High in protein, high in flavor.
Brooke Greenberg / BuzzFeed
Easy protein-packed dinners always come in handy.
You can never have too many in your kitchen roster, especially on busy weeknights. So here are several high-protein recipes to fuel your next nightly meal — including vegetarian, vegan, and keto options.
The only real prep here is just rolling out the turkey meatballs — and that takes less than 10 minutes. Then just layer into a casserole dish and bake!
2. Black Bean Tacos With Avocado Crema
You'll get a double dose of vegetarian-friendly protein here — both in the black beans and in the Greek yogurt-based crema.
3. Keto Baked Fajita Chicken Casserole
This uses chicken breasts, but you could also swap in thighs. Then just pile everything into tortillas, over greens or zoodles, or enjoy solo.
This recipe uses extra lean ground turkey so you don't have to drain the meat after its cooked.
Recipe: Turkey-Stuffed Zucchini Boats
5. High-Protein Pesto Pasta
Starting with high-protein pasta noodles — like ones made from chickpeas, lentils, or pea flour — bulks this up. To add even more protein, swap the mushrooms for your meat of choice.
Recipe: High-Protein Pesto Pasta
Between the quinoa, black beans, and kidney beans, this is loaded with protein. (You could also easily make this vegetarian or vegan by substituting the chicken broth for veggie broth.)
If you're just starting out in the kitchen, cooking fish can be tricky. Oven-baked foil packs are the perfect starter method; they'll ensure perfectly juicy fillets every time. (Plus, easy cleanup!)
8. Crispy Glazed Tofu Bowls
The tofu is seared and baked until it's extra crispy — then tossed with a salty-sweet-spicy sauce of garlic, soy sauce, jalapeños, and maple syrup. (For even more protein, top the bowls with edamame!)
Recipe: Crispy Glazed Tofu Bowls
9. Avocado, Couscous, & Grapefruit Salad
Grapefruit peaks during late fall and winter — and this version is great for meal prep. Just add the avocado right before serving so it doesn't brown.
10. Easiest Slow Cooker Korean BBQ-Style Tacos
Joe Lingeman / Via thekitchn.com
Flank steak + your favorite hot sauce + your favorite barbecue sauce. Couldn't be easier!
11. Instant Pot Lentil Soup With Sausage and Kale
Looking for leftovers? This protein-packed soup makes enough for six people and freezes really well.
12. Garlic Butter Stovetop Steak Bites
Joe Lingeman / Via thekitchn.com
These bites are super versatile, and since you're cubing them upfront, they cook through in just a few minutes.
Another one that preps and cooks quickly — and can be served with anything from noodles to cauliflower rice.
14. Tuna Broccoli Casserole
Low carb, keto-friendly, easy to assemble — and only six ingredients needed.
Recipe: Tuna Broccoli Casserole
15. Vegan Tuscan White Bean Skillet
Prep is super minimal and everything cooks in one pan — so cleanup is a breeze.
Recipe: Vegan Tuscan White Bean Skillet
The base starts with grated sweet potatoes — which are then loaded up with chicken sausage, kale, garlic, and a splash of balsamic vinegar for tang.
Recipe: Hearty Sweet Potato Hash
17. Paleo Ground Turkey & Egg Skillet
TBH, eggs don't get enough credit at dinnertime. Let's change that.
18. Keto Baked Chicken & Vegetables
Ten minutes of prep, 30 minutes in the oven, and this is ready to go.
Recipe: Keto Baked Chicken & Vegetables
Chickpeas are a solid (and cheap!) source of protein. To make this vegan, swap the cream for coconut milk.
20. Harvest Skillet With Chicken, Sweet Potatoes, & Brussels Sprouts
All of your favorite fall flavors in one protein-packed skillet.
Recipe: Fall Harvest Skillet With Chicken, Sweet Potatoes, & Brussels Sprouts
