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

Sheet Pan Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

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.

Sheet Pan Garlic Butter Pork Tenderloin

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.

Teriyaki Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner

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

Sheet pan smashburgers
The View from Great Island

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. 

Lemon Rosemary Chicken Thighs

Lemon rosemary sheet pan chicken thighs with veggies are ready to be served
Boulder Locavore

For a quick and easy dinner that looks like you've spent a lot of time in the kitchen (Shhhh! We won't tell!), try these flavorful lemon rosemary sheet pan chicken thighs with vegetables from Boulder Locavore. You won't even have to pre-marinate.  

Salmon Sheet Pan Dinner

A Salmon Sheet Pan Dinner is on a plate ready to be served
Weelicious

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. 

Sheet Pan Nachos

Cait’s Plate

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. 

Sausage and Potatoes Sheet Pan Dinner

Smoked sausage and potatoes made from an easy sheet pan recipe
The Rustic Foodie

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. 

Shrimp Fajitas

Shrimp and veggies sit on a plate ready to be eaten after being made quickly for dinner
Meal Prep on Fleek

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. 

Related: 10 Ways to Get Dinner on the Table Faster

Chicken Shawarma

Inquiring Chef

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.

Caprese Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner

Nicole’s Tasting Spoon

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.

Roasted Sweet Potatoes, Sausage and Broccoli

Sweet potatoes, broccoli and sausage that was roasted in a sheet pan as a quick, easy dinner
Kalyn’s Kitchen

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.

Related: 25 Easy Crock Pot Recipes to Try This Fall

Hawaiian Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner

A Hawaiian chicken recipe made in a sheet pan with pineapples, peppers and sweet potatoes
The Seasoned Mom

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. 

Chicken Enchilada Sweet Potato Fries

A sheet pan of chicken enchiladas, made as a quick and easy dinner
Erin Clarke at Well Plated

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. 

Bacon Potato Skins

Potato skins made with bacon and kale as an easy sheet pan dinner
Pinch of Yum

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!

Baking Sheet Paella

A simple-to-make paella with fresh shrimp, chorizo, peas, and easy-cook rice
A Spicy Perspective

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. 

Chinese Five Spice Pork Chops

A sheet pan dinner with pork chops, roasted broccoli and fresh pineapple chunks
Aggie's Kitchen

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.

Chicken Fajitas

Quick and easy sheet pan chicken fajitas
Boulder Locavore

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. 

Pizza from Scratch

A pizza made from scratch as a quick, easy sheet pan dinner
The View From Great Island

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.

Parchment Paper Fish

Fish in parchment paper is cooked as a sheet pan dinner
Weelicious

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. 

Related: 10 Easy Dinners You Can Make for Less than $15

Pesto Chicken and Vegetables

NeighborFood

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. 

One Sheet Pan Shrimp and Vegetable Dinner

Shrimp and veggies made in a sheet pan for a quick, easy and cheap dinner
Weelicious

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. 

Sheet Pan Sausage with Cabbage and Apples

Sheet Pan Sausage with Cabbage and Apples on a cooking sheet ready to be served
Weelicious

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!

Dia de los Muertos is a day to remember departed friends and family. Use these Day of the Dead recipes to celebrate!

After your kids have ridden the sugar high of Halloween night, take some time on Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) to honor friends and family members who have passed away. The Mexican-originated holiday can spark interesting conversations about life and death. Feed your kiddo’s curiosity by making some Day of the Dead recipes, from traditional Mexican recipes to colorful sugar skull–inspired treats.

Atole de Pinole

Try this delicious, classic Mexican drink! Atole de Pinole has flavors of cocoa, cinnamon, and vanilla mixed with ground corn. It’ll keep you warm on cold, fall days. Get the recipe here.

Dia de los Muertos Pancakes

Try out these sugar skull pancake designs. It’ll put an artistic spin on your celebration.

