40 Perfect Cast Iron Skillet Recipes To Try Out Once

The cast iron skillet is an incredibly versatile kitchen tool, and if cared for properly, a cast iron skillet can last forever. 

We have compiled a list of 40 of the best recipes you can cook in your cast iron skillet. 

Quick Table: Best Cast Iron Skillet Recipes

Recipes	Calories Per Serving	Preparation Time
Jalapeño Bacon Cheddar Cornbread	384	55 Minutes
Skillet Buttermilk Biscuits	186	30 Minutes
Creamy Au Gratin Potatoes With Kale And Gruyère	499	75 Minutes
Cherry Tomato Gratin	288	30 Minutes
Skillet Mac And Cheese	340	30 Minutes
Beef And Broccoli	264	30 Minutes
One Pot Chicken And Mushroom Orzo	663	35 Minutes
New Orleans BBQ Shrimp	464	15 Minutes
Sun Dried Tomato Cheesy Meatballs	372.52	50 Minutes
Skillet Shepherd’s Pie	448	30 Minutes
Jambalaya Skillet	311	30 Minutes
Scallops With Lemon Caper Sauce	192	10 Minutes
Stuffed Zucchini Rolls	835	1 Hour
Salisbury Steak Meatballs With Noodles	540	45 Minutes
Creamy Parmesan Chicken Meatballs	575	30 Minutes
Blackened Salmon	313	20 Minutes
Bistec Encebollado	423	4 Hours 55 Minutes
Cast Iron Pizza With Fennel And Sausage	Not Available	Not Available
Smothered Pork Chops	355	40 Minutes
Crustless Chicken Pot Pie Casserole	321	50 Minutes
Johnny Marzetti	302	1 Hour 40 Minutes
Thai Chicken Thighs And Noodles	455	5 Hours 25 Minuytes
Garlic Butter Shrimp	243	22 Minutes
Skillet Lasagna	436	30 Minutes
Flank Steak Fajitas	587	30 Minutes
Easy Creamy Chicken Skillet	396	30 Minutes
Garlic Butter Steak Bites	316	15 Minutes
Skillet Steak	638	15 Minutes
Cast Iron Ham And Swiss Sliders	180	20 Minutes
Cheesy Taco Skillet	426	40 Minutes
Creamy Shrimp Scampi Dip	341	1 Hour 5 Minutes
Skillet Loaded Nachos	340	45 Minutes
Skillet Frittata	308	45 Minutes
Crispy Hash Breakfast Skillet	162	50 Minutes
Shakshuka	340	25 Minutes
Biscuits And Gravy Casserole	688	50 Minutes
Skillet Chicken Parmesan	410	35 Minutes
Italian Sausage Pasta Skillet	306	16 Minutes
Poached Salmon In Coconut Lime Sauce	502	25 Minutes
Pork Chops With Apples, Cinnamon, And Butternut Squash	482	44 Minutes

1. Jalapeño Bacon Cheddar Cornbread

Delicious cornbread is only improved by the addition of jalapeños and bacon. This quick-and-easy recipe can be made all in the same cast iron skillet, saving you time and effort, as it’s so easy to clean up after. 

The spice from the peppers along with the saltiness of the crispy bacon pairs so well with the sweet cornbread. Give this one a try as it makes for the perfect side dish. 

Calories Per Serving: 384

Preparation Time: 55 Minutes

2. Skillet Buttermilk Biscuits

Cook these tender, flaky, buttery little biscuits all in one pan and then serve them in the same pan all ready for sharing. This simple recipe only requires 6 common ingredients, and it can be made so easily in under 45 minutes. 

Calories Per Serving: 186

Preparation Time: 30 Minutes

3. Creamy Au Gratin Potatoes With Kale And Gruyère

This simple but effective twist on au gratin potatoes is really delicious. 

With a rich and creamy sauce, creamed kale, creamy Gruyère cheese, and a golden crust on top that is to die for, this recipe makes for the perfect side dish to almost any meal. 

The perfect balance between rustic and fancy, this dish can be made all in the same pan.  

