20 simple sheet pan dinner recipes your family will love

20 simple sheet pan dinner recipes your family will love

(Andrea Mathis)


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Estimated read time: 6-7 minutes

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SALT LAKE CITY — Getting dinner on the table doesn't have to be time consuming or complicated. With a little prep and some hands-off time in the oven, sheet pan dinners can be your new best friend.

What exactly are sheet pan dinners? Essentially, they are one-pot meals on a sheet pan. Here are just a few reasons why they're so great:

  • Easy clean up. All you’ve got is one pan to wash!
  • Hands-off cooking. No need to babysit a pot or skillet on the stove. Let the oven do all the cooking while you relax.
  • They’re versatile. You can cook so many different proteins — such as chicken, pork, beef, eggs, tofu and more — as well as an even bigger variety of vegetables and fruits.
  • Easily swap ingredients. If you don't like an ingredient or don't have it on hand, you can easily swap it for another. Don’t like asparagus and sweet potatoes? Switch them for some green beans and baby red potatoes!

Some quick tips for making sheet pan dinners:

  • When possible, mix everything on the sheet pan — protein, veggies, oil, seasonings and anything else you’re cooking. This saves having to wash an extra bowl.
  • Add some ingredients at different times. Depending on what you are cooking, some ingredients will take longer to cook than others. For example, potatoes (depending on their size) take about 30 minutes to bake at 400°F, but asparagus only takes 10 to 15 minutes. Start with the slowest-cooking ingredient, then add ingredients that cook faster later on.
  • Rotate your sheet pan or mix the ingredients halfway through baking for even cooking.

Now that you know why sheet pan dinners are so awesome and have some tips to get you started, here are 20 easy and nutritious family-friendly sheet pan dinners created by registered dietitians to help solve the age old question of, "What's for dinner?".

Maple BBQ Mini Meat Loaves and Veggies via KISS in the Kitchen

(Photo: Shannon Garcia)
(Photo: Shannon Garcia)

A family favorite just got better. These little meat loaves are simple to put together. Toss some veggies on the sheet pan and you have dinner.

Autumn Chicken Sausage Sheet Pan Dinner via Nutrition to Fit

(Photo: Lindsey Janeiro)
(Photo: Lindsey Janeiro)

Craving some fall flavors? In this sheet pan dinner, Brussels sprouts, butternut squash and dried cranberries pair perfectly with chicken sausage, all drizzled with a tangy honey mustard dressing.

Sheet Pan Tandoori Chicken and Vegetables with Green Chutney and Cucumber Yogurt Sauce via Rachael Hartley Nutrition

(Photo: Rachael Hartley)
(Photo: Rachael Hartley)

A bright and fresh green chutney and cucumber yogurt raita pack a punch of flavor, especially when paired with the tandoori spiced chicken and veggies.

Sheet Pan Teriyaki Ginger Sesame Chicken & Broccoli via Beautiful Eats and Things

(Photo: Andrea Mathis)
(Photo: Andrea Mathis)

Skip the takeout and make this delicious dinner at home any night of the week. Serve it as-is or place it over rice or quinoa.

Easy Lemon Pepper Salmon via Shahzadi Devje of Desi-licious RD

(Photo: Shahzadi Devje)
(Photo: Shahzadi Devje)

This healthy and flavorful recipe results in a flaky and juicy fish and is on the table in just 20 minutes.

Sheet Pan Honey Ginger Shrimp and Veggies via Bucket List Tummy

(Photo: Sarah Schlichter)
(Photo: Sarah Schlichter)

With the best shrimp marinade you’ll ever find, this is a sheet pan dinner that has a healthy blend of protein and veggies. As a bonus, it’s a quick and easy meal for busy nights.

Sheet Pan Miso Ginger Tempeh via Kelly Jones Nutrition

(Photo: Kelly Jones)
(Photo: Kelly Jones)

Add some plant-based protein to dinner with this delicious vegan sheet pan dinner that you can whip up in no time.

Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas via Your Choice Nutrition

(Photo: Brittany Poulson)
(Photo: Brittany Poulson)

Don’t slave over the stove cooking fajitas. Instead, let the oven do all the cooking. Dress your fajitas with your choice of toppings for a filling meal.

