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Sheet pan recipes have been around since the 1970s, but their popularity has risen considerably in recent years thanks to home cooks sharing their artfully arranged, delicious dinners on Instagram. But there's more to their popularity than the Insta-worthy photos they produce. Sheet pan dishes are the second cousin to slow cooker meals with the same easy dump-and-go recipes designed for busy cooks. They're also budget-friendly and versatile, appealing to even the pickiest eaters in the family. I can create just about any sheet pan meal with leftover veggies and meat from my refrigerator. Even better — there are fewer dishes involved, which makes for an easy cleanup.
Here are some of my favorite weeknight sheet pan recipes that can be put together in 30 minutes or less:
Sheet Pan Greek Chicken and Feta
I really enjoy the health benefits of a Mediterranean diet and this recipe is as filling and delicious as it is easy to prepare. The chicken thighs are extra tender after baking in the juices of the Greek dressing.
Serves 6
1 cup Greek salad dressing
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon garlic powder
Salt and pepper to taste
1 large tomato, diced
1 red onion, sliced into 1/2-inch pieces
1 red bell pepper, sliced into 1/2-inch pieces
1 large zucchini, sliced into 1/2-inch pieces
1/2 cup pitted Kalamata olives
6-8 boneless chicken thighs
4 ounces crumbled feta cheese
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for the topping)
Preheat oven to 425 degrees. In a small bowl, whisk together dressing, oregano, garlic, salt and pepper. Set aside. Add all other ingredients (except fresh parsley) into a large bowl. Add the dressing and stir until meat, veggies, olives and feta cheese are well coated. Pour the mixture onto a greased-rimmed sheet pan and spread into one even layer. Bake for 35 minutes or until the chicken is thoroughly cooked.
Transfer to a serving dish and pour the extra pan drippings over the meat and veggies. Sprinkle fresh parsley over it all and serve.
Sheet Pan Meatless Lasagna Zucchini Boats
I never thought I’d enjoy lasagna without noodles, but this low-carb version has all the flavors of regular lasagna with fewer calories! It's also the perfect vegetarian meal for busy cooks. But if you miss the meat, add 1/2 pound of cooked and seasoned ground turkey to the marinara sauce before filling the zucchini boats.
Serves 4 (8 zucchini boats)
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided
4 medium zucchinis (about 2 1/2 pounds)
Salt and pepper to taste
1 1/2 cups part-skim ricotta cheese
1 1/2 cups shredded low-moisture mozzarella cheese, divided
1/2 cup fresh chopped basil leaves (plus extra for topping)
1 1/2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
1 1/2 cups marinara sauce (plus more if needed)
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Slice zucchini in half lengthwise. Scoop out seeds and center. Brush the tops and bottoms of the zucchini with 2 tablespoons olive oil and set on a large, greased, rimmed baking sheet. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. In a bowl, mix together ricotta cheese, 1 cup mozzarella, basil, parsley, garlic and oregano.
Spoon this evenly into each zucchini boat, then top each with marinara sauce, adding more if needed. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup mozzarella over it all and bake 20-25 minutes until cheese has melted and is lightly browned. While the zucchini is baking, mix parmesan, breadcrumbs and remaining olive oil together.
Sprinkle mixture over baked zucchini and cook for another 5 minutes until golden brown. Top with extra fresh chopped basil and serve.
Sheet Pan Beef Broccoli
I love this quick and easy recipe from Hurried Hostess when I'm craving Asian food but don't want to order takeout. When I make this dinner, I use sesame oil instead of vegetable oil and toast my sesame seeds (if I have time) to add an extra nutty flavor to the dish.
Serves 6
1 pound beef stew meat
1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce
3 tablespoons packed light brown sugar
1 tablespoon minced garlic
4 teaspoons ground ginger
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
3 cups small broccoli florets, frozen
1/2 cup sliced onions
*Optional toppings: sliced green onions, sesame seeds
Serve with cooked rice
Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Grease a 15x10x1-inch rimmed sheet pan. Combine soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, ginger and oil in a small bowl, then set aside. Place beef, broccoli and onions in a large zip-top bag. Pour the sauce over all, seal the bag and mix until meat and veggies are coated. Let marinate for at least 30 minutes (but no more than 3 hours). Pour the contents of the bag evenly onto the rimmed baking sheet. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until meat reaches 160 degrees. Serve meat and veggies over cooked rice with a sprinkle of green onions and sesame seeds over the top.
Sheet Pan Caprese Roasted Asparagus
A fresh Caprese salad is one of my favorite appetizers, but this baked version with asparagus enhances the flavor with its warm, cheesy topping. It can be served as a vegetarian entree or as a vegetable side to accompany any meat and pasta dish.
Makes 2 entrees or 4 side dishes
1 large bunch fresh asparagus, washed and trimmed
1 pint of cherry tomatoes, halved
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
1 cup shredded mozzarella
1/2 cup grated parmesan
3 large fresh basil leaves, chopped
1/4 cup balsamic glaze
Preheat oven to 425 degrees. On a large, greased sheet pan, place asparagus evenly on one side, then the tomatoes (sliced side up) on the other half of the pan. Sprinkle the salt and pepper over the veggies, then drizzle the olive oil over them all. Gently mix the asparagus and oil together, leaving them evenly spread on one side of the pan. Repeat the same process with the tomatoes until they are well-coated and in one layer on the other side of the pan. Bake for 15 minutes.
Remove from oven and sprinkle mozzarella only over the asparagus. Next, sprinkle the parmesan over the mozzarella and return the pan to the oven. Bake for another 10-15 minutes until cheese is bubbly and lightly browned. To serve, place the cheesy asparagus on the bottom of a serving dish, then top with tomatoes. Sprinkle chopped basil over the dish and drizzle balsamic glaze everything. Serve warm.
What's YOUR go-to weeknight meal when you're super busy? Let us know in the comments below.
