10+ Cast Iron Skillet Recipes for Easy and Delicious Meals

Cast iron skillets—honestly, they’re a staple in a lot of kitchens for good reason. They cook food evenly and handle just about any recipe you throw at them.

Whether you’re just getting started or you’ve had your skillet for years, you’ll notice it brings a special taste and texture to your meals. There’s just something about that heat retention.

You can whip up all kinds of dishes in a cast iron skillet—breakfast, dinner, and, yeah, even desserts. These skillets are tough and versatile, so they’ll stick around in your kitchen for ages.

1) One-Pan Chicken with Vegetables

Here’s a simple, satisfying meal you can make in just one cast iron skillet. Heat the skillet over medium, add a bit of oil, and lay your chicken pieces in skin side down.

Give them a few minutes to crisp up and turn golden. Toss in chopped carrots, potatoes, and onions around the chicken.

The veggies soak up all the good flavors while everything cooks together. Cover the skillet, pop it in the oven at 400°F (200°C), and roast until the chicken’s done and the veggies are tender.

One pan, juicy chicken, and flavorful vegetables—plus less mess to deal with.

Ingredients

• 4 chicken thighs or breasts
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 carrots, chopped
• 4 small potatoes, quartered
• 1 onion, sliced
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat skillet over medium heat and add oil.
2. Place chicken skin side down; cook 5-7 minutes until browned.
3. Add vegetables around chicken.
4. Transfer skillet to oven at 400°F (200°C).
5. Roast 25-30 minutes until chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) and vegetables are soft.

2) Seared Ribeye Steak

You can get a steakhouse-quality ribeye at home with your cast iron skillet. Heat the skillet until it’s practically smoking—450°F to 500°F (230°C to 260°C) is the sweet spot.

Pour in a splash of avocado oil or something similar with a high smoke point. Lay your ribeye down and let it sear for a few minutes per side.

You’ll get a golden, crusty outside and a juicy inside. If you want it even more tender, finish the steak in the oven at 400°F (205°C) for just a bit.

Toss a pat of butter on top at the end if you’re feeling fancy.

Ingredients

• Ribeye steak (1-1.5 inches thick)
• Avocado oil (or another high smoke point oil)
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Butter (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat your cast iron skillet to 450°F–500°F (230°C–260°C).
2. Rub the ribeye with salt and pepper.
3. Add oil to the hot skillet.
4. Sear the steak for 3-4 minutes on each side.
5. Optional: Transfer skillet to a preheated 400°F (205°C) oven for 3-5 minutes.
6. Add a pat of butter on top before serving.

3) Skillet Peach Cake

This skillet peach cake is one of those easy desserts that tastes like you put in way more effort than you actually did. Grab some fresh peaches—especially if it’s summer and they’re at their best.

Melt sugar right in the skillet to make a quick caramel base. Layer on the sliced peaches.

Mix up a simple cake batter and pour it over the fruit. Bake until the top’s golden and a toothpick comes out clean.

The skillet gives the cake a crisp edge, and the center stays soft and moist. Serve it warm, maybe with a scoop of ice cream if you’re feeling indulgent.

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 3-4 fresh peaches, sliced
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup butter, melted
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Cooking Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Heat sugar in a 10-inch cast iron skillet over medium heat until melted and caramelized.
3. Arrange peaches over the caramel.
4. In a bowl, mix flour, baking powder, salt, sugar, melted butter, milk, egg, and vanilla.
5. Pour batter evenly over peaches.
6. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
7. Let cool slightly before serving.

For more on making peach skillet cakes, see Peach Skillet Cake.

4) Skillet Hasselback Sweet Potatoes

Hasselback sweet potatoes look fancy but are actually pretty easy. Slice thinly across the top, but don’t cut all the way through.

This lets the flavors seep in and the edges crisp up while they bake. Cast iron helps the potatoes cook evenly and get a great texture.

Drizzle with oil, sprinkle on salt and pepper, and maybe add some herbs or butter if you want. Bake at 400°F (200°C) for about 45 minutes.

The slices fan out as they cook, so you get crispy bits and tender insides.

Ingredients

• 2 large sweet potatoes
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 teaspoon chopped fresh sage or other herb (optional)
• 2 tablespoons butter (optional)

Cooking Instructions

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

5) One-Skillet Pasta

One-skillet pasta is just what it sounds like—everything cooks in one pan, so you save time and skip the mountain of dishes. Toss in the pasta, sauce, and whatever extras you like.

Add sausage, tomatoes, or greens for more flavor and some nutrition. The pasta soaks up the sauce as it cooks.

Keep an eye on the heat and stir now and then so nothing sticks. Cast iron distributes the heat nicely, so everything cooks evenly.

Ingredients

• 8 oz pasta (like penne or spaghetti)
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1/2 bell pepper, diced
• 1/2 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cups broth or water
• 1 cup shredded cheese (optional)
• Olive oil, salt, and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in the skillet over medium heat.
2. Sauté onion, garlic, and bell pepper until soft.
3. Add tomatoes and cook 2 minutes.
4. Pour in broth, then add pasta and stir.
5. Simmer until pasta is tender, about 10-12 minutes.
6. Stir in cheese if using, then serve warm.

This easy one-skillet pasta idea is inspired by simple recipes like the one on Taste of Home.

6) Muenster Cheese Bread

Muenster cheese bread is a cozy, cheesy treat that’s surprisingly straightforward. Mix up the dough with Muenster cheese and roll it out.

Drop it right into your greased cast iron skillet. The skillet shapes the bread into a nice round loaf and gives it a crisp crust.

You can tuck extra cheese inside for a gooey middle. Once baked, the bread comes out golden and soft.