One-Pan Beef Tenderloin & Roasted Vegetables via The Nutrition Adventure

(Photo: Karman Meyer)
(Photo: Karman Meyer)

Date night in? This tasty sheet pan tenderloin and veggies dinner is sure to impress.

Honey Mustard Sheet Pan Chicken Dinner via Meals with Maggie

(Photo: Maggie Farley)
(Photo: Maggie Farley)

If you’re looking for a yummy and balanced dinner with a lean protein, starch and veggies, then look no further. The honey mustard sauce tops it all for a flavor-packed meal.

Chicken Bacon Sheet Pan Dinner via Nourish Nutrition

(Photo: Rebecca Clyde)
(Photo: Rebecca Clyde)

Enjoy chicken, bacon and fall veggies without much effort with this simple sheet pan dinner. Rebecca’s expert tip: placing bacon on top of the chicken helps keep it moist and juicy.

Sheet Pan Lemon Chicken with Potatoes and Carrots via Toby Amidor Nutrition

(Photo: Toby Amidor)
(Photo: Toby Amidor)

Add some zest to dinner with this lemony chicken sheet pan dinner. With simple ingredients, this sweet and savory meal comes together after just 15 minutes of prep.

Sheet Pan Chicken and Mango Stir Fry via Rachael Hartley Nutrition

(Photo: Rachael Hartley)
(Photo: Rachael Hartley)

Simplify stir-fry by making it on a sheet pan. This fruity stir-fry balances sweet, savory, tart, salty, spicy and umami flavors all in one. Serve over brown rice to complete your meal.

Sheet Pan Mushroom Fajitas via Chelsey Amer Nutrition

(Photo: Chelsey Amer)
(Photo: Chelsey Amer)

Enjoy a Mexican-inspired meal that’s simple, delicious and nutritious. Portobello mushrooms offer the perfect meaty bite for a plant-based dinner.

Sheet Pan Cod and Veggie Dinner via Hälsa Nutrition

(Photo: Maria Adams)
(Photo: Maria Adams)

Enjoy the natural flavors of fish, potatoes and veggies in this sheet pan meal. Its simple seasonings bring out the best in each ingredient. Add some Swedish rye crispbread with cheese or hummus if you want to add more to your dinner.

One-pan Blueberry Pork Chops via Live Best

(Photo: Judy Barbe)
(Photo: Judy Barbe)

Pork’s mild flavor pairs well with juicy blueberries, giving you sweetness, a pop of color and a boost of antioxidants and fiber.

Sheet Pan Sweet Potato Nachos via Bucket List Tummy

(Photo: Sarah Schlichter)
(Photo: Sarah Schlichter)

This easy, cheesy vegetarian nachos recipe makes a quick, delicious pantry meal. Customize your toppings to your liking for a personalized meal.

Sheet Pan Honey-Glazed Pork Chops with Sweet Potatoes & Apples via Beautiful Eats and Things

(Photo: Andrea Mathis)
(Photo: Andrea Mathis)

Lean pork chops, sweet potatoes and apples go together perfectly in this complete and balanced sheet pan dinner, with the honey glaze adding a warm sweetness to the dish.

Chicken Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner via Create Kids Club

(Photo: Jodi Danen)
(Photo: Jodi Danen)

This easy and hearty sheet pan dinner uses pre-packaged chicken sausage links and fresh vegetables to get a nutritious dinner on the table in just 20 minutes.

Mediterranean Sheet Pan Gnocchi via Dietetic Directions

(Photo: Andrea D'Ambrosio)
(Photo: Andrea D'Ambrosio)

Classic Mediterranean flavors shine in this versatile and savory plant-forward dinner. Use any veggies you have on hand to make this dinner your own.


Brittany Poulson

About the Author: Brittany Poulson

Brittany Poulson is a Utah registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator. She shares her passion for health, food and nutrition on her blog, www.yourchoicenutrition.com, where she encourages you to live a healthy life in your unique way.

Editor’s Note: Anything in this article is for informational purposes only. The content is not intended, nor should it be interpreted, to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition; Any opinions, statements, services, offers, or other information or content expressed or made available are those of the respective author(s) or distributor(s) and not of KSL. KSL does not endorse nor is it responsible for the accuracy or reliability of any opinion, information, or statement made in this article. KSL expressly disclaims all liability in respect to actions taken or not taken based on the content of this article.

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