Scallops cooking in a frying pan on a cooktop

Easy dinner ideas & recipes for busy families

Rethink your weeknight routine with these easy dinner recipes. From simple one-pot favorites to comfort classics re-imagined, Yummly.com will give you dinner ideas for tonight that may inspire a permanent place in your family’s weekly line-up. Browse these family dinner ideas and dinner ideas for kids that will please everyone around the table.

Select a link below to jump to the recipes

Sheet pan dinners

Chicken dinners

One-pot dinners

Comforting dinners

Vegetarian dinners

Quick dinner recipes

Side dishes


Potatoes, chicken breasts and vegetables on a sheet pan Potatoes, chicken breasts and vegetables on a sheet pan

Sheet pan dinners

When it comes to easy dinner recipes, these sheet pan dinners hit the mark with easy cleanup and minimal effort.

Coconut shrimp in a white dish Coconut shrimp in a white dish

1. Sheet Pan Coconut Shrimp

Prep & cooking time: 20 minutes
Here is an easy recipe for crispy, delicious, and simple coconut sheet pan shrimp.

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Chicken breasts and asparagus on a sheet pan Chicken breasts and asparagus on a sheet pan

2. Sheet Pan Chicken Caprese

Prep & cooking time: 32 minutes
If you’re looking for new ways to prepare chicken breasts, try this fresh and easy Italian-inspired dinner.

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Breaded eggplant on a silver sheet pan Breaded eggplant on a silver sheet pan

3. Sheet Pan Eggplant Parmesan

Prep & cooking time: 60 minutes
You don’t need to salt or fry when making this easy, mess-free, and delicious eggplant Parm.

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Chicken breasts, a vegetable medley and potatoes on a sheet pan Chicken breasts, a vegetable medley and potatoes on a sheet pan

4. Easy Sheet Pan Chicken and Veggies

Prep & cooking time: 50 minutes
Dinner doesn’t get easier than this wholesome, filling, and adaptable sheet pan meal.

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Roasted mediterranean vegetables and chicken on a sheet pan Roasted mediterranean vegetables and chicken on a sheet pan

5. Easy Sheet Pan Greek Chicken

Prep & cooking time: 50 minutes
Packed with Mediterranean flavors and healthy fats, this sheet pan chicken dinner will be your new favorite meal for busy weeknights.

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Salmon with asparagus and potatoes on a white plate Salmon with asparagus and potatoes on a white plate

6. Easy Baked Salmon with Herb Butter

Prep & cooking time: 22 minutes
Freshly minced herbs and garlic are all it takes to transform salmon into a quick and delectable dinner.

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Two white dinner plates with fajitas and a side of avocado and salsa Two white dinner plates with fajitas and a side of avocado and salsa

7. Easy Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas

Prep & cooking time: 35 minutes
Sizzling chicken and vegetable fajitas roast right at home in your oven.

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Two plates full of sliced yellow squash and chicken sausage Two plates full of sliced yellow squash and chicken sausage

8. Sheet Pan Yellow Squash and Chicken Sausage

Prep & cooking time: 42 minutes
When summer squash is in abundance, this easy and healthy sheet-pan dinner makes an excellent weeknight meal.

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Chicken thighs and broccoli on a sheet pan Chicken thighs and broccoli on a sheet pan

9. Sheet Pan Teriyaki Sesame Chicken and Broccoli

Prep & cooking time: 70 minutes
Skip the take-out and whip up this family-friendly Sheet Pan Teriyaki Sesame Chicken and Broccoli dish.

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A close-up plate of roasted potatoes, chicken and carrots A close-up plate of roasted potatoes, chicken and carrots

10. “No Chopping” Sheet Pan Chicken Dinner

Prep & cooking time: 50 minutes
With a single sheet pan and zero chopping involved, this is a complete dinner prepared with almost no effort or cleanup.

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Roasted chicken and vegetables in a baking dish inside an oven Roasted chicken and vegetables in a baking dish inside an oven

Chicken dinners

Replace boring chicken recipes with the bold flavors featured in these creative and easy dinner ideas for kids and family.

