24 Hearty Dinners You Need To Make In A Cast-Iron Pan Gallery

24 Hearty Dinners You Need to Make in a Cast-Iron Pan

From searing and braising to baking bread, cookies, and even pizza, the sky's the limit when it comes to cooking in a cast-iron pan. If you don't already own a cast-iron pan, go out and buy one immediately — you won't regret it! When well cared for, washed carefully, and seasoned regularly, cast iron can last a life time.

We gathered 24 great recipes that can all be made in a cast-iron pan, so if you are looking for some inspiration, look no further! Get your cast-iron pan on the stove and get cooking!

The Best Mac and Cheese Ever

Mix al dente pasta with a rich and creamy cheese sauce in a cast-iron skillet before throwing it in the oven to develop a wonderful crust. You can't go wrong with cheese!

For the Best Mac and Cheese Ever recipe, click here.

Cast-Iron-Pan Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

These cast iron cookie bars are full of chopped chocolate, coconut, and apricots. Cooking these cookies in a cast iron pan results in delicious caramelization along the bottom. Chewy and full of flavor, these are sure to be a hit.

For the Cast-Iron-Pan Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars recipe, click here.

Cast-Iron Skillet-Roasted Game Hen

It doesn't get any easier than roasting an entire meal in one cast-iron pan. All the ingredients cook together in the same pan, resulting in a wonderful roast dinner with none of the usual effort.

For the Cast-Iron Skillet-Roasted Game Hen recipe, click here.

Cast Iron Teff Ricotta Chard Frittata

Teff is a tiny grain that has been used in Ethiopian cooking for thousands of years. This recipe uses teff along with rainbow chard, sweet potatoes, and watercress, seasoned with cayenne pepper, with a smattering of crunchy walnuts and topped with creamy ricotta. This frittata is nutritious and delicious!

For the Cast Iron Teff Ricotta Chard Frittata recipe, click here.

Easy Chicken Skillet One-Dish Dinner

Here's an easy chicken dinner for any night of the week.

For the Easy Chicken Skillet One-Dish Dinner recipe, click here.

Easy Skillet Feta Chicken

Searing meat in a cast-iron pan results in wonderful color, caramelization, and flavor. This one-pan recipe pairs feta and stewed tomatoes with perfectly cooked chicken for an easy dinner that can be whipped up in no time.

For the Easy Skillet Feta Chicken recipe, click here.

Fluffy Maple Syrup Cornbread

Cornbread looks wonderful coming out of the oven in a rustic cast iron pan! This recipe will make your kitchen smell absolutely wonderful, with hints of maple syrup mixed in among the buttery cornbread aroma.

For the Fluffy Maple Syrup Cornbread recipe, click here.

Giant Gooey Skillet Chocolate Chip Cookie

A giant cookie is a great dessert to satisfy a crowd. Rather than fussing around with cookie trays and measuring spoons, simply make one enormous cookie that will be soft in the middle with lovely crispy edges.

For the Giant Gooey Skillet Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe, click here.

Hoecakes

There's something so comforting about cornmeal pancakes sizzling in a well-seasoned cast-iron skillet. Serve these with syrup for breakfast or as an alternative to cornbread with lunch or dinner.

For the Hoecakes recipe, click here.

Italian Sausage, Peppers, and Eggs Skillet

This easy breakfast will make good use of a cast-iron pan, ensuring delicious crispy bits on the bottom.

For the Italian Sausage, Peppers, and Eggs Skillet recipe, click here.

One-Pan Crispy Chicken in a White Wine Sauce

Start this dish on the stovetop and finish it in the oven. Crispy skin, caramelized onions, and a tasty pan sauce that basically makes itself — dinner doesn't get much easier than this.

For the One-Pan Crispy Chicken in a White Wine Sauce recipe, click here.

Pan-Fried Fajita Steaks

Cook the steak and vegetables and then serve them straight from the pan for a more rustic approach to dinner.

For the Pan-Fried Fajita Steaks recipe, click here.

Perfect Roasted Chicken Recipe

You don't need a million different sized roasting tins — all you need in your kitchen are a few different sized cast-iron pans. If your pan is large enough (or your chicken is small enough), you can roast it perfectly in cast iron.

For the Perfect Roasted Chicken recipe, click here.

Sausage Gravy, Ramps, and Biscuit Skillet

This version of biscuits and gravy is creamy and incredibly indulgent, perfect for a stormy day when you need a bit of decadence.

For the Sausage Gravy, Ramps, and Biscuit Skillet recipe, click here.

Sausage Skillet Dinner

Red potatoes, smoked sausage, and onion slices are seasoned with cider vinegar, sugar, and caraway seed — a one-pan dish with unusual flavors that's easy to make.

For the Sausage Skillet Dinner recipe, click here.

Scrambled Breakfast Skillet

A well-seasoned pan is put to good use when cooking eggs. This scramble is a quick and easy breakfast that you can fill with your favorite seasonal vegetables.

For the Scrambled Breakfast Skillet recipe, click here.

Seasonal Breakfast Frittata

Skillet Baked Penne

Make everything in one pan before placing it in the oven to develop a delectable, crispy cheese crust.

For the Skillet Baked Penne recipe, click here.

Skillet Pizza

Did you know you could make pizza in a skillet? Here is the perfect way to enjoy a slice of homemade pizza without buying a pizza stone for your oven!

For the Skillet Pizza recipe, click here.

Skillet Veggie and Feta Tacos

Cook the vegetables until they are almost burning to get a great charred flavor. Pair the cooked vegetables with feta cheese and whole wheat tortillas for a great, wholesome meal.

For the Skillet Veggie and Feta Tacos recipe, click here.

Skillet Vegetable Lasagna With Herbed Cheese

Here is a simple lasagna recipe that you can make any day of the week.

For the Skillet Vegetable Lasagna With Herbed Cheese recipe, click here.

Sweet Potato Hash With Caramelized Onions, Sausage, and Eggs

Make this hearty brunch or breakfast dish in cast iron and enjoy the fantastic crispy textures that it delivers.

For the Sweet Potato Hash With Caramelized Onions, Sausage, and Eggs recipe, click here.

The Ultimate Grilled Cheese

For a speedy lunch or light dinner, cook your favorite grilled cheese sandwich recipe in a cast-iron pan to get the wonderful crust and marvelously melty center.

For The Ultimate Grilled Cheese recipe, click here.