Skillet Meals

Yolanda’s Zucchini Skillet

• 1 pound hamburger meat
• 3 small zucchinis cut in half circles 1/4″ slices
• basil (fresh is best, but can use dried)
• garlic
• salt and pepper to taste

• Brown ground beef in skillet. Drain the fat if not using lean ground beef.
• Wash and cut zucchinis in 1/4″ slices. Add to skillet.
• Peel and mince 3-5 garlic cloves or to your liking.
• Add fresh or dried basil to taste.
• Add both to skillet.
• Cover to steam 3-5 minutes.
• Serve over steamed rice.

Tips to Make it Fit Your Family

• Substitute a Yellow or Mexican Squash for the zucchini.
• Substitute ground turkey, pork, or chicken for the hamburger.
• Substitute Italian seasoning for the basil.
• Substitute jarred garlic or garlic powder for the fresh.
• Serve without the rice.

Ramen Skillet

• 1 lb ground beef
• 2 cups water
• 2 cups frozen vegetables (your choice)
• 1 pkg Ramen noodles (any flavor)

In a skillet, cook meat until it is no longer pink; drain the fat. Add frozen vegetables and water. Stir until thawed. Add the noodles with the seasoning packet. Bring to a boil. Cook 3 to 5 minutes until vegetables and noodles are tender. Makes 4 servings.

Tips to Make It Fit Your Family

• Substitute ground turkey or chicken for the beef
• Use just one season packet to reduce the salt in the recipe
• Excellent fast meal, keep the ingredients on hand
• Great Combination: Oriental flavor and Broccoli, Beef flavor and mixed vegetables, Chicken and Peas and Carrots
• Add some spice by using a spicy ramen

Easy Skillet Tuna Casserole

• 1 Tbsp Butter
• 2 stalks Celery, chopped (about 1 cup)
• 1 can Cream of Mushroom Soup (10.5 oz)
• 1 1/2 cups Water
• 1 cup uncooked medium Shell Shaped Pasta
• 2 cans (5 oz each) Tuna, drained
• 2/3 cup shredded Cheddar Cheese
• Optional Topping: 1 cup crushed croutons

Heat the butter in a 12-inch skillet over medium heat. Add the celery and cook for 5 minutes or until tender-crisp. Stir in the soup, water and uncooked pasta and heat to a boil. Reduce the heat to low. Cover and cook for 10 minutes or until the pasta is tender, stirring occasionally. Stir in the tuna and 1/3 cup of cheese and cook until the mixture is hot. Season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with the topping and remaining 1/3 cup cheese. Remove from heat and serve. Makes 5 servings.

Tips to Make It Fit Your Family

• May substitute Margarine or Oil for the butter
• May substitute Elbow or Rotini pasta
• May substitute crackers or chips for the croutons
• Make a special topping by melting butter and add breadcrumbs and coat to cover
• Stretch by adding a bag of frozen peas, peas and carrots or mixed vegetables.
• May substitute canned chicken for the tuna
• Add a can of drained mixed vegetables
• No cream of mushroom soup, make your own cream base by melting 4 tablespoons of margarine, stir in 4 tablespoons of flour, add 2 cups of milk, salt and pepper to taste, stir until dissolved and cook for 2 minutes or until thicken.
• May substitute another flavor of cheese
• No celery, add some dried herbs like parsley, thyme or oregano.

Spicy Beef Skillet Supper

• 1 lb Lean Ground Beef
• 1 16 oz can unsalted pinto beans
• 1 15.5 oz can unsalted stewed tomatoes un-drained
• 1 cup uncooked long grain rice
• 1 cup water
• 2/3 cup salsa

In a large skillet, brown the ground beef. Cook until no longer pink, drain and rinse. Drain and rinse the can of pinto beans. Add beans and other ingredients to the meat. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 20 – 25 minutes or until the rice is tender. Serves 6.

Tips to make it fit your family

• Adjust this recipe by adding ground turkey or chicken if you do not have ground beef on hand.
• Make it go further by adding a second can of beans.
• Add an additional 1/2 cup rice and increase the water to 2 cups.
• Brown rice is more filling and has more nutrients, but will take longer to cook.
• Add a can of corn (drained) for another flavor profile.
• Serve with some frozen vegetables on the side
• Can’t find unsalted pinto beans, just rinse the beans in a strainer before using.

Stove Top Green Chile Chicken Enchiladas

• 1 Tbsp Olive Oil
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 1/4 cup flour
• 15 oz tub of frozen chopped green chile
• 1 can chicken broth
• 1 12.5 oz can of chicken
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1 Tbsp corn starch
• 1/4 cup cold water
• 8 corn tortillas
• 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese

Heat the oil in a large skillet or pot. Sauté the chopped onion in the oil. Add the flour and cook for 1 minute. Add the chile, chicken broth, chicken and garlic powder. Break up the chucks of chicken. Simmer uncovered for 5 minutes. Mix the cornstarch into cold water until all lumps are gone. Add to the chile/chicken mixture. Cook for 2 more minutes. Tear the tortillas into strips and add them to the pan. Making sure they are evenly distributed. Cook for several minutes stirring often until the tortillas are hot and the majority of liquid is absorbed. Top with cheese and serve immediately. Serves 4.

Tips to Make It Fit Your Family

• Used minced dried onion if don’t have fresh
• Substitute 2 cups of chopped roasted and peeled chile for the tub
• Can use chicken bouillon and water for the broth.
• Can cook chicken breast and shred instead of canned.
• Can add additional herbs like cumin and oregano
• Prepare the sauce and then layer sauce and tortillas in an 8×8 inch baking pan. Top with cheese and bake at 350 degrees for 20 to 30 minutes or until bubbly and cheese is browned.
• Recipe is easy to double for a larger family.

Quick Skillet Lasagna

• 1/2 cup onion, chopped
• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 14.5 oz can of diced tomatoes
• 2 4 oz cans tomato sauce
• 3 Tbsp spaghetti seasoning from packet
• 4 cups egg noodles (cooked)
• 1 1/2 cup low-fat cottage cheese
• 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
• Parmesan cheese

Cook noodles in large sauce pan as directed on package and drain. In a large skillet, cook the beef and onion until beef is brown and onion is tender. Drain off the fat. Add tomato sauce and spaghetti seasoning. Bring to boil reduce heat to simmer. Add noodles to the meat sauce, turn heat down to simmer, stirring constantly to prevent sticking. Mix in the cottage cheese and mozzarella. Top with Parmesan cheese and serve. Serves 6.

Tips to Make It Fit Your Family

• Substitute 2 Tbsp dried minced onion for fresh
• Substitute ground turkey or beef
• Substitute a 24 oz can/jar of spaghetti sauce for the tomatoes, tomato sauce and season mix
• Create your own season mix with your favorite dried herbs
• Substitute broken up lasagna noodles for the egg noodles
• Add some spinach or grated carrots for extra nutrients