55 Cast-Iron Skillet Recipes From Dinner To Dessert


A cast-iron skillet is a prized possession among Southern cooks. Seasoned with years of cooking and loving care, heirloom cast-iron skillets are as valued (and fought over) as Grandma’s china and sterling silver. A new pre-seasoned skillet also makes the perfect gift for a young cook. Browse our collection of delicious recipes that make the most of your cast-iron skillet. Great cooks know the more they use their cast-iron skillet, the better it gets. Keep your prized skillet on the stovetop and reach for it often with these recipes.

Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox


This crispy, spicy cornbread is perfect for your next soup night. The soft and cheesy bread with a deliciously crisp crust will make for a fantastic side dish.

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox


This spaghetti pie recipe has all the delicious elements of lasagna without the fuss of layering the ingredients. Loaded with sausage, ricotta, tomato sauce, and mozzarella, the whole family will love this weeknight meal.

Antonis Achilleos, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster


Ready in just 25 minutes and requiring just a handful of ingredients, this recipe just may become you new go-to side dish for both weeknight dinners and weekend entertaining.

Stacy K. Allen, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley


The classic American favorite just got easier with this cast iron skillet apple pie recipe. With just six ingredients and a few minutes to put together, you’ll have a simply delectable dessert.

Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley


We made cinnamon rolls even more decadent by adding the flavors of cookies and cream. This dish can serve as breakfast or dessert.

Hector Sanchez

Enjoy a restaurant-style steak from the comfort of your own home. Easy and delicious, this skillet dinner recipe doesn’t disappoint.

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox


When brined, seasoned generously, and cooked in a cast-iron skillet, boneless chicken breasts are transformed into one flavorful dinner no one will be able to resist.

Jennifer Davick

Don’t wait until Thanksgiving to make this sinfully sweet dessert. This pecan pie recipe deserves a spot on the table all year long.

Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox


This company-worthy chicken dinner comes together in just one dish in 30 minutes. Cooking everything in one skillet allows extra flavors to develop while also cutting down on dishes.

Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Perfect for kids, the foundation of this quick and easy cast-iron recipe starts with pre-made ravioli to keep things simple.

Greg Dupree; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Prissy Montiel


Think of this skillet recipe as a lightened-up version of squash casserole that lets the seasonal produce truly shine. We didn’t skip the cheese altogether, there’s still enough to add just a touch of creaminess.

Greg DuPree; Food Stylist: Rishon Hanners; Prop Stylist: Christina Daley


These simple and sweet roasted carrots get the perfect crispy-on-the-outside, soft-on-the-inside texture when made with a cast-iron skillet.

Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Missie Neville Crawford; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Every Southern cook knows a good quiche recipe or two, and you’ll be adding this one with fresh asparagus, frozen hash browns, and thick-cut bacon to your list.

Stephen DeVries, Prop Styling: Missie Neville Crawford; Food Styling: Torie Cox

If you love classic Texas sheet cake, you’ll be obsessed with this thicker, richer Texas skillet cake.

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox


This is the most restaurant-worthy 35-minute recipe you’ll ever serve. A tip from the Test Kitchen: Pork chops that aren’t too thick or thin are best in this recipe. Look for chops that are one inch thick—they will be meaty and filling without taking a ton of time to cook.

Greg Dupree

The best part of this chicken piccata is it only requires one dish to make, and we recommend a cast-iron skillet. It will heat more evenly than a nonstick pan, yielding a delicious cutlet that’s tender with crisp skin.

Hector Sanchez

Turn your skillet into a Mexican comal, aka griddle, by slowly charring onions, garlic, and peppers in a dry skillet. We like to use this traditional dry char technique because it coaxes sweet, earthy flavors from the vegetables and gives them just a hint of smokiness.

Hector Sanchez

This rustic meal, a company’s-coming riff on the old-school chicken-and-rice number, is held together by a tangy gravy flavored with country ham and mushrooms.

Becky Luigart-Stayner

All the flavors of a favorite casserole come together in the comfort of mac and cheese. Serve this dish to your family, and it will become a quick favorite.

