17 Simple Dinners That Use One Pan

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. Scroll down to see all of our favorite one-pan dinner recipes.

photo: Donut Worry, Be Healthy

Kung Pao Chicken

It doesn’t get much easier than this kung pao chicken recipe from Donut Worry, Be Healthy. The key is in the sauce, made from a few pantry staples you likely have on hand. To get the recipe, click here.

photo: Cait’s Plate

Sheet Pan Nachos

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. Click here to get the recipe, plus handy tips on what kind of chips and cheese work best.

photo: The Rustic Foodie

Sausage and Potatoes

This Oktoberfest-inspired recipe from The Rustic Foodie is a year-round favorite. Smoked sausage pairs beautifully with red potatoes and a tangy mustard glaze brings everything together. Get the recipe by clicking here.

photo: Meal Prep on Fleek

Shrimp Fajitas

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. To grab the recipe, click here.

photo: Inquiring Chef

Chicken Shawarma

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. Click here to get the recipe.

photo: Nicole’s Tasting Spoon

Caprese Chicken

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. Click here to get all the details on how it’s done.

photo: Kalyn’s Kitchen

Roasted Sweet Potatoes, Sausage and Broccoli

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. Click here to get all the details.

photo: The Seasoned Mom

Hawaiian Chicken

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 one-pan dish to lift the family's spirits, this is it. Head over The Seasoned Mom for the recipe, and dinner's done!

photo: Erin Clarke at Well Plated

Chicken Enchilada Sweet Potato Fries

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, 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 Erin Clarke at Well Plated, and skip the jalapeño if that will be too spicy for little taste buds.

photo: Pinch of Yum

Bacon Potato Skins

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!

photo: A Spicy Perspective

Baking Sheet Paella

Fresh shrimp, chorizo, peas and easy-cook rice all layer up to make a paella dish the family will love. It's easy and delicious, plus it can be cooked and prepped in less than thirty minutes. Switch out the chorizo for a mild sausage alternative if the kids aren't into hotter flavors. Head over to A Spicy Perspective for the recipe.

photo: Aggie's Kitchen

Chinese Pork Chops

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.

photo: Boulder Locavore

Chicken Fajitas

Kids will love these tasty sheet pan chicken fajitas! Just 20 minutes of cooking time, and dinner can go straight from the oven to the table. Just wrap in tortillas, and you're good to go. Check out Boulder Locavore for the recipe and how-to video.

photo: The View From Great Island

Pizza from Scratch

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. Get the recipe from The View From Great Island, and add your family's favorite toppings.

photo: Weelicious

Fish in Parchment Paper

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—swap out the Asian flavors of ginger and sesame for basil and tomatoes, add different veggies or cooked grains—whatever the kids will eat. The contents of the bag will be gently steamed for an easy everyday dinner. There's even a helpful how-to video to go with the recipe.

photo: NeighborFood

Pesto Chicken and Vegetables

This one-sheet wonder can be in your oven in less than 15 minutes. 45 minutes later, the dishes are done, and dinner's ready. Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs are the secret here—and pesto! This is set to be a family favorite. Check out NeighborFood for the recipe.

photo: The Gourmand Mom

Sweet and Savory Quesadillas

Serve these cinnamon, apple and cheese quesadillas any time of day—better yet, get the kids to help make them and feast on them together. We have the super simple how-to in our archives, and the recipe comes from The Gourmand Mom—part of an initiative to get kids and parents cooking and eating together as a family. Get more inspiration at Kids Cook Monday.

—Emily Myers & Susie Foresman

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