The mellow flavor of Muenster with that crusty bread? Hard to beat.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 packet active dry yeast
• 1 cup warm water
• 1 large egg plus 1 yolk
• 1 ½ cups shredded Muenster cheese
• Butter or oil for skillet greasing

Cooking Instructions:

1. Mix flour, sugar, salt, and yeast in a bowl.
2. Add warm water, egg, and yolk; stir until dough forms.
3. Knead the dough for 8-10 minutes on a floured surface.
4. Fold in half of the shredded cheese into the dough.
5. Let dough rise until doubled, about 1 hour.
6. Punch down dough, roll into a 16-inch circle.
7. Grease a 10-inch cast iron skillet and place dough inside.
8. Sprinkle remaining cheese on top.
9. Let dough rest 20 minutes.
10. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 50 minutes or until golden brown.
11. Cool slightly before slicing and serving.

For more details, visit this Muenster bread recipe.

7) Frittata with Potatoes and Veggies

A frittata in a cast iron skillet is just so satisfying and flexible. Start by cooking diced potatoes until they’re soft.

Add your favorite veggies—spinach, onions, cherry tomatoes, whatever you have on hand. The dish finishes in the oven, so you get a warm, hearty meal.

Eggs bring everything together, and cheese on top makes it extra good. Cook the frittata on the stove first, then move it to the oven at 375°F (190°C).

You’ll get a set top without burning the bottom. The edges get a nice crunch, thanks to the skillet.

Ingredients

• 2 cups diced potatoes
• 1 cup chopped spinach
• 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 4 large eggs
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/4 cup chopped onions
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a 10-inch cast iron skillet over medium heat.
2. Add potatoes and onions. Cook until potatoes are soft, about 8-10 minutes.
3. Stir in spinach and cherry tomatoes. Cook for 2 more minutes.
4. Whisk eggs with salt and pepper. Pour eggs evenly over veggies.
5. Sprinkle cheese on top. Cook on stove for 3-4 minutes without stirring.
6. Transfer skillet to oven and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 12-15 minutes.
7. Let cool slightly before slicing and serving.

Try this potato frittata recipe for ideas.

8) Deep-Dish Skillet Pizza

Deep-dish skillet pizza is a fun way to get that thick, cheesy bite with a crispy crust. Start by making a dough that cooks up nice and even in your cast iron skillet.

The deep sides let you really pile on sauce, cheese, and whatever toppings you’re craving. Cooking it in a cast iron skillet gives the bottom and edges a golden crunch.

Go wild with sausage, fresh veggies, or roasted peppers. I always layer the sauce and cheese for the best flavor—can’t skip that step.

Give it about 30 to 40 minutes in a hot oven at 425°F (220°C). Just keep an eye on it so the cheese gets bubbly and the crust turns golden.

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tbsp cornmeal
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp instant yeast
• 1/3 cup olive oil
• 3/4 cup warm water
• 1 cup marinara or pizza sauce
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup cooked sausage or other toppings

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix flour, cornmeal, salt, and yeast in a bowl.
2. Add olive oil and warm water. Stir until you get a dough.
3. Let the dough rise for about 30 minutes.
4. Press it into a lightly oiled cast iron skillet.
5. Spread sauce over the dough.
6. Add cheese, then your toppings.
7. Bake at 425°F (220°C) for 30-40 minutes, or until the crust is golden.

9) Spicy Queso Dip

Spicy queso dip comes together fast in a cast iron skillet. It’s cheesy, a little spicy, and perfect for sharing.

Melted cheese mixes with spicy chorizo and diced tomatoes for a dip with a kick. The skillet helps everything melt evenly and keeps it warm longer.

You just need a whisk to blend everything together. This dip is a go-to for game day or a laid-back snack.

Serve it with tortilla chips or fresh veggies. Adjust the heat by tossing in more or fewer jalapeños—totally up to you.

You can always tweak the spices or add your favorites. It’s a pretty forgiving recipe.

Ingredients

• 8 oz cream cheese
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 lb spicy chorizo
• 1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies
• 1-2 jalapeños, diced
• Fresh cilantro (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat your cast iron skillet over medium.
2. Cook the chorizo until it’s browned, about 5 minutes, and drain off any extra fat.
3. Lower the heat to medium-low and stir in the cream cheese until it melts.
4. Add the shredded cheddar and stir until smooth.
5. Mix in the diced tomatoes and jalapeños; let it cook for 2-3 minutes.
6. Garnish with cilantro if you’re feeling fancy. Serve warm.

For another take, check this Spicy Queso Dip for Two.

10) Skillet Chicken Picante

Skillet Chicken Picante is quick, bold, and honestly just hits the spot on a busy night. Start by browning chicken breasts in a hot skillet until both sides get golden.

That gives you a nice crust and keeps the chicken juicy. Toss in chopped onions with garlic powder for a boost of aroma.

Add diced tomatoes to the pan and let everything simmer together. The sauce thickens and soaks right into the chicken.

Serve it with rice, pasta, or just some bread to mop up all that sauce. It’s simple but feels a little special.

Ingredients

• 3 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes

Cooking Instructions

1. Pour some oil into a 12-inch skillet and heat it over medium-high.

2. Toss in the chicken breasts and brown both sides. This usually takes about 10 minutes.

3. Pull the chicken out and set it aside for now.

4. Throw chopped onion and a sprinkle of garlic powder into the skillet. Let them cook until the onion softens up.

5. Add in the diced tomatoes and let it come to a simmer.

6. Put the chicken back into the skillet. Cover it up and let everything cook for 10-15 minutes, or until the chicken’s done all the way through.

7. Serve it hot, maybe with whatever side dish you’re in the mood for.