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My House Runs On A Tight Grocery Budget Each Week; Here Are The 20 Sheet Pan Meals Everyone Can Agree On

Although I aim to try new recipes every week, there are several easy one-pan favorites that I return to over and over again.

Sydney Martin
by Sydney Martin

BuzzFeed Contributor

Hi! I'm Sydney, a stay-at-home mom of three, and I make homemade meals for my Colorado family every week. My household runs on a $120 weekly grocery budget that — due to a severe peanut allergy — needs to cover almost every single meal and snack for the week. (We don't rely on much takeout for this reason.)

the author with a sheet pan meal
Sydney Martin

I'm always trying out new recipes, especially with cooking every meal at home — but one type of recipe that I rely on frequently is sheet pan meals.

From breakfast to dessert, sheet pan recipes are such a versatile, time-saving, and easy-clean option for my busy household — allowing me to create delicious and satisfying meals with minimal effort and clean-up. From breakfast to dessert, here are 20 of my all-time favorite sheet pan recipes that I've made again and again.

BREAKFAST & BRUNCH:

1. Sheet Pan Vanilla Granola

Sydney Martin

Being a nut-free household, granola wasn't ever a staple in our house — until I found this recipe. The sweetness is subtle and the big-batch granola is the perfect topping for yogurt parfaits. My kids even like to eat this one straight out of the container!

Recipe: Sheet Pan Vanilla Granola

Skinnytaste / Via skinnytaste.com, Sydney Martin

If you've ever made pancakes for your family on the weekends, you know it usually results in everyone else having a good time — and you sitting down to eat alone with pancakes that are cold. These simple sheet pan pancakes are the perfect solution for everyone to eat all at once with WARM pancakes.

Recipe: Sheet Pan Pancakes with Mixed Berries or Chocolate Chips

3. Sheet Pan Denver Omelette

The Beach House Kitchen / Via thebeachhousekitchen.com, Sydney Martin

My husband would rarely eat breakfast during the week until I started prepping breakfast sandwiches for the freezer. This Denver omelette recipe adds all the delicious toppings without worrying if they'll tumble out onto his lap while he's on the go. The eggs bake nice and flat, which makes them perfect for layering on a sandwich.

Recipe: Sheet Pan Denver Omelette

4. Easy Puff Pastry Toaster Strudels

Bake And Bacon / Via bakeandbacon.com, Sydney Martin

I've tried homemade pop tarts and toaster strudels and these toaster strudels won in my house hands down. You could make a rough puff pastry from scratch, or use a store-bought one like the recipe. Easily change the flavors with each season — strawberries or peaches would be perfect right now.

Recipe: Easy Puff Pastry Toaster Strudels

LUNCH & DINNER:

5. Sheet Pan Sausage & Gnocchi

The Kitchn / Via thekitchn.com, Sydney Martin

Any time there's a recipe that has gnocchi and sausage, I know its going to be received well. This one uses fresh herbs and different types of squash. You can easily change out the squash choices depending on what's in season and you would still end up with a perfect meal.

Recipe: Sheet Pan Sausage & Gnocchi

New York Times Cooking / Via cooking.nytimes.com, Sydney Martin

This is a solid meatless Monday option that's still packed with protein — although I've also served this with fish or chicken. The chickpeas add a great crunch.

Recipe: Sheet Pan Feta with Chickpeas & Tomatoes

7. Honey Mustard Salmon

Half Baked Harvest / Via halfbakedharvest.com, Sydney Martin

The Caesar dressing is a delicious addition and adds the perfect amount of saltiness — but I'd recommend doubling the veggies, especially if you're feeding a bigger crew.

Recipe: Honey Mustard Salmon

8. Sheet Pan Ratatouille

The Modern Proper / Via themodernproper.com, Sydney Martin

Perfect for summer or spring, the vegetables make this dish feel light and bright, while the sausage adds the perfect amount of savory to help make this a completely satisfying meal.

Recipe: Sheet Pan Ratatouille

9. Sheet Pan Chicken Parmesan

Damn Delicious / Via damndelicious.net, Sydney Martin

My son isn't a red sauce fan, so when I came across this chicken parmesan recipe, I knew I had to try it. He rated this a 50/10 and went back for seconds! The chicken is perfectly seasoned and the mozzarella on top makes for a satisfying, gooey bite. You can easily serve this over pasta or with a crusty piece of bread.