Calories Per Serving: 499

Preparation Time: 75 Minutes

4. Cherry Tomato Gratin

With vibrant, sweet, fresh cherry tomatoes, fresh herbs, and Parmesan cheese, this light casserole dish is incredibly simple but incredibly delicious. 

This quick-and-easy one pan dish can be made in next to no time, and it makes for the perfect light side dish to your meal. 

This cherry tomato gratin lends itself to winter evening meals, as it’s so warm and comforting and can be served alongside something like roast beef or salmon. 

Calories Per Serving: 288

Preparation Time: 30 Minutes

5. Skillet Mac And Cheese

Mac and cheese is a timeless classic side dish, and it can be made even better in a cast iron skillet. You can make this recipe your own by adding your own choice of cheese. 

Why not top it with breadcrumbs and finish it off beneath the broiler for some added crispiness?

Calories Per Serving: 340

Preparation Time: 30 Minutes

6. Beef And Broccoli

This easy one-pot recipe can be made in as little as 30 minutes. Fresh broccoli is paired with tender, juicy cuts of beef and mixed into a delicious salty and sweet Asian-style sauce. 

This healthy, low-carb meal is incredibly delicious and easy to make.  

Calories Per Serving: 264

Preparation Time: 30 Minutes

7. One Pot Chicken And Mushroom Orzo

Juicy, succulent chicken thighs with mushrooms, spinach, and orzo to soak up all the beautiful juices.  What an incredible meal that only requires a single pot! 

This is a really easy recipe you can make for a quick dinner that is as simple as it is delicious. If you prefer, you could use chicken breasts instead of thighs.  

Calories Per Serving: 663

Preparation Time: 35 Minutes

8. New Orleans BBQ Shrimp

This spicy BBQ shrimp dish is packed full of New Orleans flavors, and it can be cooked in a cast iron skillet.  This rich sauce is loaded with garlic, onions, and spices with a dash of lemon juicy for a zesty hit of freshness. 

These flavors go incredibly well with the jumbo gulf shrimp. The amazing sauce and juices from the shrimp deserve to be soaked up with some delicious fresh bread. 

Calories Per Serving: 464

Preparation Time: 15 Minutes

9. Sun Dried Tomato Cheesy Meatballs

This low-carb, keto-friendly dish is really delicious and flavorful. With rich and juicy sun dried tomatoes, garlic, and fresh herbs, this tasty low-carb meal can be made all in one pot. 

These protein-rich meatballs use a mix of ground beef and pork. Serve these meatballs on some zoodles for a low-carb meal, or it can be served on top of pasta if you’re not on a keto diet.

Calories Per Serving: 372.52

Preparation Time: 50 Minutes

10. Skillet Shepherd’s Pie

This one-pot shepherd’s pie is made with common pantry staples, and it’s really quick and easy to make. 

Packed with veggies and delicious ground beef, and topped with light and fluffy mashed potatoes, this is one that the whole family will enjoy. 

The great thing about making this dish in a cast iron skillet is that you can finish it off in the oven, which brings all the flavors together and gives the mashed potatoes a beautiful golden crust.

This homely, comforting, and hearty dish is a real classic. 

Calories Per Serving: 448

Preparation Time: 30 Minutes

RELATED: The History And Price Guide For Griswold Cast Iron

11. Jambalaya Skillet

Jambalaya originated in Louisiana, and it is a dish consisting essentially of rice and vegetables. This variation includes andouille sausages, along with the classic diced tomatoes, onions, celery, chicken broth, chicken, and, of course, rice. 

Similar to a paella, you can add in other ingredients to make this dish your own. Why not try adding in some jumbo shrimp? The flavors all come together beautifully, and the juices and spices are all soaked up by the rice.  

Calories Per Serving: 311

Preparation Time: 30 Minutes

12. Scallops With Lemon Caper Sauce

Scallops are a classy and elegant dish that are always seen in fancy restaurants. Luckily, you can make a meal just as elegant and delicious from home. 

These pan-seared scallops when cooked in a hot skilled get a beautiful caramelized golden crust on them. 

Next, they are drizzled in a lemon and caper sauce which is truly to die for. Give this recipe a try when you’re really trying to impress a guest or your family.   

