It’s the eternal dinnertime dilemma: how to get a healthy meal on the table while juggling a million other responsibilities. Our solution? Break out the baking trays, because sheet pan dinners are about to change your life. These easy dinner recipes are a cinch to make and even easier to clean up. You’ll serve up a hearty feast your family will devour, and then be off to your next commitment in no time. Looking for other dinner recipes that don’t take too much work? Take a look at our favorite slow cooker recipes.
The ultimate comfort food might have just gotten easier. By using a sheet pan, your family can customize their grilled cheese and you can make more than one at once. Get more details at Food for a Year.
What is it about pork tenderloin that makes it a perfect dinner for a cozy night at home? This recipe from No. 2 Pencil includes all the sides and only takes 25 minutes in the oven.
If there’s one thing (almost) every kid likes, it’s teriyaki chicken. This easy sheet pan dinner from Six Sisters Stuff calls for veggies too, but you can steam them for picky eaters or just skip them together.
Sheet Pan Smashburgers
Smashburgers you can make without a grill? We like the sound of that! This version of a hamburger is flatter than others, which gives it a crispy edge and locks in flavor. With this recipe from The View from Great Island, you can make it all in your oven in no time.
This recipe will get dinner on the table in 30 minutes! This salmon sheet pan dinner from Weelicious is delicious and so easy to clean up after a long day.
This recipe from Cait’s Plate is bound to be an instant favorite with your crew. You can customize the toppings to fit your family’s tastes, while still getting in plenty of veggies and protein.
This Oktoberfest-inspired kid friendly sheet pan dinner from The Rustic Foodie is a year-round favorite. The smoked sausage pairs beautifully with red potatoes, and a tangy mustard glaze brings everything together.
This lightning-fast dish from Meal Prep on Fleek is the perfect pick for busy weeknights. The shrimp and veggies cook up in less than 10 minutes and pair perfectly with a fresh pico de gallo and warm tortillas.
You can’t go wrong with this crowd-pleasing shawarma recipe from Inquiring Chef. The well-seasoned marinade makes the chicken super delicious, and your little ones can jazz it up at the table with toppings like tzatziki sauce, veggies, and hummus.
Pretend you’re in Italy for the evening with this delish idea from Nicole’s Tasting Spoon. Like a Caprese salad, melty fresh mozzarella, ripe tomatoes, and basil pair perfectly with chicken breast.
Keep things simple and healthy with this great recipe from Kalyn’s Kitchen. Sweet potatoes, broccoli, and sausage go well together, especially when you add a balsamic glaze to the equation.
Sesame oil is the pantry item you'll need for this tray bake from The Seasoned Mom. It combines pineapples, peppers, and sweet potatoes for a fresh, sweet roast of Hawaiian flavors. When you're looking for an easy sheet pan dinner to lift the family's spirits, this is it.
These Mexican chicken enchilada fries might sound like a side dish but topped with chicken, black beans, and corn, they're likely to become a filling family favorite. The good news is that the tray can be made a few hours ahead of time and reheated to crisp up when everyone's ready to eat. Get the recipe from Well Plated, and skip the jalapeño to make it an extra kid friendly sheet pan dinner.
The humble baked potato goes a long way to filling empty tummies (check out this version in our archives). You can take it a step further with this irresistible combination of bacon and cheese in crunchy potato skins from Pinch of Yum. The kids won't even care that there's kale pesto involved! Don't be put off by the idea of scooping out and refilling potato skins—save the mash for later in the week—and treat the family to a baked potato meets pizza feast. Yum!
One of our favorite sheet pan dinners is this paella dish from A Spicy Perspective. Fresh shrimp, chorizo, peas, and easy-cook rice all layer up to make a meal the family will love. It's easy and delicious, plus it can be cooked and prepped in less than 30 minutes. Switch out the chorizo for a mild sausage alternative if the kids aren't into hotter flavors.
Marinated pork chops are the star attraction in this sheet pan dinner; they're complemented by roasted broccoli and fresh pineapple chunks. The only tricky bit is getting prepped with the marinade the night before, but other than that, this recipe from Aggie's Kitchen couldn't be easier—dinner will be ready in 20 minutes.