Recipe: Sheet Pan Chicken Parmesan

10. Sheet Pan Meatloaf & Potatoes

Yellow Bliss Road / Via yellowblissroad.com, Sydney Martin

I love the concept of cooking the meatloaf and potatoes on one pan, because although meatloaf itself is pretty straightforward, once you get the potatoes and side veggies done, it can become quite the process. I recommend seasoning the meat itself more elaborately than the recipe calls for.

Recipe: Sheet Pan Meatloaf & Potatoes

A Southern Soul / Via asouthernsoul.com, Sydney Martin

My family loves burger night, but they are few and far between in the Colorado winters. This sheet pan recipe makes it very easy to throw together a mushroom burger even when the grill is buried under a foot of snow. Throw on a slice of Swiss cheese and voila!

Recipe: Sheet Pan Hamburger Steak with Onions & Mushrooms

12. BBQ Chicken Pizza

Half Baked Harvest / Via halfbakedharvest.com, Sydney Martin

We are big pizza people in my home — specifically homemade pizza. And until I get my hands on a pizza oven, this sheet pan recipe recipe is a great option to feed a big crowd. The BBQ is a great change up from the ordinary cheese and pepperoni.

Recipe: BBQ Chicken Pizza

13. Chicken & Balsamic Baked Peaches

Blue Jean Chef / Via bluejeanchef.com, Sydney Martin

I made this for the first time not long ago — and it instantly gained a place on my "To Make Again" list. The goat cheese added an incredible creamy texture and it was the best use for early summer peaches. Salty, sweet, and creamy — the absolute perfect combo.

Recipe: Chicken & Balsamic Baked Peaches

Carlsbad Cravings / Via carlsbadcravings.com, Sydney Martin

This recipe continues to make my favorites list again and again. I love the pretzel coating that's easily made up in the food processor and I always make sure to double the honey mustard recipe for adequate dipping!

Recipe: Sheet Pan Honey Mustard Pretzel Chicken & Potatoes

15. Sheet Pan Nachos

Damn Delicious / Via damndelicious.net, Sydney Martin

For fun and low-key dinners, this one is a natural choice. While the nacho base heats in the oven, you can prep all the toppings so that everyone can customize their own.

Recipe: Sheet Pan Nachos

16. Sheet Pan Mediterranean Shrimp

Garden in the Kitchen / Via gardeninthekitchen.com, Sydney Martin

When I tell you that this recipe takes 15 mins start to finish.... I mean it: 15 minutes. I loved cooking shrimp on the sheet pan because in my house its easy for me to get distracted handling my kids while I'm cooking. No one likes overcooked seafood and the hands-off approach was the perfect remedy. I usually serve this over couscous, but can certainly be a meal all on its own!

Recipe: Sheet Pan Mediterranean Shrimp

17. Crispy Sheet Pan Gnocchi & Vegetables

The Kitchn / Via thekitchn.com, Sydney Martin

Roasting the tomatoes of this recipe creates a perfect juicy sauce. Since the gnocchi is a bit more sturdy and doesn't dry out with that tomato juice, you can easily prep this meal and have it last for a few days.

Recipe: Crispy Sheet Pan Gnocchi & Vegetables

18. Sheet Pan Hawaiian Chicken

Beauty and the Benchpress / Via beautyandthebenchpress.com, Sydney Martin

I love this version of Hawaiian chicken. It reminds me of a pineapple chicken dish my grandma used to make. You can change up the overall feel of it depending on which BBQ sauce you pick. Keep it as is or serve over rice — we do both in my house!

Recipe: Sheet Pan Hawaiian Chicken

DESSERT:

19. Brown Butter Banana Bars

Self Proclaimed Foodie / Via selfproclaimedfoodie.com, Sydney Martin

When I tell you that my family may never eat normal banana bread ever again, I'm not lying. My husband has even texted me while at work to declare how much he loves these banana bars. I prep a batch of these on the weekends and once the frosting is set, I'll cut and wrap them into individual portions for a fancy grab-and-go snack. (When making the frosting, I start with half the amount of sugar and start taste-testing for my desired sweetness from there. I have found that the halfway point is normally where I stop.)

Recipe: Brown Butter Banana Bars

20. Sugar Cookie Bars

Together As Family / Via togetherasfamily.com, Sydney Martin

I find these to be an ideal option for school party snacks or when you're needing treats for a larger number of people. I've even used the cookie base and made it into a fruit pizza.

Recipe: Sugar Cookie Bars

For more family recipe ideas, follow me on Instagram at @sydneyinsuburbia or check out all of my past weekly meal plans here!

the author and her family
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