Pan de Muerto

day of the dead recipes
Mangio da Sola

Make a batch of pan de muerto like this one from Mangio da Sola to celebrate the day. The “bone” decorations on top represent loved ones who have passed away. A simple sweet bread flavored with anise seed and orange, this is sure to be a win with the whole family. 

Mexican Hot Chocolate

Onion Rings and Things

Pair your pan de muerto with a comforting cup of Mexican hot chocolate, like this one from Onion Rings and Things. Rich bittersweet chocolate contrasts beautifully with black pepper to make a spicy but decadent treat.

Day of the Dead Cookies

day of the dead recipes
Girl versus Dough

These cute cookies from Girl versus Dough are a fun take on sugar skulls. The chocolate cinnamon cookies are delicious, and the kids will love helping decorate them with sprinkles and candies.

Related: 10 Sweet Sugar Skulls for Day of the Dead

Tamales

How to Feed a Loon

Tamales are traditionally served for big celebrations like the Day of the Dead, Christmas, and Mexican Independence Day. Let the kiddos get involved in making this fantastic recipe from How to Feed a Loon. They definitely require time and patience, but the result will be well worth it.

Roasted Vegetable Sopa Azteca

day of the dead recipes
The Bojon Gourmet

Similar to tortilla soup, this dish from The Bojon Gourmet is made with lots of roasted veggies and topped with crispy tortilla strips. It’s easy to customize with your favorite vegetables and cheese, too.

Related: Everything You Need to Celebrate the Day of the Dead

White Chocolate Covered Strawberry Skulls

Growing Up Bilingual

For an easy but delicious take on sugar skulls, try this recipe from Growing Up Bilingual. Candy markers make it a breeze to decorate the white chocolate strawberries. Sugar skulls are traditionally part of the ofrendas (offerings) made to deceased loved ones as part of the Dia de los Muertos celebrations.

Chicken Empanadas

day of the dead recipes
Food Lovin’ Family

Empanadas might sound tricky to make, but with a few shortcuts from Food Lovin’ Family they’ll be a breeze. Refrigerated pie crust cuts out a lot of the work, and you can let your mini sous chefs help fill the pockets with a chicken mixture and top them off with an egg wash.

Potato Peanut Butter Calavera Candy

day of the dead recipes
Presley’s Pantry

These cute peanut butter candies from Presley’s Pantry will make the perfect Day of the Dead treat. The best part? They're made out of pantry staples that you probably have on hand.

 

 

 

 

Part sweet and part savory, this stir-fry dish is a cinch to make and will please any kid’s picky palate

Inspired by her husband’s love of chicken wings, Kari of GI 365 created this Honey Garlic Chicken stir-fry recipe that features the same sweet and savory flavors of her hubby’s favorite dish. Your kids will love the flavor combination, and you’ll love that making this healthy meal only takes 30 minutes. It’s a win-win.

Serves 4

Ingredients for Honey Garlic Chicken:

Sauce:
⅓ cup soy sauce (or coconut aminos)
1 Tablespoon organic cornstarch
⅓ cup honey

Stir-Fry:
1 medium onion, diced ½”
1½ pounds broccoli, stems peeled
1 pound chicken thighs, cut into 1″ cubes
2 Tablespoons avocado oil, (or olive oil)
¼ cup water
3 cloves garlic, minced

Method:
1. Start by mixing the soy sauce and cornstarch together until the cornstarch dissolves. Add the honey to the soy sauce mixture, but you don’t need to combine them (this happens in the pan).

2. Thinly slice the peeled broccoli stems, cut the florets into 1″ pieces, and set the broccoli aside with the onion.

3. Preheat a large skillet over high heat.

4. When the pan is almost smoking, add 1 Tablespoon of avocado oil and the chicken cubes. Sauté for about 2 minutes to brown before turning the chicken cubes, and cooking until golden brown and done in the center. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.

