Food Network star and everyone’s favorite comfort food chef Ina Garten knows a thing or two about cooking with a cast iron skillet. There’s her super-popular, highly reviewed, foolproof skillet-roasted lemon chicken. She also has a butter-drenched, tender steakhouse steak recipe that wouldn’t get that perfect sear without her beloved skillet. And who could possibly resist her decadent, mouthwatering filet mignon dish that boasts a generous serving of creamy sauce with mustard and mushrooms? Please excuse us while we wipe the drool from our chin.
That said, impressing the skillet queen might be a challenging task. But, we did find a few cast iron skillet recipes that might just get the Garten seal of approval. First, of course, you’ll need to get yourself a proper cast iron skillet. Garten herself uses this one by Lodge and it just so happens to be on sale right now on Amazon.
Now that you’ve got your skillet, you’re ready for the recipes. From citrusy, perfectly seared chicken breasts to easy to make, béchamel-free mac ‘n’ cheese, here are 14 cast iron skillet recipes even Ina Garten would approve of.
Our mission at SheKnows is to empower and inspire women, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale.
Cast Iron Chicken Thighs with Pan Sauce
Super crispy, juicy chicken thighs paired with a decadent white wine pan sauce: It’s a one-pan meal that reminds us of the Barefoot Contessa’s Chicken Thighs with Creamy Mustard Sauce, which also uses a dry white wine for its mouthwatering sauce.
Get the recipe at The Frozen Biscuit.
Cinnamon Rolls
We try not to play favorites but if we had to choose, these skillet cinnamon rolls might just be our number one skillet recipe. Nothing beats warm, gooey cinnamon rolls on a Sunday morning and the skillet just adds so much extra homemade goodness.
Get the recipe from Leite’s Culinaria
Blueberry Cobbler with Smoked Sugar
Summer is practically synonymous with blueberry pies and blueberry cobblers, and none look quite as crumbly and sweet and crunchy and bursting with fruity flavor than Chenée Today’s Blueberry Cobbler with Smoked Sugar. Though, for those who want two different types of summer fruit, Garten’s citrusy, tart Peach & Blueberry Crumbles is for you.
Get the recipe at Chenée Today.
Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken
Chicken and sun-died tomato is a match made in cast iron skillet heaven. Proof? A Farmgirl’s Kitchen’s Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken dish with chicken tenderloins soaking up a Havarti cheese, spinach, and sun-dried tomatoes-packed cream sauce. It’s a recipe reminiscent of Garten’s Chicken with Goat Cheese and Sun Dried Tomato dish.
Get the recipe at A Farmgirl’s Kitchen.
Cast Iron Skillet Pork Chops
Garten has some of the best pork chops recipes, but Happy Foods Tube’s easy to make, spice and herb-rubbed, cast iron skillet-grilled pork chops (and her super-creamy mustard sauce) might just rival the Barefoot Contessa’s.
Get the recipe at Happy Foods Tube.
Baked Brie Cheese on the Grill
If we could eat an entire wheel of baked brie, we would. (OK, maybe we have.) And what we love about Vindulge’s baked brie cheese recipe is the brie’s dropped into a six-inch cast iron pan and placed directly onto a hot grill — a move Garten would appreciate.
Get the recipe at Vindulge.
Pan Seared Scallops with Lemon Butter
Garten might sear her scallops on a very large sauce pan, but Kitchen Swagger sears theirs on a cast iron skillet coated with a lemon butter sauce.
Get the recipe at Kitchen Swagger.
Cast Iron Skillet Lasagna
Garten has, quite possible, the best, most foolproof lasagna recipe out there. What we like about Dash of Savory’s recipe, though, is their ability to elevate the flavors of a classic lasagna via cast iron skillet, proving that, yes, you can make really anything in a skillet.
Get the recipe at Dash of Savory.
Skillet Scalloped Potatoes
For scalloped potatoes a la Garten — but in a skillet — Host the Toast’s Skillet Scalloped Potatoes is similar in taste, down to the type of cheese they use (both Garten and Host the Toast use Gruyere).
Get the recipe at Host the Toast.
Easy Baked Mac and Cheese
Garten is the reigning queen of easy mac ‘n’ cheese recipes (um, have you seen her overnight mac ‘n’ cheese recipe?). But, we’ll give it to Sweet Cayenne for having one of the easiest skillet baked mac ‘n’ cheese recipes. And, like Garten’s recipe, it doesn’t require making a béchamel sauce, either!
Get the recipe at Sweet Cayenne.
Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta
Garten’s no stranger to chicken pasta recipes, and she would surely be a fan of Simply Homecooked’s garlic-, parmesan-, and sun-dried tomato-rich pasta coated in a creamy sauce.
Get the recipe at Simply Homecooked.
Savory Baked Veggie Frittata
Garten’s veggie frittata is chockfull of our favorite summer veggies, from zucchini to yellow and red bell peppers. And Tsirona’s veggie fritatta is no different, boasting an assortment of just-as-vibrant vegetables, including onions, baby spinach, and bell peppers.
Get the recipe at Tsirona.
Skillet Lemon Pepper Chicken & Garden Veggies
Garten knows a thing or two about making perfectly seared and moist chicken breasts, and she would certainly be impressed with Half Baked Harvest’s herb, pepper, and lemon-seasoned chicken swimming in a white wine pan sauce.
Get the recipe at Half Baked Harvest.
Leave a Comment