These easy Sheet Pan Dinners make my busy weeknight cooking dreams come true. I can bake a complete meal using just a single baking sheet? Yes, please! With these recipes, you can feed your whole family delicious, wholesome food with little prep and easy, breezy cleanup. Fewer dishes means more time to enjoy the other parts of life!
I know you are busy, so let’s get right to it!
What makes a great Sheet Pan Dinner?
Vegetables and protein form the base of the meal. Some of the vegetables that work really well for this method are:
- asparagus
- carrots
- Brussel sprouts
- broccoli
- cauliflower
- bok choy
- mushrooms
- butternut squash
- asparagus
- kale
- bell peppers
- cherry tomatoes
- green beans
- red onion
- delicata squash
- jalapeños
- eggplant
You get the idea! These vegetables can stand up to some time in the oven and cooking enhances their flavors. The sugars get sweeter, and the slight char on the vegetables gives some crispy crunch to the meal. A little drizzle of olive oil, salt and pepper is all you need! I usually double up the veggies to add more vitamins, flavor and color to the meal.
What types of protein are best to use?
Proteins that work well in the oven are chicken sausages, chicken thighs, salmon filets, chicken tenderloins (or chicken nuggets), tofu slices, feta, pork tenderloin, and prepared beans. Yes, roasted garbanzo beans (chickpeas) are awesome! And so are roasted pintos or kidney beans. A little oil and seasonings or a touch of sauce and in they go!
Can I add fruits to sheet pan dinners?
Of course! Roasted lemons, limes, apricots, peaches, apples, oranges, tomatoes (yes, they are a fruit:) all can be roasted alongside your protein and vegetables to add extra flavor to the dish. So simple but amazing!
How to make cleanup easy?
If I’m pressed for time, I use a piece of parchment paper to line the bottom of the pan to make cleanup super simple. You can also use aluminum foil or a silicone baking liner.
What about carbs?
While my husband often skips the carbs to maintain his six pack, I have three growing girls to feed and those busy bodies need carbohydrates! I often use potatoes in my Sheet Pan Dinners. Halved baby potatoes, whole fingerlings, sliced sweet potatoes or Japanese sweet potatoes, tossed in a bit of olive oil, herbs, salt and pepper. Even classic French fries. Try our family favorite, Cheesy Smashed Potatoes. They require one extra step during the last few minutes of cooking but they are worth it!
What other starches pair well with sheet pan dinners?
If you are not feeling potatoes, try parmesan toast, pita bread, garlic cheese bread, or tortillas to accompany the veggies and protein. Or break the one pan dinner rule and make some rice or pasta! We won’t hold it against you!
How do I make sheet pan dinners?
- First, line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and preheat oven to 400° F.
- Next, wash and cut your vegetables and potatoes. Aim for similarly sized pieces so that the food cooks evenly.
- Toss vegetables in olive oil and season with salt, pepper and desired spices.
- Repeat with your choice of protein.
- Last, place on baking sheet and roast for recommended time (usually 15-20 minutes). Check after 15 minutes and cover or remove items if they have reached desired level of browning.
- Finally, remove from oven, assemble in bowl and drizzle with desired sauce (peanut, soy, honey mustard, salsa, balsamic vinaigrette, chimichurri, bulgogi, etc.)
Sheet Pan Dinner | Brussels Sprouts, Chicken Sausage, and Broccolini
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
These easy Sheet Pan Dinners make my busy weeknight cooking dreams come true. I can bake a complete meal using just a single baking sheet? Yes, please! With these recipes, you can feed your whole family delicious, wholesome food with little prep and easy, breezy cleanup. Fewer dishes means more time to enjoy the other parts of life! I know you are busy, so let’s get right to it!
Ingredients
1 pound broccolini (about 18 stems or 2 broccoli crowns);
1 pound chicken sausages;
5–7 new potatoes;
1 sweet potato;
2 Tablespoons olive oil;
fresh dill, thyme or rosemary for potatoes
Salt, pepper to taste
Instructions
- preheat oven to 400° F and line rimmed baking sheet with parchment.
- Wash and cut new potatoes into quarters and slice sweet potato into circles or cubes. Aim for similar thickness of all potatoes.
- Wash broccolini.
- Toss vegetables and potatoes in bowl with olive oil and salt to coat.
- Place on baking tray.
- Place sausages on baking tray.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes until browned and potatoes can be pierced with a fork.
- Sprinkle potatoes with fresh herbs if desired.
Notes
Tips and Tricks
If using broccoli, cut the crowns into quarters.
The sausages may split, but that’s ok. Alternatively, you can slice them before baking. This will also give more browned surface area for more caramelization.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
The recipe for one of our staple sheet pan dinners is above, but here’s a list of some other family favorites. I’ll be adding the recipes soon!
Autumn Harvest Bowl
Roasted halved Brussel sprouts + sliced onion + apple + chicken sausages + baby potatoes (20 minutes)
Salmon Broccoli Bake
Roasted carrots + broccoli + halved lemon + salmon + sweet potatoes (15-20 minutes) *Squeeze lemon over salmon and vegetables before serving.
Baked Asian Tofu Bowl
Charred broccolini + carrots + tofu + sweet potatoes (20 minutes) *Drizzle with peanut sauce.
Sheet Pan Moroccan Chicken
Roasted delicata squash + green beans + chicken thighs + smashed potatoes (20 minutes) *Brush chicken with harissa sauce and dust squash with cumin.
Sheet Pan Fajitas
Roasted bell peppers + cherry tomatoes + sliced onion + halved lime + chicken tenderloins + tortillas (15 minutes) *Dust chicken with salt, chili powder, and cumin before baking and serve with salsa and a squeeze of the lime.
Greek Salad Sheet Pan Dinner
Roasted kale + tomatoes + onion + feta + chicken + olives (15 minutes) *Drizzle with Greek dressing.