Kids will love these tasty sheet pan chicken fajitas from Boulder Locavore! Just 20 minutes of cooking time, and dinner can go straight from the oven to the table. Just wrap it in tortillas, and you're good to go.
Don't be put off by the idea of making pizza from scratch—this one shapes up in an hour and will be worth the extra effort. The View From Great Island will get you going on this recipe, and then you can add your family's favorite toppings.
This recipe from Weelicious calls for the ingredients to be cooked in a parchment paper envelope, so the pan doesn't even need washing! It can also be adapted for different tastes, as you can swap out the Asian flavors of ginger and sesame for basil and tomatoes or add different veggies or cooked grains—whatever the kids will eat. The contents of the bag will be gently steamed for an easy dinner.
Chicken sheet pan dinners come in so many forms, and this one from NeighborFood can be in your oven in less than 15 minutes. Then, 45 minutes later, the dishes are done and dinner's ready. Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, and pesto are the secrets here.
This shrimp and veggie sheet pan dinner from Weelicious is delicious and easy! Everyone will love it and kids will love to help make it. This recipe is great for getting everyone together in the kitchen.
This tasty sausage with cabbage and apples recipe from Weelicious is simple to make and easy to clean up. Your family will love to eat this and your kids can help make it!
What’s your kiddo’s favorite meal? The foodie pros at Grubhub recently reviewed the delivery data and released their list for the Top 10 Most Popular Kids Meals in 2021.
While you might think burgers and fries are the top kid pick of the year, this staple combo wasn’t the most ordered take-out item. After the first few months of 2021, the top selection for fams with kids is the beloved BLT!
According to Grubhub’s data, the salty bacon and refreshing lettuce and tomato classic is trending at a whopping rate of +393 percent. The full list of family faves includes:
BLT sandwich (+393%)
Cheeseburger sliders (+383%)
Mini corn dogs (+375%)
French toast (+325%)
Fish & chips (+268%)
Spaghetti & meatballs (+234%)
Macaroni & cheese (+225%)
Wings (+214%)
Cheese enchilada (+164%)
Chocolate chip pancakes (+138%)
Main meals aren’t the only tasty picks families are ordering for delivery. Along with the top 10 trending kids meal orders, Grubhub also released its dessert data. The current Most Popular Kids Desserts in 2021 are (in order) cake, pie, ice cream and cookies.
Are you one of those people who shops the aisles of Trader Joe’s once a week, maybe more? Even though you might be there on the daily, we were totally blown away by this Trader Joe’s shopping hack that’s been hiding in plain sight this whole time.
Reportedly, if you look on the shelf immediately above the frozen food cases you’ll find condiments to match the items below. In other words, the french fries are conveniently located below the ketchup and the enchilada sauce is above the enchiladas. Um, what?!
Next time you head to Trader Joe’s, look up when you hit the frozen pizzas and you might just find plenty of parmesan and pepper flakes. Not only does the perfect case-to-shelf pairing save you a trip to another aisle, it also provides add-on idea awesomeness! It’s all part of Trader Joe’s master plan to get you to buy all the things every time you shop there.
While this matchy-matchy grocery hack is true for some stores, we can’t confirm that it works at every TJ’s across the country. If your Trader Joe’s doesn’t do the frozen food and condiment pairing thing, don’t stress. Sure, you’ll need to take a trip to another aisle to complete your shopping list. But then again, there are worse things than spending a few extra minutes searching for fab foodie finds!
And of course, you could always email your local TJ’s to request the update, too; it apparently works wonders when your fave items are out of stock at Trader Joe’s, according to one insider.
When you’re a busy parent, the hardest part about dieting is sticking to it, especially when it means making two separate dinners every night. One of our favorite things about the keto diet is that it’s actually fairly easy to make kid-pleasing dinners that still fit the low-carb, high-protein bill. While we don’t suggest putting your kids on this exclusive diet, we do think many of these recipes in rotation are yummy and nutritious enough to be home-runs. Keep reading to see them all.
