This story is adapted from Fannetastic Food’s guide to Sheet Pan Dinners.
Sheet pan dinner recipes are a busy parent’s best friend. Aside from ordering in or heating up a frozen meal (and we’re not knocking those pinch-hitting strategies!), it’s the easiest way to get dinner on the table, fast. Just chop up a protein and some veggies (which you can do in advance..), add seasoning or a glaze, and roast in the oven. Here are the basic steps you’ll need.
1. Choose Your Veggies
Pick fast-cooking choices if you want dinner ready ASAP. These include zucchini, onion, broccoli or green beans. If you go for root veggies like potatoes or carrots, add another 5 to 10 minutes of cooking time in before you add your protein.
2. Choose Your Protein
Salmon, chicken or tofu—whether you want to serve fish, meat or a vegetarian dish, there are endless options!
3. Add Seasoning
Go-to combos for Anne Mauney, the R.D. behind Fannetastic Food, include Lemon Dijon and Ginger Soy Glaze. But something as easy as olive oil and salt and pepper works well, too!
For most of the proteins/veggie combo, roasting at 375 for between 15 and 20 minutes should give you the perfect, fast meal. For exact cooking times and full recipes, click here.
Want more one pan dinner inspiration?
30 Sheet Pan Dinners from Cooking Light
Easy Peanut Butter Football Dip!
This easy, no-bake dessert dip from Lynn Lilly, the talented mama behind the Craft Box Girls blog uses basic pantry ingredients like peanut butter, chocolate chips and pretzels. We’ll be making it for the Super Bowl and then again for Valentine’s Day—simply swapping the football shape for a heart one!
Superbowl: 4 Craft Ideas to Try!
Whether your kids are into football or not, having something to keep them occupied during the big game can be clutch. All the adults will then be able to enjoy the action on the field (not to mention the commercials and half time show!). We rounded up 4 of our favorite crafts from around the blogosphere, perfect for game time or any time you need something to do (which, for most of us, is all the time). Pro tip: for toddlers, use plastic cups instead of mason jars, for obvious reasons.
Date Night at Home Ideas
A regular date night out is a great thing, if you can make it happen. As any good therapist (or Instagram meme…) would say, the foundation of your family started with your relationship, so keeping it strong will benefit everyone. But date nights can be tricky to plan (read: finding a reliable babysitter) and expensive (read: paying said sitter plus whatever entertainment you choose for the evening). That’s why we also love a good date night in. There’s nothing wrong with a classic Netflix and take out combo post-bedtime, but we’re sharing five creative ideas to freshen up your regular routine.