Birds Eye sheet pan meals provide a quick and easy dinner solution. They come pre-portioned and include meat, vegetables, and seasoning all in one pan. Simply bake in the oven and dinner is served. Birds Eye offers a variety of flavors like lemon chicken, garlic pork loin, and beef teriyaki so you can switch up the menu each night.
Cooking sheet pan meals is simple. You just need to refer to the cooking instructions on the package. We’ll walk through the basic process and provide some tips for getting the best results when cooking these convenient meals.
What are the benefits of Birds Eye sheet pan meals?
There are several benefits that make Birds Eye sheet pan meals a great choice for busy families:
- Convenience – Everything needed for a complete meal is provided in one pan. There’s no chopping or prep work required.
- Quick – Sheet pan meals cook in the oven in about 35-45 minutes so dinner is ready fast.
- Less Cleanup – With just one pan to cook and serve with, cleanup is minimal after dinner.
- Flavorful – The meat and vegetables are seasoned so sheet pan meals are full of flavor.
- Balanced Nutrition – Birds Eye meals contain lean protein, veggies, and grains to make a well-rounded meal.
If you want an easy way to get dinner on the table fast, Birds Eye sheet pan meals are a convenient choice.
What do you need to make Birds Eye sheet pan meals?
Cooking Birds Eye sheet pan meals only requires a few basics:
- Birds Eye frozen sheet pan meal
- Oven
- Sheet pan or baking dish
- Aluminum foil
- Cooking spray or oil
That’s all you need! Just check the package for oven temperature and cook time. Make sure to remove any outer packaging or plastic film before putting the sheet pan meal in the oven.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these simple steps for perfect sheet pan meals every time:
- Preheat oven to temperature listed on package (usually 400°F).
- Lightly coat sheet pan with cooking spray or brush with oil.
- Remove plastic film from Birds Eye meal.
- Place frozen meal on prepared sheet pan.
- Cover tightly with aluminum foil.
- Bake for amount of time listed on package, usually 35-45 minutes.
- Remove foil and check that food is fully cooked.
- Let sit 5 minutes before serving.
- Divide meal onto individual plates or eat straight from the sheet pan!
Tips
- For crisper vegetables, remove foil halfway through cooking.
- Add a side salad for a complete meal.
- Try using chicken broth instead of oil for more flavor.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure food safety.
- Cut into thicker pieces of meat to check for doneness.
- Adjust cook time as needed if you have a hotter or cooler oven.
- Add seasonings like garlic powder, salt, and pepper to taste.
Common Birds Eye Sheet Pan Meal Flavors
Birds Eye offers a variety of frozen sheet pan meals so you can find flavors your whole family will enjoy. Here are some of the most popular choices:
Lemon Chicken
This sheet pan meal features chicken breast coated in a tangy lemon sauce with potatoes and green beans. The bright citrus flavor is a hit with kids and adults.
Garlic Pork Loin
Savory garlic pork loin is paired with roasted potatoes and broccoli for a hearty meal. The garlic seasoning gives this sheet pan dinner plenty of flavor.
Beef Teriyaki
For a Asian-inspired meal, try the beef teriyaki. It includes tender beef strips glazed in a sweet teriyaki sauce with snap peas and red peppers over brown rice.
Salmon with Tomatoes & Spinach
This sheet pan meal includes omega-3 rich salmon fillets nestled on a bed of spinach, tomatoes, and couscous. It’s a lighter, healthier option.
Chicken Fajita
The family will love these flavorful chicken fajitas. They contain seasoned chicken breast, peppers, onions, rice, beans, and Mexican seasoning. Just wrap in a tortilla!
Nutritional Information
One of the benefits of Birds Eye sheet pan meals is that they provide balanced nutrition in each serving. Here is the typical nutritional value per meal:
| Calories | 400-550 |
|---|---|
| Total Fat | 15-25g |
| Protein | 25-40g |
| Carbohydrates | 25-60g |
| Sodium | 500-800mg |
As you can see, Birds Eye meals provide a good balance of protein, vegetables, and whole grains. They offer portion-controlled calories for weight management. Just check the specific nutrition labels for sodium content if that is a concern.
Are Birds Eye sheet pan meals healthy?
Birds Eye sheet pan meals provide a convenient dinner option that can be part of a healthy diet. Some benefits of these meals include:
- Contain lean proteins like chicken, pork, salmon, and beef.
- Include a variety of vegetables like broccoli, spinach, beans, and peppers.
- Use whole grains like brown rice or quinoa.
- Appropriate calorie amounts for meal management.
