My camp meals improved when I added a heavy skillet to my pack

Look at it as camp furniture, not just cookware. A heavy pan stays hot long after you take it off the fire, so you can set it near you to warm up on a cold night. It also sits totally flat on the ground or a rock, so you're not chasing a tipping pot around. That little bit of comfort and not having to worry about spills changes the whole vibe of making dinner after a long hike. The weight stops being a penalty and starts feeling like a tool for a better camp.