Family winter traybake ideas
Make the most of seasonal veg and comforting flavours with our family winter traybakes – they’re budget-friendly, easy to prepare and light on the washing up, too.
Traybake recipes are a great option for families in the colder months, when you want a low-effort dinner that doesn’t compromise on flavour. Alongside classic traybakes such as chicken, sausage and fish, we also have veggie versions. By combining a few simple ingredients and roasting them all-in-one, the oven does all the hard work for you as the flavours naturally meld together.
All these recipes are quick to prepare – 15 mins or less – and are left in the oven to roast, so you can get on with other tasks. The result is an easy and substantial winter meal for your whole family.
1. Sausage & maple swede traybake
For a comforting, laid-back dinner that also packs in plenty of veg, try our sausage & maple swede traybake. The satisfying combination of hearty sausages, caramelised red onions and zingy apple slices makes it a winner for those cold winter evenings. If the kids aren’t keen on swede, you can easily swap it for sweet potato, butternut squash or chunky carrots.
2. Harissa chicken traybake
Chicken legs are a great choice for traybakes – they add flavoursome juices to the other ingredients and are often cheaper than skinless chicken breasts. This harissa chicken traybake has potatoes to soak up the flavour, combined with cherry tomatoes, garlic and lemon. Be prepared for a bit of spice with the harissa paste; to make a non-spicy version, you can use a red pepper or tomato pesto instead.
3. Roasted root veg traybake
Take advantage of sweet winter vegetables such as carrots, swede and parsnips with this delicious roasted root veg traybake. The feta adds a lovely creaminess to the dish, and the nuts give a satisfying crunch – remember to chop larger nuts if serving to young children, or swap for seeds.
Looking for more meat-free comfort food? Try our collection of vegetarian family classics.
4. Oriental salmon & broccoli traybake
When you’re short on time, this easy Oriental salmon & broccoli traybake is a life saver! Made using just five simple ingredients, you can have a balanced meal on the table in just 30 minutes. The salmon is rich in omega-3 and the broccoli is packed full of vitamins – all good news for a growing family.
If you like the sound of this, we also have a great recipe for teriyaki salmon with green beans.
5. Pork & parsnip traybake
Put pork chops on your midweek menu with this easy all-in-one recipe. You’ll need to sear the pork chops before adding to the roasted onions and parsnips – all drizzled with a delicious honey and mustard dressing. Serve up this pork & parsnip traybake with a spoonful of apple sauce.
6. Veggie toad-in-the-hole
With all the comfort and ease of the traditional version, this veggie toad-in-the-hole will go down a storm served with carrots, peas and lashings of gravy. Make the batter ahead of time and you’ll soon have a wonderfully low-effort meal on standby.
7. Oregano chicken & squash traybake
For a low-calorie option, try our oregano chicken & squash traybake. Packed full of colourful ingredients and strewn with fresh rocket before serving (swap it for spinach, if you prefer), this easy recipe is also gluten-free and takes just five minutes to prepare.
8. Sausage & white bean casserole
Providing four of your 5-a-day, this crowd-pleasing sausage & white bean casserole is sure to be a hit at the dinner table. You can pile it onto baked potatoes, pasta or rice if you need a substantial meal, or simply serve in bowls with a slice of crusty bread to mop up the juices.
9. Italian aubergine traybake
Simple and satisfying, we love the melting mozzarella topping on this Italian aubergine traybake. Roast this one in stages – start with the aubergine, then add the tomatoes and garlic, and finally top with the bread and cheese. A great family-friendly traybake, and it’s vegetarian, too.
10. Spanish chicken traybake with chorizo & peppers
The secret to our popular Spanish chicken traybake with chorizo & peppers is the garlic and herb paste – rubbed over the chicken thighs, it makes the skin crispy and delicious once it’s been roasted. Underneath, the chopped chorizo keeps all the veg moist and full of flavour.
What are your favourite traybakes for the winter months? Let us know in the comments below…
Looking for more family recipe ideas? Try these:
Top 10 healthy traybake recipes
5-ingredient family meals
Budget family chicken recipes
Family pasta recipes
Budget midweek family meals