Easy, delicious recipes to make in your cast iron skillet, from savory to sweet.
Ah, the ever-reliable cast iron skillet. It’s a pan you can count on 24/7, a sturdy friend equally at home in shoebox-size apartments and camping trips as it is in the fanciest chef kitchen.
My favorite cast iron pan lives right on top of my stovetop. It gets used throughout the day — to cook morning eggs, grilled sandwiches for lunch and roast chicken for dinner.
And the very best way to build up that glossy, seasoned patina on a brand new or hand-me-down skillet is too use it. A lot. Here’s some recipes to get started:
10 Minute Burst Cherry Tomato Pasta Sauce
Make this fast, super-tasty pasta sauce under the broiler — serve over pasta with fresh ricotta cheese.
Cast Iron Roast Chicken with Italian Chili Butter
Crisp-skinned roast chicken with a spicy, savory chili butter. Butterfly the bird for even cooking.
Whiskey Apple Cake
A moist, pudding-like cake bursting with apples and the sweet hint of whiskey. Serve this cake warm with some vanilla ice cream.
Stuffed Pizza with Spicy Calabrese Salami
Gooey, satisfying and cheesy deep-dish pie baked with spicy salami. This pizza is a great crowd-pleaser.
Cheesy French Potato Cake with Leeks
Tender layered potato cake with cream, cheese and leeks, inspired by Julia Child. Makes a great side or a main dish with a salad on the side.
Roasted Chili Chicken Thighs with Charred Lemon
One pan juicy chicken thighs in a lemony sauce with olive oil and chili. The pan sauce tastes delicious over simple cooked farro or orzo.
How to Season, Clean and Care for Cast Iron
How to Season Cast Iron Pans
Step-by-step instructions for seasoning and caring for your cast iron pans.
Do you have a collection of cast iron skillets or are you just starting to build one? Let me know in the comments!
Hi there! I’m Karen, a mother of two and a professionally trained cook certified in holistic nutrition.
As the recipe developer, photographer and publisher of Familystyle Food, I share recipes and tips for making easy seasonal meals that are healthy and flavorful. Learn more about me here.
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Have a question or feedback on a recipe?
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Melanie says
What size cast iron pan do you recommend to roast a chicken in? 10.25, 12, 13, or 15 inch?
Karen says
It depends on the size of your chicken. A 3 – 4 pounder will work in a 10 or 12 inch pan. Hope that helps!