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Easy Autumn Traybake Recipes for Stress-Free Dinners

Easy Autumn Traybake Recipes for Stress-Free Dinners

When the evenings get cooler and life gets busier, easy autumn traybake recipes are one of the simplest ways to get a comforting dinner on the table.

These cosy one-pan meals are packed with seasonal vegetables, warming flavours and minimal washing up. Most can be prepared in minutes, then left to roast while you get on with the rest of your evening.

Below are ten easy autumn traybake recipes in a simple recipe format, complete with ingredients, timings and step-by-step instructions.

 

Why Traybakes Are Perfect for Autumn

Autumn is made for oven-cooked comfort food. Seasonal vegetables such as butternut squash, sweet potatoes, carrots, parsnips and red onions become beautifully caramelised when roasted, while herbs like rosemary, thyme and sage add plenty of warming flavour.

Traybakes are also wonderfully practical. They require minimal preparation, create very little washing up and can easily be adapted depending on what you already have in the fridge.

For busy households, that makes them one of the easiest ways to put a satisfying dinner on the table.

 

1. Sausage, Apple and Sweet Potato Traybake

A sweet and savoury autumn dinner made with juicy sausages, roasted sweet potato and caramelised apple.

Serves: 4
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 40 minutes
Total time: 50 minutes

Ingredients

  • 8 pork sausages
  • 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and chopped
  • 2 eating apples, cut into wedges
  • 1 large red onion, cut into wedges
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp wholegrain mustard
  • 1 tbsp honey
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • Salt and black pepper

Method

  1. Preheat the oven to 200°C fan.
  2. Add the sausages, sweet potatoes, apple and red onion to a large roasting tray.
  3. Drizzle with olive oil and season with thyme, salt and black pepper.
  4. Roast for 30 minutes, turning everything halfway through.
  5. Mix the mustard and honey together, then drizzle over the tray.
  6. Return to the oven for 10 minutes, or until the sausages are cooked through and the vegetables are golden.
  7. Serve immediately with steamed greens or peas.

Recipe Tip

Use chicken or vegetarian sausages if you prefer. Pear also works well instead of apple.

2. Honey Mustard Chicken and Potato Traybake

This easy chicken traybake is sweet, savoury and perfect for a busy autumn weeknight.

Serves: 4
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 45 minutes
Total time: 55 minutes

Ingredients

  • 8 chicken thighs
  • 700g baby potatoes, halved
  • 3 carrots, chopped
  • 1 red onion, cut into wedges
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tbsp wholegrain mustard
  • 1½ tbsp honey
  • 2 garlic cloves, crushed
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • Salt and black pepper
  • 150g green beans

Method

  1. Preheat the oven to 200°C fan.
  2. Place the chicken, potatoes, carrots and red onion on a large baking tray.
  3. Mix the olive oil, mustard, honey, garlic and thyme together.
  4. Pour the mixture over the tray and toss everything until coated.
  5. Season with salt and black pepper.
  6. Roast for 30 minutes.
  7. Add the green beans and cook for a further 15 minutes.
  8. Check the chicken is cooked through before serving.

Recipe Tip

Chicken thighs stay especially juicy during roasting, but chicken breasts can also be used. Reduce the cooking time if needed.

3. Butternut Squash, Chickpea and Feta Traybake

A colourful vegetarian autumn traybake packed with roasted vegetables, chickpeas and salty feta.

Serves: 4
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 35 minutes
Total time: 45 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 medium butternut squash, peeled and cubed
  • 1 red pepper, chopped
  • 1 red onion, sliced
  • 1 x 400g tin chickpeas, drained
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 150g feta
  • Juice of ½ lemon
  • Fresh parsley or coriander
  • Salt and black pepper

Method

  1. Preheat the oven to 200°C fan.
  2. Place the squash, pepper, onion and chickpeas on a large tray.
  3. Add the olive oil, cumin, smoked paprika, salt and pepper.
  4. Toss well until everything is evenly coated.
  5. Roast for 25 minutes.
  6. Crumble the feta over the top.
  7. Return to the oven for another 10 minutes.
  8. Finish with lemon juice and fresh herbs before serving.

Recipe Tip

Serve with couscous, quinoa or warm flatbreads for a more filling dinner.