Cheesy baked chicken in a white roasting dish Cheesy baked chicken in a white roasting dish

11. Melt-In-Your-Mouth Baked Chicken Breasts

Prep & cooking time: 40 minutes
These creamy, cheesy chicken breasts will, as their title says, melt in your mouth.

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Breaded chicken cutlets on a plate topped with red sauce, cheese and basil Breaded chicken cutlets on a plate topped with red sauce, cheese and basil

12. Baked Chicken Parmesan

Prep & cooking time: 50 minutes
The Italian-restaurant favorite made healthier baked in the oven at home.

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A plate of sliced, seasoned chicken breast with a side salad and bread A plate of sliced, seasoned chicken breast with a side salad and bread

13. Juicy Oven-Baked Cajun Chicken Breasts

Prep & cooking time: 30 minutes
Add a little heat to your plate with this simple, Southern-inspired chicken breast recipe.

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Barbecue glazed chicken legs in a white dish Barbecue glazed chicken legs in a white dish

14. Barbecue Baked Chicken Legs

Prep & cooking time: 40 minutes
Enjoy barbecue chicken legs year round with the help of your oven. No grill needed!

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A plate of roasted chicken, potatoes and carrots with herbs A plate of roasted chicken, potatoes and carrots with herbs

15. Chili and Citrus Rubbed Chicken with Roasted Vegetables

Prep & cooking time: 2 hours
Two kinds of citrus and a little Aleppo pepper give this moist, juicy roast chicken dinner its star power.

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Breaded chicken tenders and salad on a plate Breaded chicken tenders and salad on a plate

16. Parmesan Baked Chicken Tenders

Prep & cooking time: 50 minutes
Crispy, savory Parmesan and panko crusted chicken tenders are delicious on their own or great for topping with marinara sauce to make chicken Parmigiano.

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Saucy chicken pieces on a plate with sesame seeds and chopped scallions Saucy chicken pieces on a plate with sesame seeds and chopped scallions

17. Chicken Tinga Tacos

Prep & cooking time: 35 minutes
Chicken tinga tacos are an easy way to upgrade your weeknight dinner.

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Saucy chicken pieces on a plate with sesame seeds and chopped scallions Saucy chicken pieces on a plate with sesame seeds and chopped scallions

18. Easy Korean Sticky Chicken

Prep & cooking time: 20 minutes
The sweet and spicy flavors of this dish echo Korean fried chicken wings, but without the hassle of deep frying.

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Chicken, wild rice and broccoli on a white plate Chicken, wild rice and broccoli on a white plate

19. Juicy Herbed Weeknight Chicken Thighs

Prep & cooking time: 30 minutes
This delicious, Italian-inspired dish is packed with flavor and requires just a few pantry staples.

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Spaghetti sauce in a pot on a cooktop Spaghetti sauce in a pot on a cooktop

One-pot dinners

Avoid a sinkful of dishes and simplify your everyday evenings with these one-pot easy dinner recipes.

Three pork tacos with purple cabbage and lime Three pork tacos with purple cabbage and lime

20. Instant Pot Chipotle Pork Shoulder

Prep & cooking time: 80 minutes
Here, the electric pressure cooker feature delivers a tender Mexican-flavored pork shoulder in a mere 45 minutes.

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A bowl of chili served from a pot with toppings on the side A bowl of chili served from a pot with toppings on the side

21. Classic Beef and Bean Chili

Prep & cooking time: 65 minutes
When you’re wanting a crowd-pleasing chili, look no further. This one comes together quickly, and it's made with all the classic spices -- plus two kinds of beans, and jalapeño chilies.

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A shallow bowl of green chicken curry A shallow bowl of green chicken curry

22. Coconut Lime Chicken Curry

Prep & cooking time: 45 minutes
Coconut milk, fresh lime, and curry powder give this quick stew, made with boneless chicken thighs, a decidedly Caribbean flavor.

