Skip to main content

Mix and Match Skillet Meal

Make this stir fry your own with your favorite protein, vegetables, and grain!
Kid friendly
Rice, chicken, vegetable and cheese dish.
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 45 minutes
Makes: 6 cups
Nutrition Facts: View label

Ingredients

(See Notes for ingredient ideas)
1 cup grain, uncooked
1 ½ cups vegetables, fresh, canned or frozen, cut bite-sized
1 cup protein, cut bite-sized
2 cups sauce, stirred
½ teaspoon spices
3 Tablespoons topping

Directions

To make in a skillet:

  1. Wash hands with soap and water.
  2. Rinse or scrub fresh vegetables under running water before preparing.
  3. Combine all ingredients except topping in a large skillet.
  4. Bring to a boil then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer until grains are tender, about 15 to 45 minutes. Stir a few times while you wait and add liquid if too dry.
  5. Add topping before serving.
  6. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

To bake in oven:

  1. Wash hands with soap and water.
  2. Rinse or scrub fresh vegetables under running water before preparing.
  3. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  4. Combine all ingredients except topping in a casserole dish. Cover with aluminum foil and bake until grains are tender, about 50 to 60 minutes.
  5. Add topping before serving.
  6. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

Ideas for Ingredients

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 ¼ 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 crackers. Try adding cilantro on top for more flavor.

Comments

I used this recipe as my formula for dinner tonight and it was a success!  For the grain I used bulgur, frozen cauliflower and broccoli for the veggies, tuna for the protein plus onion and garlic powder for the seasoning.  For the sauce, I used the broth recipe with 1 cup of milk and 1 cup of chicken broth.  I omitted the flour from the sauce recipe; I accidentally left it out once and found it was not necessary.  I stirred in shredded cheddar cheese at the end.  This came together very quickly and made just enough for our family of five when served with Brussels sprouts and whole grain bread on the side.

I love using this recipe for KIK's "Go Eat a Plant" lesson. I used cabbage (leaves) - zuchini (fruit) - broccoli (flower) celery (stem) carrot or onion (root) and sunflower seeds on top (seeds). I used fresh ginger and garlic for the seasoning. 92 kids tried it, and 72 liked it a lot! We had teachers coming into our class to see and taste what was smelling so good. A really good recipe to try a wide variety of foods!

Susan Sandperl, Myrtle Point Extension

For vegetarians this is a great dish as the quinoa is a high protein food item.  It is actually a seed although it is grouped as a grain.  It can also go into the protein category.

This is a really great recipe to experiment with-- especially suited for a fun teen cooking challenge. Cooking teams can be organized with each team using a different protein, grain, veggie combo, sauce, and topping. Everyone can sample the end results and vote for their favorite.

You might also like...

Recipes A to Z (without photos)

Creamy Potato Leek Soup
Oval ceramic serving dish with potato leek soup.

Creamy Potato Leek Soup

A tasty soup that is creamy, garlicky and comforting. Ready in one hour!
Prepare:
30 minutes
Cook:
30 minutes
Makes:
8 Cups
Oven Baked Salmon
Baked salmon filets on tin foil.

Oven Baked Salmon

Salmon is the star in this simple and tasty recipe ready in under 30 minutes.
Prepare:
5 minutes
Cook:
15 minutes
Makes:
4 Servings
Banana Boats
Grilled bananas topped with pineapple and shredded coconut shown on a serving platter.

Banana Boats

Try this tasty and healthy campfire treat. A fun recipe for kids to help make!
Prepare:
5 minutes
Cook:
5 minutes
Makes:
1 banana
Melon and Mint
Glass bowl of watermelon and honeydew cubes with mint.

Melon and Mint

Fresh and simple fruit salad with mint and lime.
Prepare:
15 minutes
Makes:
6 cups
Chicken Chowder for Two
Bowls of creamy potato chicken soup on serving plates.

Chicken Chowder for Two

Creamy, hearty and comforting soup for two. Ready in under an hour!
Prepare:
15 minutes
Cook:
30 minutes
Makes:
2 servings
Apple Spice Baked Oatmeal
Display of Apple Spice Oatmeal recipe squares

Apple Spice Baked Oatmeal

This make-ahead baked oatmeal breakfast recipe with fruit and whole grains is kid approved!
Prepare:
10 minutes
Cook:
30 minutes
Makes:
9 Squares (2.5 inches x 2.5 inches)