It can seem that our daily life is made up of appointments, play-dates, and to-do lists. This is especially true for family life where you are juggling the schedules of everyone coming and going. With everything moving at an accelerated pace, something is bound to get over-looked and more often than not, that something is meal planning. Because cooking can be time consuming, it sometimes feels overwhelming to try and fit it in at the last minute when everyone is hungry. Turning to easy options like making dinner with packaged ingredients or ordering take-out starts looking like the solution but since these options are not always the healthiest, we have put together some of our favorite sheet pan meal recipes to save the day!
Within the time it takes to wait for take-out to arrive or for pre-packaged foods to bake in the oven, you can prepare simple, delicious, and healthy meals for your family that they’ll enjoy. Not only are sheet pan recipes efficient for time, they are also cost-effective, nutritious, and usually leave enough for left-overs – bonus! And, for all those who might not feel confident in their culinary skills, these delicious sheet pan meals can be done by virtually anyone. All it takes is a bit of prep work which that can be done in advance, saving yourself some time when you need it most.
Because sheet pan cooking can be diverse, both with ingredients and flavor combinations, it might feel overwhelming to get started or to choose something new to try. We want to help you out by highlighting some of our fan-favorite sheet pan recipes using Pure Flavor® Greenhouse Grown vegetables. The key to any great meal starts with having fresh and delicious ingredients on hand. Once you have all the items that you need pulled together, it’s as simple as pre-heating the oven, assembling, and before you know it, your meal is ready to enjoy! Meal planning ahead of time and even doing a bit of prep work on the weekends can make these sheet pan meals even better for your schedule.
SHEET PAN MASTERPIECES
Sheet Pan Steak Fajitas
Who doesn’t love fajitas? The very name brings to mind great times and bold flavors. Starring Sweet Bell Peppers, paired with flank steak and some great spices, the vibrant colors in this recipe are sure to deliver just that. Simply slice everything and let it cook in the oven while you help the kids with homework. Serve this meal with your favorite corn or flour tortillas, or or lighten it up with lettuce wraps. Looking for a new spin? Pile everything over rice in a bowl or make it interactive where people can build their own fajitas.
Sheet Pan Greek Chicken
If you’re looking for a taste of the Mediterranean, this recipe will help bring the flavors of Greece straight to your dinner table. Although all the ingredients work wonderfully together, you’ll quickly notice the Cloud Nine® Bite-Sized Fruity Tomatoes stand out as the flavor champion. Your family may wonder when your cooking skills became so advanced, but despite the elevated taste, this dish is quick to prepare and bake. Bursting with flavor, this complete meal is a sure-fire hit for all – you’ll be lucky to have any left-overs to put in the fridge!
Sheet Pan Honey Mustard Roasted White Fish
A mid-week fish dinner may seem out of reach given your busy schedule but luckily, we’ve put together this white fish recipe that features a rainbow of your favorite veggies. The balanced sweetness of Juno® Bites Red Grape Tomatoes and Sweet Bell Peppers tie all the flavors of this meal together. The mixture of oven-roasted veggies, juicy fish, and a sweet honey-mustard sauce makes for a very well-rounded meal, in both flavor and nutritional value. There is definitely nothing bland about this dish. It’s perfect to add to your weeknight line-up and gives a great option for meatless Monday.
Sheet Pan Tomato and Gnocchi
Have you ever thought to bake gnocchi on a sheet pan in the oven? Not only can it be done, it’s a quick and delicious way to cook it, especially with the right ingredients. Sangria® Medley Tomatoes are the perfect addition to make this dish both bright and delicious. The medley of flavors and colors in the Sangria® Medley Tomatoes add that little extra something to this hearty, vegetarian recipe. Top with fresh bocconcini and basil before serving, dig in, and enjoy! Your family will be asking for seconds guaranteed!
Sheet Pan Breakfast Sandwiches
As we all know, mornings are often one of the busiest times for family and it’s important that we start the day off right, especially when it comes to nutrition. This recipe will save you time and give everyone a complete, balanced breakfast to start to their day. Tomatoes On-The-Vine top the list of ingredients. If they are not already, they should be a staple on your grocery list for future recipes. As one of our fastest sheet pan recipes to make, all you need to do is chop the veggies, add to scrambled egg mix on the pan, and bake. Once ready, cut into rounds or squares and serve on toast or bagel. This delicious breakfast idea packs all the nutrients the body needs into an easy, eat-on-the-go sandwich.
PLAN AHEAD
Don’t let that busy schedule leave you feeling overwhelmed or turning to take-out to feed the family. Choose the meals that you will make for the week and ensure that you have all the ingredients that you will need for them when you make your grocery list. A pro-tip would be to spend some time during one of the weekend days, or any day that you have some extra time, to wash and pre-cut any of the ingredients that you will need later in the week. Then, when you’re rushing home from work or soccer practice, all you have to do is assemble everything on to the sheet pan, pop it in the oven, and before you know it, you’ll be able to sit down to something delicious and nutritious. This makes it super easy to delegate as well if some of the family is home first, they can pull out what you’ve already prepped and get a head start. Teamwork makes the dreamwork!
So, no matter the season or schedule, Pure Flavor® greenhouse grown vegetables make preparing your family’s next meal that much easier. Once you’ve had the chance to try some, or all of these recipes, you’ll have a clear appreciation for just how easy sheet pan cooking can be. Perhaps you’ll gain some creative inspiration and start exploring flavor ideas of your own. The possibilities are endless! This is when cooking can be become truly fun and exciting. And with full control over what is going into your food, it is much easier to ensure the food you are making for your family is both nutritious and delicious so that you can keep living life to the fullest!
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