8 Must-Haves for Simple Sheet-Pan Dinners for When You Need Dinner on the Table ASAP

Easy, savory, and nutritious are the three goals for every meal, tbh. Hitting all three elements in one yummy dish when you’re low on time? That’s the jackpot—and one that’s easier to come by than you think.

Just look to the all-mighty sheet pan (it’s *so* versatile). “Sheet-pan dinners are a super time efficient way to cook your whole meal at once,” says holistic and functional nutritionist Erica Casavecchia, MS. “It is a simple and effective way to load your meals up with nutrient-dense foods using only one pan.” While you may already have fast breakfasts down pat, consider sheet-pan dinners your ticket to a quick, convenient p.m. meal—and an easy way to add in functional herbs and flavorful spices (like tumeric), adds Casavecchia.

One of the main perks? Prep and clean up are so much easier. “Preparing, cooking, and cleaning up multiple pots and pans can definitely be stressful when you have a busy schedule,” Casavecchia says. “Sheet-pan meals alleviate the stress with only one pan to clean, leaving you more time after dinner to check off some things on your to-do list.”

So, if you’re looking for new (and time-saving) meals to add to your repertoire, we asked Casavecchia to share her tips for quick and delicious sheet-pan dinners. Atlantic salmon, tuna steaks, and baby potatoes top off the list—and to make it even easier, you can get all of the ingredients at Walmart.

Sheet-pan dinner newbie? Here’s a good guide for sheet-pan basics: Preheat your oven to 375 or higher,  drizzle your protein and veg choices with olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and then go wild with your favorite spices and herbs (thyme, dill, rosemary, smoked paprika, garlic… you can’t go wrong). After 20 to 30 minutes of roasting (check in on your dish as oven temps can vary), your eats will quite literally be golden.

Keep scrolling for 8 must-have items for simple sheet-pan dinners.

Fresh Atlantic Salmon

The first must-buy on Casavecchia’s list? Atlantic salmon. This fish is reported to help reduce inflammation and promote brain health, says Casavecchia, plus it’s high in omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D. With a side of roasted veggies, this brain-boosting fish is a win-win. Drizzle with some olive oil, add it to your pan, and start roasting.

Wild Caught Tuna Steaks

High in-protein, tuna is another nourishing fish option—and like salmon, it’s loaded with omega-3s. Toss some tuna steaks on a sheet pan with prebiotic-rich asparagus for gut health support and essential minerals like zinc, Casavecchia says, and you’ve got dinner (very conveniently) handled.

Melissa’s Gemstone Medley Baby Potatoes

One veggie Casavecchia is a big fan of? Baby potatoes. “Potatoes are high in potassium and vitamin B6,” she says. “They are also a great source of amino acids, especially lysine which helps to reduce inflammation and support liver health and detoxification.” Add olive oil and rosemary on these baby buds for a savory side that complements any protein.

Beyond Meat Beyond Burger Patties

For a dish that’ll light up your taste buds, try plant-based Beyond Meat burger patties, which are formulated with whole ingredients like brown rice and peas. Casavecchia doesn’t personally opt for alt meat products, but if that’s your jam, try lining your baking sheet with onions of your choice—red, white, or shallots—which Casavecchia tells us contain quercetin, a powerful antioxidant.

Ancient Harvest Organic Tri-Color Harmony Blend Quinoa

Make a tasty and filling dinner with a hearty grain like quinoa—cook it on the stovetop and set it aside to mix in with your meal later. Paired with sheet-pan-roasted veggies like broccoli for an added dose of protein and minerals, it makes for the ultimate grain bowl. One piece of veggie advice: Casavecchia says to cut all of your greens or root veggies to the same size so they’ll cook evenly.

Great Value Steamable Mixed Vegetables

Low on prep time? Skip the cutting entirely and toss a frozen mixed medley onto your pan (the slow roasting does the job just as well as steaming). Bonus points if your medley has carrots, like this one: “Carrots are a root vegetable loaded with vitamin A, which is important for immune support, eye health, and glowing skin,” says Casavecchia. 

Great Value Frozen Sweet Potatoes

Opt for fiber-filled sweet potatoes—a nutritious veg that roasts like a champ when cut into cubes, or bakes up beautifully when left whole—for a boost of vitamin A and potassium. Paired with chickpeas, they make for a savory dish that’ll be a plant-based crowd pleaser. Here’s why Casavecchia loves chickpeas: They’re loaded with iron, zinc, and B vitamins—and when baked, get even more flavorful and crispy.

Great Value Riced Cauliflower Rice

Protein and veggies make an ideal combo—but why not take your meal to the next level and make it a bowl? Quinoa is great (of course), but if you want to go a more veggie-oriented route, cauliflower rice offers that grainy-consistency with a cruciferous vegetable spin. Cook on the stovetop and mix with your sheet-pan-roasted extras for the full bowl experience.

All hail the sheet-pan dinner—and the budget-friendly Walmart grocery run.

Top photo: Walmart