Creative Sheet Pan Recipes (2024)

FAQs

Do you cover sheet pan meals with foil? ›

We recommend foil over parchment paper for sheet pan cooking. As it conducts heat, foil can help accelerate the cooking process and help browning.

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.

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.

"Reynolds Kitchens Parchment Paper is a natural, high-density paper with a non-stick coating," Brown explains. "Its versatility makes it perfect for baking your favorite cookies, making parchment packets, or cooking a sheet pan dinner."

If you're looking for alternatives to using aluminum foil on baking sheets, consider parchment paper. It is non-reflective and won't scratch non-stick surfaces. Before using parchment paper, it is important to review the manufacturer's recommendation for max parchment bake temperatures.

Foil. A double sheet of foil works well as a lid when you need a closer fit than a sheet pan or a frying pan would provide. It's a little more difficult to manipulate than a lid, but it traps heat and moisture just as effectively.

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.

Baking pans are frequently made from aluminum (an excellent heat conductor), or an aluminum-steel combination. Less common are stainless steel pans; while easy to clean and non-reactive, they don't conduct heat as well as aluminum.

Though aluminum pans are considered safe to cook with, there are still some warnings associated with them that all users should follow. Avoid cooking highly acidic foods, like tomatoes or citrus, for extended periods in aluminum cookware.

You can also prep components ahead and store in the fridge for up to 5 days, making it even easier! Sheet pan chicken fajitas with tender and juicy chicken, bell peppers, and onions tossed in a delicious homemade fajita seasoning. Ideal for meal prep or for a simple weeknight dinner.

What vegetables go well with sausages? ›

Some great options include bell peppers, onions, zucchini, eggplant, tomatoes, spinach, broccoli rabe, or even a mix of roasted vegetables like carrots, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts. You can sauté or roast these veggies and serve them alongside or mix them into pasta dishes or as toppings for pizzas.

The perfect temperature– 400 degrees Fahrenheit is the perfect temperature for most roasted vegetables. It allows for a crispy, perfectly browned exterior and a fork tender interior. But it will vary based on the types of veggies and oil used. If your veggies are not browning enough, try increasing the temperature.

This means that if you're cooking in a skillet over medium, medium-low, or low heat, you'll probably be fine using parchment. Hill uses it in the oven all the time for any temps under 450°F, but never risks using it on the grill, with the broiler, or in a skillet over high heat because the temperature can exceed 500°F.

Since parchment paper doesn't have a helpful “this end up” sign with an arrow, it takes a little detective work. Just hold the paper up to the light and look for the side that's slightly glossier or shinier. It is the shiny or glossy side of the parchment paper that should be face up on your baking sheet or cake pan.

A basic saying to guide your use of papers in the kitchen: "Sweet treats need parchment sheets; grill or broil, go with foil," says Weaver. Foil conducts and distributes heat, making it able to withstand high temperatures from baking, broiling, roasting, or grilling. For anything above 400 degrees, use foil.

Don't use aluminum foil to store leftovers.

This allows bacteria to grow faster. Instead, store leftovers in airtight storage containers or food storage bags.

When a hot meal is left out at room temperature for more than two hours, the bacteria grow rapidly, according to the Washington State Department of Health. Using aluminum foil to cover food poses the same risk since it doesn't completely seal your food off from the air.

A: The lid is fine. Casseroles are often baked with a cover to keep the heat in and to keep the dish from drying out. A lid will serve the same purpose as foil.