Make it easy on yourself and your wallet this winter with Claire’s collection of deliciously simple one-pan recipes
Traybakes are the heroes of winter. They’re an ideal comfort food to come home to during a busy week, and special enough to serve up for dinner at the weekend. They’re easy to prepare, economical, create less waste (hello leftovers!), and cut down on the washing up – so what’s not to love?
“I’m always looking for ways to minimise my time and best utilise my energy in the kitchen on a busy weeknight – especially if I’ve been working in the test kitchen all day! That’s why I love traybakes. They leave me more time to spend doing what I want, such as relaxing! There’s almost no end to the combinations you can put together in one pan, before letting the oven get on with its job. I also love the way people react when I bring a piping hot meal to the table and serve it straight from the dish it’s been cooked in. It always brings a smile, and – best of all – no one’s going to argue about doing the washing up. I’ve got one golden rule for pretty much any traybake: line your pan or dish with baking paper first. That way, you’re far less likely to need to soak it to get any stubborn food scraps off.”
- Claire
01
Use-it-up baked feta pasta
This viral sensation combines the creamy richness of feta with juicy roasted tomatoes, garlic, and herbs, all baked to perfection. This versatile recipe is the perfect way to use up leftover veggies in your fridge, such as capsicum, zucchini and broccoli. so let your creativity run wild as you incorporate whatever veggies you have on hand. Best of all, it's quick to prepare and easy on the wallet.
02
Beef taco traybake
Say hello to our budget-friendly beef taco traybake – a crowd-pleaser that's as convenient as it is delicious! Packed with beef mince, vibrant veggies, and zesty taco seasoning, this one-pan wonder is sure to satisfy the whole family. With minimal prep and clean-up, it's the perfect solution for busy weeknights.
03
Chicken curry traybake
Introducing our time-saving chicken curry traybake! Skip the lengthy prep of traditional curries and opt for this easy-to-make dish instead. With tender chicken, onion and tomato cooked to perfection on a single tray, it's a convenient and flavorful solution for busy weeknights. Serve with steamed rice or our two-ingredient flatbread for the ultimate satisfying meal.
04
Cheesy sausage and gnocchi traybake
Experience the delicious combination of gnocchi and sausage in our cheesy sausage and gnocchi traybake. On the table in 30 minutes, it's the perfect solution for busy evenings when you need a quick, delicious dinner.
05
Mexican meatball traybake
Spice up Taco Tuesday with this Mexican meatball traybake. Juicy meatballs, vibrant veggies, and zesty Mexican spices come together in one easy-to-make dish that's bursting with flavour. Add some freshness by topping with avocado and coriander as it comes out of the oven. Ready in 30 minutes, it makes a great hassle-free, low-cost midweek meal.
06
Tandoori chicken traybake
Chicken thigh cutlets are the stars here – they’re ideal for a traybake, as they’re very forgiving and don’t dry out like chicken breast meat can. Because the rice is part of the traybake, it absorbs all the juices from the marinated chicken, which keeps the meat tender, juicy and full of rich tandoori flavour. At just $4.12 per serve, it’s good value, too. For anyone with kids (or adults!) who don’t like raw onion, I serve sliced cucumber instead.
07
Smoky barbecue chicken & corn traybake
This is a great set-and-forget midweek dinner. It uses everyday ingredients that won’t break the bank, working out to be $4.12 per serve, and smells gorgeous while it’s baking. Because chicken drumsticks have a bone, they might take longer to cook in the centre, even if they’re browned on the outside. So, when it’s time to check the meat, pick the largest drumstick and use a small, sharp knife to pierce it at its thickest spot. If the juices run clear, all your chicken should be good to go.
08
Beef chow mein traybake
This clever take on a classic Chinese favourite swaps noodles for rice and is great value at $3.80 per serve. While there are a couple of steps during the cooking process where you’ll need to add ingredients separately, the whole process is simple and stress-free – and so worth it when you taste the result. Plus, browning the mince and onion in the pan first means there’s no frying pan to wash up.
09
Italian meatball & garlic-bread traybake
I love how this recipe takes Italian favourites – meatballs and garlic bread – and turns them into a traybake party! I also love how it elevates convenient everyday ingredients to create something so delicious and special. I’d just as happily serve this up to friends on a Saturday night as I would present it as a quick midweek crowd-pleaser. It takes just 30 minutes from oven to table and, at $4.63 per serve, it won’t break the bank.
10
Pork, lemon, potato & cabbage traybake
Pork, lemon and sage are a three-way match made in heaven, and the red cabbage and peas add colour and sweetness. For added citrusy deliciousness, don’t forget to squeeze the roasted lemon juices when it comes time to serve at the table. At $4.86 per serve, this traybake easily makes the cut for a midweek meal but it’s also a winner for a special weekend dinner.
11
Spiced chilli chicken traybake
Okay, so we’re cheating ever so slightly here, but everything will be forgiven once you taste this 30-minute midweek marvel. You microwave the corn and rice separately but the rest of this speedy veggie-packed recipe is a matter of layering ingredients. I reckon the results speak for themselves, because no one will be speaking until their plates are clean! This traybake works out at $4.40 per serve and you’ll get your Woolies worth with every flavour-packed mouthful.
12
Cheesy mushroom pesto traybake
Stuffed mushrooms get an Italian makeover in just 25 minutes with this easy vegetarian traybake. This is a favourite for meat-free Mondays at our place, and $4.90 per serve means it’s well within the weekly food budget. I’ve also served this as a vegetarian starter for an Italian-themed dinner party, and it has received rave reviews. (It also works just as well with cherry tomatoes.)
13
Fish with tomato & olive traybake
This two-step Mediterranean-style traybake is a great way to cook fish; it’ll take on the flavours of the olives, lemon and fennel beautifully. This method also cuts down on “fishy” kitchen smells because everything’s contained in the oven. At $2.51 per serve, it’s a budget-friendly way to help your household reach its weekly fish quota – so it’s not only great value but healthier, too.
14
Italian-style sausage traybake
This easy sausage traybake is so deliciously hearty on a cold weeknight that it’s one of my winter (and autumn!) staples. The combination of colourful roasted veggies, garlic and rosemary flavours, aromatic Italian-style fennel sausages and a rich tomato sauce is so satisfying. The grilled sourdough is non-negotiable, and sometimes I’ll even rub a halved garlic clove over one side before I grill it to give it an especially intense flavour punch. This works out at $4.97 per serve but tastes like a million dollars.
15
Chicken & potato traybake with lemon and Dijon
Dijon mustard adds sharpness and heat to this luscious, lemony traybake. This midweek winter-warmer takes just three steps to put together and works out to be $4.17 per serve, so it’s as easy on your time as it is on your wallet. To check the drumsticks are cooked through, select the largest one and use a small, sharp knife to pierce it at its thickest spot. If the juices run clear, it’s done … and the others should be, too.
16
Healthier chicken panzanella traybake
This traybake is inspired by the classic Italian bread salad panzanella, and speed is the essence. The whole recipe takes just 30 minutes from benchtop to table. Using a high oven temperature and layering the veggies over the chicken breast fillets means everything cooks through quickly, while the chicken stays moist thanks to the veggies’ cooking juices. Adding balsamic vinegar at the end gives the whole dish a delicious sweet-and-sour flavour. This vibrant traybake works out at just $4.91 per serve, which is why it’s a regular on my midweek menu.
*Based on actual ingredient portion size used and standard shelf prices in NSW Woolworths Supermarkets as at 02/05/2023. Prices and product availability may vary by State and store.