Getting comfortable with cast iron cooking doesn’t have to be hard. In fact, with the right recipes, it can be fun and rewarding. These 11 simple cast iron dishes are perfect to help you make flavorful meals without any stress. Whether you’re cooking breakfast, lunch, or dinner, these recipes will make your cast iron cookware your new favorite tool in the kitchen.
Chocolate Chip Skillet Cookie. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.
Apple Puff Pancake
Light, airy, and filled with tender apple slices, this puff pancake makes for a delicious breakfast that cooks beautifully in a cast iron pan. It’s an easy way to impress without much work, perfect for slow mornings or a quick treat. The texture and flavor really show off how versatile and effective cast iron cooking can be.
Get the Recipe: Apple Puff Pancake
Corned Beef Hash
This corned beef hash combines crispy potatoes and savory corned beef for a filling and satisfying meal. Cooking it in a cast iron pan ensures that everything gets beautifully browned, with crispy edges and tender bites. It’s an easy, comforting dish that proves cast iron cooking works just as well for lunch or dinner as it does for breakfast.
Get the Recipe: Corned Beef Hash
No Yeast Cinnamon Rolls
These no-yeast cinnamon rolls are quick, soft, and sweet, making them a perfect breakfast or snack. Baked in a cast iron pan, they come out with a beautiful golden crust and a tender inside. In less than an hour, you’ll have warm rolls ready to enjoy without the fuss of traditional dough-making.
Get the Recipe: No Yeast Cinnamon Rolls
Oven Roasted Potatoes
Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, these oven-roasted potatoes are a perfect side dish cooked right in your cast iron pan. Adding spinach not only boosts the flavor but also adds a fresh, colorful touch to the dish. This recipe transforms a simple side into something memorable, showing off the skillet’s ability to evenly cook and crisp.
Get the Recipe: Oven Roasted Potatoes
Nicoise Omelet
This hearty omelet brings together savory ingredients like potatoes, green beans, and olives, creating a flavorful dish that’s easy to make in a cast iron pan. It’s a great option for breakfast, brunch, or even a light dinner, with the skillet ensuring even cooking and a perfect finish. With rich flavors and simple preparation, this recipe shows how cast iron can elevate a classic meal.
Get the Recipe: Nicoise Omelet
Chocolate Chip Skillet Cookie
A warm, chewy chocolate chip cookie baked right in your skillet, this dessert is both simple and satisfying. The cast iron pan gives it the perfect texture, with crispy edges and a soft, gooey center. Whether shared with others or enjoyed on your own, this recipe is a fun and tasty way to use your skillet for dessert.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Chip Skillet Cookie
Ground Beef Skillet Tamales
This skillet version of tamales brings all the classic flavors without the lengthy preparation. The combination of seasoned ground beef and cornbread topping makes for a hearty, satisfying meal. It’s an easy way to enjoy a tamale-inspired dish using your cast iron pan for even cooking and rich flavor.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef Skillet Tamales
Cheesy Beef and Rice Casserole
Packed with savory beef and melted cheese, this one-pot meal is perfect for making the most of your cast iron cookware. It’s a hearty dish that’s easy to prepare and works well for any meal, whether it’s a quick dinner or a satisfying lunch. With minimal effort, you can turn simple ingredients into a comforting and flavorful casserole that everyone will enjoy.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Beef and Rice Casserole
Tomato Mozzarella Baked Chicken
Juicy chicken breasts are paired with tomatoes and mozzarella in this simple baked dish, cooked to perfection in a cast iron pan. The even heat from the skillet helps lock in the flavors, keeping the chicken tender and the cheese bubbly. It’s an easy, no-fuss dinner that looks and tastes like it took much more effort than it did.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Mozzarella Baked Chicken
Fudgy Skillet Brownie
This rich and fudgy brownie is baked right in your cast iron pan, offering a decadent dessert that’s easy to make. With paleo-friendly and sugar-free ingredients, it’s a guilt-free treat that doesn’t sacrifice flavor. The skillet ensures an even bake, with a perfect balance of chewy and crisp in every bite.
Get the Recipe: Fudgy Skillet Brownie
Jalapeño Corn Bread
Baked in a cast iron pan, this jalapeño cornbread gets a deliciously golden crust that’s hard to beat. The spicy kick from the jalapeños balances the sweetness of the cornbread, making it a memorable side dish. This recipe is a great way to bring out the best in your skillet while adding bold flavors to any meal.
Get the Recipe: Jalapeño Corn Bread