10 Easy Sheet Pan Dinners Under $10

# 10 Easy Sheet Pan Dinners Under $10 If there is one cooking method that every budget-conscious home cook should master, it is the sheet pan dinner. One pan, minimal prep, almost zero cleanup, and a full meal on the table in under 40 minutes. That is the promise of sheet pan cooking, and it delivers every single time. We put together this list of 10 sheet pan dinners that each cost under $10 total to make. That means you are feeding a family of four for less than $2.50 per person. Pair any of these with a simple side salad or some crusty bread, and you have a complete dinner that feels anything but cheap. ## Why Sheet Pan Dinners Are Perfect for Budget Cooking Before we jump into the recipes, here is why sheet pan dinners deserve a permanent spot in your weekly rotation. First, they use fewer ingredients because the oven does the heavy lifting on flavor. Roasting caramelizes vegetables and crisps up proteins without sauces or complicated seasoning blends. Second, you save on energy costs because everything cooks at once on a single pan. Third, the cleanup is almost nothing — line your pan with foil or parchment paper and you might not even need to wash it. ## 1. Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas This is hands-down our most popular sheet pan recipe, and for good reason. Sliced bell peppers, onions, and seasoned chicken thighs roast together until the edges char and the peppers get perfectly tender. Serve with warm tortillas, a squeeze of lime, and a dollop of sour cream. The whole meal comes in under $8 and takes about 25 minutes of active work. [Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas](/recipes/sheet-pan-chicken-fajitas) ## 2. Sheet Pan Lemon Herb Chicken When you want something that feels a little more elevated but still costs next to nothing, this lemon herb chicken is the answer. Bone-in chicken pieces roast alongside baby potatoes and green beans, all dressed in a bright lemon-garlic-herb sauce. The potatoes soak up the pan juices and become impossibly crispy on the bottom. Total cost runs about $9 for four generous servings. [Sheet Pan Lemon Herb Chicken](/recipes/sheet-pan-lemon-herb-chicken) ## 3. Sheet Pan Sausage and Peppers Italian sausage links, sliced bell peppers, and chunks of onion are a classic combination for a reason. Everything goes on the pan at the same time, and 25 minutes later you have a smoky, savory dinner that works on its own, stuffed into hoagie rolls, or tossed with pasta. At roughly $7 for four servings, it is one of the cheapest dinners on this list. [Sheet Pan Sausage and Peppers](/recipes/sheet-pan-sausage-peppers) ## 4. Honey Garlic Sheet Pan Salmon Do not skip this one just because salmon sounds expensive. When you buy frozen salmon fillets, the cost drops dramatically. Toss the fillets on a sheet pan with broccoli florets and drizzle everything with a quick honey-garlic glaze made from pantry staples. The salmon comes out flaky and slightly caramelized, the broccoli gets those crispy charred edges, and dinner is ready in 20 minutes flat. Budget-friendly seafood at its finest, coming in around $9 for four servings. ## 5. Sheet Pan BBQ Chicken Drumsticks Chicken drumsticks are one of the most underrated budget proteins. They are almost always under $1.50 per pound, and they stay juicy even if you overcook them slightly. Toss eight drumsticks with your favorite BBQ sauce, spread them on a pan with sweet potato wedges, and roast until the skin is sticky and caramelized. Total cost is about $6, making this one of the cheapest meals on the list. ## 6. Sheet Pan Teriyaki Tofu and Vegetables For a meatless option that does not skimp on flavor, try this teriyaki tofu sheet pan dinner. Press and cube a block of extra-firm tofu, toss it with a homemade teriyaki sauce, and spread it on the pan with snap peas, carrots, and red onion. The tofu gets wonderfully crispy in the oven, and the vegetables stay bright and tender. Serve over rice for a filling dinner that costs under $7. ## 7. Sheet Pan Italian Chicken and Potatoes Boneless chicken thighs seasoned with Italian herbs, surrounded by quartered red potatoes and cherry tomatoes. It is rustic, satisfying, and requires about five minutes of actual prep work. The tomatoes burst in the oven and create a built-in sauce that coats everything on the pan. This one rings up at about $8 for four servings and pairs beautifully with a simple green salad. ## 8. Sheet Pan Pork Chop Supper Bone-in pork chops are frequently on sale for under $2.50 per pound, making them a budget hero. Season them generously, then surround them on the sheet pan with sliced apples and Brussels sprouts. The apples caramelize and add sweetness that complements the savory pork perfectly. A drizzle of Dijon mustard before roasting ties the whole thing together. Total cost comes in under $9. ## 9. Sheet Pan Nachos Yes, nachos count as dinner, especially when you load them up properly. Spread tortilla chips on a sheet pan, top with seasoned ground beef, black beans, shredded cheese, jalapenos, and diced tomatoes. Bake until the cheese is bubbly and the edges of the chips are golden. Finish with sour cream, salsa, and fresh cilantro. It is a crowd-pleaser that costs about $8, and everyone can customize their own section of the pan. ## 10. Sheet Pan Roasted Veggie and Chickpea Bowl For a hearty vegetarian option, this chickpea bowl is packed with flavor and nutrition. Toss canned chickpeas with cumin and smoked paprika, spread them on the pan with cubed sweet potatoes, red onion, and cauliflower florets. Roast until everything is golden and crispy. Serve over rice or couscous with a tahini drizzle. The whole meal costs under $6, making it the most budget-friendly option on the list. ## Tips for Perfect Sheet Pan Dinners Every Time Getting great results from sheet pan cooking comes down to a few simple principles. Follow these tips and your meals will turn out perfectly every time. **Do not overcrowd the pan.** This is the number one mistake people make. When food is packed too tightly, it steams instead of roasting. You want a little space between each piece so the hot air can circulate and create that beautiful browning. If your recipe is too much for one pan, use two. **Cut everything to a similar size.** Uniform pieces cook at the same rate. If your potato chunks are twice the size of your broccoli florets, you will end up with mushy broccoli and raw potatoes. Aim for pieces that are roughly one inch on each side. **Use enough oil.** A light coating of oil on everything helps with browning and prevents sticking. About two tablespoons for a full sheet pan is a good starting point. Toss the vegetables and protein with the oil and seasonings in a bowl before spreading them on the pan. **Line your pan.** Parchment paper or aluminum foil makes cleanup almost nonexistent. Parchment paper gives slightly better browning, while foil is better for sticky sauces and marinades. **Preheat the pan.** For extra-crispy results, put the sheet pan in the oven while it preheats. Adding food to a hot pan gives you a head start on browning, especially for potatoes and root vegetables. **Let it rest.** Just like any other cooking method, letting your sheet pan dinner rest for a few minutes after it comes out of the oven allows juices to redistribute and makes everything taste better. Sheet pan dinners prove that eating well on a budget does not mean sacrificing flavor or spending hours in the kitchen. Pick one of these recipes to try this week, and we think you will be hooked on the simplicity of one-pan cooking.