If there’s one must-have pan to keep in your kitchen, it’s the cast-iron skillet. It’s the most versatile pan that can cook up a delectable frittata and personal pizza pie to a seared porterhouse steak and apple pie crumble. And the clean up is just as easy. (Hint: The best way to clean a cast-iron skillet is by rubbing it with some kosher salt and wiping it down with oil.)
Now that fall is in full swing, you’ll want to cozy up to hearty recipes, and there’s no better way than with cast-iron cooking. Check out these heartwarming cast-iron skillet recipes to get started.
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10 Easy, Delicious Cast-Iron Skillet Recipes
1. Shakshuka on a Budget
Shakshuka is perfect for any time of day, but this Middle Eastern staple is particularly good for a nice weekend breakfast. Traditionally made with poached eggs, tomatoes, chili peppers and spices, this recipe also features nutrient-dense kale and fresh basil for a leafy green touch. The sweet tomato sauce is offset by the smoky flavors of paprika, cumin and chili peppers. Serve a side of rye bread for dipping! Photo and recipe: David and Louise Frenkiel, Green Kitchen Stories
2. Sweet Potato Veggie Scramble
If vegetables aren’t making their way to your breakfast very often, this delicious scramble has a hefty serving. Sweet potatoes are packed with beta-carotene, while bell peppers are an excellent source of vitamin C. Swiss chard offers vitamin K, magnesium and iron. Photo and recipe: Perry Santanachote / Life by Daily Burn
3. Spinach and Feta Mac & Cheese
This homestyle dish gets a Greek remix with feta cheese, spinach and tomatoes. And the feta isn’t flying solo: This recipe uses a creamy three-cheese blend with mozzarella and white cheddar. To help cut down on fat, Katerina, founder of the food blog Diethood, uses unsweetened almond milk. She also goes easy on the salt with low-sodium vegetable broth, and swaps whole-wheat elbow macaroni or quinoa pasta for white pasta. Photo and recipe: Katerina / Diethood
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4. Honey Garlic Shrimp Skillet
You’re only five ingredients away from this satisfying sizzler. Honey, soy sauce, ginger and garlic are the key ingredients to the finger-licking sauce. The shrimp cooks up fast and delivers a dose of iron, protein and vitamin B12, which helps keep your metabolism revved up. Photo and recipe: Fara / The Cooking Jar
5. Coconut Cream Pumpkin Quinoa Porridge
Pureed pumpkin plus a trifecta of coconut oil, cream and shavings instantly elevate this quinoa-based porridge. It doesn’t hurt that the vegan recipe is also a solid source of iron, protein and fiber from the quinoa. Honey adds a touch of natural sweetness, and ground cinnamon lends heartwarming flavor and aroma. Whip up a big batch on Sunday and bring it to work for a week’s worth of deliciously filling breakfasts. Photo and recipe: Lindsay Cotter / Cotter Crunch
6. Tofu Chilaquiles
Baked tortilla chips, vegan cheese and a hearty tofu scramble keep the traditionally heavy recipe healthy and light. And thanks to a sauce of crushed tomatoes, onions, garlic and chipotle in adobo, this recipe is anything but flavorless. While chilaquiles is a popular brunch item, it makes a great dish for sharing when entertaining friends or as a quick dinner option. Photo and recipe: Dana Shultz, Minimalist Baker
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7. Turkey Sausage and Kale Frittata
We all know kale is one heck of a superfood (hello, vitamins A, C and E!). But when paired with a lean protein-packed duo of turkey sausage and eggs, this recipe makes for one energy-packed way to start the day. Oh, and it only takes about a half and hour to make. Photo and recipe: Perry Santanachote / Life by Daily Burn
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8. Skillet Chicken Fajitas
This zesty recipe is the definition of quick and easy. Most of the time you’ll clock in comes from prep, but buying diced peppers and chicken strips at the store will cut your time down significantly. Photo and recipe: Danae Halliday / Recipe Runner
9. Umami Edamame
Snack time doesn’t have to be boring. This edamame snack is full of flavor thanks to Asian mix-ins like soy sauce, rice vinegar and sesame oil. Tossed with a sprinkling of metabolism-revving capsaicin, this is an easy, low-cal way to keep hunger at bay. Photo and recipe: Matthew Cetta, Nomageddon
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And for Dessert…
10. Skillet Peach and Blueberry Cake
We told you: There’s something here to sate every appetite — including your sweet tooth! This recipe takes a little longer to prepare, but it’s well worth it. (We’re loving the rustic cast-iron skillet presentation, too!) Start by getting yourself a haul of fresh blueberries and peaches for one last dose of summer wrapped up in this fluffy skillet cake. Feel free to opt for different fruit combos as the seasons change so you can enjoy all year long. Photo and recipe: Jennifer, Seasons & Supper