With school back in session, multiple activities, and busy work schedules, quick and easy meal ideas are a necessity. Quick and easy doesn’t always mean a trip to your favorite drive-thru lane. With a glance in your refrigerator or a short stop at the local supermarket, you can create a delicious meal for the entire family.
All these meal ideas, share one common item – a sheet pan! Sheet pan meals make batch cooking and cleanup a breeze.
I usually like to choose some sort of protein and a vegetable. Some of my favorite combinations from this list:
Proteins:
- Salmon
- Chicken
- Turkey
- Shrimp
- Chickpeas
Vegetables:
- Broccoli
- Zucchini
- Brussel Sprouts
- Red Onion
- Bell Pepper (red, green, yellow, orange)
- Carrots
- Baby Potatoes
Sometimes I’ll also make rice, quinoa, or couscous as an additional side item for the meal.
Some of my family’s favorite meals include:
Sheet Pan Lemon Rosemary Chicken
As we transition from summer to fall, I love cooking savory dishes because cooking with fresh herbs makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside. If you have extra herbs left over, you can use them in a simmering pot!
Sheet Pan Fajitas
If you don’t have tortillas, turn this meal into a fajita bowl over rice or your favorite beans. Mixing two different proteins together – like chicken and steak, shrimp and chicken – is another way to change your flavor profile.
Sheet Pan Salmon
I love seafood as a weeknight meal because it’s usually something that can be prepared in under 30 minutes. If you’re not a fan of salmon, try another fish like cod,
Sheet Pan Nachos
Friday nights are usually a no-cook night, but sometimes I break the rule and whip up a quick pan of nachos. We like really cheesy nachos, so I make a cheese sauce instead of using pre-packaged shredded cheese. Add this with a snack board of the kids’ favorite snacks and treats, and you have the perfect meal for a family movie night.
