Cast-Iron Skillet Recipes You Didn't Know You Could Make

A lot of people are using their cast-iron pan wrong or only break it out to cook the occasional burger recipe. But there is so much more the tool can be used for. Once well-seasoned, a cast-iron pan can cook just about anything, from pancakes to fried chicken. It can go from stovetop to oven with ease, it's nearly indestructible and it holds its heat like a dream. Here are 20 things we bet you didn't know you could cook in your cast-iron pan.

Did you know that you can make desserts in your cast-iron pan? This easy skillet tart cherry crisp takes less than 30 minutes to prepare and is one of the best cherry dessert recipes you can make.

For the Easy Skillet Tart Cherry Crisp recipe, click here.

This is not your normal cornbread. It's filled with jalapeños, green onions, corn and buttermilk. Don't have buttermilk? Add 1 tablespoon of lemon juice to 1 cup of regular milk — that's one of the great recipe swaps you need to know. 

For the Cast-Iron Pan Jalapeño Cornbread recipe, click here.

You may think you need a grill to cook a steak perfectly every time, but a cast-iron pan is the real ticket for a great sear. This simple butter-basted rosemary steak dish is one of the best ways to cook your steak. 

For the Pan-Seared, Butter-Basted Rosemary Steak recipe, click here.

You don't need a campfire to enjoy s'mores. This oven-baked skillet s'mores recipe is a dessert that uses five ingredients or fewer and is ready to enjoy in 20 minutes.

For the Oven Baked Skillet S'mores recipe, click here.

This zucchini frittata can be swapped with squash or any other leftover vegetables you have on hand. But make sure to not replace the feta or sun-dried tomatoes. These particular ingredients give the dish an essential saltiness. 

For the Skinny Zucchini Frittata recipe, click here.

Anything that is deep-dish is perfect for a cast-iron pan. This deep-dish apple crisp is no different and is right up there with the best apple pies in America.

For the Deep Dish Apple Crisp recipe, click here.

A popular dish in the Middle East and North Africa, red shakshuka is immensely flavorful. It's a simple combination of cooked tomatoes, onions, garlic, spices and herbs with gently poached eggs nestled between divots in the sauce.  

For the Red Shakshuka recipe, click here.

This sunny-side-up egg pizza is not your typical homemade pizza but it is among the absolute best things to make for brunch. 

For the Sunny Side Up Egg Pizza with Goat Cheese and Herbs recipe, click here.

If you're looking to get dinner on the table in less than one hour, this cast-iron beef and vegetable stir fry is going to be your best friend. You may think you need a wok for this type of dish, but a cast-iron skillet gets just as hot.

For the Beef Stir Fry and Vegetables recipe, click here.

This Tuscan chicken and vegetables dish is inspired by flavors from the Mediterranean and is packed with oregano, sun-dried tomatoes, lemon and earthy seasonings. It's one of the best chicken recipes for busy weeknights considering it takes only about 20 minutes to throw together. 

For the Tuscan Chicken and Vegetables recipe, click here.

This chicken frittata with Kalamata olives can be eaten for breakfast or dinner. This recipe combines chicken with vegetables, herbs, cheese and eggs, one of the foods you should eat every day. 

For the Chicken Frittata With Kalamata Olives recipe, click here.

Chicken-fried steak is one of those recipes straight from Texas, but even if you've never been to the Lone Star State, you can enjoy this decadent dish.

For the Chicken-Fried Steak recipe, click here.

Love heat? Then eggs in purgatory, which uses chorizo and pepper jack cheese just might be the cast-iron recipe for you. If you want some extra fire in your meal, add red pepper flakes or some of the world's hottest hot sauces.

For the Eggs in Purgatory with Chorizo recipe, click here.

Fried green tomatoes are one of those classic Southern recipes everyone needs to try. Don't feel the need to whip out a deep fryer — a cast-iron skillet is great for fried foods.

For the Fried Green Tomatoes recipe, click here.

This vegetable and cheese frittata is just as delicious as it is versatile. It is very easy to make and once you have the basic recipe down, you can add many types of ingredients to make it your own. 

For the Vegetables and cheese Frittata recipe, click here.

This is not a curry recipe, it is a curried recipe and it all comes together in 20 minutes. This great rice recipe can all be done from your cast-iron pan to simplify the cooking process. 

For the Easy Curried Rice recipe, click here.

Sizzling steak fajitas are one of the best Mexican-inspired recipes you can make at home. Just chop your steaks into strips and cook them with peppers and onions. 

For the Sizzling Steak Fajitas recipe, click here.

This Mexican chicken and rice recipe is anything but boring. Garlic, brown sugar, lemon pepper and many other seasonings that make it a delicious meal for everyone. 

For the Arroz con Pollo recipe, click here.

Who doesn't love recipes that use a lot of eggs? You can start your day with this apple chicken breakfast skillet, and you can make it all in a cast-iron pan. It's packed with shredded potatoes and ground chicken, and it's perfect for when the sun rises. If you are in love with eggs, here are 101 ways to cook eggs.

For the Hearty Apple Chicken Breakfast Skillet recipe, click here.

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