Whipping up a healthy and delicious dinner doesn’t have to be a complicated affair.
This sheet pan chicken sausage and veggie recipe is designed for those busy weeknights when you want something wholesome on the table without spending hours in the kitchen. It’s a fantastic way to enjoy a balanced meal with minimal cleanup, making it a true lifesaver for families and anyone looking to simplify their meal routine.
This recipe delivers on flavor and nutrition, combining lean chicken sausage with a colorful array of vegetables, all roasted together to perfection. It’s a versatile dish that can be easily adapted to your family’s preferences or whatever fresh produce you have on hand. Get ready to discover your new favorite go-to dinner that’s as easy to make as it is satisfying to eat!
Table of Contents
- What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
- Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
- Time Needed From Start To Finish
- How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
- Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
- Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them
- How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture
Sheet Pan Chicken Sausage and Veggies
- Total Time: 35-40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
This sheet pan chicken sausage and veggie recipe is designed for those busy weeknights when you want something wholesome on the table without spending hours in the kitchen. It’s a fantastic way to enjoy a balanced meal with minimal cleanup, making it a true lifesaver for families and anyone looking to simplify their meal routine. This recipe delivers on flavor and nutrition, combining lean chicken sausage with a colorful array of vegetables, all roasted together to perfection.
Ingredients
Instructions
1. Preheat your oven to 400 F (200 C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil for easy cleanup.
2. Wash and chop all your vegetables. Cut the broccoli into small, uniform florets, and slice the bell peppers and red onion into roughly 1-inch pieces. Slice the pre-cooked chicken sausage into 1/2-inch rounds. Aim for similar sizes so everything cooks evenly.
3. In a large mixing bowl, combine the chopped broccoli, bell peppers, red onion, and sliced chicken sausage.
4. Drizzle the olive oil over the ingredients in the bowl. Sprinkle with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Toss everything gently with your hands or a large spoon until all the vegetables and sausage are lightly coated with oil and seasonings.
5. Spread the seasoned chicken sausage and vegetables in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Do not overcrowd the pan; if necessary, use two baking sheets to ensure everything roasts rather than steams.
6. Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and roast for 20-25 minutes. About halfway through cooking (around the 10-12 minute mark), give the ingredients a good stir or flip them with a spatula to ensure even browning. The vegetables should be tender-crisp, and the sausage should be nicely browned and slightly caramelized when done.
7. Once cooked, remove the sheet pan from the oven. If desired, sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley for a pop of color and freshness. Serve hot and enjoy your healthy and flavorful meal!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Category: main dish
- Method: roasting
- Cuisine: american
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
Keywords: sheet pan, chicken sausage, vegetables, easy dinner, healthy, weeknight meal, quick, meal prep, one pan, family friendly
What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
This recipe is a true champion for anyone seeking a fast, healthy, and incredibly convenient meal solution. It’s perfect for busy parents who need to get dinner on the table without a fuss, or for individuals looking for simple meal prep options to fuel their week. The beauty of a sheet pan dinner lies in its efficiency – everything cooks together on one pan, significantly cutting down on cleanup time. You’ll love how the chicken sausage gets beautifully caramelized while the vegetables become tender and slightly sweet, creating a harmonious blend of textures and flavors. It’s an ideal choice for a weeknight family dinner, a casual gathering with friends, or even a healthy lunch you can pack for work. This dish effortlessly combines protein, fiber, and essential nutrients, making it a well-rounded and satisfying meal that everyone will enjoy.
Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
Gathering your ingredients for this sheet pan dinner is straightforward, focusing on fresh produce and flavorful chicken sausage. The beauty of this recipe is its flexibility, allowing for simple substitutions based on what you have available or what your family prefers.
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 pound pre-cooked chicken sausage, such as apple or Italian, sliced into 1/2-inch rounds
- 1 large head of broccoli, cut into bite-sized florets
- 1 large red bell pepper, cored and cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 large yellow bell pepper, cored and cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 medium red onion, cut into 1-inch wedges
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish, optional)
For simple substitutions, feel free to swap out the bell peppers for other firm vegetables like zucchini, yellow squash, or even Brussels sprouts. If you’re not a fan of red onion, a yellow onion or even shallots would work well. When choosing chicken sausage, look for varieties that are pre-cooked to save time and ensure even cooking with the vegetables. Brands like Applegate, Aidells, or even your local grocery store’s own brand often offer great options. You can also experiment with different seasoning blends; a dash of smoked paprika or a pinch of red pepper flakes can add a nice kick.
Time Needed From Start To Finish
One of the best aspects of this sheet pan dinner is how quickly it comes together, making it an ideal choice for even the busiest evenings.
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Cook time: 20-25 minutes
- Total time: 35-40 minutes
The prep time mostly involves chopping the vegetables and slicing the sausage, which can be done in advance if you’re looking to save even more time. The cooking time is efficient, allowing everything to roast to tender-crisp perfection in under half an hour.
