Easy Sheet Pan Fried Rice: Quick Weeknight Dinner Recipe

There's something magical about sheet pan meals, especially when it comes to Easy Sheet Pan Fried Rice. You get all the flavors of a classic fried rice but with way less fuss and cleanup. This recipe is perfect for those busy weeknights when you just want to throw everything on a pan and let the oven do the work.

Trust me, it's a game changer for getting dinner on the table quickly while still being super satisfying.

Ingredients & Tools You'll Need

So let's dive into why you'll want to add this recipe to your weeknight rotation.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

First off, the flavor is out of this world. The combination of soy sauce, sesame oil, and fresh ginger creates a savory base that makes every bite delicious. Then, as it bakes, the rice crisps up beautifully, giving you that delightful contrast of textures-soft and fluffy rice mixed with those crispy bits that everyone fights over.

It’s a total crowd-pleaser, whether you’re cooking for family or friends.

Secondly, it couldn't be simpler. With just a few ingredients and minimal prep, it's an ideal choice for those evenings when you want to keep things easy but still enjoy a hearty, home-cooked meal. The best part?

You can customize it to your heart's content. Got some leftover chicken or tofu? Throw it in!

Feel free to mix up the veggies based on what you have in your fridge.

To whip up this Easy Sheet Pan Fried Rice, you’ll need some basic ingredients that you probably already have. Start with three cups of day-old rice-using leftover rice is key because it’s drier and crisps up better in the oven. You’ll also need soy sauce, sesame oil, water, ginger paste, a mix of frozen peas and carrots, a half onion, and a couple of beaten eggs to bind it all together.

Don’t forget a sprinkle of sesame seeds for that finishing touch!

As for tools, you’ll want a large mixing bowl to combine everything and a sheet pan lined with foil for easy cleanup. A whisk for mixing your sauce and a spatula to stir the rice will also come in handy. That’s pretty much all you need to get started on this delicious adventure.

How To Make It

Making this Easy Sheet Pan Fried Rice is a straightforward process that requires just a little bit of prep before the cooking magic happens.

Preparation

First things first, preheat your oven to 400°F and line your sheet pan with foil, giving it a light grease to prevent sticking. In your large mixing bowl, combine the soy sauce, sesame oil, water, ginger paste, and garlic paste. Whisk it all together until it’s well blended.

This sauce is what brings the whole dish together, so make sure it’s nice and smooth!

Next, add your rice, frozen peas and carrots, and diced onion to the bowl. Stir everything together until all the ingredients are evenly coated in that savory sauce. This is where the flavors start to mingle, and it already smells amazing!

Cooking

Now it’s time to spread that rice mixture evenly onto your prepared sheet pan. Pop it in the oven and bake for about 20 minutes. Halfway through, give everything a good stir.

You’ll want to see some golden edges forming-this is where the crispy goodness starts.

After the first bake, pull the pan out and evenly pour your beaten eggs over the top without stirring-let them do their thing! Sprinkle some sesame seeds and season with salt and pepper to taste. Return it to the oven for another five minutes or until the eggs are set.

When it’s done, you should see a lovely golden hue and a delightful aroma wafting through the kitchen.

As you take it out of the oven, gently stir everything together, breaking up the cooked egg throughout the rice. The combination of flavors and textures is simply irresistible!

Serving & Variations

Once your Easy Sheet Pan Fried Rice is ready, it’s time to dig in! Serve it warm, maybe with a side of pickled vegetables or a simple salad to balance out the richness. One of my favorite twists is to add in some diced bell peppers or broccoli for extra crunch and color.

A common consensus among home cooks is: using cold, day-old rice is absolutely essential for achieving that perfect texture. If you don’t have any leftovers, just cook some rice ahead of time and let it cool completely before using it. You can also switch up the proteins-shrimp, chicken, or tofu all work beautifully here.

And if you want a bit of spice, toss in some chili flakes or sriracha!

Wrapping Up

This Easy Sheet Pan Fried Rice is not just a quick dinner option; it’s a versatile dish that can adapt to whatever you have on hand. The best part is the cleanup is a breeze, letting you kick back and enjoy your meal without the hassle. So, gather your ingredients and get ready to make a dish that’ll have everyone coming back for seconds.

Recipe created by CookinWithBabe for Trust Me Try It.

Easy Sheet Pan Fried Rice: Quick Weeknight Dinner Recipe

Print Pin Rate

Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes minutes

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 3 cups day old cooked rice (1 cup uncooked rice)
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 2 tbsps. sesame seed oil or vegetable oil
• 2 tbsps. water
• 1 tbsp. Ginger paste
• 1 cup frozen peas & carrots
• 1/2 white onion, diced
• 2 beaten eggs
• Salt & pepper to taste
• 1 tsp. sesame seeds
• 1 tbsp. minced garlic paste

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 400°F.
• Line a sheet pan with foil and lightly grease it.
• In a large mixing bowl, combine the soy sauce, oil, water, ginger, and garlic.
• Whisk until well blended.
• Add the rice, peas and carrots, and onion, stirring until everything is evenly coated in the sauce mixture.
• Spread the rice mixture evenly onto the prepared sheet pan.
• Bake for 20 minutes, stirring halfway through cooking.
• Remove the pan from the oven and evenly pour the beaten egg over the top without stirring.
• Sprinkle with sesame seeds and season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Return to the oven and bake for an additional 5 minutes, or until the eggs are set.
• Remove from the oven and gently stir, breaking up the cooked egg throughout the rice.
• Serve warm.