Calories Per Serving: 192

Preparation Time: 10 Minutes

13. Stuffed Zucchini Rolls

This tasty one-pot meal uses a triad of cheeses with Italian sausage wrapped in thinly-sliced zucchini. This is definitely one to try when zucchini is in season between June and August. 

Zucchini is a great low-carb alternative to pasta, as it holds its shape really well during the cooking process. It’s also really tasty! 

Calories Per Serving: 835

Preparation Time: 1 Hour

14. Salisbury Steak Meatballs With Noodles

Tender and succulent meatballs in a rich onion gravy served over egg noodles is just about as good as comfort food gets. This delicious meal is easy to make, and it can be cooked all in one skillet. 

It without a doubt beats any Salisbury Steak TV dinner! Once you try this recipe, you won’t go back. This hearty, comforting, and warming is perfect for the whole family on cold winter evenings.

Calories Per Serving: 540

Preparation Time: 45 Minutes

15. Creamy Parmesan Chicken Meatballs

These baked Parmesan chicken meatballs cooked in a rich tomato sauce with spinach makes for a delicious and healthy meal that’s also quick and easy to make in only a single skillet. 

This is a great recipe for a quick-and-easy weeknight meal that the whole family will enjoy.  

Calories Per Serving: 575

Preparation Time: 30 Minutes

16. Blackened Salmon

You can make this incredible restaurant quality salmon dish at home with only a handful of ingredients and your trusty cast iron skillet. 

Delicious fillets of fresh salmon are coated in a variety of spices and also butter before being seared in a hot skillet. 

This technique is great for cooking salmon or any firm-bodied fish, and it gives it lots of incredible flavor. The fish may look like it’s burnt, but it actually isn’t. The black color comes from the butter and the charred spices that coat the salmon. 

Calories Per Serving: 313

Preparation Time: 20 Minutes

17. Bistec Encebollado

This Spanish-style recipe for steak and onions combines classic, tried and true flavors that are undeniably delicious. 

It’s also incredibly easy to make in a skillet, and it’s a recipe you and your family will love. This meal goes beautifully with a glass of red wine.  

Calories Per Serving: 423

Preparation Time: 4 Hours 55 Minutes

18. Cast Iron Pizza With Fennel And Sausage

You might think that cooking a pizza in a skillet is unusual, but if you give this recipe a try, then you will think it’s genius. 

Cooking the sausage in the skillet before putting in the pizza dough infuses the dough with delicious sausage flavors. 

Fennel and sausage are beautiful flavors that work incredibly well on a freshly baked pizza.  

Calories Per Serving: Not Available

Preparation Time: Not Available

19. Smothered Pork Chops

This classic, American dish is packed full of delicious flavors. Thick-cut pork chops are smothered in a delicious mushroom and onion gravy. 

Cooking pork chops this way in a cast iron skillet allows you to sear the pork chops before finishing them in the oven, giving you juicy, tender, and flavorful pork chops every time. 

Calories Per Serving: 355

Preparation Time: 40 Minutes

20. Crustless Chicken Pot Pie Casserole

This take on the classic chicken pot pie is a healthier alternative as it doesn’t contain the pastry.  This makes the dish far lower in carbohydrates and calories. 

Succulent pieces of chicken breast and a host of vegetables are stirred through a delicious, thick, and creamy sauce and cooked all in a single skillet. 

Calories Per Serving: 321

Preparation Time: 50 Minutes

21. Johnny Marzetti

This classic American casserole has been a staple in family homes for over 100 years. 

Consisting of Marconi, beef, and vegetables and topped with lots of cheese, this recipe has been a secret weapon for moms across the country for generations. 

This meal is quick and incredibly easy to make, as well as being really affordable. You can whip up a large batch of this casserole to feed the whole family and have enough for leftovers.  

Calories Per Serving: 302

Preparation Time: 1 Hour 40 Minutes

22. Thai Chicken Thighs And Noodles

Tender, juicy chicken thighs smothered in a rich and flavorful Thai sauce and served on top of soft rice noodles makes for a fantastic and exotic meal. Plus, it can be made all in a single skillet. 

This saves so much time as there is little washing up to do. This flavorful meal can be made in as little as 35 minutes. You can make this restaurant-quality meal from home and impress your friends and family. 

