What are the benefits of sheet pan cooking?

Recipes usually involve permutations of protein, starch, and veg, and most proponents of the method cite relative affordability, approachability, and abundance (thanks to the sheet pan's surface area) as hallmarks of a sheet-pan recipe — pile everything onto one pan, and dinner will soon be on the table.

What is a sheet pan dinner?

A sheet pan takes the concept of a one-pot meal and flips it onto a pan . It saves time, makes clean-up easier, and doesn't require expensive equipment or fancy ingredients. Just start with your protein of choice, then add vegetables, fat and flavorings, and roast at high heat until everything is golden brown.

What is the difference between a baking sheet and a sheet pan?

Although cookie sheets are often referred to as "baking sheets," there are differences between a cookie sheet and a baking sheet (also known as a baking sheet pan or simply a sheet pan): Baking sheet pans have rolled edges with a lip around the entire pan, whereas cookie sheets do not .

What's the difference between a sheet pan and a baking sheet?

The main difference comes down to the rim. Sheet pans and jelly roll pans have a tall rim that's typically around an inch high. Baking sheets and cookie sheets typically have either no rim or one slightly raised grabbing edge .

How do you keep sheet pan dinners from getting soggy?

Use the Right Kind of Pan The size allows for ingredients to be spread out so you don't crowd the pan. (Crowded pans make for mushy meals because the ingredients steam instead of roast.) And the rim is low enough for heat to move across the ingredients to give them a crisp, brown, caramelized finish.

Do you cover sheet pan meals with foil?

We recommend foil over parchment paper for sheet pan cooking . As it conducts heat, foil can help accelerate the cooking process and help browning.

What size sheet pan for sheet pan dinners?

Buy a Commercial-Grade Half Sheet-Pan The standard size for a half sheet-pan (or “rimmed baking sheet”) is 13"x18". All of the sheet-pan dinners we develop in the Test Kitchen are developed to fit perfectly on that size pan—try making one of those recipes on a smaller jelly roll pan or cookie sheet and it won't work.

What does a cooking sheet do?

A baking sheet, called an oven tray, cookie sheet, sheet pan, and more, is a type of baking pan, consisting of a rectangular metal tray used to hold food items (typically cookies or bread) while baking within an oven .

Is baking sheet healthy?

Aluminum cookware likely leaches trace amounts of aluminum into food when it's part of the food contact surface. Over time, trace amounts of aluminum in your diet can be problematic to your health . It is bioaccumulative and a known neurotoxin that can cause neurological disorders like dementia.

Can you put food directly on sheet pan?

Just throw some chopped veggies and meat on a sheet pan, toss with oil and seasoning… voila? Well, done right, yes, sheet pan cooking can make your dinner prep so much easier.

Can you cook directly on a sheet pan?

You don't really need to line the pan There is a time and a place to use parchment paper or silicone baking mats—and in most cases, it has to do with dessert. But if your meal is on the savory side, skip the Silpat.

The Best Bariatric Sheet Pan Recipes (2024)

Take a look at these 10 Best Bariatric Sheet Pan Recipes for healthy meals that are ready in minutes and perfect for family-friendly meal prep that will keep you on track after surgery. Try them all, or pick your favorite!

Dinners Done Right!

Have you ever tried sheet pan recipes? They’re one of my top tips when it comes to staying on track with your healthy diet after weight loss surgery because they’re so simple to make. All you have to do is add the ingredients to a sheet pan, and pop them in the oven! Then, you’ll have a super tasty, veggie-filled meal ready in minutes. Even better, sheet pan meals require virtually no clean-up afterward. For this reason, I recommend doubling or even tripling recipes. This ensures that you have plenty of leftovers to store in meal prep containers and enjoy throughout the week!

Luckily, there are countless sheet pan recipes. So, you never have to worry about being bored with your food! Once you find a few options you love, you can even experiment by adding in different proteins and veggies you have on hand! I’ve found this is a great way to prevent food waste. However, before we get ahead of ourselves, I’ve rounded up 10 of the best bariatric-friendly sheet pan recipes to help you get started with simple meal-prep that will keep you full and satisfied. Take a look below to find them all. Then, pick out the ones that will work best for you and your needs.

