20 Sheet Pan Meals Perfect for Busy Weeknights

Are you looking for quick meal ideas that can be made with little prep work?

Preparing meals can be stressful when you’re working late and rushing to different kids’ activities in the evening. Many families end up getting take out much too often which is usually an unhealthy option and not budget friendly. Many families don’t realize although the sheet pan isn’t a flashy home appliance like an air fryer, it’s a baking tool that can make a quick and delicious dinner. Here are some  sheet pan meals that are great for those busy weeknights.

 

#1 Sheet Pan Plum Roasted Chicken

roasted chicken on a platter with plums and onions

This sheet pan recipe is a beautiful blend of sweet plums and soft red onions with roasted chicken. To make this a complete one pan meal, toss in some Brussels sprouts or other vegetables and your dinner is ready in 45 minutes or less. One tip for this recipe is not to rush the marinate time. For best results, marinate the chicken the night before.

#2 Easy Lemon Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner

lemon chicken with vegetables on a sheet pan

This lemon chicken sheet pan meal is super quick and is virtually mess free. You can even prep it all the night before. I actually recommend doing this so that the meat has time to marinate which will totally enhance the flavor. You can bake the drumsticks with either the skin on or off. This lemon chicken and peppers meal is Keto friendly because its low carb. Peppers are one of the lowest carb vegetables, but this meal also works well with carrots, cauliflower, asparagus, Brussel sprouts, and broccoli. 

#3 Ground Beef Nachos With Doritos

Ground beef nachos with doritos on a baking tray

Seriously, nachos for dinner? Nachos with ground beef and cheese can be a full meal when you feel like having a treat night. Load up the veggies and the ground beef to make this a complete and satisfying meal. One tip is to keep the liquidy ingredients like the salsa, sour cream and guacamole on the side which can make the nachos soggy. Use the nachos for dipping instead and if you have leftovers to reheat for another day, they will retain their crispiness when those ingredients are kept off of them. 

#4 Stuffed Caprese Chicken Hasselback

stuffed chicken breast with tomatoes and basil leaves on top
Image Credit: Zuzana from Low Carb No Carb

 

Low Carb Stuffed Caprese Chicken Hasselback Recipe is a great gluten-free and grain-free dinner option in indulge into. The Italian flair you get with this easy and quick recipe will add a great overall experience. You can find the recipe at Low Carb No Carb

#5 Baked Chicken Drumsticks with Veggies 

baked chicken and veggies on a sheet pan
Image Credit: Emmeline of Always Use Butter

 

This chicken is baked in the oven with potatoes, loads of vegetables and mushrooms. Simply (yet deliciously) seasoned with garlic and common spices it’s topped with butter to create a chicken-and-veggies-and-sauce dinner all in one pan. It’s a gluten free dinner that’s delicious eaten as it is or served with a side of rice. For an extra treat – add some bread to mop up all that delicious sauce with. Get the recipe at Always Use Butter

#6 Sheet Pan Fajitas

chicken and peppers on a sheet pan
Image credit: Karen of Seasonal Cravings

 

If you are looking for a quick, family-friendly dinner idea, I’ve got you covered. These Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas are the easiest things ever and kids love them.  Ready in under 30 minutes too! (gluten free, dairy free). You can find the recipe at Seasonal Cravings. 

#7 Sheet Pan Sausage and Peppers

sausage and pepper on a sheet pan
Image credit: Nicole at Coley Cooks.

 

This is a great low-carb, paleo friendly meal that’s perfect for weeknight dinners or for serving a crowd. It’s great on it’s own or tucked into a crusty Italian roll, or better yet garlic bread. You can get the recipe at Coley Cooks

Related article:

Easy Stuffed Bell Peppers

#8 Sheet Pan Jerk Chicken with Pineapple

 

chicken breast and vegetables on a sheet pan
Image Credit: Karen of Seasonal Cravings.

 

This Sheet Pan Jerk Chicken with Pineapple is full of spicy and sweet flavor that your family will love. It’s quick and easy to prepare in one pan and full of good for you vegetables.  {gluten free, paleo, whole30}. You can get the recipe at Seasonal Cravings

#9 Sheet Pan Sweet Potato Hash With Chorizo and Runny Eggs

eggs and sweet potatoes on a plate.
Image Credit: Nicole of Coley Cooks.

 

The chorizo and sweet potatoes get tossed with a diced onion and a little bit of olive oil, salt, pepper, and smoked paprika, then they go straight into the oven. This meal is healthier than being fried and is great for breakfast, lunch or dinner. You can get the recipe at Coley Cooks

#10 Sheet Pan Apple Cider Glazed Salmon

salmon fillets and vegetables on a sheet pan
Image credit: Karen of Seasonal Cravings.