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A pot and two bowls of vegetable beef soup with grated cheese A pot and two bowls of vegetable beef soup with grated cheese

23. Hearty Italian Beef and Vegetable Soup

Prep & cooking time: 40 minutes
Lean ground beef, lots of veggies, and cannellini beans combine to make a satisfying and healthy soup that comes together fast.

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A slow cooker filled with ham and bean soup A slow cooker filled with ham and bean soup

24. Slow Cooker Smoky Ham and White Bean Soup

Prep & cooking time: 8 hours
This hearty, richly flavorful soup comes together in minutes and cooks while you’re away having fun.

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A person whisking eggs in a bowl A person whisking eggs in a bowl

Comforting dinners

Whether it’s curling up on the couch or gathering around the table with loved ones, these easy dinner ideas feature comfort dishes that will have everyone craving an extra helping.

Cheesy enchiladas on a plate with black beans Cheesy enchiladas on a plate with black beans

25. Easy 5-Ingredient Chicken Enchiladas

Prep & cooking time: 50 minutes
Restaurant-quality enchiladas have never been easier! These mouthwatering chicken-and-cheese-filled corn tortillas are doused in spicy red sauce and baked in the oven.

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Three white plates with green pesto stuffed mushroom caps Three white plates with green pesto stuffed mushroom caps

26. Creamy Pesto Stuffed Mushrooms

Prep & cooking time: 30 minutes
Five ingredients are all you need for these creamy, cheesy, flavor-packed pesto-stuffed mushrooms.

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Two thick slices of meatloaf on a plate with broccoli Two thick slices of meatloaf on a plate with broccoli

27. Easiest Beef Meatloaf

Prep & cooking time: 75 minutes
With one bowl, minimal ingredients, and five minutes of prep time, this meatloaf is as easy as it is delicious.

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A white serving dish with sliced brisket, carrots and gravy A white serving dish with sliced brisket, carrots and gravy

28. Oven-Braised Beef Brisket

Prep & cooking time: 5 hours
Simply prepared beef brisket cooks low and slow in the oven with flavorful vegetables and herbs.

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A bowl of quinoa casserole with lime and sour cream A bowl of quinoa casserole with lime and sour cream

29. Quinoa Enchilada Casserole

Prep & cooking time: 55 minutes
Traditional enchiladas break out of their tortilla shells and into a quinoa casserole.

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Close up of ground beef mixed with peas, carrots and corn Close up of ground beef mixed with peas, carrots and corn

30. Foolproof Savory Shepherd’s Pie

Prep & cooking time: 55 minutes
Hearty, filling, shepherd's pie makes a delicious dinner for when you're craving comfort food.

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Chicken breasts topped with mozzarella cheese and pepperoni Chicken breasts topped with mozzarella cheese and pepperoni

31. Sheet Pan Pizza Chicken

Prep & cooking time: 35 minutes
A sheet pan pizza chicken meal that will satisfy your family's pizza cravings but without any of the carbs.

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Beef Stroganoff Casserole in a baking dish Beef Stroganoff Casserole in a baking dish

32. Beef Stroganoff Casserole

Prep & cooking time: 45 minutes
This classic dish of beef and noodles in a creamy sauce comes together easily for a comforting meal.

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A bowl of stir fried chicken, broccoli and noodles A bowl of stir fried chicken, broccoli and noodles

33. Quick Chicken and Broccoli Stir Fry

Prep & cooking time: 35 minutes
Stir-fry is an ancient Chinese cooking technique that is perfectly suited to a modern, over-packed schedule.

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A person chopping vegetables on a wooden cutting board A person chopping vegetables on a wooden cutting board

Vegetarian dinners

From Black Bean Enchiladas to Cheesy Stuffed Peppers, you’ll find new vegetarian favorites from this list of easy dinner recipes.

A slice of vegan lasagna and a fork on a white plate A slice of vegan lasagna and a fork on a white plate

34. Vegan Spinach Lasagna

Prep & cooking time: 75 minutes
A rich, creamy, and savory blend of tofu, nutritional yeast, and Italian seasoning stands in for the traditional ricotta cheese in this hearty layered lasagna noodle dish.

