Some nights, you open the fridge, stare at what’s inside, and hope inspiration magically appears.
This recipe was born from one of those nights.
I had a few cooked kranskys sitting in the fridge, some potatoes and carrots, and absolutely no desire to spend an hour cooking or washing a mountain of dishes afterwards. The result? This easy Kransky Tray Bake that has quickly become one of those “why don’t I make this more often?” meals.
It’s simple, budget-friendly and only uses one tray, making it perfect for busy weeknights. Even better, it’s easy to adapt depending on what vegetables you have that need using up.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- One tray means less washing up.
- Ready in around 40 minutes.
- Great for using up vegetables already in the fridge.
- Toddler-friendly with no chilli or spicy ingredients.
- Perfect for meal prep or leftovers the next day.
Ingredients
- 2–3 cooked kranskys, sliced into bite-sized pieces
- 4 medium potatoes, diced
- 2 carrots, sliced
- 1 onion, cut into wedges (optional)
- 2 cloves garlic, crushed (or 1 teaspoon garlic powder)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper
- 1 teaspoon mixed herbs or Italian herbs (optional)
Optional Extras
- Frozen peas
- Sweetcorn
- Capsicum
- Zucchini
- Grated cheese
- A drizzle of honey or tomato sauce before serving
Method
- Preheat your oven to 200°C (180°C fan-forced).
- Place the potatoes and carrots onto a large baking tray. Drizzle with olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and toss to coat. Bake for 15 minutes.
- Remove the tray from the oven and add the sliced kranskys, onion, garlic and any additional vegetables you’re using. Toss everything together.
- Return the tray to the oven and bake for another 15–20 minutes, or until the potatoes are golden and tender.
- If using frozen peas, add them during the last five minutes of cooking.
- Serve as is, or sprinkle with grated cheese while everything is still hot.
Sam’s Kitchen Tips
- Cut the potatoes into small, even pieces so they cook quickly.
- Since the kranskys are already cooked, they only need enough time to heat through and caramelise slightly.
- This recipe is incredibly flexible. Broccoli, pumpkin, sweet potato or zucchini all work beautifully.
- Leftovers make an easy lunch the next day.
Final Thoughts
Some of the best family dinners aren’t planned—they’re created from whatever happens to be in the fridge.
This tray bake is proof that simple ingredients can come together to make a delicious, comforting meal without much effort. It’s become one of my favourite “clean out the fridge” dinners, and I hope it becomes one of yours too.