- Pre-portioned servings for controlling portions.
Of course, some meals are healthier than others. Try to choose meals with lighter protein options like chicken or salmon over ones with fattier meats like sausage or bacon. Look for meals with lots of vegetables and whole grains. Also pay attention to sodium content.
For healthiest results, enjoy Birds Eye meals as part of a balanced diet with additional servings of fresh fruits and vegetables. Accompany with a side salad or piece of fruit. Limit higher calorie, less nutritious side dishes like buttery mashed potatoes.
Birds Eye Sheet Pan Meal Hacks
Add your own vegetables
Boost the nutrition in any sheet pan meal by adding extra vegetables. Try sprinkling on some chopped broccoli, shredded carrots, sliced bell peppers, or green peas before cooking.
Serve with whole wheat rolls or bread
Enjoy sheet pan meals with a side of whole grain rolls or bread. The hearty carbohydrates pair nicely. Choose 100% whole wheat for the most nutrients.
Mix up the protein
If you don’t like the protein on a particular sheet pan meal, simply switch it out. You can replace chicken with shrimp, use ground turkey instead of beef, or omit meat entirely.
Cook two meals at once
Save time by popping two sheet pan meals in the oven at once. Cook two of the same meal or mix and match flavors. Having leftovers makes lunch easy.
Make it a soup
Transform your sheet pan meal into a hearty soup. After cooking, add broth and cooked rice or pasta noodles. Let it simmer until thick and creamy.
Freezing Leftovers
Like any meal, Birds Eye sheet pan dinners can be frozen to enjoy later. Here are some tips for freezing:
- Let meals cool completely before freezing.
- Divide into shallow airtight containers leaving 1/2 inch of headspace.
- Add a bit of broth or sauce to keep from drying out.
- Label container with contents and date.
- Freeze up to 3 months.
- Thaw in refrigerator before reheating.
Freezing is great for saving time later in the week. Thaw a meal in the fridge in the morning and dinner is ready to heat and eat after work.
Reheating Sheet Pan Meals
Birds Eye sheet pan meals can be easily reheated. Follow these guidelines:
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Place foil over container and seal edges.
- Heat 20-25 minutes until warmed through.
- Check temperature with a food thermometer.
- Microwave individual portions for 2-3 minutes.
- Stir contents when reheating on stovetop.
- Add sauce or broth if too dry.
Properly reheated meals should reach 165°F at minimum. Bring sauces to a boil when reheating on stove. Cover meals to keep moist in oven or microwave.
Serving Suggestions
Birds Eye sheet pan meals are complete balanced meals on their own. However, you can round out the menu with a few tasty additions:
- Side salad – Fresh greens, tomatoes, cucumbers, feta cheese
- Whole wheat rolls – Warm up for serving
- Fresh fruit – Grapes, berries, sliced melons
- Steamed vegetables – Broccoli, carrots, asparagus
- Yogurt – Plain Greek or regular yogurt
- Soup – Minestrone, vegetable, chicken noodle
- Sautéed peppers & onions
Choose items that add nutrition without too many extra calories. Aim for additional vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, fruits and healthy fats from foods like nuts or avocado.
Troubleshooting Common Problems
Birds Eye sheet pan meals are fairly foolproof. But occasionally an issue pops up. Here are some common problems and solutions:
Meal looks undercooked
– Double check cook time and oven temp
– Use a meat thermometer to check doneness
– Cover with foil and cook 5-10 minutes longer
Vegetables are mushy
– Don’t cover meal entirely while cooking
– Remove foil halfway through cooking
– Cook at slightly lower oven temp
Food is dry after reheating
– Add sauce, broth or water when reheating
– Keep covered while reheating to retain moisture
– Cook at lower oven temp to prevent drying out
Meal is bland
– Season with herbs, salt, pepper, garlic, etc.
– Add hot sauce, lemon juice, vinegar for brightness
– Serve with flavorful sauces and dressings
Bottom burns
– Be sure sheet pan is oven safe
– Use a lower oven rack position
– Double up sheet pans or use a baking dish
Conclusion
Birds Eye sheet pan meals offer family-friendly, balanced nutrition in a convenient frozen package. They provide an easy way to get dinner on the table fast any night of the week. With minimal prep and cleanup, sheet pan meals are a lifesaver for busy families. Follow the package instructions and add a few personal touches for delicious, homemade-tasting dinners with no hassle. Vary the flavors to keep meals interesting. Balance out the nutrition with fresh produce and whole grains. With this simple dinner solution on hand, you can spend less time cooking and more time enjoying time with your family.