning your chicken pieces with your favorite spices. Then, add chopped vegetables like bell peppers, carrots, and green beans.

Sauté everything for a few minutes until the chicken is golden brown.

Bake the skillet in the oven at 400°F (200°C) for about 25 minutes. This method ensures that both the chicken and veggies are cooked perfectly.

Ingredients

• 4 chicken breasts
• 1 bell pepper, chopped
• 2 carrots, sliced
• 1 cup green beans, trimmed
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Your choice of spices (e.g., garlic powder, paprika)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Heat olive oil in a cast iron skillet.
3. Season the chicken and add to the skillet.
4. Add chopped vegetables around the chicken.
5. Cook for 5 minutes, then transfer to the oven.
6. Bake for 25 minutes until done.

2) Skillet Ribeye Steak with Garlic Butter

Cooking ribeye steak in a cast iron skillet is easy and delicious. This method creates a great sear and locks in the flavor. To finish, adding garlic butter makes it even better.

Start by bringing your steaks to room temperature for about 30 minutes. Season them well with salt and pepper.

Heat your cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add oil and let it get hot.

Sear the steaks for about 3-4 minutes on each side.

In the last minute, add a tablespoon of garlic butter. Spoon the melted butter over the steaks for extra flavor.

Let the steaks rest for a few minutes before cutting into them. Enjoy your tasty meal!

Ingredients:

• 2 ribeye steaks
• Salt and pepper
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon garlic butter

Cooking Instructions:

1. Let steaks sit at room temperature for 30 minutes.
2. Season with salt and pepper.
3. Heat skillet over medium-high heat.
4. Add oil and let it heat.
5. Sear steaks for 3-4 minutes on each side.
6. Add garlic butter in the last minute.
7. Let rest before serving.

3) Classic Southern Cornbread

Classic Southern cornbread is a warm and comforting dish that pairs well with many meals. It is easy to make in a cast iron skillet, giving it a nice crisp crust.

You will need cornmeal and buttermilk for a rich flavor. Some recipes even include bacon drippings for added taste. This cornbread has a simple ingredient list and is perfect to enjoy with chili or greens.

Ingredients

• 2 cups self-rising cornmeal mix
• 1 ½ cups buttermilk
• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
• ¼ cup bacon drippings or oil
• ½ teaspoon baking soda

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C).
2. Place bacon drippings in a cast iron skillet and heat on the stovetop.
3. In a bowl, mix cornmeal, buttermilk, eggs, and baking soda.
4. Pour batter into the hot skillet.
5. Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown.

4) One-Skillet Pasta Bolognese

Making a delicious Pasta Bolognese in a cast iron skillet is simple and quick. You can enjoy a hearty meal without a lot of cleanup. This recipe features rich flavors and tender pasta, all cooked in one pan.

Start by browning ground beef and pork in your skillet. After the meat is cooked, add diced onion, garlic, and spices for flavor.

Next, stir in tomato paste and crushed tomatoes. Add your pasta straight to the skillet with enough water or broth to cook it. As it simmers, the pasta absorbs all the tasty sauce.

Once the pasta is tender, finish with fresh herbs and cheese for extra flavor.

Ingredients

• 1 lb. ground beef
• 1 lb. ground pork
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 8 oz pasta (spaghetti or rigatoni)
• 2 cups water or broth
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Grated Parmesan cheese
• Fresh basil for garnish

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat the cast iron skillet over medium heat.
2. Add olive oil, then brown ground beef and pork.
3. Stir in diced onion and garlic, cooking until softened.
4. Mix in tomato paste and crushed tomatoes.
5. Add pasta and pour in water or broth.
6. Simmer until pasta is cooked, about 10-12 minutes.
7. Season with salt and pepper.
8. Top with Parmesan cheese and fresh basil before serving.

5) Seared Lamb Chops with Rosemary

Seared lamb chops are a delicious choice for a quick dinner. Using a cast iron skillet helps you achieve a perfect sear while locking in the flavor.

Start by seasoning the lamb chops with salt, pepper, and fresh rosemary. Heat the skillet over medium-high heat for a few minutes.

Add a little olive oil to the pan. Place the lamb chops in the skillet and cook for about 3-4 minutes on each side.

The internal temperature should reach 145°F (63°C) for medium-rare.

Once done, let the chops rest for five minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute and enhances the flavor.

Ingredients

• 4 lamb chops
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt, to taste
• Pepper, to taste
• Fresh rosemary, chopped

Cooking Instructions

1. Season lamb chops with salt, pepper, and rosemary.
2. Heat a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat.
3. Add olive oil to the skillet.
4. Cook lamb chops for 3-4 minutes on each side.
5. Check for an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C).
6. Let the chops rest for 5 minutes before serving.

