Being healthy doesn’t have to mean sacrificing flavor. With sheet pan dinners, you can have a delicious and nutritious meal that is easy to prepare and clean up. Sheet pan dinners are meals that are cooked on a single pan in the oven, and they have become increasingly popular in recent years. This method of cooking is convenient because you can roast your proteins and vegetables at the same time, which saves you time and effort.
Sheet pan dinners can be made with a variety of ingredients to suit your taste buds. Whether you prefer vegetarian, meat-based, or seafood-based meals, there is a sheet pan dinner recipe out there for you. Here are some tips to help you make healthy and delicious sheet pan dinners:
Choose the right ingredients
When making sheet pan dinners, ensure that you choose ingredients that are healthy and nutritious. Opt for fresh fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats. Examples of healthy ingredients include sweet potatoes, broccoli, kale, salmon, chicken, and olive oil.
Plan your meal
Before you start preparing your sheet pan dinner, plan what you want to eat. This will help you to choose the right ingredients and ensure that you have a balanced meal. Your sheet pan dinner should include a protein, a healthy fat, and vegetables.
Picking a protein
When choosing a protein, ensure that it is lean and has low saturated fat content. Options for proteins include chicken breast, fish, and lean beef.
Choosing vegetables
Vegetables are packed with nutrients, so make sure you choose a variety of them. Examples include broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts. You can also add herbs and spices like garlic, ginger, or rosemary for additional flavor.
Portion control
As with any meal, it’s important to watch your portion sizes when making sheet pan dinners. A serving size of protein should be around 3-4 oz. and vegetables should be around 1-2 cups depending on the type.
Here are some healthy and delicious sheet pan dinner recipes to get you started:
Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas
Ingredients:
-1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breast, sliced into thin strips
-1 red bell pepper, sliced
-1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
-1 onion, sliced
-2 tbsp. olive oil
-1 tsp. cumin
-1 tsp. chili powder
-1 tsp. smoked paprika
-1 tsp. garlic powder
-1/4 tsp. salt
-1/4 tsp. black pepper
Directions:
1. Preheat your oven to 400°F.
2. Arrange the chicken, bell peppers, and onions on a sheet pan.
3. In a separate bowl, mix olive oil, cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Pour the mixture over the chicken and vegetables and toss to coat well.
4. Bake in the oven for 25-30 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are tender.
Sheet Pan Salmon and Vegetables
Ingredients:
-1 lb. salmon filet
-1 sweet potato, cubed
-1 red bell pepper, sliced
-1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
-1 small red onion, sliced
-2 tbsp. olive oil
-1 tsp. garlic powder
-1 tsp. dried oregano
-1/2 tsp. salt
-1/4 tsp. black pepper
Directions:
1. Preheat your oven to 400°F.
2. In a bowl, mix the sweet potato, bell peppers, onion, olive oil, garlic powder, oregano, salt, and pepper.
3. Arrange the vegetables on a sheet pan and bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes.
4. Add the salmon to the sheet pan and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes or until the salmon is cooked through and the vegetables are tender.
Sheet Pan Vegetarian Curry
Ingredients:
-1 can of chickpeas, drained and rinsed
-1 large sweet potato, cubed
-1 large carrot, peeled and chopped
-1 head of broccoli, chopped
-2 tbsp. olive oil
-1/2 tsp. ground turmeric
-1 tsp. ground cumin
-1 tsp. ground coriander
-1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
-1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes
-1/2 tsp. salt
-1/4 tsp. black pepper
Directions:
1. Preheat your oven to 400°F.
2. In a bowl, mix the chickpeas, sweet potato, carrot, and broccoli with olive oil, turmeric, cumin, coriander, cinnamon, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper.
3. Place the vegetables on the sheet pan and bake for 20-25 minutes or until the vegetables are tender and lightly browned.
Sheet pan dinners are an excellent way to get a healthy and delicious meal on the table with minimal effort and clean-up! They are perfect for busy weeknights, and the possibilities for customization are endless. Try these recipes or experiment with your ingredients and combinations to find your favorite go-to healthy sheet pan dinners!
