Healthy Whole Grain Solutions for Back to School Meals

For many parents, back to school time can be stressful and hectic. Luckily, healthy eating doesn’t have to be. “As the mother of picky eaters, I am always trying to find ways to sneak nutritious foods into my daughters’ meals, especially during the school year when schedules can get packed and I don’t have a lot of time to prepare dinner,” said “Sneaky Chef” cookbook author Missy Chase Lapine.

“Uncle Ben’s Whole Grain White Rice is a great solution because I know I am providing a nutritious whole grain meal my girls will truly enjoy.”

Uncle Ben’s Whole Grain White Rice is the first and only whole grain rice that looks and tastes like white rice. Each serving contains nearly a full day’s worth of whole grains and has 4 to 5 grams of fiber per serving, meeting nearly 20 percent of the daily recommendation.

Lapine has created a number of kid-friendly, healthy and easy whole grain recipes that will help eliminate dinner table nutrition battles. This recipe for Chicken Parmesan Rice Casserole combines comforting flavors with whole grains in an easy one-dish recipe.

Find more recipes and tips on incorporating healthy foods into your family’s meal repertoire at www.UncleBens.com.

Chicken Parmesan Rice Casserole

Chicken Parmesan Rice Casserole

Serves: 10

Serving Size: 1 cup

Prep Time: 45 minutes

2          boxes Uncle Ben’s Whole Grain White Rice Chicken

1          medium sweet potato

3          carrots

3 to 4   tablespoons water

2 1/2    cups cubed roasted or rotisserie chicken, ideally white meat

2 1/2    cups store-bought tomato sauce

3 1/2    cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese, divided

1/3       cup grated Parmesan cheese

Prepare rice as instructed on box.

Preheat oven to 375°F and spray a 13 x 9-inch baking dish with oil.

For simple homemade Sneaky Chef Orange Puree, peel, chop and boil sweet potato and carrots for about 20 minutes until tender. Drain and add to food processor with 3 to 4 tablespoons water, and puree until smooth. (Makes about 2 cups of puree. Leftovers can be kept in refrigerator for up to three days, or frozen for up to three months.)

Place cooked rice and chicken in the prepared baking dish. Mix tomato sauce, and 1 cup Orange Puree (or baby food carrots) in a bowl.

Toss chicken and rice with sauce mixture and 1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese. Top casserole with a combination of Parmesan and remaining 2 cups mozzarella cheese, sprinkling evenly over top.

Cover with foil and bake for 15 minutes. Uncover. Bake another 5 to 10 minutes or until top is lightly browned and bubbly.

Recipe created by Missy Chase Lapine, author of The Sneaky Chef: Simple Strategies for Hiding Healthy Foods in Kids’ Favorite Meals. www.TheSneakyChef.com

Courtesy of Family Features