This mouthwatering chicken dish from Eat Well 101 is bound to be an instant family favorite. It has a creamy, cheesy sauce that tastes indulgent, but you can also sneak in some greens to up the healthy factor. Click here to get the recipe.
Crispy breaded fish that’s still keto? It’s actually possible, thanks to this genius recipe from The Wholesome Recipe Box. Best of all, your kids won’t even be able to tell it’s not a normal breading. To find out the secret trick that keeps it crispy, click here.
If you’re dying for a Mexican food fix, you’ve got to try these yummy roll-ups from Skinnytaste. They’re filled with shredded chicken and smothered in homemade enchilada sauce and shredded cheese. Get all the details by clicking here.
For those days when all you want is a huge bowl of pasta, this keto spaghetti bolognese recipe from Stylish Cravings will keep you on track. You can pair it with zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice and whip up some pasta for your minis. Click here to grab the recipe.
Just because you’re keto, that doesn’t mean you have to miss out on dessert! This mug cake from The Big Man’s World is just the thing when you’ve got a craving for something sweet, and can be made in the microwave or oven. Click here to get the recipe.
This Mexican taco skillet from Cast Iron Keto is tasty enough to woo even the pickiest of eaters. It’s filled with ground beef, tomatoes and cauliflower rice and topped off with a healthy dose of melty cheese. To get the recipe, click here.
Spaghetti squash is one of our favorite veggies to work with, and kids love it too. If you haven’t given it a go yet, this casserole recipe from A Mind “Full” Mom is a great way to introduce it to your diet. It’s got all the flavors of spaghetti minus the heavy pasta. Grab the recipe by clicking here.
Get a little fancy with this fabulous chicken cordon bleu recipe from Mama Bear’s Cookbook. Chicken thighs are filled with ham and cheese, then breaded with almond flour. To get the recipe, click here.
We can never turn down a meatball, especially when they look as delicious as these homemade ones from Modern Low Carb. Pair them with pasta for the kids and a simple green salad for yourself. Click here to grab the recipe.
For a sweet treat, whip up this decadent strawberry cheesecake ice cream from Low Carb with Jennifer. The base is made from cream cheese and coconut cream (yum!), and chopped strawberries are mixed in. To get all the details on how it’s done, click here.
When mealtime becomes a battle, that’s when it’s time to pull out the tried-and-true grilled cheese. From a breakfast grilled cheese to a chicken enchilada version, we’ve found options to fulfill all of your cheesiest fantasies. Click through for our favorite twists on the classic sammie.
Upgrade your grilled cheese with ingredients you already have in your kitchen. Jenny and Corelyn of Garlic My Soul pair fontina cheese with blueberry jam and thinly sliced apple to create the ultimate sandwich. To grab the full recipe, click here.
Elvis had a thing for peanut butter and bananas and this grilled cheese is an homage to the King himself. Bacon, bananas, peanut butter on yummy La Brea Bakery rustic white bread...it might sound strange but it is heavenly. Find out how to make it at Real Food by Dad.
Transform fancy stuffed mushrooms into an easy-to-eat sandwich with this fab recipe from Dessert for Two. The melty cheese and crusty bread are the perfect vehicle for healthy greens and mushrooms. Get the recipe by clicking here.
Enchilada sauce, bell peppers and shredded chicken serve as the base for this genius recipe from The Nutritious Kitchen. It’s the perfect way to get kids to gobble up leftovers. Find out how it’s done by clicking here.
Kitchen Treaty offers a sophisticated take on the classic sandwich by adding fancy pesto (you can substitute a store-bought version if you don't have time to blend your own!) and some healthy greens.
Even if your pantry’s looking pretty bare, chances are you still have a can of tuna hanging out somewhere back there. Use BlogChef’s awesome recipe to take tuna to the next level and keep the kiddos satisfied. Click here to get the full recipe.
If your family loves buffalo wings, this recipe from Jane’s Adventures in Dinner will be a big hit—nobody can resist the finger-lickin’ sauce and gooey cheese combo.
Go for a twist on the classic tuna melt with this tasty idea from Sprinkles and Sauce. Gooey cheese and creamy avocado come together come together perfectly in a surefire kid favorite.
