Cooking in a cast-iron skillet has a number of benefits, including lasting heat retention, non-stick properties when it’s properly seasoned, and being able to withstand high temperatures and the oven. A lot of the food that’s best in a cast-iron skillet also happens to be outdoorsy and fun, which means camping season is one of the best times of the year to use it. From breakfast to dessert and snacks in between, you’ll want to try these easy cast-iron skillet recipes.
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If you are a fan of the crusty, browned bits on the edges of your stuffing, you’ll love baking it in a cast-iron skillet. A mix of white bread cubes and cornbread give this stuffing the flavor of cornbread but the structure of a sturdier bread. Apples, pork sausage, and sage are a classic combo of additions. Check out these Unexpected Stuffing Recipes, too.
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Individual skillet cookies are a fun and cozy treat. Instead of chocolate chip, try gingerbread, which is full of spices such as cloves, nutmeg, and allspice. A little bit of orange zest gives the flavor a boost.
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One of the best reasons to roast a chicken in a cast-iron skillet is how caramelized and delicious the vegetables get in the same pan. This recipe uses that to full advantage by layering thinly sliced potatoes around the chicken in the pan. As the chicken cooks, the fat and juices coat the potatoes, and they brown and crisp for a hearty fall meal.
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Tamale pie is a Southwestern dish of chili baked with cornbread on top for a full meal in one skillet. This easy version includes lots of spices in the chili for a deep flavor, plus browned butter in the cornbread topping for nuttiness. A layer of cheddar cheese between the chili and cornbread makes everything a little gooey.
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There are few dishes more comforting than chicken pot pie, but it can be a long process to get dinner on the table. This cast-iron skillet version uses fast shortcuts such as store-bought rotisserie chicken and frozen puff pastry to simplify things. And since it’s all in one pan, there’s fewer dishes to wash.
One of the biggest advantages of cast-iron skillets is that they can be used directly on your grill, so they’re great for cooking side dishes while you grill burgers and sausages. These pinto beans are cooked Mexican-style with bacon, jalapeño and cumin, and take on a smoky flavor from the grill. (Love beans? Here are Creative Rice and Bean Dishes From Around the World.)
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Dutch babies are big, billowing oven-baked pancakes. Like British popovers, you heat the skillet they’re cooked in so it’s piping hot when you put the batter in, which helps it puff. A classic topping for these is simply lemon juice and sugar, but berries, Nutella, and even ham and cheese are tasty. (For variations on pancakes, check out these Best Homemade Pancake Recipes.)
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This recipe takes full advantage of hearty produce such as red cabbage and apples and combines them with sweet Italian sausages for a one-skillet meal. Deglazing with apple cider and apple cider vinegar adds a sweet and sour touch that’s classic with red cabbage.
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Chicken Fajitas
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Fajitas are fantastic to cook in a cast-iron skillet because it gets super hot and holds heat well, giving you a great sear and charred flavor just as a grill would. Marinate the chicken in a simple combination of lime, garlic, and spices, then cook the peppers and onions in the same pan as the chicken to take on some of that flavor.
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Everyone has had cornbread out of a cast-iron skillet, but what about spoon bread? It’s similar to cornbread because it’s made from cornmeal, but it’s creamier and more custardy, and that requires using a spoon to scoop it out. Garlic and fontina cheese add savory flavor.
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Apple crisp is a traditional dessert, but did you think to make it in a cast-iron skillet? It helps the edges get nice and caramelized, and makes a great presentation if you bring the skillet right to the table. You can easily swap out the apples for frozen berries or peaches. (Hungry for more? Here are Things You Didn’t Know About Apples.)
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Unlike other pies, shepherd’s pie doesn’t have a pastry crust. Instead, the ground meat, gravy and vegetable filling is topped with a thick layer of mashed potatoes before baking. This recipe includes plenty of butter and some parmesan cheese in the spuds .
Steaks benefit from the heat retention of cast iron to get a deep sear. For this meal, a thick rib-eye steak is cooked in the skillet; steamed and smashed Yukon old potatoes are browned in the beef fat rendered in the pan while the steak rests. A simple shallot and herb vinaigrette makes a refreshing sauce.
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If you think good homemade pizza has to be time consuming, try this smart recipe using a flour tortilla as the crust. A cast-iron skillet is essential since you’ll be using it on the stove and under the broiler, and it’ll make the cheesy edge crisp and caramelized. For the little amount of effort needed, these pizzas turn out amazing. (For inspiration, here are Yummy Pizza Recipes: From Plain Cheese to Peking Duck.)
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Who says s’mores are only for outdoors? You can enjoy them without a bonfire as long as you have a cast-iron skillet. Just heat the skillet in the oven, add chocolate and butterscotch chips and some cream, and top with marshmallows. Bake until they’re toasted and use graham crackers to dip.
