Our 20 Absolute Favorite Sheet-Pan Recipes (2024)

This article was originally published in June 2020. It has been updated to include more of our community's favorite recipes.

I’d like to give a shout-out to sheet pans. Because it’s amazing how the simplest, cheapest of tools can accomplish quick, delicious, and fuss-free (in the planning, prepping, and cleaning) meals the entire family adores. Sure, we love Instant Pots, Air Fryers, and the like, but sheet pans are the OG busy (and hungry) cook’s best friend.

But I hardly need to tell you this. Sheet-pan recipes are some of our most popular attractions (ahem, please refer to this list). There are the buttery, flakey slab pot pies, roast-y salads, a full American breakfast...I could keep going!

But I don’t want to keep you here all day, so I’ve combed through Food52's recipe box for the most cooked, most favorited sheet-pan recipes ever. Yes, it was hard to narrow it down to just 20, but these superstars are the best of the best—our community's absolute favorites. Now, without further ado:

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Our 20 Best Sheet-PanRecipes

1. Sheet Pan Shrimp Scampi for One

Senior Editor Eric Kim was inspired to make this solo shrimp scampi supper after a trip to Hawaii. Now we can enjoy it, too (without stepping on an airplane).

Sheet-Pan Shrimp Scampi for One

2. Sheet-Pan Sticky Toffee Pudding Cake

“I love this cake because it's one of those things I'm able to throw together when it seems I have nothing in my pantry and fridge,” writes recipe developer Eric Kim. “All it needs are the usual suspects, things like brown sugar, butter, flour, eggs, and milk—plus chopped dates.”

Sheet-Pan Sticky Toffee Pudding Cake

3. Sheet-Pan Eggs

This egg-cellent (not sorry) breakfast is perfect for those blurry mornings when you have to cook for a crowd. Simply whisk eggs, pour into a greased pan, bake, and then pat yourself on the back.

Sheet Pan Eggs

4. Sheet-Pan Chicken With Broccoli, Chickpeas, And Parmesan

This all-in-one traybake from the queen of weeknight suppers, EmilyC, uses tons of smartypants tricks. My favorite? Add baking powder for better browning.

Sheet-Pan Chicken With Broccoli, Chickpeas, and Parmesan

5. Sheet-Pan Croquembouche

Sheet pans make quick work of desserts, too. “This streamlined version makes at-home croquembouche totally doable,” writes recipe developer Emma Laperruque. “Look no further for a holiday showstopper or even a birthday cake replacement (trust me, no one will complain).”

Sheet-Pan Croquembouche

6. All-In-One Sheet-Pan Brown Rice With Sweet Potato And Broccoli Rabe

This recipe highlights a reliable, forgiving method for cooking grains on a sheet pan in the oven, and results in a flavorful, do-it-all grain salad you’ll turn to again and again.

All-in-One Sheet-Pan Brown Rice with Sweet Potato and Broccoli Rabe

7. Sheet-Pan Roast Chicken and Cabbage

In just 40 minutes, you’ll get juicy, crispy-skinned chicken and sweet, tender cabbage, flavored by not only the spicy dressing, but also the aromatic drippings of the chicken. What are you waiting for?

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8.

This bright and bold harissa chicken maintains a perfect, five-star rating amongst our community members. Trust Cathy on this one: “This is amazing! Every element blends perfectly together." It won over Emily, too: Consider me a skeptic until about 3 minutes before plating. Never been happier to be wrong.”

9.

Yes, salads can be cozy comfort food, too. See below.

10. Sheet-Pan Chicken And Cauliflower Bake

This tray bake is the spicy, smoky shawarma-inspired dinner that you’ll definitely want to add to your weeknight rotation.

Sheet Pan Chicken and Cauliflower Bake

11. Sheet-Pan Crispy Rice With Bacon And Broccoli

Absolute Best Tests columnist Ella Quittner speaks the truth: “Crispy bits are textural and flavor magic.” And this dish is chock full of ‘em.

Sheet-Pan Crispy Rice with Bacon and Broccoli

12.

