Sheet pan meals are all the rage because they’re an inexpensive and easy way to meal prep. Not only are there fewer dishes to clean, but you can also prepare a main dish and side dish at the same time. I’ve used this method for years, as evidenced by my daughter who told me, “I thought you were just too lazy to cook a bunch of dishes.” Thanks, kid.
If you’re new to sheet pan cooking or aren’t exactly sure how to cook using a sheet pan, use my “cooking secrets” to save time.
Sheet Pan Cooking Tips:
Ready to prepare a complete meal on one dish? Welcome to the wonderful world of sheet pan cooking. These cooking tips will give you all the basics you need for sheet pan success.
- Choose a light-colored sheet pan. They reflect heat and allow food to cook evenly. Dark sheet pans absorb heat. This can cause the bottom of ingredients to burn before the top portion is done.
- Use parchment or waxed paper to line your pan. Once you’re finished cooking, toss the paper in the trash. This method ensures all you have to do is a quick wash, rinse, and dry; no scrubbing or soaking needed.
- Invest in a large sheet pan or two smaller sheet pans. With two smaller sheet pans, you can cook two meals at once. Large sheet pans are perfect for doubling a recipe or adding extra veggies.
- Use this “sheet pan formula” to make cooking easier. Choose your favorite meat, complementary vegetables, and a flavor profile of your choice. You’ve just made sheet pan magic!
- Choose a flavor profile. The sky’s the limit. Try Cajun, Barbecue, Herbes de Province, Greek, Fajita, Seafood, or your favorite.
- Cut vegetables into uniform pieces for even cooking. The vegetables cook with the meat which can have different cooking times. Try to cube the vegetables into chunks and/or slices 1/2 inches thick. No more some mushy, some too hard vegetables.
- Don’t crowd the sheet pan. This can cause the ingredients to steam instead of bake. They’ll still taste okay, but they won’t have the crisp outside/tender inside you expect from sheet pan meals.
Good Combinations to Try with a Sheet Pan
- Try these combinations to get started.
- Shrimp + Small Ears of Corn on the Cob + Old Bay Seasoning + Olive Oil = Sheet Pan Shrimp Boil
- Chicken thighs + cubed potatoes + Barbecue Seasoning+ Olive oil= Barbecue Chicken and Potatoes
Do you prepare sheet pan meals? What are some of your favorite sheet pan meals? Do you have a sheet pan cooking tip to share?
Our New Cookbook
Have you seen our new cookbook, The Southern Air Fryer Cookbook? It’s available now on Kindle and in print. We’ve shared 75 classic Southern recipes adapted for the air fryer. With recipes for everything from appetizers to desserts, you’ll learn new uses and tips for the fryer. You can purchase it on Amazon now.
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10 Air Fryer Cooking Tips You Need to Know
I love sheet pan meals! So much less clean up and so many fun ideas!
I love my new Air Fryer and your cookbook looks tempting! I will look into it. 🙂
I haven’t tried but thanks for the tips.
I love cooking in a sheet pan and these tips will definitely be very useful.
These tips will definitely come in handy, I am cooking more than the usual days before the pandemic and I will these tips!
This is a great cooking tips. I will share this to my mom. She really loves cooking.
I love doing sheet pan cooking. It’s one of my favorite ways to cook. We do a lot of veggies with sheet pans. It’s the best.
I love preparing sheet pan dishes because they’re quick and easy and easy clean-up afterwards too.
This is a useful way to cook. I can definitely use these ideas for putting together meals.
We love cooking with a sheet pan! There are so many one pan meals to make. Great tips!
This sheet pan formula, is definitely an awesome way to get your cooking done faster and easier.
I love sheet pan cooking! Especially when you can get the entire meal done at once.
I never thought about the colour of the pan either. Very interesting. Also the uniformity of the vegetables. I am a fan of these meals because they are simple. Also I definitely opt for wax paper or parchment now. I have ruined too many cookie sheets with burnt food and scrubbing!!
These are some great tips – I have to admit I am definitely someone who needs to work on not over crowding!
I love a one pan meal with the main course and the sides. I have not been using my oven in these hot days but sheet pan meals can be so good.
I never thought about that (about the color of the pan) That is really good to keep in mind. We could use some new ones, so I’ll look for lighter ones next time.