There are countless reasons to enjoy meals that cook on one or two baking trays.
It requires almost no preparation, minimal cleanup, and the biggest advantage: you have free time to do whatever else you want while your meal is cooking in the oven.
Below are some of our top-rated tray bakes, featuring vegetarian choices as well.
Tray bakes with meat
This substantial evening meal comes together in just 10 minutes. It’s a full dish featuring canned chickpeas and cherry tomatoes roasting under the Maryland chicken, complemented by chorizo for a touch of smoke flavor.
For this tray bake, pork sausages are placed atop thin slices of potato and canned tomatoes, then garnished with fresh herbs upon completion. Before mixing all ingredients on a baking tray, the potatoes undergo an initial boiling for about 15 minutes.
Combine chicken thighs, canned lentils, and spices for a dish that needs just 10 minutes of preparation time. The lentils cook in cream, lending an indulgent touch to your evening meal, which you can serve alongside lemon wedges, fresh herbs, and crusty bread.
Vegetarian tray bakes
Several packs of gnocchi can be placed directly onto a baking sheet along with broccoli, fennel seeds, and lemon slices for this simple weekday meal. Top it off with plenty of cheese and an extra dash of lemon juice before serving.
Inspired by a stir-fry concept, this tray bake cooks everything together except for the rice. For this dish, you will require two baking sheets: one for roasting the tofu and eggplant, and another for softly steaming vegetables. Afterward, all ingredients come together under a flavorful glaze made of hot honey and soy sauce.
Transform potatoes into a hearty dish with this single-baking-sheet recipe. Add hefty portions of sliced haloumi halfway through cooking. Toss in some fresh greens and diced mint before serving for a delightful, gooey salad that’s both warm and satisfying.