5. Reduce the heat to medium-high and add the remaining 1 Tablespoon of avocado oil to the pan. Add the onion and broccoli, and cook stirring every 30 seconds for 3-5 minutes or until the onions begin to soften and the broccoli turns bright green but is still crisp.

6. Add the ¼ cup of water to the pan, cover with a lid, and simmer for 3 minutes until the water has mostly evaporated and the broccoli is just tender.

7. Add the sautéed chicken, minced garlic, and the sauce into the skillet.

8. Stir to incorporate the honey, and simmer for 1-2 minutes to thicken the sauce. Serve immediately.

For more fantastic recipes, visit GI 365 by clicking here. 

Take advantage of the seasonal fresh tomatoes and basil with this easy recipe from Leah’s Thoughts that encourages you to toss any ingredients you have in the fridge. We suggest adding veggies or chicken to this tomato basil pasta recipe to make it a little heartier.

 

Ingredients for Tomato Basil Pasta Recipe:

Olive oil, roughly 1/4 cup
Fresh tomatoes, roughly 2 cups, chopped
Fresh basil, roughly 1/2 cup, chopped
Fresh garlic, roughly 2 tablespoons, chopped
Salt and pepper
Cheese (Parmesan or fresh mozzarella if you’ve got it)
Pasta (whatever you want, though Penne works well)

Method:

1. Cook your choice of pasta according to the directions on the package and set aside.

2. Heat olive oil (roughly 1/4 a cup) in a large pan over medium heat.

3. Add the chopped tomatoes, simmer for a few minutes, then add the garlic, salt and pepper.

4. Let the sauce simmer until tasty (try it). Then add the fresh basil, and pasta and top with your choice of cheese.

Leah Singer is a freelance writer and a practicing speechwriter. She shares many family-friendly recipes, as well as stories of motherhood, craft ideas, writing, and other such topics at Leah’s Thoughts. Read more about Leah at: leahsthoughts.com.

 

 

If you think that Pasta Carbonara is a dish you can only have in restaurants, you’ll be shocked to see how simple making it really is. Here to break down the steps for any home cook are Gayle Pirie and John Clark, Chefs and Co-owners of Foreign Cinema in San Francisco. Read on for the full recipe.

Ingredients for Pasta Carbonara:

1 pound (or just under) long noodles (spaghettini, fettucini, or linguine)
6 thick slices of smoky bacon
2 Tablespoons pure olive oil
4 eggs
Salt to taste
A chunk of Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
Freshly ground black pepper to taste

Method:

1. Bring lightly salted water to a boil in a large pot. Cook the noodles until tender but firm.

2. While the noodles cook, dice the bacon and cook it in the olive oil until just lightly crisped in a medium sauté pan. Pour off the excess fat, reserving 4 tablespoons in the pan.

3. In a bowl, beat the eggs and season with a little salt.

4. Drain the noodles, saving about 2 tablespoons of water for later. If the pan has cooled down, warm it up again right before adding the noodles.

5. Add the noodles to the warm bacon in the pan; thoroughly toss with the oil and bacon, and season with salt. Work fast and pour the beaten eggs onto the warm noodles and mix well to coat the noodles.

6. Add the reserved pasta water if the noodles look dry. The heat of the noodles and the pan will thicken and set the eggs. If there is not enough heat, turn the burner on very low, just to warm the noodles, then turn it off. Too much heat can scramble the eggs.

7. Once the noodles, egg, and bacon are well mixed, add freshly grated Parmesan cheese, and stir. Freshly ground black pepper is an essential addition. Serve in warm pasta bowls.

 

Partners Gayle Pirie and John Clark are two highly original talents who have been deeply involved in the competitive and innovative ferment of the San Francisco restaurant scene for over two decades. Today, Pirie and Clark are the chef talent, and owners behind the very popular and exciting dining destination- Foreign Cinema. In addition to Foreign Cinema they have published two cookbooks, Country Egg, City Egg in 2000 and Bride and Groom in 2006.

