33 Craveable Cast Iron Skillet Dinners For Every Night of the Week
We all need more dinner ideas, and cast iron skillet dinners are some of the best. They’re easy to whip up and bring a whole new flavor to your meals. Many of these recipes go straight from stove to oven to table. You’ll also love the browning and flavor that cast iron brings.
Browse through and save your favorites. You’ll realize that when you need a good dinner recipe your trusty skillet is a great choice.
Make This Sausage and Zucchini Skillet Recipe for a Fresh + Filling Dinner
This recipe combines smoky sausage, tender potatoes, and fresh vegetables for a quick, flavorful meal perfect for any night of the week.
Cast Iron Skillet Whole Roast Chicken
A wholesome and easy-to-make dinner, you'll get a moist and flavorful bird with perfectly crisp skin.
Skillet Shrimp Fajitas with Chipotle Crema
A quick and easy meal everyone will truly LOVE.
Easy Cast Iron Skillet Pork Chops
Perfectly browned, juicy, and flavorful, these pork chops are on the table in 20 minutes.
How to Make Perfect Cast Iron Skillet Mac and Cheese
Ready in less than 30 minutes and using pantry ingredients, this delicious mac and cheese is sure to be a family favorite.
Cast Iron Skillet Whole Roast Chicken
A wholesome and easy-to-make dinner, you'll get a moist and flavorful bird with perfectly crisp skin.
Simple Cast Iron Salmon
Get ready to master the art of cooking a flawless skin-on salmon fillet with this Cast Iron Salmon recipe. Packed with handy tips and tricks, it’s a breeze to make. Ideal for those busy weeknights, you can have a healthy, delicious dinner on the table in just about ten minutes. Quick, easy, and oh-so-tasty!
Easy Creamy Chicken Skillet
One glance at this succulently seared chicken, drenched in a rich, creamy sauce and adorned with vibrant veggies, is enough to bring smiles all around the dinner table. It’s like enjoying a dish straight out of a high-end restaurant, but right in the cozy comfort of your home
Spicy Cajun Sausage and Chicken Skillet Recipe
This easy Cajun Sausage and Chicken Skillet recipe is a flavor explosion, brimming with bold Cajun spices. Everything cooks together in one skillet, combining andouille sausage, chicken, and red beans for a perfect harmony of taste. It’s the ideal quick and hassle-free meal for any weeknight.
Cast Iron Skillet Fried Rice
A simple and easy fried rice recipe that uses pantry ingredients. Budget friendly and makes the whole family happy!
Southwest Chicken Chili Bake
Everything comes together beautifully in a tangy salsa verde sauce, creating a dish that’s cooked to perfection and bursting with flavor.
Cast Iron Pork Tenderloin
Juicy, flavorful, and with perfect browned crust, this is the best pork tenderloin recipe you'll ever try.
Grilled Ribeyes Basted In Herbed Garlic Butter
Grill these ribeye steaks first, then finish them in a cast-iron skillet with herbed garlic butter. They’re ready in 5 to 10 minutes, depending on your preferred doneness and the steak’s thickness. Quick and flavorful!
Perfect Cast Iron Skillet Burgers
The best way to make burgers at home! Better than grilled (really!), these are perfectly cooked and seasoned.
Beef Enchilada Skillet
This ground beef enchilada skillet has all the flavor of classic beef enchiladas, but is made in one pan. This easy, family-friendly dinner is full of Mexican flavors and ready to eat in less than 40 minutes!
Mexican Cornbread Casserole
Mexican Cornbread is a great choice for a weeknight meal, featuring tasty ground beef. It’s a comfort food loved by families and great for guests too. You can make it easily with common pantry items, no jiffy mix required. Simple and satisfying!
Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya
Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya is a flavorful one-pot meal. It mixes chicken, sausage, veggies, and rice, all seasoned with Cajun spices and cooked in a cast iron skillet. Easy and tasty.
Spanish Chicken and Rice Skillet
The Spanish Chicken and Rice Skillet is a vibrant, one-pan wonder. It combines juicy chicken and aromatic rice infused with traditional Spanish spices. This dish is a melody of flavors, featuring colorful vegetables and a hint of saffron, all simmered together in a cast iron skillet.
Pork Tenderloin with Creamy Mushroom Sauce
Pork Tenderloin with Creamy Mushroom Sauce is quick for weeknights and fancy for date nights. This tasty dish fits any occasion and is ready in under 30 minutes. Easy and elegant!
One-Pan Lime Chicken with Cilantro Rice
One-Pan Lime Chicken with Cilantro Rice is super easy. It’s just as simple as it sounds: tangy chicken thighs with lime, cilantro, and basmati rice, all in one pan. Great for feeding a family or meal prep.
Easy Cast Iron Skillet Chicken Breast
A quick and easy method for cooking chicken breast that you can add to soups, salads, or serve as a main course.
Blackened Mahi Mahi
Blackened Mahi Mahi is easy for weeknights and special for guests. It’s a mild, firm fish with tasty Cajun spices, making it a real flavor hit. Simple yet impressive!
Cast Iron Skillet Shepherd’s Pie
Cast-Iron Shepherd’s Pie is classic comfort food. It has a savory layer of ground meat and veggies, topped with cheesy mashed potatoes, all baked in the skillet. Delicious and comforting!
