Chicken, Broccoli & Cheese Skillet Meal

Chicken, Broccoli & Cheese Skillet Meal

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 30 minutes
Makes: 6 cups
Serving Size 1 cup

Ingredients

2 whole skinless, boneless chicken breasts (1 1/2 pounds) cut in 1" cubes
2 teaspoons oil
1 1⁄2 cups or more chopped broccoli, fresh or frozen
1 can (14.5 ounces) low sodium chicken broth (see Notes)
1 can (10.5 ounces) low sodium condensed cream of chicken soup
1 teaspoon pepper
2 cloves garlic, minced or 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
2 cups small shell pasta, uncooked
1 cup (4 ounces) cheddar cheese, shredded

Directions

1. Heat oil in skillet over medium-high heat (350 degrees in an electric skillet). Add chicken and cook until no longer pink, about 2-3 minutes.
2. Add broccoli, broth, soup, pepper, garlic and pasta. Bring to a boil.
3. Reduce heat to lowest setting, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until pasta is tender.
4. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
5. Check near the end of cooking and add a small amount of water, if needed.
6. Add cheese during last two minutes.
7. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

• Broth can be canned or made using bouillon. For each cup of broth use 1 cup very hot water and 1 teaspoon or 1 cube bouillon.
• Try whole wheat pasta when available

Easy Skillet Chili

Easy Skillet Chili

Prep time: 5 minutes
Cooking time: 45 minutes
Makes: 7 cups
Serving Size 2/3 cup

Ingredients

1 pound lean ground meat - beef, chicken, or turkey (15% fat)
1 onion, chopped (about 1 cup)
2 teaspoons chili powder
1 can (14.5 ounces) tomatoes, chopped with juice
2 cans (15 ounces each) beans, drained and rinsed (try black, pinto, kidney, or others)
1 can (10.5 ounces) condensed tomato soup

Directions

1. In a large skillet over medium-high heat (350 degrees in an electric skillet), brown meat and onion.  Cook on medium-low heat (275 degrees in an electric skillet) for 5 minutes. Stir often. Drain grease from pan.
2. Add chili powder and stir. Cook for 3-5 minutes.
3. Add tomatoes, drained beans, and tomato soup.
4. Add 1 soup can of water; stir and simmer for at least 30 minutes.
5. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

• Spice up your Easy Skillet Chili by adding diced green chilies, diced hot peppers, sautéed fresh mushrooms, sautéed fresh garlic, hot pepper sauce, frozen or canned corn, or extra chili powder.
• Cook your own dry beans. One can (15 ounces) is about 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 cups drained beans

Mix and Match Skillet Meal

Mix and Match Skillet Meal

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 45 minutes
Makes: 6 cups
Serving Size 1 cup

Ingredients

1 cup grain, uncooked
1 1⁄2 cups vegetables, fresh, canned or frozen, cut bite-sized
1 cup protein, cut bite-sized
2 cups sauce, stirred
1⁄2 teaspoon spices
3 Tablespoons topping

Directions

To make in a skillet:

1. Combine all Ingredients except topping in a large skillet.
2. Bring to a boil. Then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer until grains are tender, about 15 to 45 minutes. Stir occasionally and add liquid if too dry.
3. Add topping before serving.
4. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

 To bake in oven:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Combine all Ingredients except topping in a casserole dish. Cover with aluminum foil and bake until grains are tender, about 50 to 60 minutes.
3. Add topping before serving.
4. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

• Grain - try bulgur, pasta, quinoa or rice
• Vegetables - try a mixture of corn, carrots, green beans, onions, mushrooms, peppers or zucchini
• Protein - try cooked cubed or ground beef, pork, chicken or turkey, canned tuna or salmon, tofu or beans
• Sauce - try one can (10.75 ounces) condensed cream soup such as chicken, potato or tomato soup plus 1 1/4 cups water or low-fat milk
• Spices - try basil, oregano, parsley, chili powder, garlic, onion powder or ground ginger
• Topping - try grated cheese or crushed whole grain cereal or cracker

Easy Meatballs

Easy Meatballs

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 1 hour
Makes: 24 meatballs
Serving Size 3 meatballs

Ingredients

1 pound lean ground beef (15% fat)
1⁄2 cup uncooked brown or white rice
2⁄3 cup nonfat or 1% milk
1 egg, slightly beaten
1⁄2 cup chopped onion (1⁄2 medium onion)
1⁄2 cup shredded carrot
1⁄2 teaspoon salt
1⁄4 teaspoon pepper

SAUCE

1 can (10.5 ounces) condensed soup (try tomato, cream of mushroom or other flavors)
3⁄4 cup nonfat or 1% milk

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly spray or oil a shallow baking dish (9" x 13" x 2") with cooking spray.
2. Combine beef, rice, milk, egg, onion, carrot, salt and pepper. Use a spoon to form 24 meatballs and place in baking dish.
3. Combine soup and milk. Mix well. Pour sauce over meatballs.
4. Cover pan tightly with foil. Bake for 1 hour.
5. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

• Try using uncooked quick cooking or old fashioned rolled oats instead of rice

No Bake Tuna Casserole

No Bake Tuna Casserole

Prep time: 5 minutes
Cooking time: 15 minutes
Makes: 6 servings
Serving Size 1 cup

Ingredients

8 ounces egg noodles (4 1/2 cups dry)
3 ounces reduced fat cream cheese
1 can (10.5 ounces) low sodium condensed cream of chicken soup
1 teaspoon chicken bouillon
1 can (5 ounces) tuna in water, drained
1⁄8 teaspoon pepper
1⁄4 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon prepared mustard
1⁄3 cup non-fat or 1% milk

Directions

1. Cook noodles using package directions and drain well.
2. Soften the cream cheese and mix in the soup.
3. Add remaining ingredients except noodles and stir well.
4. Gently mix in cooked noodles and serve.
5. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

• Cream of Mushroom or Cream of Chicken Mushroom soup can be substituted for Cream of Chicken.
• A microwave works well to soften cream cheese.
• Try whole wheat egg noodles.
• Reheat the casserole in the microwave if it has cooled before serving.