When it's possible to make an entire dinner with one pan in less than an hour and with minimal clean-up, you've got us hooked at hello. That's why we love sheet pan dinners: They're quick, easy and don't require an hour of washing dishes after dinner. And in most cases, they're really nutritious, too.
To give you a little dinner inspo, we rounded up 25 sheet pan recipes that are high in protein and flavor but minimal in the clean-up department. Don't be surprised if you find yourself wanting to cook them all.
Including sweet potatoes in this recipe provide fiber and beta-carotene, says Andrea Mathis, RD of Beautiful Eats and Things. And the best thing is it comes together in less than 30 minutes.
"This recipe contains a variety of hearty vegetables, including carrots and broccoli," Mathis says. "Carrots are packed with several nutritious components, such as potassium, antioxidants and vitamin A."
Quesadillas are a great vehicle for getting in extra veggies. "Including black beans contains several nutritious benefits including high levels of flavonoids, particularly anthocyanins, which helps to fight the effects of aging and oxidative stress," Mathis says.
Replacing traditional pasta with zucchini noodles, like in this recipe, makes this a satisfying low-carb option for those watching their carb intake, Mathis says. Not to mention, zucchini is an excellent source of vitamin A.
"Instead of the traditional green bell peppers, this recipe calls for yellow and orange bell peppers," Mathis says. "Yellow and orange bell peppers are an excellent source of vitamin C, vitamin A and potassium."
This dinner recipe gives you the option to serve it with rice or cauliflower rice to make it more filling, Mathis says. It also includes bok choy, a cruciferous vegetable full of nutrients, especially vitamins C and K.
"This recipe provides a satiating balance of protein, good fat and carbohydrates," says Mia Syn, RD, of Nutrition by Mia. To boost the nutrition of this dish and lower the carbohydrates, consider cauliflower gnocchi instead of the traditional, carb-heavy potato version.
"Shrimp is a lean protein source that helps contribute to your recommended two servings of seafood per week," Syn says. "It also provides key nutrients including B vitamins, zinc and selenium."
Ground turkey is a nutritious protein to use for homemade meatballs and leaner than ground beef, Syn says. "Replace the breadcrumbs with equal parts whole-grain oat flour to boost the fiber and nutrition of the dish."
This recipe skips tortilla chips and uses bell peppers for the nacho base. "For a leaner protein option, replace ground beef with ground turkey or chicken," Syn suggests.
"This meal is balanced with lean protein, energizing carbohydrates and healthy fats," Syn says. "Lemon juice and seasonings flavor this dish for minimal calories."
Adding spinach to the meatball mixture helps to sneak in an extra serving of vegetables, which is great for picky eaters (they'll never know!). Fresh or frozen spinach is loaded with fiber and high in vitamins and minerals, too.
Sheet pan dinners work for Meatless Mondays, too. Just be sure to include ingredients that are nutritionally diverse like this recipe does with potatoes, chickpeas and a variety of veggies.
Adding a carbohydrate like rice, quinoa or farro to this sheet pan dinner will make this a more well-rounded meal. Or if you want to keep it a one-pot meal, add a few white or sweet potatoes to the sheet pan before roasting.
Radishes are a great addition to this recipe with their punchy, peppery flavor. One cup of radishes clocks in at just 20 calories and 2 grams of fiber, according to the USDA.
Feed the entire family with this sheet pan dinner. To make it a complete meal, serve these shrimp fajitas with whole-grain tortillas and your favorite taco-style toppings, such as guac and spicy salsa.
This recipe is ideal for fall and winter because it calls for two winter produce options - sweet potatoes and Brussels sprouts. If you don't have sweet potatoes, consider swapping for butternut squash or even red or white potatoes.
With just seven ingredients, this dish is loaded with flavors reminiscent of your favorite Indian-inspired takeout. And because there's protein, veggies and carbohydrates included, it's truly a one-pan wonder.
This plant-boosted spin on traditional sausage and peppers gets an extra dose of fiber, vitamins B6 and potassium, thanks to the eggplant, says Nicole Rodriguez, RD. It also offers a source of antioxidants including lutein, which promotes eye health.
"Shrimp delivers so much nutritional bang for its buck," Rodriguez says. "Shrimp is especially good if you're looking to amp up protein at meals for a few calories."
"Potatoes actually count as a vegetable," Rodriguez says. "Potatoes are full of cellular fluid-regulating potassium, vitamin C for immune support and B6."
Including canned beans in your diet is a smart choice, Rodriguez says. And combining chickpeas with sweet potatoes, as in this recipe, results in a one-two punch of fiber that can be enjoyed as a main or side dish.
This meal is high in lean protein and complex carbs. But opt for frozen fish and potatoes, Rodriguez says. "Their nutritional content is near equal and can get this meal ready in half the time."
"Lean beef ups the satisfaction factor in this dish," Rodriguez says. "When choosing cuts of lean beef, seek those labeled with the words loin, top and round."
Enjoy this protein-rich meal for breakfast, lunch or dinner. To add even more flavor, toss in your favorite seasonings and herbs to boost flavor without adding extra calories.