How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
Follow these simple steps to create a delicious and healthy sheet pan dinner with minimal effort.
- Preheat Your Oven and Prepare the Pan: Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil for easy cleanup. This step is crucial for preventing sticking and making post-dinner tidying a breeze.
- Chop the Vegetables and Slice the Sausage: While the oven heats, wash and chop all your vegetables. Cut the broccoli into small, uniform florets, and slice the bell peppers and red onion into roughly 1-inch pieces. Slice the pre-cooked chicken sausage into 1/2-inch rounds. Aim for similar sizes so everything cooks evenly.
- Combine Ingredients in a Large Bowl: In a large mixing bowl, combine the chopped broccoli, bell peppers, red onion, and sliced chicken sausage. Make sure there’s enough room to toss everything together without spilling.
- Season Everything Evenly: Drizzle the olive oil over the ingredients in the bowl. Sprinkle with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Toss everything gently with your hands or a large spoon until all the vegetables and sausage are lightly coated with oil and seasonings.
- Arrange on the Baking Sheet: Spread the seasoned chicken sausage and vegetables in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. It’s important not to overcrowd the pan; if necessary, use two baking sheets to ensure everything roasts rather than steams. This allows for better caramelization and a more flavorful result.
- Roast Until Tender and Golden: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and roast for 20-25 minutes. About halfway through cooking (around the 10-12 minute mark), give the ingredients a good stir or flip them with a spatula to ensure even browning. The vegetables should be tender-crisp, and the sausage should be nicely browned and slightly caramelized when done.
- Garnish and Serve Immediately: Once cooked, remove the sheet pan from the oven. If desired, sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley for a pop of color and freshness. Serve hot and enjoy your healthy and flavorful meal!
Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
This sheet pan meal is incredibly versatile, making it easy to adapt to different tastes and occasions. For a kid-friendly twist, you can include milder vegetables like sweet potato cubes (which might need a few extra minutes of cooking time, so add them first) or cherry tomatoes. You can also use a milder chicken sausage, such as a plain or mild Italian variety.
Consider adding different vegetables to the mix, such as zucchini, yellow squash, asparagus, or even mushrooms. Just be mindful of their cooking times; softer vegetables like zucchini should be added halfway through the roasting process. For an extra layer of flavor, a squeeze of fresh lemon juice over the finished dish brightens everything up beautifully. You could also sprinkle with a little grated Parmesan cheese during the last few minutes of cooking.
This sheet pan dinner is a complete meal on its own, but it also pairs wonderfully with a variety of sides. Serve it alongside a simple side salad with a light vinaigrette, a scoop of quinoa or brown rice for extra fiber, or even some crusty bread to soak up any delicious juices. For a buffet or party setting, you can serve it directly from the sheet pan or transfer it to a large platter, offering various dipping sauces on the side, like a honey mustard or a light ranch dressing.
Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them
Even with a simple recipe like this, a few common mistakes can impact the final outcome. Being aware of these can help you achieve perfect results every time.
One frequent slip-up is overcrowding the baking sheet. When too many ingredients are packed onto one pan, they steam instead of roast, leading to soggy vegetables and less browning on the sausage. To avoid this, use two baking sheets if necessary, ensuring everything is spread in a single layer with a little space between pieces. This allows for proper air circulation and gives you those delicious caramelized edges.
Another common issue is uneven chopping of vegetables. If some pieces are much larger than others, you’ll end up with some vegetables that are still raw while others are overcooked. Aim for roughly uniform sizes for all your vegetables and sausage slices to ensure everything cooks evenly and reaches the desired tenderness at the same time.
Forgetting to toss the ingredients halfway through cooking can also lead to uneven browning. A quick stir or flip ensures all sides of the vegetables and sausage get exposed to the direct heat, promoting even caramelization and preventing one side from becoming too dark.
Finally, overcooking the vegetables can turn them mushy and diminish their vibrant color and texture. Keep an eye on them towards the end of the cooking time; they should be tender-crisp, not soft and limp. The exact cooking time can vary slightly depending on your oven and the size of your vegetable pieces.
How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture
This healthy chicken sausage and veggie sheet pan dinner is fantastic for meal prep and leftovers. To store any uneaten portions, allow the cooked ingredients to cool completely to room temperature. Transfer them to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days. Proper cooling before sealing helps prevent condensation, which can make the vegetables soggy.
For reheating, the best method to maintain texture is to warm the leftovers in the oven or a toaster oven. Spread the chicken sausage and veggies on a baking sheet and heat at 350°F (175°C) for about
FAQs
- Can I make these ahead? Yes—prep ahead, refrigerate, then serve when ready.
- How long do leftovers last? Store covered in the fridge for 3–4 days for best texture.
- Can I adjust sweetness? Yes—add more or less sweetener to taste.
- Can I change the fruit? Yes—swap strawberries for blueberries, raspberries, or sliced banana.