Photo: Hector Sanchez

The “top-shelf” in this recipe speaks to the crispy skin, superior flavor, and juiciness of the bird.

Greg DuPree; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Christina Daley

One reader called this “the best pork chop recipe ever,” and we think you’ll agree.

Jennifer Causey


Serve up the classic, delicious flavors of biscuits and gravy in just one pan with this skillet recipe.

Photographer: Antonis Achilleos, Prop Stylist: Christine Kelly Food Stylist: Ali Ramee

The cast-iron skillet provides perfect brownie texture—crisp edges and gooey centers.

photographer: Jennifer Causey; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer

Our Test Kitchen called this recipe “the burger to end all burgers,” and we have a feeling that cooking all the following ingredients with bacon grease from the bacon is why.

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Rebecca Cummins


If you thought “fried” was the only way to enjoy green tomatoes, let this pie recipe prove you wrong. When baked up with warm spices and sugar, green tomatoes are similar to Granny Smith apples.

Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall


Southerners know that all good cornbread starts with a cast-iron skillet and bacon drippings.

Brittany Conerly; Food Stylist: Karen Rankin; Prop Stylist: Christina Brockman


Instead of fussing with homemade piecrust, this recipe calls for frozen puff pastry sheets, which looks and tastes amazing.

Photographer: Jennifer Causey Food Stylist: Ana Kelly Prop Stylist: Kay Clarke

You can’t go wrong with this iconic Southern dessert that looks as pretty as it tastes.

Becky Luigart Stayner

Sweet cooked apples are a delicious match for skillet-seared pork chops and onions.

Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl Jones; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Cobbler is often associated with summer fruits like peaches and berries, but this apple cobbler is full of the flavors of fall.

Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Torie Cox

No rolling required! With these skillet enchiladas, you can layer everything up and serve family-style.

Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

If you’ve never tried to make a Dutch baby before, this puffy skillet breakfast pastry should be your weekend baking project. This recipe uses savory ingredients like bacon, cheddar cheese, and chopped chives, but you can also use toppings and fillings like fresh fruit and whipped cream for a sweet take.

Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Styling: Christina Daley

Though kugel is usually make in a casserole dish, the cast-iron skillet is the best vehicle for perfect texture.

Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

A package of corn muffin mix and budget-friendly ground beef come together in this simple skillet supper that the whole family will love. Add more sliced jalapenos to the top if you like a little spice.

Greg DuPree, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Christine Keely


If you’ve ever wondered how to sear a steak like the restaurants do, this recipe is for you. With a hot skillet and mayonnaise (just trust us!) you’ll have an impressive dinner ready in just 15 minutes.

Caitlin Bensel

This classic Southern side belongs on every cookout menu this summer.

Antonis Achilleos; Prop Stylist: Lydia Purcell; Food Stylist:Ruth Blackburn


We upgraded classic spinach-artichoke dip so that it’s extra melty and gooey in your cast-iron skillet. If somehow you have leftovers, our Test Kitchen recommends adding it into cooked pasta as a sauce with a little added milk or pasta water.

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox


Consider yourself warned: Whoever you serve this easy skillet chicken to just might fall in love. It would be delicious served over whatever pasta you have in the pantry with a simple green salad. 

Antonis Achilleos; Prop Stylist: Lydia Purcell; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn


For a weekend brunch dish that feels luxe but is easy to make, try this sweet pancake recipe. We included variations for a Chocolate-Orange Dutch Baby and a Chocolate-Cherry-Almond Dutch Baby to suit your mood. 

Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist: Lydia Pursell


If you thought these Skillet Beef Enchiladas were a good idea alone, it gets even better. As part of our Cook Once, Eat Twice series, you can also enjoy our Chile Con Carne Recipe in conjunction with it.

Antonis Achilleos; Prop Stylist: Lydia Purcell; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn


It’s not a Southern tailgate without a warm, cheesy dip on the appetizer table. Our secret here is using frozen pretzel bites for a quick shortcut that will look impressive. 

photographs by ANTONIS ACHILLEOS; RECIPE: ANNA THEOKTISTO; FOOD STYLING: RUTH BLACKBURN; PROP STYLING: CHRISTINA DALEY

Our Test Kitchen Pros are officially swapping green beans for Brussels sprouts on their holiday tables thanks to this recipe. “Love roasted Brussels in most restaurants. My attempts at home have been hit or miss but this recipe is a HIT out of the ballpark!” wrote one five-star reviewer. “I’ve made it several times a week since trying it a few weeks ago!”