 

 

 

Kick the Bisquick to the curb

Give the pre-made pancake mix a break with this fast and made-from-scratch buttermilk pancake recipe that even the most pancake-challenged parents can easily make. Get the little ones in on the fun by letting them help pour the ingredients into the bowl and sprinkle fresh blueberries into the batter. The whole family will be digging into these yummy cakes within 20 minutes. If you want to get fancy, check out our round-up of creative pancakes, and pass the maple syrup!

Buttermilk Pancake Recipe: Ingredients

1 ½ cup flour

1/3 cup sugar

2 teaspoons baking powder

½ teaspoon baking soda

½ teaspoon salt

1 ½ cup buttermilk

2 eggs

3 tablespoons canola oil

1 teaspoon vanilla

Instructions:

1. Get ready by taking out all of your ingredients and placing a griddle or large pan over medium-low heat.  You’ll need 2 large bowls, measuring cups, measuring spoons, a whisk, and a large spoon.

2. In bowl number one, pour and mix all your dry ingredients together (flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt).

3. In bowl number two, pour and mix all your wet ingredients together (buttermilk, eggs, canola oil, vanilla) and whisk.

4. Pour bowl number two (wet ingredients) into bowl number one (dry ingredients) and mix gently with a large spoon.

5. Butter the griddle or pan and spoon pancake batter onto the pan in little circles. You can even experiment with making shapes (mickey mouse is a popular choice).

6. Cook each side until golden (you’ll see bubbles begin to form when it’s time to flip). Top with butter and maple syrup and enjoy.

Related: 10 Make-Ahead Breakfast Recipes for Kids to Simplify Your Mornings

It’s the peak season for this classic kid activity

On our list of timeless traditions that never go out of style are sidewalk chalk art, jump rope, and blowing bubbles. If you’re tired of buying ready-made bubble wands, here’s how to make bubbles at home using ordinary household items that you likely already have on hand.

What You Will Need:

12 cups of water
1 cup dish soap
1 cup cornstarch
2 tbsp baking powder
1-2 wire coat hangers and a frying pan
1 6-pack plastic ring
Paper towel tube

How to Make Bubbles:

In a clean bucket or dishpan mix together the ingredients in order. Keep a ladle or scoop in the bucket and stir occasionally making sure not to cause too much foam. Remove the excess foam as it appears. When the bucket is half empty add another cup of water.

No wands handy? You can use a paper towel tube, plastic rings from a 6 pack, and even those old wire hangers! Bend the coat hanger into the shape of a loop and dip it into the frying pan letting the excess drip off before waving it through the air.

Tips for Making Perfect Bubbles:

We found that Joy and Dawn dish soap brands work the best. You can also use tear-free baby shampoo if you have little ones around. While this bubble recipe is designed and tested to work in any weather, humidity really does matter. Warm and humid days will produce the best bubbles around. If you have a windy day, try blowing downwind letting mother nature do the work for you! Make your solution a couple of days beforehand and keep the extra. A solution that has marinated for a while produces the biggest bubbles of all.

Related: 20 Cheap (or Free!) Sidewalk Games to Keep the Kids Busy

 

 

From squares to cylinders, the traditional grilled cheese sandwich has just been reinvented thanks to My Little Gourmet. And they only take 10 minutes to make! Serve these grilled cheese roll-ups as a snack or accompaniment to some hot tomato soup (we’re sure the roll-up shape makes it more fun for the kids). We’ve got more easy toddler lunch ideas here.

Serving size 2

Grilled Cheese Roll-Ups Ingredients:

4 slices of sandwich bread
4 slices of cheese (recommend gouda)
1 tablespoon butter

Method:

1. Cut the crusts off of the bread.

2. Roll each slice flat with a rolling pin.

3. Place a slice of cheese on each piece of bread and roll up tightly.

4. Melt the butter in a pan over medium heat.

5. Place the rolls, seam-side down, in the pan and press down so that they don’t unravel.

6. Rotate until golden brown on each side and the cheese is melted.

 

Laura Leer is a mom and writer of My Little Gourmet. She lives in Berlin with her husband and 2-year-old son, Arik, who are the main taste testers of her delicious meals. For more kid-friendly recipes, check out her blog here.

