Low-Fat Easy Skillet Meal
A quick and healthy skillet meal featuring flavorful turkey or beef meatballs simmered with vegetables in a savory broth, perfect for busy weeknights and family dinners.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground turkey or beef ⓘ
- 27 saltine crackers, rolled ⓘ
- 1/4 cup onion, finely chopped ⓘ
- 1 clove garlic, crushed ⓘ
- 16 oz frozen vegetables ⓘ
- 1 cup chicken broth ⓘ
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce ⓘ
- 2 tablespoons vegetable or olive oil ⓘ
- 2 tablespoons water ⓘ
- 1/2 cup water ⓘ
- 1 egg, slightly beaten ⓘ
- 2 teaspoons ground ginger ⓘ
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch ⓘ
Instructions
- Combine ground meat, rolled saltine crackers, finely chopped onion, crushed garlic, beaten egg, 1/2 cup water, and 1 teaspoon ground ginger in a bowl.
- Shape the mixture into 24 meatballs.
- Heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable or olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
- Cook the meatballs in the hot oil for 10 minutes until browned and cooked through.
- Add frozen vegetables, chicken or beef broth, soy sauce, and remaining ingredients (except cornstarch and 2 tablespoons water) to the skillet.
- Mix the ingredients together and bring to a boil, stirring constantly.
- In a small bowl, combine cornstarch and 2 tablespoons water to make a slurry.
- Add the cornstarch mixture to the skillet and stir until the sauce thickens.
- Return the meatballs to the skillet, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Serve the meatballs and vegetable mixture over rice if desired.
Tips & Substitutions
For a healthier twist, consider using ground turkey instead of beef. You can also swap out the frozen vegetables for fresh ones like bell peppers and broccoli. If you don't have saltine crackers, crushed whole wheat crackers or breadcrumbs work well. For added flavor, try incorporating some herbs or spices like thyme or paprika.
Serving Suggestions
This skillet meal is versatile; serve it over steamed rice, quinoa, or even noodles for a filling dinner. Pair it with a side salad or steamed greens for a balanced meal. It also goes well with crusty bread to soak up the flavorful sauce. For a twist, serve alongside a dish like Aunt Hazel'S Tater Tot Pie.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place the dish in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of water or broth to restore moisture. Heat until warmed through, stirring occasionally to ensure even heating.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Low-Fat Easy Skillet Meal contains roughly 1704 calories, with 31g protein, 327g carbohydrates, and 33g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin A (99% of the Daily Value), calcium (67% of the Daily Value), and protein (62% of the Daily Value), and a good source of dietary fiber and vitamin C. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2192mg per serving (95% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this skillet meal ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the meatballs and sauce in advance. Store them separately in the fridge and combine them when ready to serve. This makes for a quick weeknight dinner option. Just remember to adjust cooking times as needed.
What can I use instead of chicken broth?
If you don't have chicken broth, vegetable broth or beef broth are great alternatives. For a lighter flavor, consider using water with a dash of soy sauce or a bouillon cube dissolved in water.
Can I freeze the leftovers?
Absolutely! Allow the dish to cool completely before transferring it to a freezer-safe container. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating on the stovetop.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).