Calories Per Serving: 455

Preparation Time: 5 Hours 25 Minutes

23. Garlic Butter Shrimp

This elegant dish is packed full of flavor, and it can be made easily all in one skillet. Delicious fresh shrimp cooked in butter and a lot of garlic and then topped with lemon juice and chopped parsley can be made in as little as 20 minutes. 

This dish can be served as an appetizer or as part of a main course.

Calories Per Serving: 243

Preparation Time: 22 Minutes

24. Skillet Lasagna

Did you know you can make lasagna in a cast iron skillet? Well, you can, and it’s good! And it’s so much easier than the normal way of cooking it. 

It can be cooked in as little as 30 minutes and all in one skillet, making clean up incredibly easy. The recipe itself is delicious, with creamy cheese and a rich tomato sauce. Give it a try!

Calories Per Serving: 436

Preparation Time: 30 Minutes

25. Flank Steak Fajitas 

Beautifully cooked medium-rare flank steaks are rubbed with a blend of flavorful Mexican spices, red onions, and Poblano peppers and then topped with cheese and sliced avocado. 

These fajitas are packed full of delicious South American flavors. Using only a cast iron skillet, this recipe is quick and easy to make, and it saves on washing up. 

Calories Per Serving: 587

Preparation Time: 30 Minutes

26. Easy Creamy Chicken Skillet

This indulgent chicken recipe in a beautifully creamy sauce is keto-friendly and really easy to make. With mushrooms and sliced bell peppers for color, this vibrant dish is perfect for a quick low-carb weekday meal. 

Calories Per Serving: 396

Preparation Time: 30 Minutes

27. Garlic Butter Steak Bites

In only 15 minutes, you can cook this incredibly delicious and low-carb meal. Simply fill your cast iron skillet with lots of bite-sized steak pieces and smother them in a beautiful garlic butter sauce. What could be better?

Calories Per Serving: 316

Preparation Time: 15 Minutes

28. Skillet Steak

Pan seared steak has to be the best and easiest way to cook a perfect steak. You must make sure that your pan is really hot in order to get a perfect, golden-brown crust on your steak. This crust seals in all the moisture and flavor of the steak. 

Vegetable oil is preferred to olive oil as it has a higher smoking point, so your pan can reach a higher temperature without burning the oil. 

To take your steak up to the next level, before it’s done cooking, add some butter and a sprig of thyme to add some extra delicious flavor. 

Calories Per Serving: 638

Preparation Time: 15 Minutes

29. Cast Iron Ham And Swiss Sliders

These tasty little ham and cheese sliders can be baked in a cast iron skillet. They are packed full of flavor, and they’re drizzled in an incredible savory butter sauce. They are perfect for sharing at a party.  

Calories Per Serving: 180

Preparation Time: 20 Minutes

30. Cheesy Taco Skillet

Ground beef is cooked along with a variety of vegetables, spices, tomato purée and black beans to make an incredibly delicious Mexican-style dish without the carbs from the tortilla.

This keto-friendly take on a taco has all the flavor of your favorite taco filling but without the guilt of having excess carbs. 

Calories Per Serving: 426

Preparation Time: 40 Minutes

31. Creamy Shrimp Scampi Dip

This rich and creamy appetizer is a total crowd pleaser. With succulent shrimp and three types of cheese, along with some lemon zest and garlic, this mouthwatering dip goes perfectly with some crusty 

Calories Per Serving: 341

Preparation Time: 1 Hour 5 Minutes

32. Skillet Loaded Nachos

Nachos loaded with delicious and flavorful beef, corn, black beans, cilantro and topped with plenty of melted cheese all in one skillet. What’s not to love? 

Calories Per Serving: 340

Preparation Time: 45 Minutes

33. Skillet Frittata

The frittata is one of those dishes where you can really customize it and make it your own by adding in whatever vegetables you have in your fridge. 

The ideal frittata is light, fluffy, and almost custard-like in texture. This is the ideal weekend brunch recipe, and it can be made all in one cast iron skillet. 

