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Cooking with a cast iron skillet is a fantastic way to bring out the flavors in your dinners while enjoying the benefits of this versatile kitchen tool. Whether you’re looking for a quick weeknight dinner or a comforting weekend meal, here are some delicious and easy recipes you can try.
A cast iron skillet’s unique ability to retain and distribute heat ensures that your dinners are perfectly cooked every time. From seared pork chops to skillet lasagna, these recipes will have you reaching for your cast iron skillet again and again.
*External recipes linked to from this page may be different than summary recipes shown below.
1. Cast Iron Skillet Chicken Fajitas
Ingredients: 1 pound chicken breast, thinly sliced; 1 red bell pepper, sliced; 1 green bell pepper, sliced; 1 onion, sliced; 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 tablespoon fajita seasoning; tortillas
Cook time: 20-30 minutes
Feeds: 4-6 people
This quick and easy skillet chicken fajitas recipe combines juicy chicken with vibrant bell peppers and onions, seasoned perfectly with fajita seasoning. It’s a crowd-pleaser that can be served with warm tortillas and your favorite toppings like sour cream, guacamole, or salsa.
2. Cast Iron Pizza
Ingredients: 1 ball of pizza dough; 1/2 cup pizza sauce; 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese; toppings of your choice
Cook time: 25-30 minutes
Feeds: 2-4 people
A cast iron pizza is a fun and delicious way to make homemade pizza with a crispy crust. Simply stretch the dough to fit the skillet, add sauce, cheese, and your favorite toppings, then bake until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly.
3. Garlic Butter Shrimp
Ingredients: 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined; 3 tablespoons butter; 4 cloves garlic, minced; juice of 1 lemon; salt and pepper to taste; fresh parsley, chopped
Cook time: 10-15 minutes
Feeds: 4 people
Garlic butter shrimp is a quick and flavorful dish perfect for any night of the week. The shrimp are cooked in a rich garlic butter sauce with a splash of lemon juice and garnished with fresh parsley.
4. Cast Iron Mac and Cheese
Ingredients: 2 cups elbow macaroni; 2 tablespoons butter; 2 tablespoons flour; 2 cups milk; 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese; salt and pepper to taste
Cook time: 30-40 minutes
Feeds: 4-6 people
This creamy and cheesy cast-iron skillet mac and cheese is the ultimate comfort food. The cast iron helps create a crispy crust while the inside remains creamy and delicious. While typically considered a side item, it can absolutely be a main course!
5. Skillet Shepherd’s Pie
Ingredients: 1 pound ground beef; 1 onion, diced; 2 carrots, diced; 1 cup frozen peas; 2 tablespoons flour; 1 cup beef broth; 4 cups mashed potatoes
Cook time: 45 minutes to 1 hour
Feeds: 4-6 people
Skillet shepherd’s pie is a comforting and hearty dish with seasoned ground beef and vegetables topped with creamy mashed potatoes, all baked to perfection in a cast iron skillet.
6. Cast Iron Skillet Lasagna
Ingredients: 1 pound ground beef; 1 onion, diced; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 jar marinara sauce; 9 lasagna noodles; 2 cups ricotta cheese; 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese; 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Cook time: 1 hour
Feeds: 6-8 people
This skillet lasagna features layers of pasta, rich meat sauce, and creamy cheese, all cooked together in a cast iron skillet for a delicious and satisfying meal.
7. Cast Iron Lemon Chicken
Ingredients: 4 chicken breasts; 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 lemon, juiced; 1 teaspoon lemon zest; 2 cloves garlic, minced; salt and pepper to taste; fresh parsley, chopped
Cook time: 30-40 minutes
Feeds: 4 people
Skillet lemon chicken is a light and flavorful dish featuring juicy chicken breasts cooked in a tangy lemon garlic sauce. Perfect for a quick and healthy dinner.
8. Cast Iron Quesadilla
Ingredients: 4 large flour tortillas; 2 cups shredded cheese; 1 cup cooked chicken, shredded; 1/2 cup black beans; 1/2 cup corn; 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
Cook time: 15-20 minutes
Feeds: 4 people
This easy cast iron quesadilla can be loaded with cheese, chicken or steak, beans, and corn, making it a hearty and satisfying meal. When it comes to quesadillas, you can get a little creative with the filling. Serve with salsa, sour cream, and guacamole.
9. Skillet Nachos
Ingredients: 1 bag tortilla chips; 2 cups shredded cheese; 1 cup cooked ground beef; 1/2 cup black beans; 1/2 cup corn; 1/4 cup sliced jalapeños; salsa, sour cream, guacamole for serving
Cook time: 15-20 minutes
Feeds: 4-6 people
These skillet nachos are perfect for a quick and delicious snack or meal. Loaded with cheese, ground beef, beans, and corn, they’re a crowd-pleaser that’s easy to make and fun to eat.
10. Skillet Ratatouille
Ingredients: 1 eggplant, diced; 1 zucchini, diced; 1 yellow squash, diced; 1 red bell pepper, diced; 1 onion, diced; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 2 cups tomato sauce; 2 tablespoons olive oil; salt and pepper to taste; fresh basil for garnish
Cook time: 45 minutes to 1 hour
Feeds: 4-6 people
Skillet ratatouille is a classic French dish featuring a medley of vegetables cooked in a rich tomato sauce. It’s a healthy and flavorful meal that’s perfect for any night of the week.
