9 Best Traybake Recipes from Mary Berry Jamie Oliver and More

Traybakes fit perfectly into real life when you want something tasty without hovering over a stove. You throw everything in one pan, slide it into the oven, and spend the cooking time doing something else. You can make dinners, desserts, weeknight meals for picky eaters, and generous party trays without spending hours in the kitchen. You get full flavour with simple prep, light cleanup, and reliable results. That’s why cooks like Mary Berry and Jamie Oliver feature them often. You learn how to save time, keep dinner interesting, and feel in control of busy evenings. If you want meals that deliver comfort, convenience, and solid flavour, these traybakes belong on your list.

1. Mary Berry’s Easy Lemon Drizzle Traybake

This traybake gives you a bright lemon sponge with a tender crumb and a sharp glaze that settles into the surface as it cools. You mix everything in one bowl, spread it in a tin, and bake until golden. While it rests, you pour over a warm lemon sugar syrup that soaks through without making the cake heavy. You get a soft texture and a flavour that feels fresh without needing complicated techniques. If you want a dessert you can serve at a family dinner or cut into squares for a gathering, this one delivers every time and stores well in an airtight tin.

2. Jamie Oliver’s Chicken and Chorizo Traybake

You get big flavour with hardly any prep. Toss chicken thighs, sliced chorizo, onions, peppers, potatoes, and garlic in a roasting tray and bake until the edges caramelise and the chorizo releases its paprika-rich oil. The vegetables roast in those juices, giving you tender potatoes and soft peppers without needing extra sauces. You can adjust the heat by choosing a mild or spicy sausage. Serve it straight from the tray and let everyone help themselves. It reheats well, makes a great work lunch the next day, and gives you a meal that looks like you worked far harder than you did.

3. Mary Berry’s Chocolate Traybake with Ganache Icing

You bake a delicate chocolate sponge in a rectangular tin, then cover it in a smooth dark ganache that firms as it cools. It cuts cleanly into squares, making it ideal for lunch boxes, bake sales, or birthdays. The chocolate flavour is rich without being overwhelming, and you don’t need special equipment. The sponge stays soft for days, so you can make it ahead with confidence. You can decorate it with sprinkles, curls, or a dusting of cocoa powder, or keep it simple. It gives you the kind of bake that feels reliable, polished, and universally loved by chocolate fans.

4. Chicken and Rice Traybake

You place chicken pieces on top of seasoned rice with onions and stock, then roast until the grains absorb every bit of flavour and the chicken skin turns crisp. You don’t watch pots or stir anything on the stove. The rice becomes tender underneath and slightly golden at the edges, tasting richer than you might expect from such minimal effort. This dish proves you can make something that looks and tastes comforting with ingredients you probably already have. It’s perfect when you need a meal that works quietly in the oven while you focus on other things.

5. Lorraine Pascale’s Salmon and Asparagus Bake

You lay salmon fillets over trimmed asparagus and cherry tomatoes, then add olive oil, lemon, and simple herbs before roasting. The fish cooks gently, the asparagus softens, and the tomatoes burst into a light sauce without any whisking or blending. You get a meal that feels clean and satisfying, with no complicated prep, flavour, or tricks. Serve with crusty bread or quinoa, and dinner is done. This is the kind of traybake you turn to when you want something nourishing after a long day without fussing with multiple pans or long ingredient lists.

6. Gordon Ramsay’s Sticky Pork Belly Traybake

You roast pork belly pieces with ginger, garlic, soy, and a little honey so the oven does most of the work while the glaze turns sticky and flavorful. The fat renders and crisps, giving you tender meat with minimal handling. Serve it with steamed greens or rice, and you have a meal that tastes like you spent hours cooking. You adjust sweetness or heat based on what you like, and the leftovers reheat beautifully. It’s a strong option when you want something indulgent without hovering over the stove.

7. Rick Stein’s Prawn and Tomato Sheet Bake

You toss prawns, cherry tomatoes, garlic, and herbs in a roasting tin and cook just until the prawns turn pink and firm. The tomatoes soften and release juices that become a light sauce without needing stock or reductions. Serve with bread, pasta, or rice, and you have a fresh seafood dinner with minimal cleanup. It’s a great choice when you want something impressive but have little time or energy. You feel confident serving it to friends or family because the ingredients do most of the heavy lifting in the oven.

8. The Hairy Bikers’ Lamb and Root Vegetable Traybake

You roast lamb pieces with carrots, potatoes, parsnips, and onions so the vegetables soak up the meat juices and turn soft and golden. Everything cooks together in one pan, and you don’t worry about gravy or sauces. The lamb browns nicely while the vegetables turn sweet and earthy, giving you a meal that feels traditional and hearty without requiring lots of equipment. It’s perfect for cold evenings or slow weekends when you want something filling but not complicated. Serve straight from the tray and let everyone dig in.

9. Rukmini Iyer’s Halloumi and Roasted Veg Bake

You roast mixed vegetables until soft and caramelised, then lay slices of halloumi on top and return the tray to the oven so the cheese becomes golden and chewy. The vegetables provide sweetness and depth while the halloumi adds texture and saltiness, giving you a dish that works beautifully as a vegetarian main. It’s simple, flexible, and forgiving, letting you swap vegetables based on the season or what’s in your kitchen. Serve it with couscous, salad, or crusty bread for a meal that feels generous and effortless.