5 Sheet-Pan Meals for (Almost) No Dishes

Welcome to Forkcast—our weekly meal plan with five recipes, a grocery list, and tips to keep dinner easy. This week’s lineup comes from writer, mother, and home chef Christen Vidanovic.

Some weeks—like when we’re adjusting to early mornings or getting back into a school rhythm—the key to eating well is just not having too many dishes. This week’s plan is built around one or two sheet pans at a time, delivering texture, color, flavor—and yes, even breakfast and dessert—without a mess. These meals are great for meal prep, but also flexible enough to throw together in real time with whatever’s in the fridge. All of it: kid-friendly, dinner party–worthy, and easy to clean up.

I always prefer to use what I already have, so consider these recipes as jumping-off points. The sheet pan salad, for example, is endlessly adaptable and a great way to prep multiple salads for the week ahead. The Niçoise-style salmon dinner feels elevated but is incredibly simple—and full of everything you need for a balanced, satisfying meal (plus it’s kid-approved). The chicken fajitas can be burritos, tacos, or bowls, depending on what’s on hand. Roasting the chicken thighs with peppers and onions keeps them juicy, flavorful, and perfect for stuffing into a wrap.

Scroll down for full grocery list and tips.

Breakfast: Sheet Pan American Breakfast

Eggs, toast, and hash all on one pan. Great for a crowd or lazy Sunday morning. More people? More sheet pans.

Lunch: Roasted Sheet Pan Salad

Use this as a base and riff: swap in beets or butternut squash, add red onion, chickpeas, walnuts, and cubed bread tossed in olive oil to make DIY croutons. Toss feta or goat cheese in at the end. You can build the salad right on the sheet pan for fewer dishes. I recommend a maple Dijon vinaigrette.

Dinner 1: Sheet Pan Salmon Niçoise-style

Roast salmon with jammy cherry tomatoes, baby potatoes, and green beans. Add thinly sliced red onions, olives, and lemon zest to finish. Serve warm or cold, on top of spinach, with a swipe of mustardy aioli or a drizzle of lemony olive oil. Add jammy eggs to round out the Niçoise vibe.

Check out this recipe.

Dinner 2: Sheet Pan Chicken Fajita Burritos

Chicken thighs, sliced bell peppers and onions tossed with olive oil, cumin, and paprika. Roast everything until browned and juicy. Dice up chicken and put back on sheet-pan. Serve in tortillas with avocado, salsa, black beans, and plain yogurt.

Check out this recipe.

Dessert: Slab Shortcake with Roasted Rhubarb

Yes, we even planned for dessert—this slab shortcake with roasted rhubarb feeds a crowd, looks impressive, and comes together right on a sheet pan.

Produce

1 butternut squash or 2–3 beets

2 red onions

4–5 garlic cloves

1 bunch kale or hearty greens

1 lemon

1 pint cherry tomatoes

4 small potatoes (baby Yukon or red)

1 bunch green beans

1–2 apples

1 avocado

1–2 bell peppers

1 small bunch cilantro (optional)

1 banana (optional for breakfast)

1 bunch rhubarb

1 small container olives

1 small bag baby spinach (optional for salmon)

Dairy & Eggs

6–8 eggs (including for jammy eggs)

4 oz feta or goat cheese

Butter (for baking)

Meat & Fish

1 lb salmon

1 lb chicken thighs

Bakery

Crusty bread (for croutons or serving)

Tortillas (for burritos)

Pantry

Canned chickpeas

Canned black beans

Olive or avocado oil

Walnuts

Maple syrup

Dijon mustard

Balsamic vinegar

Rolled oats

Flour

Brown sugar or coconut sugar

Spices: Salt, pepper, cumin, smoked paprika, cinnamon