Meals in Minutes: 15-Minute Meals

Published June 25, 2010 by PETA Staff. Last Updated November 21, 2013.

‘Beef’ Burgundy With Mashed Potatoes and Garlic Broccoli

In need of a hearty meal in a hurry? Use instant mashed potatoes and a quick “hunter’s sauce” to dress up “steak” strips.

1 1/2 cups broccoli florets

1 Tbsp. vegan margarine

1 tsp. garlic salt

Black pepper, to taste

1 pkg. vegan hunter’s sauce (try McCormick Hunter Sauce Blend)

1 bag Morningstar Farms Meal Starters Steak Strips

2 cups instant mashed potatoes (try Washington Mashed Potatoes)

Fill a medium microwave-safe bowl halfway with water. Add the broccoli. Cook in the microwave on high for 5 to 8 minutes, or until steamed. Drain and stir in the vegan margarine, the garlic salt, and the pepper.
Prepare the vegan hunter’s sauce according to the package directions. Cook in the microwave for 1 to 2 minutes, or until hot.
Microwave the “steak” strips for 1 to 2 minutes, or until hot.
Prepare the potatoes according to the package directions.
Serve the “steak” with hunter sauce, mashed potatoes, and broccoli.

Makes 2 servings

Swiss ‘Steak’ With Mashed Potatoes and Garlic Broccoli

If you’re serving a family of four, use two bags of the “steak” strips.

1 Tbsp. vegetable oil

1 bag Morningstar Farms Meal Starters Steak Strips

1 McCormick Bag’n Season Swiss Steak

2 cups instant mashed potatoes (try Washington Mashed Potatoes)

1 pkg. vegan brown gravy mix (try Hain Vegetarian Brown Gravy Mix)

1 1/2 cups broccoli florets

1 Tbsp. vegan margarine

1 tsp. garlic salt

Black pepper, to taste

Heat the vegetable oil over medium heat in a large saucepan. Sauté the “steak” strips until browned. Add the ingredients for the Swiss “steak” and sauté until hot.
Prepare the potatoes according to the package directions.
Prepare the vegan gravy according to the package directions. Cook in the microwave for 1 to 2 minutes, or until hot.
Fill a microwave-safe bowl with water and add the broccoli. Microwave on high for 5 minutes, or until soft. Drain and toss in the vegan margarine and sprinkle with the garlic salt and pepper.
Serve with mashed potatoes and broccoli.

Makes 2 servings

No-Fuss Fajitas

A delicious meal in 10 minutes—what more can you ask for? If you are looking for more variety, try adding zucchini or carrots.

1 Tbsp. vegetable oil

1 bag Morningstar Farms Meal Starters Steak Strips

1 red bell pepper, seeded and sliced

1 green bell pepper, seeded and sliced

1/2 white onion, sliced

Taco seasoning, to taste

Tortillas

Place the vegetable oil in a large sauté pan over medium heat and sauté the “steak” strips, peppers, and onion. Add the taco seasoning.
Serve on the tortillas.

Makes 2 servings

‘Beef’ and Broccoli Over Rice

Have a hankering for Asian food that you can fix in a hurry? Whip up this quick-and-easy recipe for a satisfying meal.

1 Tbsp. vegetable oil

2 bags Morningstar Farms Meal Starters Steak Strips

1 1/2 cups broccoli florets

1 pkg. vegan brown gravy mix (try Hain Vegetarian Brown Gravy Mix)

3/4 cup water

1/4 tsp. ginger

Black pepper, to taste

1 pkg. instant rice (try Uncle Ben’s Ready Rice Original Long Grain)

In a large sauté pan, heat the oil. Add the “steak” strips and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, or until lightly browned. Add the broccoli.
Combine the gravy mix, water, ginger, and black pepper. Pour over the “steak” and broccoli. Stir and bring to a boil. Cover and simmer for 5 minutes, or until the broccoli is tender.
Prepare the rice according to the package directions. Serve the “beef” and broccoli over the rice.

Makes 4 servings

Pepper ‘Steak’

Instead of serving this “steak” on a bed of rice, try stuffing it into a hoagie roll.

1 pkg. vegan brown gravy mix (try Hain Vegetarian Brown Gravy Mix)

3/4 cup water

1 Tbsp. soy sauce

1 Tbsp. vegetable oil

2 bags Morningstar Farms Meal Starters Steak Strips

1/2 medium onion, sliced

1 bell pepper, seeded and sliced into thin strips

Black pepper, to taste

1 pkg. instant rice (try Uncle Ben’s Ready Rice Original Long Grain)

In a small bowl, mix together the gravy mix, water, and soy sauce until smooth. Set aside.
In a large skillet, heat the oil and sauté the “steak” for 3 to 4 minutes, or until lightly browned.
Stir in the gravy mixture, onion, pepper, and black pepper. Bring to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes.
Prepare the rice according to the package directions and serve with the “steak.”

Makes 4 servings

Chik’n Mojo

Give your dinner a taste of the Caribbean with ready-made mojo sauce.

2 bags Morningstar Farms Meal Starters Chik’n Strips

1 pkg. prepared mojo sauce (try World Market Mojo Sauce)

1 1/2 cups broccoli florets

1 Tbsp. vegan margarine

1 can southwestern vegetables (try Del Monte Savory Sides Rio Grande Vegetables)

Cook the “chicken” strips in the microwave on high for 1 to 2 minutes, or until hot.
Heat the desired amount of mojo sauce in the microwave for 1 to 2 minutes, or until hot.
Fill a microwave-safe bowl with water and add the broccoli. Cook in the microwave on high for 5 minutes, or until soft. Drain, then toss in the vegan margarine.
Heat the vegetables in the microwave for 1 to 2 minutes, or until hot.
Pour over the “chicken” and serve with the broccoli and vegetables.

Makes 4 servings

Oriental Chik’n

If you have extra time, place all the ingredients in the seasoning bag and bake for 30 minutes, or until warm.

1 Tbsp. vegetable oil

1 head broccoli

2 bags Morningstar Farms Meal Starters Chik’n Strips

1 pkg. McCormick Bag’n Season Chicken Oriental, to taste

1 pkg. instant rice (try Uncle Ben’s Ready Rice Original Long Grain)

Heat the oil in a large skillet.
Cut the broccoli into florets and combine with the “chicken” strips. Add the seasoning and stir to combine thoroughly.
Add to the skillet and sauté until the broccoli is cooked and the “chicken” is lightly browned.
Cook the rice in the microwave according to the package directions. Serve with the “chicken” and broccoli.

Makes 4 servings

Lemon Chik’n

For extra flavor, dredge the “chicken” strips in flour, pan-fry them, and then add them to the sauce.

1 pkg. NOH Chinese Lemon Chicken Sauce Mix

2 bags Morningstar Farms Meal Starters Chik’n Strips

1 pkg. instant basmati rice (try Comet Rice Fragrant Basmati)

1 1/2 cups frozen broccoli florets

1 Tbsp. vegan margarine

In a medium microwave-safe bowl, prepare the sauce mix according to the package directions. Mix in the “chicken” strips and cook in the microwave on high for 2 to 3 minutes, or until hot.
Prepare the rice according to the package directions.
Place the broccoli and a few Tbsp. of water in a small microwave-safe bowl. Cook in the microwave on high for 1 to 2 minutes, or until hot. Toss in the vegan margarine.
Serve over the rice.

Makes 4 servings