Keep it simple but delicious with this yummy recipe from Domestic Dee. With just pesto, mozzarella and turkey, it’s a quick way to make a weekday lunch special. To grab the recipe, click here.
What’s your favorite twist on the grilled cheese sandwich? Share your recipe in the comments below.
If you’re pressed for time, this dinner recipe from Savory Nothings is a lifesaver—it comes together in less than half an hour. And since you only need one pot, cleaning up will be a breeze, leaving more time to enjoy the meal with your family.
Ingredients 4 cups small pasta shapes 1 can black beans 1 yellow pepper diced 1 red pepper diced 1 cup sweet corn 1 can diced tomatoes 1 cup enchilada sauce 1-2 tbsp taco seasoning 4 cups water or broth 1/2 cup shredded cheddar plus extra to top (optional) Cilantro, cherry tomatoes, lime wedges to serve (optional)
Method 1. Place all ingredients except for the cheese and garnishes in a large pot. Cover and bring to a boil. Uncover and simmer until pasta is done, about 15 minutes.
2. Stir in cheese, and add more on top if you like. Serve with cilantro, diced tomatoes and lime wedges.
This recipe and photo come courtesy of Nora from Savory Nothings. Hop over to Nora’s blog to discover more simple recipes that your family will gobble up.
If you’re craving Mexican food but want something a bit off the beaten path, check out this recipe from the food blog, Veggies Don’t Bite. Gluten-free, oil-free and vegan, your kids will be wowed by the “noodles” (hint: they’re actually thinly sliced zucchinis. Check out the recipe below and then tell us what you think!
Ingredients:
2- 15 oz cans black beans
½ cup walnuts
1- 4 oz can green chiles
2-4 tablespoons water, just enough to get the beans blended
Himalayan pink salt to taste
2 cups spinach
2 medium sized zucchinis
12 corn tortillas 2 cups Easy Red Enchilada Sauce
3 green onions
Method:
1. Preheat oven to 350.
2. Rinse Beans and put them with the walnuts, green chiles, water and salt into a blender and puree. Place in large bowl.
3. Wash spinach and zucchini. Using a spiralizer, make zucchini noodles out of the zucchini. I use the flat thin blade versus the spaghetti like blade. Make sure you stop and break the string of noodles as you go or cut them down a bit after so you don’t have one long zucchini noodle. If you don’t have a spiralizer, you can also cut the zucchini into flat thin noodle like slices. Add both the spinach and zucchini noodles to the large bowl. Slice green onions and set aside.
4. Slice the tortillas into ½ inch strips. Add to the bowl.
5. Add the enchilada sauce to the bowl and mix everything until combined well.
6. Add mixture to a 9 x 13 pan. Sprinkle with sliced green onions. Bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes or until bubbling.
Notes from the cook:
You can omit the walnuts to make this nut free. They are there for a little more depth and creaminess to the dish. You can also substitute it with cooked cauliflower or potatoes for added creaminess. I have tried both and the flavor is great. You can also use a store bought enchilada sauce instead of using my homemade version. Be mindful of how runny your sauce is though. If it’s too thin then it may make this dish more runny overall.
Tips to prep ahead: Puree bean part of the dish. Make enchilada sauce. Make sides.
What other vegan dishes have you made? Tell us what you think of the recipe in the Comments below!
Sophia DeSantis is the author of Veggies Don’t Bite, a vegan, gluten free and refined sugar free food blog targeted to all types of eaters. She is the mom of two beautiful boys and wife to an amazing husband. Her and her family live a vegan, gluten free and refined sugar free life 90% of the time because she believes that the stress of having to be perfect shouldn’t overpower the benefits that their healthy lifestyle brings. Through her website, she hopes to reach anybody interested in making a positive health change in their life.
Quick, easy and delicious this remastered creamy chicken enchilada grilled cheese makes one filling meal. Brought to you by the food blog, The Nutritious Kitchen, the recipe reuses pasta sauce in a creative way so that your family won’t have to eat the same meal days in a row.