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Two fajitas with guacamole and vegetables on a wooden cutting board Two fajitas with guacamole and vegetables on a wooden cutting board

35. Easy Portobello Fajitas

Prep & cooking time: 25 minutes
Hearty portobello mushrooms replace the meat in this easy-to-make, 25-minute fajita recipe.

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A white baking dish filled with enchiladas A white baking dish filled with enchiladas

36. Vegan Black Bean Enchiladas

Prep & cooking time: 60 minutes
A mixture of black beans, vegetables, and spices make these enchiladas a hearty, delicious dinner.

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A black bowl with crispy, sautéed tofu and broccoli A black bowl with crispy, sautéed tofu and broccoli

37. Crispy Sesame Tofu and Broccoli

Prep & cooking time: 55 minutes
In less time than it takes to order and bring home take-out, you can pan-fry tofu until crisp, simmer broccoli florets, and bring them together with a lightly sweet soy and sesame sauce.

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A stuffed green bell pepper on a white dish A stuffed green bell pepper on a white dish

38. Mexican Black Bean and Cheese Stuffed Peppers

Prep & cooking time: 85 minutes
These Mexican-spiced bean, rice, and cheese stuffed peppers are a delicious and filling vegetarian dinner option.

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A plate of three grilled cheese pin wheels A plate of three grilled cheese pin wheels

39. Grilled Cheese Pin Wheels

Prep & cooking time: 48 minutes
We’ve reimagined grilled cheese sandwiches as toasty, bite-sized, and oh-so-snackable pinwheels.

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Charred cauliflower steak with cherry tomatoes on a plate Charred cauliflower steak with cherry tomatoes on a plate

40. Za’atar Roasted Cauliflower Steaks

Prep & cooking time: 30 minutes
Herby, crusty roasted cauliflower "steaks" make an easy weeknight vegetarian meal.

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A white bowl filled with elbow noodles tossed in spaghetti sauce A white bowl filled with elbow noodles tossed in spaghetti sauce

41. Super Easy Pasta Bake

Prep & cooking time: 60 minutes
Easy baked pasta with no boiling required.

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A bowl filled with rice, bean and vegetable jambalaya A bowl filled with rice, bean and vegetable jambalaya

42. Healthy and Hearty Vegan Jambalaya

Prep & cooking time: 50 minutes
Soulful southern spices and the “holy trinity” of bell peppers, onion and celery are front and center in this meatless jambalaya.

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A bowl filled with rice, bean and vegetable jambalaya A bowl filled with rice, bean and vegetable jambalaya

43. Roasted Butternut Squash Soup

Prep & cooking time: 90 minutes
This crave-worthy recipe gets its flavor from simmering the squash and vegetables in the oven, before puréeing them into a velvety-smooth soup.

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A woman doing baking prep and looking at her phone A woman doing baking prep and looking at her phone

Quick dinner recipes

Breeze through busy weeknights with these quick and easy dinner recipes. From 15-minute shrimp scampi to 25-minute fajitas, you’ll be on your way to a delicious dinner in 35 minutes or less.

Shrimp with herbs in a light pink dish Shrimp with herbs in a light pink dish

44. Baked Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi

Prep & cooking time: 15 minutes
This perfectly cooked shrimp is done in 15 minutes and will have you wanting to lick the plate.

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A platter of salmon filets with sliced lemons and arugula A platter of salmon filets with sliced lemons and arugula

45. 15-Minute Baked Salmon with Lemon

Prep & cooking time: 25 minutes
Fifteen minutes, and some salt, pepper, and lemon are all that’s needed for perfectly cooked simple salmon fillets.

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A plate of medium rare steak over cooked spinach A plate of medium rare steak over cooked spinach

46. Perfect Oven Roasted Steak

Prep & cooking time: 21 minutes
Enjoy steak all year round with this foolproof method for baking it in the oven.

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A bowl of meatballs in spaghetti sauce topped with basil A bowl of meatballs in spaghetti sauce topped with basil

47. Quick and Easy Italian Meatballs

Prep & cooking time: 35 minutes
Tender meatballs just like your Italian grandma would make, in a fraction of the time.

