This easy sausage tray bake with sweet potato and broccoli is a full dinner on one pan. Juicy sausages roast alongside caramelized sweet potato cubes and crisp-edged broccoli florets, and the whole thing goes from cutting board to table in about 45 minutes with very little cleanup.
It is the kind of recipe that works for a busy weeknight, a meal prep Sunday, or a lazy family dinner. The sausages release savory juices that flavor the vegetables, and the high heat of the oven does all the work. Serve it straight from the tray with a simple salad or some crusty bread.
Table of Contents
Why This Works
Roasting at 400 degrees F is hot enough to brown the outsides of the vegetables without drying out the sausages. Cutting the sweet potatoes into small, even cubes of about 1/2 inch means they soften in the same time it takes the sausages to cook through. Tossing the vegetables with olive oil helps them caramelize instead of steam.
Placing the sausages directly on the pan, set among the vegetables, lets their juices drip down and season everything. Tossing the pan halfway through exposes more surfaces to heat so the vegetables brown evenly.
Ingredients
- 4 sausage links (about 3 oz each; pork, chicken, or turkey)
- 2 cup sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2 inch cubes
- 2 cup broccoli florets
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp dried rosemary or thyme (optional)
How to Make Sausage Tray Bake
1. Heat the oven. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F and line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment or foil for easy cleanup.
2. Cut the vegetables. Peel the sweet potatoes and cut them into 1/2 inch cubes. Cut the broccoli into similar-sized florets so everything cooks at the same speed.
3. Season. In a large bowl, toss the sweet potatoes and broccoli with the olive oil, salt, pepper, and herbs until every piece is lightly coated.
4. Arrange the pan. Spread the vegetables across the sheet pan in a single layer. Set the sausages among the vegetables, leaving a little space between pieces.
5. Roast. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, tossing the vegetables and turning the sausages halfway through, until the sweet potatoes are tender and the sausages are cooked through.
6. Check the temperature. Pork sausages should reach 160 degrees F in the center, and chicken or turkey sausages should reach 165 degrees F.
7. Rest and serve. Let the pan sit for a few minutes, slice the sausages if you like, and serve warm.
How to Serve
Serve straight from the pan with a green salad, a spoonful of mustard, or crusty bread. For a heartier meal, add rice or couscous. If you enjoy sausage dinners, the sheet pan sausage and peppers and the sausage, peppers, and onions are similar and easy.
For other sausage and sweet potato ideas, try the honey garlic chicken sausage and sweet potatoes, or the smoked sausage and vegetable rice for a one-pot option.
How to Store and Reheat
Cool leftovers within 2 hours and refrigerate them in an airtight container for up to 3 days. This tray bake is a good meal prep dish and holds up well in lunch containers. Reheat in a hot oven or a skillet until hot and slightly crisp, or in the microwave in short bursts. Reheat leftovers to 165 degrees F before eating.
Tips and Variations
Use a thermometer. The FDA safe food handling guide lists 160 degrees F for ground meat such as fresh sausage and 165 degrees F for poultry and leftovers, which is the best way to know the sausages are done.
Do not crowd the pan. If the vegetables are piled up, they steam and turn soft, so use two pans if needed. Swap the broccoli for green beans, Brussels sprouts, or bell peppers. Use white or red potatoes instead of sweet potatoes if you prefer. For extra flavor, drizzle with honey mustard or sprinkle with grated Parmesan after roasting. Frozen broccoli works, but add it for the last 15 minutes so it does not turn mushy.
FAQ
Can I use pre-cooked sausage?
Yes. Fully cooked sausages only need to heat through, so add them for the last 15 minutes of roasting to keep them from drying out.
Why is my broccoli burning?
Small florets with thin tips brown quickly. Cut the pieces larger, toss them well with oil, or add them partway through if your oven runs hot.
Do I need to peel the sweet potatoes?
No. The skin is edible and holds the cubes together, but peeling gives a smoother texture. Scrub them well if you leave the skin on.
Can I prep this ahead?
Yes. Cut the vegetables a day ahead and store them in the refrigerator. Toss with oil right before roasting.
What does tray bake mean?
A tray bake is simply a meal cooked on one baking tray. It is the British name for what many American cooks call a sheet pan dinner.
Easy Sausage Tray Bake with Sweet Potato and Broccoli
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 4 sausage links about 3 oz each; pork, chicken, or turkey
- 2 cup sweet potatoes peeled and cut into 1/2 inch cubes
- 2 cup broccoli florets
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp dried rosemary or thyme optional
Instructions
Cooking
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F and line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment or foil.
- Peel the sweet potatoes and cut into 1/2 inch cubes. Cut the broccoli into similar-sized florets.
- Toss the sweet potatoes and broccoli with the olive oil, salt, pepper, and herbs.
- Spread the vegetables in a single layer on the pan and nestle the sausages among them.
- Bake 25 to 30 minutes, tossing the vegetables and turning the sausages halfway, until the sweet potatoes are tender and the sausages are cooked through.
- Check that pork sausages reach 160 degrees F and chicken or turkey sausages reach 165 degrees F.
- Rest a few minutes, slice the sausages if you like, and serve warm.