4. Autumn Chicken and Root Vegetable Traybake

A classic autumn traybake made with crispy chicken thighs, carrots, parsnips and potatoes.

Serves: 4
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 45 minutes
Total time: 1 hour

Ingredients

  • 8 chicken thighs
  • 500g baby potatoes, halved
  • 3 carrots, chopped
  • 2 parsnips, chopped
  • 1 red onion, cut into wedges
  • 4 garlic cloves
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp dried rosemary
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • Salt and black pepper

Method

  1. Preheat the oven to 200°C fan.
  2. Add the potatoes, carrots, parsnips, red onion and garlic to a large roasting tray.
  3. Drizzle with olive oil and season with rosemary, thyme, salt and black pepper.
  4. Place the chicken thighs on top.
  5. Roast for 40-45 minutes.
  6. Turn the vegetables once during cooking.
  7. Serve when the vegetables are tender, and the chicken is golden and cooked through.

Recipe Tip

Add a splash of chicken stock halfway through cooking if you prefer a slightly saucier traybake.

5. Halloumi and Sweet Potato Traybake

A simple meat-free autumn dinner with golden halloumi and caramelised vegetables.

Serves: 4
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 35 minutes
Total time: 45 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
  • 1 courgette, chopped
  • 1 red pepper, chopped
  • 1 red onion, sliced
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 250g halloumi, sliced
  • ½ tsp chilli flakes
  • 1 tsp honey
  • Black pepper

Method

  1. Preheat the oven to 200°C fan.
  2. Add the sweet potato, courgette, pepper and onion to a baking tray.
  3. Drizzle with olive oil and season with oregano and black pepper.
  4. Roast for 20 minutes.
  5. Add the halloumi slices and chilli flakes.
  6. Return to the oven for 12-15 minutes.
  7. Drizzle with honey just before serving.

Recipe Tip

Halloumi is naturally salty, so you may not need to add extra salt.

6. Salmon, Potato and Broccoli Traybake

A lighter autumn traybake with salmon, baby potatoes, broccoli and lemon.

Serves: 4
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 35 minutes
Total time: 45 minutes

Ingredients

  • 4 salmon fillets
  • 700g baby potatoes, halved
  • 250g broccoli florets
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 garlic cloves, crushed
  • 1 lemon
  • 1 tsp dried dill or mixed herbs
  • Salt and black pepper

Method

  1. Preheat the oven to 200°C fan.
  2. Add the potatoes to a roasting tray.
  3. Toss with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, garlic, herbs, salt and black pepper.
  4. Roast for 20 minutes.
  5. Add the broccoli and salmon fillets.
  6. Drizzle with the remaining olive oil and squeeze over half the lemon.
  7. Roast for a further 12-15 minutes, or until the salmon is cooked to your liking.
  8. Serve with extra lemon wedges.

Recipe Tip

Asparagus, green beans or tenderstem broccoli can be used instead.

9. Sweet Potato and Black Bean Traybake

An easy vegan-friendly autumn dinner with sweet potato, black beans and warming spices.

Serves: 4
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 35 minutes
Total time: 45 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
  • 2 peppers, chopped
  • 1 red onion, sliced
  • 1 x 400g tin black beans, drained
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • ½ tsp chilli powder
  • 1 lime
  • Fresh coriander
  • Salt and black pepper

Method

  1. Preheat the oven to 200°C fan.
  2. Add the sweet potato, peppers and onion to a roasting tray.
  3. Drizzle with olive oil and season with cumin, smoked paprika, chilli, salt and pepper.
  4. Roast for 25 minutes.
  5. Add the black beans and toss gently.
  6. Return to the oven for 10 minutes.
  7. Finish with lime juice and fresh coriander.

Recipe Tip

Serve with avocado, yoghurt, soured cream or warm tortillas.

For the best results, use a large roasting tray and avoid overcrowding it. Giving the ingredients plenty of space helps them roast rather than steam.

Cut hard vegetables such as potatoes, carrots, parsnips and squash into similar-sized pieces so they cook evenly.

Ingredients with shorter cooking times, including salmon, broccoli, halloumi and green beans, should usually be added later.

A simple sauce or glaze can also transform a basic traybake. Honey mustard, pesto, harissa, balsamic vinegar, maple syrup and garlic butter all work especially well.