Ever have those nights where the clock ticks faster than usual, and dinner feels like a distant dream? Yeah, me too.
That’s why sheet pan dinners are a godsend—toss everything on a pan, slide it into the oven, and voilà! It’s like a culinary magic trick, perfect for those chaotic evenings when you just can’t.
Plus, who doesn’t love fewer dishes to wash?
Steps
- Prepare the Pan: Line a large rimmed baking sheet with foil or parchment paper for easy cleanup. This step ensures that the pan is protected, and you won’t need to scrub it afterward.
- Choose Your Protein: Fill half of the sheet pan with your choice of lean protein, such as chicken, shrimp, or turkey sausage. Ensure the protein is evenly spread out for consistent cooking.
- Select and Prepare Vegetables: Fill the remaining half of the pan with vegetables suitable for roasting, like carrots, potatoes, or broccoli. Chop them into uniform pieces to ensure even cooking.
- Add Oil and Seasoning: Drizzle your ingredients with a quality cooking oil, such as olive or avocado oil. Season generously with salt, pepper, or your favorite spice blend to enhance the flavors.
- Roast the Ingredients: Preheat the oven to 400ºF and place the sheet pan inside. Roast for 20-30 minutes, adjusting the time based on the type of protein and vegetables you selected.
- Monitor Cooking Times: Check the ingredients periodically to ensure they are cooking evenly. Add or remove items from the pan as needed to achieve perfect doneness.
- Finish and Serve: Once everything is cooked through and golden, remove the sheet pan from the oven. Serve immediately, perhaps with a topping such as pesto or aioli, for added flavor.
Ingredients
- 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 12 ounces Andouille sausage, sliced
- 8 ounces mushrooms, quartered
- 1 bell pepper, sliced
- 1 zucchini, sliced
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 turkey breasts, bone-in
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped
- 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
- 2 sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 1 pound Brussels sprouts, halved
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 pound turkey kielbasa sausage, sliced
- 1 bunch asparagus, trimmed
- 2 bell peppers, sliced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
FAQ
- What is a sheet pan dinner?
- A sheet pan dinner involves roasting all components of a meal, such as protein and vegetables, together on a single baking sheet. This method is akin to a one-pot meal, providing a complete dinner with minimal cleanup.
- What size pan is best for sheet pan dinners?
- The ideal size for a sheet pan dinner is an 18×13-inch rimmed baking sheet. This size allows for even distribution of ingredients. Jelly roll pans, which are approximately 15×10 inches, can work in a pinch but accommodate fewer ingredients.
- What is a simple formula for creating a sheet pan dinner?
- A basic formula includes filling half of the sheet pan with lean protein, like chicken or shrimp, and the other half with roast-friendly vegetables such as carrots or broccoli. Adding a quality cooking oil and optional toppings like pesto can enhance flavor.
- How long should you cook a sheet pan dinner?
- Generally, both protein and vegetables take about 20-30 minutes to cook in a 400ºF oven. It’s important to choose ingredients with similar cooking times, or add them at different stages to ensure even cooking.
- What are some tips for making the best sheet pan dinners?
- Line your pan with foil or parchment paper for easy cleanup, prepare ingredients ahead of time, and ensure that veggies and meats are well-oiled and seasoned. If necessary, use a rack to prevent breaded items from getting soggy.
Tips
- Line Your Pan for Easy Cleanup: Use foil or parchment paper to line your baking sheet, which makes cleaning up a breeze and saves you from scrubbing tough baked-on residue.
- Prep Ingredients in Advance: Marinate meats and chop vegetables ahead of time, storing them in airtight containers in the fridge. This reduces prep time on cooking day, making the process more efficient.
- Match Cooking Times: Select proteins and vegetables with similar cooking durations, or add them to the pan at different times to ensure everything cooks evenly. This avoids undercooked or overdone elements.
- Season Generously: Ensure your ingredients are well-seasoned before baking. Use marinades, seasoning blends, or simple salt and pepper to enhance the flavors of your dish.
Equipment
- 18×13-inch Rimmed Baking Sheet – A large, sturdy, aluminum baking pan is essential for making sheet pan dinners effectively.
- Wire Rack – Useful for elevating certain ingredients, like breaded chicken, to prevent them from becoming soggy due to juices released by other ingredients on the pan.