This convenient play on huevos rotos (“broken eggs” in Spanish) is the perfect lazy brunch recipe. It requires only 10 minutes of actual work, serves up to six people, and highlights the beloved trio of sausage, potatoes, and eggs.

13. Sheet-Pan Lamb Meatballs With Cauliflower And Tahini-Yogurt Sauce

Fact: Super tender lamb meatballs and comforting cauliflower combined with the refreshing brightness of pomegranate, makes the crowd go wild.

Sheet Pan Lamb Meatballs with Cauliflower and Tahini-Yogurt Sauce

14.

With a scrappy vinaigrette that does triple-duty, as well as tapping into the wallet-friendly bulk bin (hey there, dried figs), this dinner is both inexpensive and satisfying.

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15.

Consisting of white miso, yellow mustard powder, sugar, and rice vinegar, nuta is a typical Japanese dressing for blanched greens and seafood that tastes like really good honey mustard. Here nuta works double-duty: caramelized on chicken thighs and squash, and as a piquant dressing for peppery arugula.

16.

Salad? On a sheet-pan? Recipe developer EmilyC thinks yes, making three great cases for it.

17. Our Best Brussels Sprouts With Bacon

Our best version of the best food partnership (okay at the very least tied with peanut butter and eggs). Top a bowl of these Brussels sprouts and crisp bacon bits with a soft, oozy egg, for a square (round?) meal.

Brussels Sprouts With Bacon

18.

While a schnitzel-ready, thin, boneless pork cutlet is likely to dessicate in the oven, a thicker-cut, bone-in chop is ready. Dry-rub one per person and lay atop a bed of root vegetable hunks—the recipe calls for carrots and fennel, but why not beets, parsnips, or turnips?—eager to drink in any (sheet-)pan juices.

19. Baking Sheet Macaroni and Cheese

Food52 co-founder Amanda Hesser wanted a mac and cheese that didn’t skimp on the crunch—so she made this recipe. Combining techniques from baked pasta, gratin, and kugel, Amanda’s mac is texturally complex and decidedly delicious.

Baking Sheet Macaroni and Cheese

20. Sheet-Pan Apple Crisp

A traditional apple crisp is heavy on the apples, lighter on the streusel. Not with this sheet-pan riff from Food Editor Emma Laperruque. “Instead of using a deep-dish casserole pan, a sheet pan creates a shallow crisp that’s equal parts jammy apples and oaty streusel,” Emma writes. If there’s a more perfect use for an eighth-pan, I don’t want to know about it.

Sheet-Pan Apple Crisp

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Just kidding I do—share some of the best things to come out of your half-, quarter-, and eighth-sheet-pans in the comments below!
Our 20 Absolute Favorite Sheet-Pan Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is a good meal to serve 20 people? ›

19 Ideas For Easy Meals For Large Groups
  • Taco Bar.
  • Meatballs.
  • Butter Chicken.
  • Lasagna.
  • Chili.
  • Homemade Pizza.
  • Baked Pasta.
  • Skewers.
Apr 4, 2023

What size sheet pan for sheet pan dinners? ›

The right baking sheet to use for sheet pan dinners is called a half-sheet pan. It's made of heavy-gauge metal, measures 18 by 13 inches, and has a 1-inch rim all the way around. It's sturdy enough to take high oven heat — and sometimes broiler heat if your recipe calls for it.

What is the basic of sheet pan dinners? ›

A sheet pan takes the concept of a one-pot meal and flips it onto a pan. It saves time, makes clean-up easier, and doesn't require expensive equipment or fancy ingredients. Just start with your protein of choice, then add vegetables, fat and flavorings, and roast at high heat until everything is golden brown.

How many full trays of food do I need for 20 guests? ›

What Does a Typical Catering Tray Feed? Generally, a catering tray can feed 15-20 people. For example, a full tray of chicken breasts should have enough protein for 15-20 people. However, remember that people may choose sides like salads and desserts, which may not factor into this.

What is the cheapest food to cater a party? ›

Cheap catering food ideas include rice or pasta-based dishes, hot dogs, burritos, tacos, cookies, and muffins, which are loved by everyone and are often more affordable than sophisticated seafood or meat dishes.