Serves 1
Ingredients: For the Enchilada Cream Spread
1-2 Tbsp enchilada sauce
1.5 tbsp cream cheese
1 Tbsp greek yogurt
For the Enchilada Grilled Cheese
Olive oil or butter for greasing pan
Red bell pepper, roughly chopped
Onion slices, chopped
Shredded and cooked chicken
1 Tbsp enchilada sauce
2 slices whole wheat bread
Shredded cheddar cheese (a mix of cheddar and jack)
Note from the Chef: The amount of chopped onion, bell pepper and shredded chicken used is based on your preference.<
Method:
1. First prepare your enchilada cream spread by whisking ingredients with a fork until smooth. Set aside.
2. Sauté your bell pepper and onion in a greased pan over medium high heat. Once veggies have wilted, about 4 minutes, add in your cooked chicken and enchilada sauce. Mix together and cook for an additional minute.
3. Spread enchilada cream spread on one slice of bread. Spread cheese on the other slice of bread and place on a heated and greased skillet over medium heat. Add chicken mixture to one slice of the bread and continue to cook until cheeses are melted. Place other slice of bread on top of chicken mixture, press down with a spatula and serve immediately.
What do you think of this mix between an enchilada and grilled cheese?
This recipe comes from The Nutritious Kitchen, a healthy food blog run by Selena. Visit her website for more wholesome recipes that keep meals fun, clean and family-friendly.
Enchiladas are a recent and very welcome addition to my cooking repertoire. You can switch your brain off when you make these. Open a few jars and cans, heat the tortillas, fill them (with pretty much anything – I am going to try leftover Indian food next time), roll them, top them (kids can help with all of this) and throw then in the oven. Serve with a optional side of beans and rice. And using paper plates makes the clean up easy.
Ingredients
Corn tortillas
Leftover rotisserie chicken
Leftover stir-fried kale (optional)
Cheese (queso fresco, cheddar, Monterey jack – almost anything can work – even goat cheese)
Jar of salsa verde or any other salsa or enchilada you like
Method
1. Preheat oven to 400°F
2. Heat tortillas for 20 seconds on each side to make pliable.
3. Fill each tortilla with chicken and vegetables. (You can use almost anything. Cooked mushrooms, beans, ground turkey, beef – get creative and make this a vehicle for random leftovers).
4. Roll and place seam side down in baking dish.
5. Top with salsa and then cheese.
6. Bake for 13-15 minutes. And you are home free!
This is a guest post from our friends Simran and Stacie at a Little Yumminess. Visit their blog for more fab, kid-friendly recipes.
Regardless of how picky your little eaters are, there are a few cooking tips and tricks that every mom and dad chef should have in their back pocket. When it comes time to serve up dinner, Christy Vega Fowler, Vice President of Los Angeles restaurant Casa Vega and mother of three boys knows how to appease those pint-sized appetites. We asked Christy how she prepares healthy and satisfying meals for her kids and what foods work best with fickle appetites.
As a working parent, what’s your go-to dinner recipe when your time in the evening is limited?
BBQ chicken, chopped salad with salami, apples & cheese, and corn on the cob. Frozen yogurt ice cream cones. Before I head out to work, I throw the chicken in a bowl with marinade. When we come home I get the pot of water boiling and throw in the corn. I heat the BBQ when we start homework at the table. Then I quickly throw the chicken on the grill and start chopping the salad while talking through any homework questions with the kiddos. I set the salad aside. ( I can chop a salad in 2 minutes flat!) I turn the chicken and check on the corn. The chicken and corn are usually done the same time and I set everything out family style.
What’s always in your pantry? Couscous, white rice, pasta, canned tomatoes, tuna
If we took a peek in your kids’ lunch box, what would we find? Carrots with ranch and/or hummus, tuna sandwich on Hawaiian rolls, H20 and fruit
Any surprising foods your kids love that you never thought to serve them? Crab claws!!!
What are your kids’ favorite dish/meal? Taco night…..I chop up grilled chicken and steaks, put out shredded lettuce, shredded cheese, guacamole and salsa. I bring home rice & beans. To top it all off, I make homemade tortilla chips. It’s fun and the kids love to assemble their own tacos!
Click here for Christy’s uber delicious recipe for chicken enchiladas with homemade enchilada sauce. Yum!