Victor Protasio, Food Stylist Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist Lydia Pursell


Unless used in coleslaw or cabbage rolls, cabbage can seem pretty boring. This incredible side dish ups the flavor ante on this spring veggie. “It was so delicious that I sent unsolicited texts with the recipe to friends and family!” wrote one five-star reviewer. 

Antonis Achilleos; Prop Stylist: Lydia Purcell; Food Stylist:Ruth Blackburn


The cast-iron skillet is the best vessel to get crispy edges and a gooey center for your next batch of brownies. You’ll be so enamored with this new method, you’ll have to try our four flavor variations and pick a reigning favorite. 

Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely


The radish gets its day in the spotlight thanks to this skillet supper that reviewers are raving over: “I had no idea that you could roast radishes. What a wonderful flavor paired with garlic and combined with the chicken thighs! The bitterness associated with radishes disappeared and it was as if one was tasting a turnip. The chicken thighs remained crispy throughout the roasting process and were very tasty and tender. This recipe was also very easy to assemble and prepare. It was absolutely delicious and I will definitely make this recipe again!”

Photographer: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn

Often, our cast-iron skillets are used for things like frying chicken and baking cobblers, but we promise they can cook healthy dishes, too. This beautiful salmon recipe comes together in just 25 minutes. 

Antonis Achilleos; Prop Stylist: Lydia Purcell; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn


“The cheesy, saucy one-pan lasagna has all the flavor of the classic, but is ready in less time than it takes to bake a traditional lasagna,” writes Assistant Food Editor Alana Al-Hatlani. “Sure, we took a few liberties with the classic recipe to ensure this version is on the table in under 40 minutes (i.e.jarred sauce), but if you use great prepared products, you won’t taste the difference.” She recommends Rao’s Homemade Marinara Sauce. 

Emily Laurae/Southern Living

Fried apples are one of the simplest, most delicious ways to enjoy fall’s bounty. If you enjoy Cracker Barrel’s version of this recipe, delight the whole family by trying our copycat version at home. 

Antonis Achilleos; Prop Stylist: Lydia Purcell; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn


If you think a salad isn’t hearty enough to stand alone as a main dish, think again. Not only does this one have perfectly seared cast-iron steak on top, but it also includes Yukon gold potatoes for a healthy but filling addition. 

Antonis Achilleos; Prop Stylist: Lydia Purcell; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn


The hardest thing about this recipe is chopping up a few veggies. From there, you basically combine everything that’s good about tacos into one skillet, serve it with tortilla chips, and watch the crowd go wild.

Photographer Victor Protasio, Food Stylist Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist Christine Keely

If you think the three words “vegetarian,” “skillet,” and “chili” don’t go together, it’s time to try this recipe. With just 30 minutes from start-to-finish and a guilt-free list of ingredients, this recipe just might become a regular in your house this fall and winter. 

Alison Miksch

Chicken thighs are a budget-friendly pick at the grocery store, and there are countless ways to dress them up at dinnertime. This quick and easy recipe can be enjoyed with on its own with veggies or between buns on a sandwich. 

Antonis Achilleos; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn


“When the Super Bowl rolls around, I don’t really pay attention to which teams are playing or who’s performing during halftime,” writes Editorial Producer Ivy Odom. “As with any good party in the South, the main priority is the food.” That’s why she created this new nachos recipe that’s topped with Alabama’s favorite Conecuh sausage. 

Alison Miksch

Peach cobbler is perhaps the dessert recipe that screams “summer” most, so of course we had to find a way to prepare it in our cast-iron skillets. Just don’t forget a scoop of vanilla ice cream. 

Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster


Serve up slices of this savory cornbread with Whipped Jalapeño Butter and everyone will be asking for the recipe.


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