Kitchn Love Letters

The $5 Grocery Store Find I Use for Quick Sheet Pan Dinners, Rice Bowls, Sandwiches, and More

published May 21, 2022
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A person standing in front of an open refrigerator inside a kitchen
Credit: Joe Lingeman/Kitchn

I have always loved to cook. When I was little, you’d find me in the kitchen helping out alongside my dad or, later on, preparing entire dinners for my family after school. I found it fun, relaxing, and rewarding — and most of the time, I still do.

There are those nights, though, when I come home after a long day of work and I simply just don’t want to lift much more than a knife. Yes, that’s where I draw the line: I’m willing to wield a knife. I can chop things and that’s it. Which brings me to sheet pan dinners!

Like many of us, my go-to weekday dinners are of the sheet pan variety. You know, the ones where you can just toss everything together on the pan, roast it in the oven for 20 minutes, and voila! It’s quick and easy — made with just a few simple ingredients. Typically, I base my sheet pan meals around a protein, a vegetable (or two), and a starch.

Credit: Taylor Kocher

One of my favorite proteins for a quick sheet pan dinner? Gilbert’s Craft Sausages. They’re made with all-natural ingredients and antibiotic-free chicken, and they’re cooked fully sous vide, making them extra juicy and flavorful. In my opinion, Gilbert’s chicken sausages really do taste fresher and way more flavorful than other store-bought chicken sausages. In fact, they remind me of the ones my parents used to get at our local farmers market when I was growing up. 

Credit: Taylor Kocher

My favorite flavor is the Bourbon Apple, which has a lovely sweet and oaky flavor. I dice the links and toss them with sweet potatoes and Brussels sprouts and a drizzle of hot honey on top for an ultra-comforting fall and winter meal. For spring and summer, the Caprese and Ahola chicken sausages bring fresh and tropical flavors. Really, you can choose any one of their flavors and pair with whatever starch and vegetable is in season. Think of it as a mix-and-match adventure with whatever you have on hand!

Each sausage is individually wrapped, too. So you could heat up one and eat it with some rice or throw it on a bun. I have and I can tell you that both are excellent, and still speedy, alternatives.

Do you have a grocery shortcut for quick and easy dinners? Tell us in the comments below!