47 Healthy Recipes That’ll Put Your Cast Iron Skillet to Work

47 Healthy Recipes That’ll Put Your Cast Iron Skillet to Work

Read Time: 23 mins

47 Healthy Recipes That’ll Put Your Cast Iron Skillet to Work1/47 Chicken Bulgur Skillet 7 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Chicken Bulgur Skillet Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 45 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This recipe was passed on to me by a friend. I’ve altered it slightly to suit our tastes. We like it with a fresh green salad. —Leann Hilmer, Sylvan Grove, Kansas Nutrition Facts: 1-1/2 cups: 412 calories, 8g fat (1g saturated fat), 66mg cholesterol, 561mg sodium, 51g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 12g fiber), 36g protein. 2/47 Chicken Burrito Skillet

This burrito-inspired dish is ready for the table in almost no time!

40 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Chicken Burrito Skillet Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 45 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: We love Mexican night at our house, and I love to re-create dishes from our favorite restaurants. This burrito-inspired dish is ready for the table in almost no time! —Krista Marshall, Fort Wayne, Indiana Nutrition Facts: 1-1/3 cups: 403 calories, 13g fat (4g saturated fat), 58mg cholesterol, 690mg sodium, 43g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 5g fiber), 27g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 starch, 3 lean meat, 1-1/2 fat. 3/47 Spanish Rice with Ground Beef

My mom is famous for her Spanish rice recipe, the ultimate comfort food

26 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Mom’s Spanish Rice Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 20 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My mom is famous for her Spanish rice recipe, the ultimate comfort food. When I want a taste of home, I whip up this dish. Punch up the flavor with a little lime and extra chili powder. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas Nutrition Facts: 1-1/2 cups: 408 calories, 12g fat (4g saturated fat), 71mg cholesterol, 727mg sodium, 49g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 6g fiber), 28g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2

starch, 2 vegetable

starch, 2 vegetable. 4/47 Turkey Curry 9 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Turkey Curry Recipe photo by Sheri Silver for Taste of Home Total Time 20 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I’m always looking for new and interesting ways to use leftover turkey—especially around the holidays. Make this skillet meal as spicy as you’d like by varying the amount of curry powder. —Martha Balser, Cincinnati, Ohio Nutrition Facts: 1 cup (calculated without rice): 172 calories, 3g fat (1g saturated fat), 72mg cholesterol, 235mg sodium, 12g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 1g fiber), 24g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1

starch, 3 lean meat

starch, 3 lean meat. 5/47 Apples ‘n’ Onion Topped Chops 12 Reviews Apples ‘n’ Onion Topped Chops Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Now that my husband and I are trying to lose weight, I find it a challenge to come up with healthy dishes that are flavorful, quick and appealing to us and our young daughter. This one fits the bill on all counts. —Beverly McLain, Endicott, New York Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 326 calories, 13g fat (3g saturated fat), 68mg cholesterol, 340mg sodium, 24g

carbohydrate (17g sugars, 3g fiber), 28g protein

carbohydrate (17g sugars, 3g fiber), 28g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 4 lean meat, 1 vegetable, 1 fat, 1/2 starch, 1/2 fruit. 6/47 Sausage Veggie Skillet 48 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Sausage Veggie Skillet Recipe photo by Kristina Vanni for Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I threw this sausage recipe together one night to use up produce before going out of town. Who knew it was going to be such a hit! Now it’s a recipe I turn to whenever time is tight. —Elizabeth Kelley, Chicago, Illinois Nutrition Facts: 1-1/2

Diabetic Exchanges: 3 starch, 3 lean meat, 1 fat

cups: 371 calories, 11g fat (3g saturated fat), 65mg cholesterol, 715mg sodium, 48g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 5g fiber), 22g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 starch, 3 lean meat, 1 fat. 7/47 Lemon-Pepper Tilapia with Mushrooms 9 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved TASTE OF HOME Total Time 25 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My husband and I are trying to add more fish and healthy entrees to our diet and this one makes it easy. It comes together in less than 30 minutes, so it’s perfect for hectic weeknights. —Donna McDonald, Lake Elsinore, California Nutrition Facts: 1

Diabetic Exchanges: 4 lean meat, 1-1/2 fat

fillet: 216 calories, 8g fat (4g saturated fat), 98mg cholesterol, 173mg sodium, 5g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 34g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 4 lean meat, 1-1/2 fat. 8/47 Turkey Asparagus Stir-Fry 7 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 20 min Servings 5 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Twenty minutes is all you’ll need to make this quick stir-fry. Lean turkey, asparagus and mushrooms make it super nutritious, too. —Darlene Kennedy, Galion, Ohio Nutrition Facts: 1 cup with 3/4 cup rice: 343 calories, 5g fat (1g saturated fat), 52mg cholesterol, 363mg sodium, 47g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 4g fiber),