What is the best cheap food to feed a crowd? ›

Feed the masses without breaking the bank with these budget-friendly dishes.
  • Turkey and Pumpkin Lasagne. ...
  • Slow Cooker Savoury Mince. ...
  • Slow cooker barbecue chicken. ...
  • Slow cooker chicken and olives. ...
  • Slow cooker beef stew. ...
  • Creamy Chicken Pie. ...
  • Chicken, Avocado and Bacon Salad. ...
  • Potato Salad.

What's a good meal to make for a large group? ›

The Best Build-Your-Own Recipes/Ideas
  • Taco Salad/Taco BarTacos never get old and they are endlessly customizable! ...
  • Hawaiian Haystacks. ...
  • Breakfast Burritos. ...
  • Sandwich Bar. ...
  • Baked Potato Bar. ...
  • Mexican Haystacks. ...
  • Sweet Pork Cilantro Lime Rice Bowls. ...
  • Yum Yum Bowls/Buddha Bowls.
Jun 7, 2019

What is a good meal to feed a large crowd? ›

Gather, Share, and Eat: Easy Meals for Large Groups That Won't Break the Bank
  • The Classic Spaghetti and Meatballs. ...
  • Tantalizing Tacos. ...
  • Perfectly Baked Potatoes. ...
  • Pizza Extravaganza. ...
  • Mouthwatering Pulled Pork. ...
  • Fabulous Fajitas. ...
  • Hearty Chili. ...
  • Build-Your-Own Sandwiches.
Oct 19, 2023

What is the difference between a baking sheet and a sheet pan? ›

A Baking Sheet—also referred to as a sheet pan—is one of the most versatile pieces of bakeware that you can own. These handy kitchen tools come in a rectangular shape, which makes them ideal for use in a standard kitchen oven.

Do you cover sheet pan dinners? ›

8 Tips for Making Sheet Pan Dinners
  1. Use a Half Sheet Pan. ...
  2. Get the Oven Good and Hot. ...
  3. Choose a Quick-Cooking Whole Grain. ...
  4. Pick and Prep Vegetables Right. ...
  5. Cover Tightly with Foil. ...
  6. Taste-Test and Adjust Cooking. ...
  7. Add a Sauce for Extra Flavor. ...
  8. Sprinkle on Texture.
Nov 19, 2020

How long should you cook a sheet pan dinner? ›

Temperatures range from 375-400°F for sheet pan meals. Depending on the vegetables and protein you've chosen, it may take anywhere from 35-45 minutes to cook thoroughly. Remember if you've chosen something you know will overcook in that period, you want to add it in later on in the cooking time.

Can you use parchment paper for sheet pan meals? ›

Aluminum foil and parchment paper are your friends.

Line the pan with either foil or parchment before cooking to help make clean-up easy! Remember: If you're broiling, do not use parchment paper, which can catch fire. Go with the foil, and mist it with cooking spray to prevent food from sticking.

Should you flip sheet pan chicken? ›

Place chicken on a rimmed baking sheet and season with salt and pepper all over. With the chicken skin-side up, drizzle with half the olive oil and place in oven. 2. Roast the chicken, without flipping, until cooked through and deeply browned all over, 25 to 30 minutes.

How to cater for 20 people? ›

Finger foods, canapes, and grazing tables are great options that can feed a crowd and are easy to shape around any style. From gourmet cured meats and cheeses to catering classics like mini pies and pastries, there is bound to be something for any theme.

How do you feed a crowd of 20? ›

Meal ideas to feed a vacation house of 20 people, please!
  1. Big pot of Chili with sides of coleslaw, cornbread or toast and toppings of avocado, corn, cheese.
  2. DIY Sandwich, Panini, Grilled Cheese stations people can pick their own fillings and have it cold or grilled.
  3. Burgers & hot dogs.
Jan 21, 2020

What's the cheapest way to feed a lot of people? ›

Warm up a crowd with a buffet of different soups! Soups are typically very affordable to make and stretch a long way. Pair with cornbread, french bread, and crackers for a cheap way to fill everyone up!

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