Harissa Shrimp Skillet
Harissa Shrimp Skillet is a tasty one-pan dish. It features juicy shrimp cooked with garlic, onion, butter, spicy harissa, and fresh herbs. Great in tacos, over rice, or with crusty bread. Flavorful and versatile!
Cast Iron Pan Pizzas with Perfect Crust
Easy Cast Iron Pan Pizzas come with a perfectly crispy, golden crust. Customize them with your favorite toppings for a memorable homemade pizza experience. Simple and delicious!
Cast Iron Chicken Pot Pie
This Cast Iron Chicken Pot Pie is great for a comforting weeknight dinner. It has juicy chicken, vegetables, and creamy sauce, all topped with buttery, flaky biscuits.
Seafood Pasta with Shrimp and Scallops (and Garlic!)
Seafood Pasta with shrimp, scallops, and lots of garlic is a quick and delicious meal. It’s one of the fastest, tastiest ways to enjoy pasta!
Pan-Seared Mahi-Mahi with Pineapple Salsa
Looking for an easy, healthy, and budget-friendly fish dinner? Try Pan-Seared Mahi-Mahi with Pineapple Salsa. It’s a great way to cook frozen fish fillets quickly. Enjoy it with your favorite sides for a fast weeknight meal in under 30 minutes.
Chicken Fajita Casserole
Need a tasty one-pan dinner everyone will enjoy? Check out this Chicken Fajita Casserole! It’s full of juicy chicken, peppers, onions, and classic fajita flavors. A great way to add some spice to your dinner routine.
Braised Chicken and White Bean Skillet
Braised Chicken and White Beans Skillet is a quick and comforting meal, ideal for weeknights. Cozy and easy to make!
Skillet Chicken Fajitas
Whip up a skillet of Chicken Fajitas for an easy weeknight meal. It’s a crowd-pleaser, all in one pan with chicken thighs, onion, bell pepper, and homemade seasoning.
Guinness Cottage Pie
Guinness Cottage Pie is a hearty dish with ground beef, onions, and veggies. Topped with mashed potatoes, it’s great for St. Patrick’s Day or any weeknight.
Cheesy Baked Orzo with Veggie Meatballs
One-Pan Cheesy Baked Orzo with Veggie Meatballs is ready in under 30 minutes. It’s super tasty, hearty, and classic vegetarian comfort food, made with simple ingredients.
Hobo Casserole
Hobo Casserole is a great choice for an easy weeknight family meal. Simple to prepare and a hit with everyone. It’s a favorite in our family too. Cozy and tasty.
Chicken, Prawn, and Chorizo Paella
Chicken, Prawn, and Chorizo Paella is a warming dish the whole family will enjoy. It’s quick to prepare and packed with flavor. Start it on the stove for 10 minutes, then let the oven do the rest for 20 minutes. Easy and flavorful, with no constant stirring needed!
Can you make cast iron recipes if you don’t have a cast iron skillet?
You sure can 😊.
If you don’t own a cast iron skillet, you can still cook recipes made for one. Just use a heavy-bottomed skillet or a non-stick pan. These other options have even heat distribution and keep heat well, important for cast iron.
If the recipe involves oven use, make sure the alternative skillet is oven-safe. To avoid burning, reduce the heat a little when using non-cast iron pans for hot recipes. Keep an eye on your dish while cooking, as the times might vary slightly. Make sure it cooks evenly and doesn’t overcook.
Tips for cooking with cast iron
Cast iron is easy to care for, bit it’s a little different than stainless or other cookware. Here are some tips.
Cast Iron Handle Cover, 2 Pack Extra-Thick Silicone Heat-Resistant Cast Iron Skillet Pan Handle Cover, 5-inch Flat Grip Handle Holder Cover to Move Pans, Skillets from Oven, Stovetop, BurnerSUBEKYU Cast Iron Scrubber Kit, Stainless Steel Cast Iron Skillet Cleaner, Chainmail Scrubber with Scraper Tool for Cast Iron Pans/Grill Nets/Sinks, Grey, 1 SetFirsgrill Burger Press 7.08
- Seasoning is Key:
- Season your skillet before first use and periodically after. This involves coating it with oil and baking it to create a natural, non-stick surface. (You can make your own cast iron oil!)
- Cleaning. Clean with hot water and a sponge or stiff brush. Avoid using soap or steel wool, as these can damage the seasoning.
- Dry the skillet immediately after washing to prevent rust.
- Avoid Rusting:
- If rust appears, scrub it off, rinse, dry, and re-season the skillet.
- Cooking Techniques:
- Cast iron is great for searing, frying, baking, and braising.
- It’s excellent for recipes that start on the stove and finish in the oven.
- Heat Distribution:
- Remember that cast iron heats evenly but slowly, and retains heat well. Adjust your cooking times and temperatures accordingly.
- Avoiding Acidic Foods:
- Limit cooking very acidic foods (like tomato sauces) in a new cast iron skillet, as these can strip the seasoning.
I hope you like this collection of skillet dinners. These recipes show how you can use a cast iron skillet for quick and simple or rich and hearty meals. Don’t worry if you don’t have a cast iron skillet. You can still make these recipes with a small change. I hope this post inspires you to try something new and brings a whole lot of flavor to your table.
By Katie Shaw
Katie lives in Virginia with her husband, three daughters, a chocolate lab, and over thirty chickens. She loves creating simple tutorials for sourdough, bread, and soap. Her recipes, articles, and YouTube videos reach millions of people per year.