A simple sheet pan might be the most underrated tool in your kitchen! Measuring 9 by 13 inches, also known as a quarter-sheet pan or small jelly-roll pan, this versatile baking sheet can handle so much more than just cookies.
From roasting, organizing, catching drips, making deep-dish pizza, and freezing food, this kitchen essential is the ultimate multitasking hero. Keep reading to discover how to get the most out of your sheet pans!
Body Overview
If you're only using sheet pans for baking cookies, you're missing out! These flat, sturdy, and easy-to-clean trays can do much more. Whether you're a busy home cook or just looking for ways to simplify meal prep, a quarter-sheet pan is your secret weapon.
Use it to organize ingredients, catch messy oven spills, bake delicious deep-dish pizza, or even freeze food efficiently. With two pans fitting side-by-side in a standard oven, they allow you to cook multiple dishes at once.
Here’s a detailed guide on how to maximize the power of your sheet pans in the kitchen!
1️⃣ Corralling Recipe Ingredients
Want to speed up meal prep or let someone else take over? Use a sheet pan as an ingredient tray!
✅ How it works: Gather meat, vegetables, and other perishables for a recipe and place them on a sheet pan in the refrigerator. When it's time to cook, everything is in one place, making meal prep faster and more organized.
✅ Perfect for:
✔ Handing off prep work to a kitchen assistant.
✔ Prepping ingredients in advance for easy access.
✔ Keeping perishable items together to avoid forgotten ingredients.
2️⃣ Catching Drips in the Oven
Nothing is worse than oven spills—they’re tough to clean and can cause smoky kitchen disasters. A sheet pan saves the day!
✅ How it works: Place a sheet pan under bubbling casseroles, fruit crisps, potpies, and baked pastas to catch any overflowing juices.
✅ Benefits:
✔ Keeps the oven clean.
✔ Prevents burning food residue.
✔ Frees up space for other dishes on the oven rack.
Pro Tip: This works great for French onion soup, lasagna, and fruit pies, where bubbling cheese and fillings often spill over!
3️⃣ Making Deep-Dish Pizza
Craving Detroit-style pizza but don’t have a special pan? No problem! A sheet pan makes the perfect deep-dish pizza base.
✅ How it works:
1️⃣ Lightly oil the pan, including the sides.
2️⃣ Press your pizza dough into the bottom and up the sides.
3️⃣ Load on your favorite sauce, cheese, and toppings.
4️⃣ Bake at 220°C (425°F) until crispy and golden.
✅ Why it’s great:
✔ No need for a deep-dish pizza pan.
✔ The sheet pan allows even baking.
✔ You can customize the size to fit your serving needs.
Pro Tip: For an ultra-crispy crust, preheat the pan before adding the dough!
4️⃣ Freezing Cookie Dough (or Berries!)
Did you know your sheet pan is perfect for freezing food? Its flat, shallow depth makes it easy to flash freeze small items before transferring them into storage.
✅ How it works:
1️⃣ Scoop cookie dough balls onto a parchment-lined sheet pan.
2️⃣ Place the sheet pan in the freezer for 15-20 minutes.
3️⃣ Once firm, transfer the frozen dough to a sealed container or bag.
✅ Why it's helpful:
✔ Prevents dough balls from sticking together in the freezer.
✔ Saves time—bake only what you need, when you need it.
✔ Works for berries, chopped veggies, and even homemade meatballs!
Pro Tip: When baking frozen cookie dough, add 1-2 minutes to the baking time—no need to thaw!
Why You Need More Sheet Pans in Your Kitchen
If you only have one sheet pan, you might want to invest in a few more! Here’s why:
✔ Two fit side-by-side in an oven, so you can cook multiple dishes at once.
✔ They make meal prep faster and more organized.
✔ Their flat surface allows even cooking and prevents messes.
✔ They’re lightweight, easy to clean, and super versatile!
Final Thoughts
A 9x13-inch sheet pan is one of the most versatile tools in your kitchen. Whether you’re prepping ingredients, catching spills, making deep-dish pizza, or freezing food, this handy tool simplifies your cooking routine.
Try these sheet pan hacks today and see just how much easier (and cleaner!) your kitchen can be!
What’s your favorite sheet pan trick? Let us know in the comments!