 

Celebrate apple season with this delicious Sheet Pan Apple Cider Glazed Salmon.  It’s easy to prepare and the salmon tastes great slathered with apple cider sauce. {gluten free}Who knew that reducing fresh apple cider makes the most delicious sauce ever?  I mean it is so good and then adding honey and grainy mustard? Oh my gosh, you will love this. You can find the recipe at Seasonal Cravings.

#11 Sheet Pan Salmon and Asparagus

salmon, asparagus, and peppers on a sheet pan.
Image credit: © Little Bite Recipes.

 

With minimal preparation time required, this recipe will make dinnertime much easier! All the ingredients get cooked in one pan in the oven, so there’s no need to dirty multiple dishes or pots.

The asparagus and other vegetables are cooked until tender-crisp and lightly browned around the edges. They are the perfect accompaniment to the salmon. You can get the recipe at Little Bite Recipes.

#12 Kielbasa and Vegetables

kielbasa and various vegetables.
Image credit: © Lavender and Macarons.

 

This one pan roasted Kielbasa and vegetables is one of those recipes that always hits the spot and popular even among picky eaters. It’s perfect for those days when you come home from work and want your dinner on the table within minutes. You can get this recipe at Lavender and Macarons.

#13. Gnocchi Carbonara with Brussels Sprouts

gnocchi with Brussels sprouts plated
Image credit: © The Gourmet Bon Vivant.

 

This is not a traditional carbonara, obviously, but it is a really easy and bomb way to eat pasta: no boiling water is required! You can get the recipe at The Gourmet Bon Vivant.

#14 One Pan Berbere Spiced Spatchcock Chicken and Vegetables

spatchcock chicken with vegetables on a sheet pan.
Image credit: © Fodmap Everyday.

 

We love a one-pan dish and spatchcocking chicken so that it cooks quickly and evenly is a favorite technique, so it felt like a no-brainer to bring them together. This One-Pan Berbere Spiced Chicken & Vegetables is flavor packed, juicy, colorful and oh-so-easy. You can get this recipe at Fodmap Everyday

Related Articles:

Easy and Delicious Air Fryer Chicken Breast

 

How to Make Flavorful and Cheesy Chicken Quesadillas

#15 Oven Baked Lamb Chops with Vegetables

lamb chops and vegetables baked on a sheet pan.
Image credit: © Always Use Butter.

 

If you’re a lamb lover – congrats, you will love this recipe. If you’re a lamb skeptic – well, I think this one might actually win you over. And as if the pure taste of this recipe isn’t enough – it’s so easy to make and one of those magic dishes that basically cooks itself in the oven. You can get the recipe at Always Use Butter

#16 Buffalo Chicken Fries

buffalo chicken fries.
Image credit: © Fodmap Everyday.

 

These Low FODMAP Buffalo Chicken Fries are cheesy, spicy, crispy, crunchy, hot, cold and creamy. Do I have your attention? We start with a bed of hot crispy French fries (you can use frozen; more on that later). You can get the recipe at FODMAP Everyday

#17 Salmon Oreganata with Green Beans and Potatoes

Crusted salmon and vegetables on a sheet pan.
Image credit: © Lavender and Macarons.

 

Salmon is always enjoyable, but when you dress it up with a delicious, crusty topping and bake it with savory vegetables, this simple dinner of sheet pan salmon becomes a delicious meal everyone at the table will want to enjoy again. You can get the recipe at Lavender and Macrons

#18 Sheet Pan Pancakes from Mix

sheet pan pancakes stacked on a plate with syrup and berries.
Image credit: © Corrie Cooks.

 

These sheet pan pancakes from mix are excellent when you are making breakfast for a large group of people. You can make all the pancakes you need in one shot, without having to monitor them as closely as you would regular pancakes. You can get the recipe at Corrie Cooks

#19 Lemon Blueberry Sheet Pan Pancakes

lemon blueberry sheet pan pancakes.
Image credit: © FODMAP Everyday.

 

These Lemon Blueberry Low FODMAP Sheet Pan Pancakes just might become your new go-to breakfast or brunch dish when you have a crowd to feed. You can find the recipe at FODMAP Everyday

#20 Sheet Pan Brown Sugar Pork Chops

brown sugar pork chops with vegetables on a sheet pan.
Image credit: © Seasonal Cravings.

 

These Sheet Pan Brown Sugar Pork Chops will become a weeknight fall favorite for parents and kids alike.  Easy to prepare and clean up with only one pan!  {gluten-free, dairy free} You can find the recipe at Seasonal Cravings

This article was originally published on This Mom is On Fire.

Feature image credit: © Karen of Seasonal Cravings.