6) Skillet Chicken Picante

Skillet Chicken Picante is a tasty and quick dish perfect for busy weeknights. You cook it all in one skillet, making cleanup easy. The combination of picante sauce, cheese, and fresh vegetables makes for a flavorful meal.

Start by cooking chicken in a hot skillet until it’s golden brown. Then, add onions and tomatoes for extra flavor.

Pour in some delicious picante sauce to bring everything together.

This dish pairs well with tortillas or rice. It’s a fun way to enjoy Mexican-inspired flavors at home.

Ingredients

• 2 chicken breasts
• 1 cup picante sauce
• 1 cup cheese (shredded)
• 1 cup diced tomatoes
• 1 onion (chopped)
• Olive oil
• Tortillas or rice (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat (350°F or 175°C).
2. Cook chicken breasts until golden brown.
3. Add chopped onions and diced tomatoes to the skillet.
4. Pour picante sauce over the chicken.
5. Sprinkle shredded cheese on top.
6. Cover and cook for about 5 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through.

7) Buttermilk Biscuits in Cast Iron

Making buttermilk biscuits in a cast iron skillet is a great way to achieve flaky and buttery layers. The hot skillet gives them a crispy bottom while keeping the inside soft.

You only need a few ingredients for this easy recipe. Start by preheating your oven to 425°F (220°C). This temperature helps the biscuits rise nicely.

You’ll love the way these biscuits puff up in the skillet. Serve them warm with butter or your favorite jam for a delicious treat.

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• ¾ cup buttermilk

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. In a bowl, mix flour, baking powder, and salt.
3. Cut in the butter until crumbly.
4. Stir in the buttermilk until dough forms.
5. Turn dough onto a floured surface and knead gently.
6. Roll out and cut into rounds.
7. Place in a buttered cast iron skillet.
8. Bake for 12-15 minutes until golden brown.

8) Deep-Dish Skillet Pizza

Making a deep-dish skillet pizza in your cast iron pan is simple and fun. This pizza has a thick, chewy crust and is loaded with your favorite toppings.

Start by preheating your oven to 425°F (220°C). Grease your cast iron skillet with olive oil for an easy release.

For the crust, mix flour, cornmeal, salt, and yeast. Add warm water and olive oil, then knead until smooth. Let the dough rise for about an hour.

Once your dough is ready, flatten it into the skillet. Layer marinara sauce, cheese, and toppings like pepperoni or sausage.

Bake for 25-30 minutes until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly.

Ingredients

• 2 cups bread flour
• 2 tbsp cornmeal
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp instant yeast
• 1/3 cup olive oil
• 1/2 cup warm water
• Marinara sauce
• Cheese
• Toppings of your choice

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. Grease cast iron skillet with olive oil.
3. Mix flour, cornmeal, salt, and yeast in a bowl.
4. Add warm water and olive oil; knead until smooth.
5. Let dough rise for 1 hour.
6. Flatten dough into the skillet.
7. Add marinara sauce, cheese, and toppings.
8. Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden.

9) Skillet Hasselback Sweet Potatoes

Skillet Hasselback sweet potatoes are a delicious and impressive side dish. The fan-like slices allow for crispiness and flavor to seep in. These potatoes are easy to make and perfect for any meal.

You’ll need to slice the sweet potatoes without cutting all the way through. This method creates beautiful layers that can hold toppings. You can use oil, herbs, and breadcrumbs to enhance the flavor.

Cooking them in a cast iron skillet gives them a nice crispy texture. Bake at 400°F (200°C) for about 45 minutes until tender and golden.

Ingredients

• 2 medium sweet potatoes
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 tablespoon chopped herbs (like rosemary or sage)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Slice the sweet potatoes thinly, stopping before cutting through.
3. Place them in a cast iron skillet.
4. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
5. Sprinkle breadcrumbs and herbs on top.
6. Bake for about 45 minutes or until tender.

10) Steak and Ale-Braised Onions

Steak and ale-braised onions are a flavorful addition to any meal. This dish brings together the rich taste of steak and the hearty depth of ale. It’s perfect as a side or atop a savory steak.

Start by caramelizing onions in your cast iron skillet. The skillet helps to get a nice brown color. Then, add some beef steak and pour in the ale for extra flavor.

Let everything simmer until the onions are tender and the steak is cooked through. The result is a deliciously rich dish that enhances any meal.

Ingredients

• 2 large onions, sliced
• 1 lb (450 g) beef steak, cubed
• 1 cup (240 ml) ale
• 2 tablespoons butter
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat your cast iron skillet over medium heat.

2. Melt the butter and add the onions.

3. Cook until they are caramelized, about 10 minutes.

4. Add the beef steak and season with salt and pepper.

5. Pour in the ale and stir everything together.

6. Simmer for 20 minutes until cooked through.