Need to get dinner on the table fast before the new episode of Bachelor in Paradise comes on? We’ve all been there, and know entirely too well that “What do you want for dinner?” is a should-be-simple question that can spark plenty of unnecessary hanger-induced confusion and conflict.
Before you let your rumbling stomach get the best of you, we’ve gathered these easy sheet pan dinners to help solve your next what’s-on-the-menu dinner debacle. Why do we love sheet pan dinners? For starters, they basically cook themselves and require minimal hands-on prep: Simply slice up some of whatever produce is in your crisper drawer, add a protein, give everything a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil and spices, and you’ve got a well-balanced meal at the ready. What’s more, you always end up with something cozy, delicious, and easy-to-clean… which is especially welcome after a long day of work. And because we love getting extra credit, know that every single one of these recipes packs at least one or more magnesium-rich ingredients for a *very* relaxing evening.
Top magnesium-filled ingredients to eat come dinnertime
Because these sheet pan recipes are packed with magnesium-rich ingredients, they’re a great way to get some extra sleep-boosting benefits out of your meals. After all, as Sarah Brewer, a medical nutritionist, previously told Well+Good, magnesium can have a relaxing effect on the body and contribute to high-quality, restful sleep. “Magnesium is needed for over 300 body enzymes to work properly, including the production of many brain chemicals such as melatonin, which controls the quality of your sleep,” Brewer says.
The great news is that some of our favorite foods are rich in magnesium and make for the perfect bedtime snack or dinner recipe. Some of the most magnesium-rich foods, for instance, include greens, edamame, black beans, potatoes, salmon, tofu, nuts, seeds, and avocados. (Swoon.)
5 easy sheet pan dinners packed with sleep-boosting magnesium
1. Five-Ingredient Sheet Pan Salmon With Italian Dressing
This sheet pan salmon with Italian dressing recipe by Platings and Pairings calls for only five ingredients and is ready in under 30 minutes. To make this delicious dish, you’ll need salmon, lemons, green beans, red potatoes, and some Italian dressing (and, of course, a sheet pan). Not only is farmed salmon is packed with magnesium, but it’s also loaded with heart-healthy omega-3s and vitamin D. A typical filet of salmon (about seven ounces or 200 grams) has about 60 milligrams of magnesium per serving.
Get the recipe: Five-Ingredient Sheet Pan Salmon
2. Sweet and Spicy Tofu Bake
Protein? Flavor? Minimal ingredients? Check, check, and check. What more could you ask for from a simple weekday sheet pan recipe. The tofu bake recipe by A Clean Bake is gluten-free and made with tofu, tamari, maple syrup, and hot pepper sauce for a sweet and spicy kick. This five-ingredient recipe is loaded with tons of flavor and magnesium, thanks to the tofu, which has about 30 milligrams per 100-gram serving. This soy-based delight also happens to be one of the top forms of plant-based protein that some of the longest-living people on the planet consume daily.
Get the recipe: Five-Ingredient Baked Tofu
3. Sweet Potato Casserole Boats
Fall is here, and that means sweet potato casserole is definitely on the menu. If you just can’t wait until Thanksgiving to indulge in one of your nanna’s most famous dishes, these sweet potato casserole boats by Minimalist Baker are the perfect solution—especially when you don’t want to cook up a whole baking pan’s worth of casserole. It’s sweet, luscious, and magnesium-rich, thanks to the pecans and sweet potatoes.
Get the recipe: Sweet Potato Casserole Boats
4. Tandoori Tofu Sheet Pan Dinner
Flavor is the name of the game with this tandoori tofu sheet pan recipe by Minimalist Baker. It features ingredients like tofu, cauliflower, red onion, and sweet potatoes that are seasoned with tandoori spices and roasted until caramelized and golden brown. And there’s an optional (but highly recommended) gluten-free green chutney recipe to pair with, too—it’s tangy and refreshing thanks to highly flavorful and magnesium-rich ingredients like cilantro and avocado. Okay, I’m definitely drooling now.
Get the recipe: Tandoori Tofu Sheet Pan Dinner
5. Cajun Roasted Chicken, Broccoli, and Sweet Potatoes
It really doesn’t get any easier than this roasted chicken with broccoli and sweet potatoes recipe by Gimme Delicious. The easy dish can double as dinner for tonight and lunch for tomorrow. The Cajun seasoning drives it home with a subtle yet tongue-tingling kick of spice that adds flavor to the roasted veggies and chicken. And aside from not even breaking a sweat while making this meal, it’s packed with magnesium-rich ingredients (sweet potatoes and broccoli) that will put you in a total state of relaxation as you wind down for the day. BTW: Broccoli is an excellent source of folate and vitamins A, C, and K, too.
Get the recipe: Cajun Roasted Chicken, Broccoli, and Sweet Potatoes
These sheet pan roasted veggies are what dreams are made of:
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