My favorite pan dinners they make it easy to have a delicious homemade meal on the table, any night of the week. These healthy sheet pan recipes are totally simple. Line up pans for quick cleanup!
Quick and easy sheet pan dinners
If you have yet to discover the joy of sheet pan dinners, let this be your guide. These one-pot meals are my go-to for busy weekdays and meal prep. It’s also a great way to start cooking because it makes the process really easy! Your oven is about to become your new best friend.
I’ve rounded up some of my best sheet pan dinner ideas below for inspiration. And the best thing about cooking your entire dinner in one skillet is that you can customize your ingredients however you like. Empty the fridge and line the baking trays, because we’re about to make some delicious all-in-one dinners.
Because you’ll love these one skillet dinner ideas
As you’ll see below, you can cook everything from Thanksgiving dinner to preparing weekly meals on one sheet pan. There are so many reasons to love sheet pan dinners (aside from the obvious benefit of only having one pan to clean). Here’s why these recipes are the best:
- Healthy ingredients. Sheet pan recipes are some of the best ways to pack lots of fresh veggies and lean protein into one meal.
- Easy preparation and cooking. Many of the ingredients for sheet pan dinners can be prepared ahead of time. This makes it even easier to simply combine proteins and veggies in a pan, roast and enjoy. Don’t forget to check out my sheet pan dinner suggestions below!
- Adaptable. You can get creative with the ingredients you choose to roast on the baking sheet. Change up recipes by choosing proteins, vegetables, dressings, marinades and more.
What is a sheet pan dinner?
If you still haven’t guessed, a sheet pan dinner is a simple idea where everything, protein and veggies, are roasted all together on a single sheet pan. It’s like the baked answer to a one-pot meal. There are fewer dishes to wash and you have a full dinner on the table quickly and with minimal fuss.
What pan should I use?
The best pan for sheet pan dinners is an 18×13-inch rimmed baking pan. This size makes it easier to distribute ingredients evenly, without crowding the pan. Jell-O pans are on the smaller side (measuring approximately 15×10 inches). They’ll work in a flash, even if you won’t be able to fit as many ingredients into the pan. In my opinion, it’s worth investing in a sturdy aluminum baking pan that’s large enough to fit in the oven. You’ll also use it for more than just sheet pan dinners!
A simple formula for sheet meals
Most sheet pan dinners come down to two components: protein and vegetables. I like to find a good balance between the two. Here’s a simple “formula” for planning a sheet pan dinner:
- Protein: Aim to fill half the pan with your choice of lean protein, such as chicken breasts or thighs, salmon, shrimp, chicken sausage or turkey sausage.
- Vegetables: Fill the rest of the pan with vegetables suitable for roasting. Carrots, potatoes, squash, zucchini, broccoli, cauliflower, tomatoes and onions are all great options.
- Oil: Choose a good quality cooking oil, such as extra virgin olive oil or avocado oil for roasting your sheet pan dinner ingredients.
- Seasonings: Add even more flavor to your sheet pan meals by adding optional toppings, like homemade pesto, garlic aioli, or spicy Peruvian salsa verde.
How long should I cook a sheet pan dinner?
A good rule of thumb is to choose meats and vegetables with similar cooking times. Most proteins and vegetables require 20 to 30 minutes in a 400ºF oven. Bone-in chicken and harder root vegetables will take longer to cook, while seafood and softer vegetables cook faster. You can always add ingredients to the pan in different stages to ensure they cook evenly. Exact cooking times will vary, so check the recipe to be sure.
Tips for making the best sheet pan dinners
You’ll be a skillet dinner pro in no time! Here are some final tips in case you’re new to the world of sheet pan dinners:
- Line the pan. Line the baking sheet with foil or baking paper for the easiest cleanup ever. No washing! It makes a difference.
- Prepare the ingredients in advance. The meat can be marinated up to the day before and you can also cut the vegetables in advance. Keep everything stored airtight in the refrigerator until you are ready to use it.
- Timing is everything. Be sure to plan on roasting sturdier vegetables, such as carrots and potatoes, before ingredients with shorter cooking times. I will indicate whenever this is necessary in my recipes below.
- Oil the ingredients well. This is especially important when it comes to roasting vegetables, as you don’t want them to dry out in the oven.
- Season your ingredients. Along with oil, another fundamental element for preparing delicious pan dinners is seasoning. Make sure proteins and vegetables are well seasoned when placed in the oven, either by marinating them or using a blend of seasonings. Furthermore, you can never go wrong with salt and pepper!
- Use a rack when necessary. Most sheet pan dinners can be cooked right on the sheet pan, no questions asked. However, if you have prepared breaded chicken with vegetables, for example, be sure to place it on a wire rack. This way the breading will not get soaked with the juices released by the vegetables.
16+ Best Sheet Pan Recipes to Make Tonight
At your seats, ready, roast! You’ll love making these easy sheet pan dinners any night of the week.
Skillet dinner with Italian turkey meatballs
My Lightened Up Italian Turkey Meatballs are simply the best. I use them in all kinds of easy meals, like this sheet pan dinner that’s also packed with healthy veggies! This one-pan recipe is high in protein and also excellent for meal prep.
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Pan roast with shrimp and andouille
This New Orleans inspired sheet pan dinner idea is like a deconstructed gumbo and so tasty. Succulent shrimp and Andouille sausage cooked with a mix of Cajun spiced mushrooms and vegetables. Light, easy and full of flavor!
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Shrimp oreganata in a pan
We love seafood and this baked shrimp oreganata recipe is one of our favorite ways to make juicy jumbo shrimp. This Italian American favorite is sprinkled with seasoned breadcrumbs mixed with spicy pecorino and cooked all on one pan.
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Thanksgiving dinner for four on the sheet pan
If you’re keeping things small this Thanksgiving, a simple sheet pan Thanksgiving dinner is the way to do it! This recipe makes enough to comfortably serve four people with a juicy roast turkey, plus a side of maple-glazed sweet potatoes and Brussels sprouts. The best part: no sinks full of dishes!
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Kielbasa Vegetarian Skillet Dinner
This keto-friendly sheet pan recipe is low in carbs and packed with lean protein and veggies. It’s made with juicy turkey kielbasa sausage, asparagus, peppers, and tomatoes and is perfect for meal prep!
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Other unique dishes to try
When it comes to quick and easy dinner ideas with minimal cleanup, sheet pan dinners are a winner! I also have tons of one-pot dinners and one-dish recipes available in the recipe finder that make weeknight dinners a breeze.