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An oven-safe skillet is essential for this shortcut lasagna that is so quick it can be a weeknight meal. Making the meat sauce is the most complicated part. But then all you do is mix in some broken dry lasagna noodles, cottage or ricotta cheese, and bake it until the noodles are cooked and it’s browned and bubbly.
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Baked spinach and artichoke dip is a crowd pleaser. Its ingredients list is short so it comes together fast, and you can keep frozen spinach and canned artichoke hearts on hand all the time. Serve it with an assortment of dippers such as tortilla chips, pita chips, carrot coins, and baguette.
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Frittata, an egg dish that’s like a crustless quiche, is perfect for cooking in a well-seasoned cast-iron skillet because it starts on the stovetop, then gets transferred to the oven to finish cooking. This is a basic recipe that includes variations for mix-ins that include mushroom and tarragon and broccoli feta.
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The benefit of making cornbread in a cast-iron skillet is the deep, crunchy crust that it forms. With this recipe, you arrange fresh whole sage leaves in the skillet before the batter goes in, so when you turn it out, you see the beautiful leaves. Honey adds a little bit of sweetness.
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Enchiladas are not usually a quick dish to put together. But this skillet version includes canned enchilada sauce and precooked chicken — use a rotisserie chicken — to make it a lot faster. Tearing up the tortillas and mixing them in instead of rolling them also cuts the effort. Go wild with favorite toppings such as avocado, sliced radishes, corn salsa, or hot sauce.
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There’s not much better than the smell of baking bread, but fresh bread doesn’t always require tons of effort. This bread is no-knead, so you mix it into a wet dough, let it rise, place it in the skillet you’re baking it in, let it rise a second time, and that’s it. You can mix in any herbs or other seasonings you like.
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Swapping out russet potatoes for sweet potatoes in hash is a fun twist. They give you more flavor and more nutrients. Cook them in a skillet with diced peppers, ham, and garlic, then nestle some eggs in there for a complete brunch or light supper.
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Cast-iron skillets are essential for making Cajun blackened catfish since they hold a high heat so well. Blackening doesn’t mean burning: It refers to a heavy coating of spices on the catfish that gets deeply browned in the blazing hot pan. Use a pre-made blackening seasoning as this recipe calls for, or you can put your own blend together.
Sweet Potato Skillet Cake with Broiled Coconut Icing
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Cakes with old-fashioned broiled toppings are ideal for cast-iron skillets because you can’t use glass cake pans under the broiler. This version adds an interesting twist with a buttermilk-and-spice sweet potato cake, which is topped with a coconut, pecan, and brown sugar icing that becomes gooey and toasted under the broiler.
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Family game night just got way better with a big batch of these pizzalike pepperoni garlic knots. Using a cast-iron skillet ensures that all the pepperoni and garlic goodness stays in the pan and on the rolls. You can use homemade or store-bought pizza dough and pizza sauce, depending how much time you have.
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Upside-down cakes are a classic cast-iron pan favorite, but try this variation with cranberries instead of retro canned pineapple. They make for a festive, jewel-toned topping that looks great on the table. Add some orange zest to the cake or topping for an extra punch.
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Skin-on chicken thighs get nice and crispy in a cast-iron skillet. Once they’re browned, make a fennel and leek-studded orzo with white wine and lemon to nestle them in. Though the recipe doesn’t call for it, a sprinkle of parmesan cheese on top wouldn’t hurt.
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Chicken vesuvio is an easy Italian-American dish popular in the Chicago area. Bone-in chicken is browned in a skillet with potato wedges, then braised in a simple pan sauce of white wine, garlic, and oregano. When it’s finished, peas and fresh lemon juice give it color and freshness.
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This vegetarian recipe has a Mediterranean flair. Chickpeas are coated in spices and sauteed until they’re brown and crunchy; roasted squash is caramelized for extra sweetness. It’s topped with all kinds of contrasting light and fresh ingredients, including a lemon and garlic yogurt sauce, radishes, and pomegranate seeds.
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Cast iron is great for keeping hot dips warm for a while without having to use a slow cooker. A smooth, flowing cheese dip is easier to make than you think, and requires only a few ingredients. The cornstarch and evaporated milk are essential to creating a smooth sauce, so don’t substitute them. (Love your slow cooker? Here are 52 Recipes to Keep Your Slow Cooker Bubbling While You’re Busy.)
Lacey Muszynski is a staff writer at Cheapism covering food, travel, and more. She has over 15 years of writing and editing experience, and her restaurant reviews and recipes have previously appeared in Serious Eats, Thrillist, and countless publications in her home state of Wisconsin.