28g protein

28g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 starch, 3 lean meat, 1 vegetable, 1/2 fat. 9/47 Pineapple Shrimp Stir-Fry 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved Pineapple Shrimp Stir-Fry Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I came up with this recipe for a luau-themed party and served it with sliced papaya, mango and avocado. My family loved it! If you don’t care for coconut, sprinkle it with chopped macadamia nuts instead. —Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho Nutrition Facts: 1 cup (calculated without rice): 301 calories, 7g fat (3g saturated fat), 139mg

cholesterol, 568mg sodium, 38g carbohydrate (27g sugars, 3g fiber), 20g protein. 10/47 Chicken & Vegetable Curry Couscous 3 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Chicken & Vegetable Curry Couscous Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: For my busy family, a semi-homemade one-pot meal is the easiest way to get dinner done in a hurry. Use your favorite blend of frozen veggies and serve with toasted pita bread for smiles all around. —Elizabeth Hokanson, Arborg, Manitoba Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 273 calories, 4g fat (2g saturated fat), 47mg cholesterol,

311mg sodium, 39g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 4g fiber), 21g protein

311mg sodium, 39g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 4g fiber), 21g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 2 lean meat, 1 vegetable, 1/2 fat. 11/47 Zippy Turkey Zoodles 1 Review Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Zippy Turkey Zoodles Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 45 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Eating healthy doesn’t mean sacrificing flavor—and these spiced-up zoodles prove it. If you don’t have a spiralizer, simply slice the zucchini julienne-style. —Elizabeth Bramkamp, Gig Harbor, Washington Nutrition Facts: 1-3/4 cups: 332 calories, 14g fat (3g saturated fat), 75mg cholesterol, 500mg sodium, 26g carbohydrate (7g

sugars, 6g fiber), 29g protein

sugars, 6g fiber), 29g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 medium-fat meat, 2 vegetable, 1 starch, 1 fat. 12/47 Chicken Pesto Meatballs 7 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: These tender, pesto-stuffed meatballs get gobbled up in our house. They’re short on ingredients, but packed with flavor. I always make a double batch, freezing the other half for a busy night. —Ally Billhorn, Wilton, Iowa Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup meatball mixture with 1 cup spaghetti: 422 calories, 12g fat (3g saturated fat), 85mg cholesterol, 706mg sodium, 45g

carbohydrate (7g sugars, 7g fiber), 32g protein

carbohydrate (7g sugars, 7g fiber), 32g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 starch, 3 lean meat, 1-1/2 fat. 13/47 Veggie-Cashew Stir-Fry 7 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Veggie-Cashew Stir-Fry Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 35 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Getting my meat-loving husband and two sons, ages 5 and 7, to eat more veggies had always been a struggle until I whipped up this stir-fry. I was shocked when they cleaned their plates and asked for seconds. —Abbey Hoffman, Ashland, Ohio Nutrition Facts: 1-1/2 cups: 385 calories, 16g fat (3g saturated fat), 0

cholesterol, 671mg sodium, 56g carbohydrate (15g sugars, 6g fiber), 9g protein

cholesterol, 671mg sodium, 56g carbohydrate (15g sugars, 6g fiber), 9g protein. 14/47 Chickpea & Chipotle Tostadas 4 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Chickpea & Chipotle Tostadas Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 45 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I often take a not-so-healthy dish and create something good for my family. My young twins love colorful meals they can eat with their hands, and this one fits the bill. —Amber Massey, Argyle, Texas Nutrition Facts: 2 tostadas: 347 calories, 9g fat (1g saturated fat), 5mg cholesterol, 752mg sodium, 59g carbohydrate (11g sugars, 12g

fiber), 12g protein

fiber), 12g protein. 15/47 Pizzaiola Chops 3 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Pizzaiola Chops Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My favorite cousin shared this recipe, and I tweaked it for our family. Taste as you go, and try the Italian trick of sprinkling on some oregano to give it that extra something. —Lorraine Caland, Shuniah, Ontario Nutrition Facts: 1 pork chop and 1 cup vegetable mixture (calculated without rice): 351 calories, 17g fat (5g saturated fat), 82mg cholesterol, 647mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 2g fiber),

💡 Frequently Asked Questions

Caribbean Chicken Stir-Fry 3 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Fruit cocktail in stir-fry?

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⭐ Expert Tips

  • Include seasonal or trendy variations to keep your meals exciting.

  • Highlight prep shortcuts or time-saving techniques for busy cooks.

  • Consider dietary restrictions and include substitution suggestions.

✅ Key Takeaways

  • These dinner ideas are perfect for impressing guests or enjoying special occasions.

  • Choose recipes that match your skill level and available kitchen tools.

  • Presentation and taste both contribute to a memorable dining experience.

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