This breakfast skillet is everything you need on a busy morning crispy golden potatoes, colorful bell peppers, savory ham, and eggs cooked just right, all in one pan. I started making this when I needed something filling that didn't create a pile of dishes, and it quickly became our go-to weekend breakfast.
If you're looking for more easy morning recipes, you'll love these Easy Cinnamon Sugar Soft Pretzels or try something sweet like Best Strawberry Danishes for a special treat.
The smell of potatoes crisping up in the skillet always brings Emma running to the kitchen. She likes hers with extra cheese melted on top, and honestly, I can't blame her.
Why You'll Love This Breakfast Skillet
Quick and filling: This simple breakfast skillet recipe is ready in 30 minutes from start to finish. Perfect for weekends when you want something hearty but don't want to spend all morning cooking.
Minimal cleanup: Just one skillet means you're not washing five different pots and pans afterward. Everything cooks together, building flavor as it goes.
Customizable: Use whatever you have on hand. Swap the ham for breakfast skillet sausage, add mushrooms, or make it a breakfast skillet vegetarian version by leaving out the meat and adding more vegetables.
Family-friendly: Kids love this because they can see all the ingredients and pick what they want more of. Adults love it because it's filling and tastes like something you'd order at a diner.
Great for meal prep: Make a big batch and reheat portions throughout the week. It holds up well and tastes just as good the next day.
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Breakfast Skillet Ingredients
Start with simple ingredients you probably already have.
See recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities
Oil: Helps the potatoes crisp up and prevents sticking. Use vegetable oil, olive oil, or even bacon grease if you want extra flavor.
Red potatoes: These stay firm and creamy inside while getting crispy on the outside. Cut them into small cubes so they cook evenly and quickly.
Salt: Seasons the potatoes and brings out their natural flavor. Don't skip salting them early it makes a big difference.
Black pepper: Adds a little heat and depth. Freshly ground tastes best.
Bell peppers: Bring color, sweetness, and a slight crunch. Use red, yellow, or orange for the best flavor. Green peppers work too but taste more bitter.
Cooked ham: Adds smoky, savory flavor and makes the dish more filling. You can use leftover ham, deli ham, or even ham steak cut into chunks.
Italian seasoning: A blend of herbs like oregano, basil, and thyme that adds warmth and flavor to the vegetables and ham.
Eggs: The protein that holds everything together. They cook right in the skillet, making little pockets of creamy yolk.
Shredded cheese: Melts over the hot skillet and adds richness. Cheddar works great, but use whatever you like—Monterey Jack, mozzarella, or a Mexican blend.
Green onions: Add a fresh, mild onion flavor and a pop of green color. They're the perfect finishing touch.
How To Make Breakfast Skillet
This cast iron breakfast skillet (or any large skillet) comes together in a few simple steps.
Heat the oil: Heat oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet. Let it warm up for about a minute so the potatoes start crisping right away.
Cook the potatoes: Add the cubed potatoes, season with salt and pepper, and cook until they're tender inside and crispy outside, about 8 to 10 minutes. Stir them occasionally so all sides get golden.
Add ham and peppers: Toss in the ham, bell peppers, and Italian seasoning. Cook until the peppers soften but still have a little bite, 3 to 4 minutes. The ham will warm through and pick up flavor from the seasonings.
Make wells for the eggs: Use a spatula to push the vegetables aside and create four little spaces in the skillet. These are where your eggs will go.
Crack the eggs: Crack one egg into each space. Sprinkle them with a little salt and pepper, then cover the skillet. Let them cook for 4 to 5 minutes until the whites are set but the yolks are still a little runny.
Add cheese and green onions: Sprinkle shredded cheese over everything and top with sliced green onions. Serve immediately while it's hot and the cheese is melty.
Substitutions and Swaps
This protein packed Breakfast Skillet is flexible and easy to adjust.
Protein options: Swap the ham for cooked bacon, crumbled sausage, or even leftover rotisserie chicken. For a vegetarian version, skip the meat and add black beans or chickpeas.
Potato swaps: Use sweet potatoes for a slightly sweet flavor, or try frozen hash browns if you're short on time. Just make sure they're thawed and patted dry.
Vegetable changes: Add mushrooms, zucchini, cherry tomatoes, or spinach. Just adjust the cooking time depending on what you're using.
Cheese varieties: Try pepper jack for a spicy kick, feta for a tangy twist, or goat cheese for something creamy and mild.
Egg styles: If you prefer scrambled eggs, push the vegetables to one side and scramble the eggs on the other side of the pan. You can also make this as a Breakfast Skillet scramble by mixing everything together.
