23 Best Cast Iron Skillet Recipes to Put Your Trusty Pan to Good Use
Find recipes for great skillet dinners, breads, and even desserts.
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Cast iron skillet recipes are always on repeat in The Pioneer Woman's kitchen! And it’s no wonder why: cast iron skillets are one of the most versatile and durable pans you can own. It's trusty and reliable no matter where you plan on cooking—on the stovetop, in the oven, or on the grill. It’s an essential tool for making eggs, steak recipes, chicken, veggies, and, of course, cornbread. “Cast iron gets screaming hot,” Ree says, “so it's perfect for giving biscuits, rolls, and other breads a beautiful crust." She's right: This heavy-duty pan holds its heat well, so it’s great for giving a hard sear on anything, like pizzas, stir fries, and especially meats.
On top of all that, you won’t have to worry about dirtying another dish for the sake of presentation, since you take your cast iron skillet straight to the table (don't forget a trivet, though!). To honor this prized pan, we’ve rounded up the best cast iron skillet recipes, including dishes like skillet lasagna, beef taco skillet, and roasted chicken and potatoes. Here, you'll even find ways to use your cast iron pan for desserts. There’s an incredible upside-down apple cake that’s made possible thanks to the nonstick factor of your cast iron pan. Just be sure you know how to season your cast iron for proper care. "Cast iron is timeless and pretty much indestructible,” Ree says. “It will last forever if you take good care of it.”
Skillet Cornbread
The secret to Ree’s cornbread recipe from childhood? It’s all about the pan. The cast iron skillet gives it a deliciously crispy crust.
Beef Taco Skillet
This one-pan dinner is a fun twist on taco night. Serve it with all your favorite toppings: guacamole, salsa, sour cream, or shredded cheese.
Roasted Veggie Cast Iron Pizza
You can use homemade dough or refrigerated pizza dough to make this family dinner even easier. Either way, baking it in the cast iron skillet will give the pizza a perfect crust every time!
Skillet Mocha Brownie Sundae
A cast iron skillet makes this decadent treat even better. If you’re looking to take it to the next level, top the brownies with ice cream and homemade coffee syrup.
Skillet Lasagna
Toss pieces of lasagna noodles together with sauce and cheese for the easiest take on this Italian dinner. It’s ready in just 35 minutes!
Skillet Dinner Rolls with Garlic-Herb Butter
These flavorful pull-apart rolls can feed a crowd, so they’re perfect for parties or holiday dinners. Serve them directly in the pan for a rustic look that everyone will love.
Apple Cake in an Iron Skillet
Cast iron is naturally nonstick so it’s perfect for flipping out a caramelized upside down apple cake without too much worry.
Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese
Your skillet will start on the stovetop and finish in the oven when you make this panko crusted mac and cheese. The result is a crisp, gooey, and irresistible fall-flavored dish.
Skirt Steak with Blistered Green Beans
Both the steak and the vegetables are cooked in the same cast iron pan so cleanup couldn’t be easier. It’s great for weeknight dinners!
Bacon-Cheddar Cornbread
A twist on Ree’s classic cornbread recipe, this kicked-up version is topped with crispy bacon, cheddar cheese, and chives. Yum!
Skillet Chicken Lasagna
This one-pan dinner has everything you need for an incredibly easy (and tasty) weeknight meal: chicken, carbs, and tons of cheese.
Skillet Biscuits with Cinnamon-Honey Butter
Brush these old-fashioned biscuits with a coating of cinnamon-honey butter while the biscuits are still hot so they can soak up all the flavor. Then, serve extra butter on the side!
Chicken and Veggie Fall Skillet
This meal is bursting with flavor thanks to cumin-spiced chicken thighs, fresh herbs, and seasonal veggies. Best of all—it’s all cooked in one cast iron skillet!
Green Chile Enchilada Casserole
Instead of filling and rolling each enchilada, this easy method layers all the ingredients in a cast iron skillet. It’s a cheesy vegetarian main course that everyone will love!
Cherry Cobbler
It doesn’t take much effort to put this easy skillet dessert together. Serve it warm from the oven with your favorite ice cream!
Chicken Fried Steak
When a recipe calls for a heavy skillet, look no further than your cast iron! It holds its temperature well so it’s great for frying just about anything—like this chicken fried steak.
Pepperoni Pizza Rolls
These bite-sized pizza rolls are baked in a cast iron skillet until crisp, golden, and bubbling. Everyone will be happy if you serve these on game day.
Bacon-Wrapped Filets with Cowboy Butter
Make a restaurant-worthy steak dinner for two in just 35 minutes! It’s a total game-changer.
Skillet-Roasted Chicken and Potatoes
The potatoes in this recipe are cooked right in the juices from the chicken to give everything tons of flavor. It’s a delicious take on comfort food.
Cheeseburger Dip
Cast iron skillets aren’t just for making dinner—you can use it for serving appetizers like your favorite warm dip. Try a scoop of this meaty and cheesy game day snack.
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