The Best Bariatric Sheet Pan Recipes

Bariatric Sheet Pan Chicken Recipes

Sheet Pan Lemon Rosemary Chicken by Bariatric Meal Prep

A longtime family favorite, this Sheet Pan Lemon Rosemary Chicken is super versatile and can be made suitable for every stage of the bariatric diet. Complete with an olive oil dressing, it’s savory, satisfying, and delicious!

Sheet Pan Fajitas by My Bariatric Dietitian

Full of Mexican flavor, these Sheet Pan Fajitas are a quick throw-together meal perfect for every occasion. Use chicken as the recipe calls for, or swap out the protein for something softer to meet your needs. You can even wrap up the filling in lettuce leaves or a low-carb tortilla for a more filling meal!

Chicken with Sweet Potatoes, Apples and Brussels Sprouts by Bailey Bariatrics

Full of color and flavor, this Chicken with Sweet Potatoes, Apples and Brussels provides sweet and savory flavors that are anything but boring meal prep. It’s an easy way to get in lots of vitamins and nutrients and is perfect for the whole family!

Greek Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner by Karen Magnum Nutrition

Widely considered one of the healthiest diets, this Greek Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner embraces the Mediterranean way of eating by incorporating lots of fresh herbs, olive oil, feta, olives, and more! From start to finish, it comes together in less than an hour and is full of protein, vitamins, and nutrients.

Bariatric Sheet Pan Seafood Recipes

Sheet Pan Salmon and Brussels Sprouts by Bariatric Food Coach

Combining classic flavors of Brussels sprouts and mustard, this Sheet Pan Salmon and Brussels Sprouts recipe is one of the easiest dinners you’ll find. It requires just a few kitchen staples and makes 4 servings to share or save for later.

Sheri’s One Pan Shrimp Fajitas by International Patient Facilitators

Similar to chicken fajitas, these One Pan Shrimp Fajitas are made with onions, peppers, and seasoning for a Mexican flare that is super versatile and always guaranteed to please a crowd!

One Pan Lemon Herb Salmon & Zucchini by Meal Garden

This One Pan Lemon Herb Salmon & Zucchini is ready in about 35 minutes and loaded with healthy fats, protein, vitamins, minerals, and fiber for a tasty meal that will leave you feeling full and energized!

Sheet Pan Garlic Shrimp & Broccoli by Wake Med

Specifically made for patients who have completed the Soft Solid stage and are over 8-weeks post-operation, this Sheet Pan Garlic Shrimp & Broccoli is definitely a recipe you’ll want to save for later if you aren’t quite ready yet. It takes just 4 ingredients and 25 minutes, and you’ll be set with 4 filling servings!

Bariatric Sheet Pan Vegetarian Recipes

Sheet Pan Eggplant Parm by Bariatric Women

A classic Italian dish, this Sheet Pan Eggplant Parm is made with all the original flavors you love but takes half the time and is twice as easy as traditional recipes!

Sheet Pan Tofu and Zucchini Parmesan by Nutrition Starring YOU

Perfect for Meatless Monday, this Sheet Pan Tofu and Zucchini Parmesan is a vegetarian-friendly take on classic chicken parmesan recipes. Baked instead of fried, it’s a healthier take the whole family will love!

Tips for Better Sheet Pan Recipes

Whether you’re following the recipes above or creating your own, there are a few simple tips I’ve discovered that will help you create better-tasting recipes every time.

Season the Ingredients Separately. Don’t feel like you need to season everything with the same ingredients just because it’s baking on the same pan. To create truly tasty meals, try layering flavors by using a sauce or marinade on your protein and seasoning your veggies separately!

Account for Cooking Times. A common mistake many people make is to combine random ingredients, forgetting to account for the fact that they may require different cooking times in the oven. For instance, if you have potatoes, you’ll want to make sure to pair them with other slow-cooking veggies such as carrots. Or, place them in the oven for a few minutes before adding the rest of your sheet pan recipe ingredients.

Stir. Most ovens cook food differently, depending on its hot spots. To make sure your meals cook evenly, be sure to stir them on the baking sheet halfway through cooking.

More Easy Bariatric Recipes Perfect for Meal Prep

Korean Turkey Bowl
Meal Prep Breakfast Bowls
Low Carb Shepherd’s Pie Bowl
Mini Ricotta Bake Muffins

I hope you enjoy these sheet pan recipes! If you make any of them or have any of your own you’d like to share, I’d love it if you let me know in the comments below!