Equipment For Breakfast Skillet
Large skillet: A 12-inch skillet works best so everything fits comfortably. Cast iron holds heat well and gives you extra crispy potatoes.
Spatula: You'll need this for stirring and creating the wells for the eggs.
Knife and cutting board: For chopping the potatoes, peppers, ham, and green onions.
Measuring spoons: To measure the oil, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
Lid: A tight-fitting lid helps the eggs cook evenly without flipping them.
Storage and Reheating
This homemade Breakfast Skillet keeps well if you have leftovers.
Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days. The eggs will firm up more when chilled, but everything still tastes good.
Reheating: Warm in a skillet over medium-low heat for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring gently. You can also microwave individual portions for 1 to 2 minutes.
Freezing: I don't recommend freezing this because the eggs and potatoes change texture. If you want to meal prep, cook the potatoes, ham, and peppers, then freeze those. Add fresh eggs when you're ready to eat.
Make-ahead tip: Chop all your vegetables and store them in the fridge the night before. In the morning, just toss everything in the skillet and you're done in 20 minutes.
Serving Suggestions
This savory breakfast skillet is filling on its own, but here are some ideas to round out the meal.
With toast: Serve with buttered toast or an English muffin for scooping up the runny yolks.
Fresh fruit: A bowl of berries, sliced melon, or orange segments adds brightness and balances the richness of the skillet.
Salsa or hot sauce: A spoonful of salsa or a few dashes of hot sauce adds a little kick and cuts through the cheese.
Avocado slices: Creamy avocado pairs perfectly with the eggs and adds healthy fats.
Expert Tips
Don't crowd the pan: If your skillet is too small, the potatoes will steam instead of crisp. Use a large skillet or cook in batches.
Cut potatoes evenly: Same-sized cubes cook at the same rate. If some are bigger, they'll still be hard when the smaller ones are done.
Preheat the skillet: Let the oil get hot before adding the potatoes. You should hear a sizzle when they hit the pan.
Cover for perfect eggs: The lid traps steam and cooks the egg whites evenly without flipping. This is how you get those beautiful sunny-side-up eggs.
Add cheese at the end: Wait until everything is cooked, then sprinkle the cheese on top. It melts from the residual heat without overcooking.
FAQ
What is a breakfast skillet?
A breakfast skillet is a one-pan meal that combines eggs, potatoes, vegetables, and often meat like sausage, bacon, or ham. Everything cooks together in a skillet, which makes it easy and creates layers of flavor. It's a hearty, filling meal perfect for any time of day.
What is a skillet food?
Skillet food refers to any dish cooked entirely in a skillet, usually on the stovetop. It's convenient because you only need one pan, and the ingredients cook together, blending flavors as they go. Breakfast skillets, stir-fries, and one-pan pastas are all examples.
What is a cowboy breakfast skillet?
A cowboy breakfast skillet is a rustic version made with ingredients like bacon, sausage, potatoes, peppers, onions, and eggs, often cooked over a campfire or in a cast iron skillet. It's hearty, filling, and built to fuel a long day. Some versions add beans or cheese for extra flavor.
How to make eggs in a skillet?
To make eggs in a skillet, heat a little oil or butter over medium heat. Crack the eggs into the pan, season with salt and pepper, and cover with a lid. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes until the whites are set. For scrambled eggs, whisk them first, then pour into the skillet and stir gently as they cook.
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Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with breakfast skillet
Breakfast Skillet
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons oil neutral cooking oil such as canola or avocado
- 5–6 medium red potatoes cut into small 1 cm cubes for even browning
- 1 teaspoon salt divided, adjust to taste
- ½ teaspoon black pepper freshly ground if possible
- 3 bell peppers any color, chopped into bite-size pieces
- 1½ cups cooked ham diced, smoked or honey ham both work well
- 1¼ teaspoons Italian seasoning dried herb blend
- 6 large eggs room temperature for even cooking
- 1½ cups shredded cheese cheddar or a cheddar blend melts best
- 2 green onions thinly sliced for garnish and freshness
Instructions
- Warm the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
- Add the cubed potatoes, season with part of the salt and pepper, and cook while stirring occasionally until golden outside and tender inside, about 8–10 minutes.
- Stir in the ham, bell peppers, and Italian seasoning, cooking just until the peppers soften slightly but still have bite, about 3–4 minutes.
- Use a spatula to make six small wells in the skillet for the eggs.
- Crack one egg into each space, lightly season, then cover and cook until the whites are set but yolks remain to your liking, about 4–5 minutes.
- Scatter the shredded cheese and green onions over the skillet, allow the cheese to melt, then remove from heat and serve immediately.
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