Introduce your kids to fish with this easy recipe that only requires five ingredients

Getting kids interested in eating fish can be tricky, but mild white fish covered in a crunchy parmesan crust is one dish anyone can get excited about. Created by !Hola! Jalapeño, this is a perfect starter recipe if you are just introducing your little ones to fish. With just a few simple ingredients you can serve a healthy, tasty dinner… and watch it disappear. After you’ve tried this one, check out our other easy dinner recipes.

Ingredients for Parmesan-Crusted Fish

4 (6oz) fresh white fish fillets, such as tilapia, halibut, or cod
1 lemon or lime, cut in half
salt
1/2 c whole wheat panko
1/4 c grated Parmesan
2 tbsp butter

Preparation Method

1. Squeeze the lemon or lime over both sides of the fish fillets and season the fish with salt.

2. Combine the panko and Parmesan in a small bowl and sprinkle over both sides of the fish, generously coating the fish all over. Press the Parmesan mixture into the fish so it sticks.

3. Heat butter over medium heat in a non-stick frying pan. Once melted and foaming, add fish in a single layer (you may have to do this in batches depending on the size of your pan). Cook for 2-3 minutes per side or until the crust is golden brown and the fish is firm to the touch.

Kate from !Hola! Jalapeño is a chef, cookbook editor, and food writer who strives every day to make meals her whole family will eat—with a couple of picky eaters in the house that is no easy feat. You can follow her cooking triumphs at holajalapeno.com.

recipe courtesy of Kate at !Hola! Jalapeño

 

What do you get when you merge two really tasty kid-friendly dishes? Taco salad pizza! Catherine McCord of Weelicious dreamt up this delicious dish that is incredibly adaptable. Use either homemade or storebought pizza dough and let the kids in on the fun of adding toppings to the pizza. Catherine recommends making this dinner in a cast iron skillet if you prefer thick crust or a half sheet pan if you like your pizza on the thin side.

4-6 servings
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:
1 pound pizza dough, at room temperature
1/2 cup salsa
1 cup refried beans
2 cups cheddar, mozzarella and/or Monterrey Jack cheese
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 small red onion, diced

1 package plant-based ground meat
1 1/2 teaspoon taco seasoning
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup romaine lettuce, washed and chopped
1 avocado, pitted and diced
1/4 cup sour cream

2 tablespoons cilantro
Optional Toppingssli
radish, sliced
tomatoes, diced

Preparation:

1. Preheat oven to 425 F.

2. Lightly grease a sheet pan with olive oil and stretch the dough to fit the size of the pan (about 16″ x 11″). Alternatively, you can use a large circular pizza pan or 12-15 inch cast iron skillet.

3. In a medium bowl stir the salsa and refried beans until thoroughly combined. Spread on top of pizza dough and top with grated cheese.

4. Bake pizza for 18-20 minutes or until cheese is golden and bubbly.

5. While pizza is baking heat a large sauté pan over medium/high heat, add 1 tbsp olive oil, add red onion, plant-based protein starter, taco seasoning and salt. Break apart with spatula and cook until moisture has evaporated and plant-based meat browns, about 12 minutes.

6. Remove pizza from the oven, top with plant-based meat, lettuce, avocado, sour cream* and cilantro and other optional ingredients.

* for decorative fun place sour cream in the corner of a small zipper bag. Use scissors to cut a small hole in the corner of the bag and twist it to resemble a piping bag. Drizzle the pizza in a zip zag pattern.

This post originally appeared on Weelicious.

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Catherine McCord is the co-founder of One Potato and the founder of the popular Weelicious brand, a trusted content resource synonymous with family and food. She has written three cookbooks including her latest Smoothie Project. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband and three children.