Im no expert but I have sanded and painted oak cabinets, I couldn't see why you wouldn't be able to sand and stain but I would think you would have to put some sort of protective coating on them after.
I just found this link, hope this helps!

Here is a link that might be useful: staining cabinets

Sounds like you're talking about not stripping them, first. In my experience, I've sanded and restained wood successfully if it only has a light varnish coat over it. Meaning one coat instead of multiple coats.

But kitchen cabinets have tough varnish coats on them. So you might think about stripping them first. Then, you can stain them and have it turn out great. After stripping, you might want to give them a sanding with very fine sandpaper, first.

CelticMoon did just that; she restained her oak cabinets using a dark gel stain....see the thread linked below.

Here is a link that might be useful: Thread: I need help with my kitchen, Pics

Paint works great, too. Someone here filled in the graining with some sort of putty before painting, and it turned out beautifully. I painted using a red paint (I did not thin down the paint, but I did use several very light coats so that some of the graining was still visible) and they turned out very nice. Several coats of poly helped make them very sturdy.

We painted. (We did replace the doors as well - very inexpensive - less than $800 for paint-grade poplar doors ordered online)

Here is a link that might be useful: kitchen pictures in kitchen album

At our old house, my DH lightly sanded the cabinets and then applied miniwax polyshades and the cabinets came out great. Of course, polyshades only works if you want the same color or are going a darker color. The cabinets turned out great.

Here is a link that might be useful: minwax polyshades

goldenmom, i would like to echo the advice to check out celticmoon's restained cabs. she has contributed to other threads too and somewhere has her method and materials posted. she did not have to sand everything off....just a light scuffing. but it's because of the products she used. really nice job.

girlwithasprin did a great paint job on her cabs. personally, i think a bit of the grain showing thru is very nice. it doesn't really "show"....just keeps some of the rich texture of the wood which i think is much nicer than just flat paint.

snookums, i got all caught up in your kitchen! you mentioned your flooring is laminate and that you love it. is that still true, because that's what i would like to go with. it's gorgeous!! and so is your kitchen.