Build a Sheet Pan Dinner Guide {with Recipes}

Sheet pan meals are the ultimate time-saving, stress-free dinner solution! With just one pan and endless combinations, you can create balanced, nutritious meals with little clean up and prep time. This post goes over how to build your own sheet pan dinner with recipes included as well!

As a busy mom myself, I know that cooking a healthy dinner every single night can feel overwhelming. I totally get that some moms might just want to look up the recipe themselves and not have to think about what to make. However, what if you had the tools to throw something together that you know your family will love?

Enter this sheet pan dinner guide: to give you the tools to make up your own easy sheet pan meal on those nights where you don’t feel like cooking or didn’t plan a dinner. I hate wasting food- so if I know I have to use up some veggies before they spoil, I turn to a throw together sheet pan meal or power bowl.

How to Build a Sheet Pan Dinner

The best part about a sheet pan dinner is it can be as simple or complex as you want it to be with so many different flavor variations. The trick is just understanding the various cooking times of each component. Try to pair a protein and veggie with equal cooking time for ease and convenience.

Or, you can always add one of the components in halfway, too. Check out the infographic below which outlines various protein sources and vegetables with their cooking times. Cooking times are based on oven temperature of 375-400 degrees Fahrenheit.

Step 1: Choose Your Protein

Start with a protein of choice. I always have some kind of protein (usually chicken) thawed in the fridge which helps to decide the next step: choosing the veggies. Also, having something like pre-cooked chicken sausage on hand is a great idea for throw together sheet pan dinners. If you forget to thaw a protein source, having something like pre-cooked chicken sausage or frozen edamame on hand is a great strategy for throw-together sheet pan dinners.

• Chicken (25-35 minutes cooking time, typically). If the chicken is cut into small, bite-sized pieces, it will be done faster – so keep this in mind when selecting your veggies.
• Salmon or Cod, which cook quickly in 15 minutes or less.
• Shrimp: Perfect for quick-cooking dinners (ready in just 8–10 minutes!).
• Tofu or Tempeh: Plant-based options that soak up flavor beautifully. Tofu can be cooked in 15 minutes or coated in cornstarch and baked for longer for a crispier result. Tempeh is usually around 30 minutes.
• Chickpeas and Edamame. Both are a great source of plant-based protein and fiber with 15-30 minute cooking times.

Step 2: Pick Your Veggies

Aim to choose at least two different vegetables to increase nutrient density. Below are some veggies and their cooking times for reference. However, some of these choices could fall in two categories. For example, broccoli can be cooked in about 15 minutes but also might work for a 30 minute sheet pan dinner as well – depending on the size that it’s cut.

Pro Tip: Spread your veggies in a single layer for even roasting and crispiness.

Step 3: Add a Flavor Boost

Here’s where the magic happens! Use marinades, spices, and sauces to create a variety of flavor profiles:

• Italian: Olive oil, garlic, rosemary, and balsamic vinegar.
• Asian: Soy sauce, sesame oil, ginger, and a dash of honey.
• Mexican: Olive oil, chili powder, cumin, and lime juice.
• Mediterranean: Olive oil, oregano, lemon, and garlic.

I like to just buy my favorite sauces from the stores sometimes when I am feeling a bit lazy. Garlic expressions, Asian-inspired sauces, Buffalo Wild Wings sauces, buffalo sauce, and cilantro lime are some of my favorites.

Pro Tip: Toss your protein and veggies in the marinade before spreading them on the pan for maximum flavor.

Step 4: Don’t Forget the Carbs

Of course, I am all about a well-balanced meal. I recommend batch cooking or component cooking your preferred grain earlier in the week so you can just pull it out of the fridge or freezer and serve it on busier night! Or, select a starchy vegetable like potatoes for your sheet pan.

• Potatoes: Dice sweet or baby potatoes and roast them alongside your protein and veggies.
• Rice or Quinoa: Cook separately and serve as a base for your sheet pan creations.
• Crusty Bread: Perfect for soaking up all the delicious juices from your meal.
• Cauliflower Rice: a healthy, low carb option.

Step 5: Roast to Perfection

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit or 400 degrees Fahrenheit for the starchier vegetables like potatoes. For longer cooking times, stir everything halfway through for even cooking. That’s it! Select your spices and sauces based on your family’s preferences and you have a low maintenance meal – ideal for busier nights.

Sheet Pan Dinner Recipes to Try

6 different sheet pan dinner recipes to give you some ideas on how to create your own. If the recipe includes a starchy vegetable, you’re good to go. Otherwise, I recommend batch cooking rice or quinoa earlier in the week so you can pair it with a sheet pan dinner for a quick and easy meal!

Sesame Chicken and Broccoli (Kalyn’s Kitchen)

Boneless, skinless chicken breasts and broccoli florets are combined with a simple Asian-inspired marinade. For maximum flavor, the chicken is marinated for a few hours and then baked on a sheet pan in less than 30 minutes.

Sheet Pan Salmon and Asparagus (Get Inspired Everyday)

Salmon and asparagus are a match made in heaven when it comes to sheet pan dinners as they have relatively similar cooking times. This recipe is so simple and cooks in just 10 minutes. The salmon is coated in a honey Dijon glaze and roasted with lemon so it’s flavor-packed as well.

Sheet Pan Honey Mustard Chicken and Veggies (Dana’s Table)

Chicken breast is roasted alongside halved Brussel sprouts and butternut squash cubes with a delicious, honey Dijon dressing. This specific recipe uses bone-in chicken which requires a longer cooking time, however, you could easily sub with boneless chicken breast. This is just to give you an idea on how to pair chicken + longer cooking veggies.

Sheet Pan Steak Fajitas (Living Chirpy)

These sheet pan steak fajitas can be cooked and on the table in 30 minutes or less. Flank steak is combined with onions and peppers with a mixture of olive oil and spices. Simple yet packed with flavor! You could serve with whole wheat tortillas for an easy, well-balanced meal. Of course, Mexican-inspired dishes are so easy to customize with additional easy toppings like black beans, jalapenos, olives and avocado.

Sheet Pan Sesame Ginger Tofu with Veggies (Fannetastic Food)

An easy, plant-based protein sheet pan dinner featuring tofu, broccoli, onions, peppers and a homemade ginger sesame sauce. This recipe cooks in just 15 minutes.

More Easy Dinner Ideas:

— High Protein Power Bowls
— 18 Easy, Low Prep Dinner Recipes for Busy Nights
— 20 Recipes High in Protein and Fiber
— Easy and Healthy Comfort Dinner Recipes
— Easy Summer Dinner Recipes