11. Cast Iron Skillet Chicken Pot Pie
Ingredients: 1 pound chicken breast, cubed; 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables; 1/4 cup flour; 2 cups chicken broth; 1 cup milk; 1 refrigerated pie crust; salt and pepper to taste
Cook time: 45 minutes to 1 hour
Feeds: 4-6 people
Skillet chicken pot pie is a comforting classic with a flaky pie crust topping a creamy chicken and vegetable filling. It’s an all-in-one meal that’s perfect for family dinners.
12. Cast Iron Salmon with Vegetables
Ingredients: 4 salmon fillets; 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 lemon, sliced; 1 bunch asparagus, trimmed; 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved; salt and pepper to taste
Cook time: 20-30 minutes
Feeds: 4 people
Skillet salmon with vegetables is a healthy and flavorful meal that’s easy to prepare. The salmon is cooked with fresh asparagus and cherry tomatoes, all in one cast iron skillet, making clean-up a breeze.
13. Cast Iron Beef and Broccoli
Ingredients: 1 pound flank steak, sliced thin; 3 cups broccoli florets; 2 tablespoons soy sauce; 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce; 1 tablespoon sesame oil; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 teaspoon ginger, grated
Cook time: 20-30 minutes
Feeds: 4 people
Skillet beef and broccoli is a quick and delicious take on a Chinese takeout favorite. The tender beef and crisp broccoli are cooked in a savory sauce, perfect for serving over rice. Check out the below recipe directly from Lodge Cast Iron using this cast iron mini-wok.
14. Skillet Philly Cheesesteak
Ingredients: 1 pound thinly sliced beef steak; 1 green bell pepper, sliced; 1 onion, sliced; 2 cups shredded provolone cheese; 4 hoagie rolls; 2 tablespoons olive oil
Cook time: 20-30 minutes
Feeds: 4 people
This skillet Philly cheesesteak brings all the flavors of the classic sandwich to your kitchen. Juicy steak, sautéed peppers and onions, and melted provolone cheese are served on toasted hoagie rolls.
15. Cast Iron Mexican Stuffed Peppers
Ingredients: 3 bell peppers; 1 lb ground beef or pork; 1 cup black canned beans; 1 cup uncooked rice; 2 cups corn; 1/2 large red or Vidalia onion; 2 tsp cumin; 1 tsp smoked paprika; 1/2 tsp ground black pepper; salt; cayenne pepper; 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (non-dairy cheese if plant-based); 2 tbsp olive oil
Cook time: 45 minutes to 1 hour
Feeds: 6 people
Skillet stuffed peppers are a delicious and colorful meal. The bell peppers are filled with a savory mixture of ground beef, rice, and tomato sauce, then topped with melted cheese.
16. Cast Iron Tacos
Ingredients: 1 pound ground beef; 1 packet taco seasoning; 1 cup water; 8 taco shells; 1 cup shredded lettuce; 1 cup shredded cheese; 1/2 cup diced tomatoes; sour cream and salsa for serving
Cook time: 20-30 minutes
Feeds: 4-6 people
These skillet tacos are a quick and easy weeknight dinner option. The seasoned ground beef is cooked to perfection and served in taco shells with your favorite toppings.
17. Cast Iron Pork Chops
Ingredients: 4 pork chops; 1 tablespoon olive oil; marinade or sauce of choice; salt and pepper to taste
Cook time: 20-30 minutes
Feeds: 4 people
Skillet pork chops are a delicious and versatile meal. The pork chops are seared to perfection in a cast iron skillet, which locks in their natural juices and flavors. They can be paired with a variety of seasonings and sauces, making them a customizable and satisfying dish for any occasion.
18. Cast Iron Chicken Alfredo
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons butter; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 cup heavy cream; 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese; 2 cups cooked chicken, diced; 8 oz fettuccine, cooked; salt and pepper to taste
Cook time: 20-30 minutes
Feeds: 4 people
This skillet chicken alfredo is a creamy and delicious pasta dish. It’s perfect for a quick and satisfying dinner, with tender chicken and a rich Alfredo sauce.
19. Cast Iron Paella
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 onion, diced; 1 red bell pepper, diced; 1 cup Arborio rice; 2 cups chicken broth; 1/2 cup frozen peas; 1/2 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined; 1/2 pound chicken breast, cubed; 1 teaspoon saffron; salt and pepper to taste
Cook time: 45 minutes to 1 hour
Feeds: 4-6 people
This skillet paella is a flavorful Spanish dish with a mix of shrimp, chicken, and vegetables cooked with saffron-infused rice. It’s a perfect meal for a special occasion.
20. Cast Iron Skillet Meatballs
Ingredients: 1 pound ground beef; 1/2 cup breadcrumbs; 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese; 1 egg; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning; salt and pepper to taste; 1 jar marinara sauce
Cook time: 30-40 minutes
Feeds: 4-6 people
These skillet meatballs are a delicious and hearty meal. The meatballs are cooked in a rich marinara sauce, perfect for serving over pasta or with crusty bread.
21. Cast Iron Skillet Fried Rice
Ingredients: 2 cups cooked rice; 2 tablespoons soy sauce; 1 tablespoon sesame oil; 1 cup mixed vegetables; 2 eggs, beaten; 1/2 cup diced ham or cooked chicken; 2 cloves garlic, minced; salt and pepper to taste
Cook time: 15-20 minutes
Feeds: 4-6 people
This skillet fried rice is a quick and versatile meal. Use leftover rice and your favorite vegetables and protein for a delicious and easy dinner.