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Shrimp with herbs in a light pink dish Shrimp with herbs in a light pink dish

48. Honey Garlic Baked Shrimp

Prep & cooking time: 15 minutes
This delicious savory-sweet shrimp recipe has only four ingredients and is done in under 15 minutes.

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A small bowl of minestrone soup with noodles A small bowl of minestrone soup with noodles

49. Minestrone Soup in Less Than 30 Minutes

Prep & cooking time: 30 minutes
Ideal for busy weeknights, this classic Italian Minestrone soup is ready in under 30 minutes.

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A bowl of tomato-based soup with shredded pork and herbs A bowl of tomato-based soup with shredded pork and herbs

50. 30 Minute Posole

Prep & cooking time: 30 minutes
This quick Mexican pork and hominy stew will bring you comfort and satisfaction on your busiest days of the week.

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Baked tilapia filets over a bed of greens Baked tilapia filets over a bed of greens

51. Reduced Fat Baked Tilapia

Prep & cooking time: 15 minutes
Baked tilapia with no added oil is super low in calories, but high in protein and flavor.

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Salmon filets on a baking sheet topped with green pesto spread Salmon filets on a baking sheet topped with green pesto spread

52. 5-Ingredient Pesto Baked Salmon

Prep & cooking time: 20 minutes
Five ingredients lend a huge amount of flavor to this quick pesto baked salmon.

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A person stirring seasoned potatoes in a bowl A person stirring seasoned potatoes in a bowl

Side dishes

Complement family dinner ideas with these easy side dishes that may just steal the show.

A white platter with sweet potato wedges and roasted garlic A white platter with sweet potato wedges and roasted garlic

53. Healthy Garlicky Sweet Potato Fries

Prep & cooking time: 30 minutes
The perfect nutrient-dense side dish when you're craving something both sweet and savory.

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Chopped and roasted beets and carrots in a white bowl Chopped and roasted beets and carrots in a white bowl

54. Roasted Beets and Carrots

Prep & cooking time: 80 minutes
A touch of honey brings out the natural sweetness in these roasted beets and carrots, creating a colorful side dish you’ll want to eat all winter long.

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Roasted Brussels sprouts on a white serving dish Roasted Brussels sprouts on a white serving dish

55. Garlic Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Prep & cooking time: 35 minutes
These crispy, garlicky roasted Brussels sprouts are so good, you may want to make a double batch.

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A serving dish with roasted bell peppers, sweet potatoes and onion A serving dish with roasted bell peppers, sweet potatoes and onion

56. Easy Oven-Roasted Vegetables

Prep & cooking time: 45 minutes
Four colors of fresh vegetables roast together in this family-friendly sheet pan side dish.

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Chunks of roasted purple beets on a white plate Chunks of roasted purple beets on a white plate

57. Simple Roasted Beets

Prep & cooking time: 55 minutes
These naturally sweet roasted beets are simply perfect.

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A bowl of colorful roasted vegetables A bowl of colorful roasted vegetables

58. Easy Roasted Asparagus

Prep & cooking time: 17 minutes
These are simple and delicious, and an easy side to go with most any meal.

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Seasoned broccoli on parchment paper Seasoned broccoli on parchment paper

59. Garlic Roasted Broccoli

Prep & cooking time: 30 minutes
If you’ve never had garlic roasted broccoli before, prepare to eat your new favorite side dish.

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A bowl of spinach salad with walnuts and dried cranberries A bowl of spinach salad with walnuts and dried cranberries

60. Spinach Salad with Toasted Pecans and Cranberries

Prep & cooking time: 20 minutes
This is a purposefully simple salad full of great fall flavors, easy to make, easy to love, and easy to double.

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Balsamic Roasted Vegetables Balsamic Roasted Vegetables

61. Easy Balsamic Roasted Vegetables

Prep & cooking time: 50 minutes
Add some spunk to sheet pan veggies with this aromatic rosemary-balsamic variation.

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