Calories Per Serving: 308

Preparation Time: 45 Minutes

34. Crispy Hash Breakfast Skillet

This breakfast skillet recipe is really filling, hearty, and delicious. Despite its name, this is one recipe that can be made any time of day when you just want something quick, easy, and tasty to fill you up. 

Bacon, egg, and potatoes all fried up with some chopped scallion and topped with melted cheese makes for an incredibly easy and delicious meal. 

Calories Per Serving: 162

Preparation Time: 50 Minutes

35. Shakshuka

This delicious Mediterranean-style dish consists of eggs poached in a cast iron skillet with tomatoes, onion, peppers, garlic, and a blend of a few spices and herbs to really bring out all those incredible flavors. 

Give this dish a try for a quick, easy, and delicious lunch that is incredibly fulfilling. 

Calories Per Serving: 340

Preparation Time: 25 Minutes

36. Biscuits And Gravy Casserole

This old-fashioned, American breakfast can be made really easily, all in a single skillet. Comforting and hearty biscuits soaked in a delicious gravy with broken up breakfast sausage make for such a nostalgic American breakfast dish. 

Once cooked, the biscuits are brushed with melted butter to make them even more mouthwatering.  Try this recipe out for a quick, comforting breakfast. 

Calories Per Serving: 688

Preparation Time: 50 Minutes

37. Skillet Chicken Parmesan

This classic recipe features pan fried chicken breasts topped with Parmesan cheese, marinara sauce and Mozzarella cheese. 

Once cooked, the Parmesan begins to crisp up beautifully to create a delicious golden-brown crust on the chicken breasts. This recipe can be made for a quick-and-easy dinner in very little time. 

Calories Per Serving: 410

Preparation Time: 35 Minutes

38. Italian Sausage Pasta Skillet

This super easy pasta and sausage dish can be cooked all in one skillet. Delicious Italian sausages with tomatoes are all cooked up in only 20 minutes and then topped with Parmesan cheese. 

This quick-and-easy recipe is sure to be a new family favorite. 

Calories Per Serving: 306

Preparation Time: 16 Minutes

39. Poached Salmon In Coconut Lime Sauce

This poached salmon in a beautifully exotic coconut and lime sauce is to die for! 

The trick with this dish is to caramelize the diced garlic along with the ginger and lemongrass before adding in the creamy coconut milk for an intensely flavorful sauce. 

Calories Per Serving: 502

Preparation Time: 25 Minutes

40. Pork Chops With Apples, Cinnamon, And Butternut Squash

This recipe combines the incredible flavors of apple and cinnamon alongside beautifully cooked, salty, savory pork chops. This is the perfect fall recipe as the flavors are warm, comforting, and autumnal. 

It can be cooked all in a single skillet, with some fresh rosemary and apple cider vinegar. Give this one a try for a fall evening meal.

That concludes our list of the 40 best recipes for your cast iron skillet. Which one drew your attention the most?  We hope our list has provided you with some inspiration and maybe even got your mouth watering.  

Below, we will answer some common questions regarding cast iron skillets and how you can use them.

Calories Per Serving: 482

Preparation Time: 44 Minutes

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Is Cooking On A Cast Iron Skillet Better?

Cast iron skillets are an incredibly versatile kitchen tool, as they can be used for all kinds of one-pot meals. They are also oven-safe, and unlike other pots and pans, they actually get better as they age. 

What Should You Not Cook On A Cast Iron Skillet?

When you first start using your cast iron skillet, you should avoid cooking sticky things on it, such as eggs. 

Additionally, at first you might want to avoid cooking foods that have a strong smell, such garlic, some fish and smelly cheeses as they might leave aromatic residue that could taint other foods you cook in it. 

How Often Should You Re-Season Your Cast Iron Skillet?

You should be re-seasoning your cast iron skillet a couple of times every year, depending on how frequently you use it to cook. 

If you avoid cooking fatty foods in it and don’t clean it out with soapy water, then the seasoning in your cast iron skillet could last for years.

What Should You Cook On A Cast Iron Skillet For The First Time?

It is recommended that you first use your cast iron skillet to cook vegetables as they are more forgiving than most proteins, and they won’t stick to the skillet.  Make sure to use a little bit of oil to avoid sticking.