40 High-Protein Recipes That Are Easy, Filling & 100% Guaranteed To Keep Hanger At Bay
Including plant-based, omnivore, and vegan options!
To everything there is a season, especially when it comes to healthy eating: Sometimes, that might mean going all in on carbs, like our pasta, pizza, or potato recipes. Other times, it might mean eating less carbs, like with our gluten-free, low-carb, or keto recipes. Long story short, we’re all about eating what feels good for you. One thing we can always get behind though? Getting plenty of protein to make sure we stay full, no matter where the day takes us. So whether you're looking for new protein-packed plant-based, vegetarian, and vegan meals (for Meatless Monday, perhaps?) or want to shake up how you cook chicken, seafood, or steak, these 40 high-protein meals are proof you're in the right place!
And we’re not just talking meat here, people! Sure, meat is protein rich, but it’s not the only way to pad out a protein-rich diet. Plant-based proteins like tofu and beans, vegetarian options like eggs, and even some veggies (Brussels, corn, spinach…) are also great sources. Try our BBQ tempeh sandwiches, vegan meatballs, our peanut chickpea protein bowls, or caramelized tofu lettuce wraps to see just how well some of these protein sources can stand up to meat.
If you’re an omnivore, you’ve got even more choices. Don’t settle for boring, dry chicken breast, pork, or fish—instead, use compelling flavors and cooking methods to amp up the drama and keep these proteins exciting. Case in point, our miso salmon farro bowls, our air fryer Korean-inspired pork tenderloin lettuce wraps, our high-protein marry me chicken, and our beef and rice stuffed poblano peppers.
Want more high-protein inspiration? Check out our top weeknight dinners featuring steak, chicken, and seafood, and our favorite vegetarian dinners too.
Peanut Chickpea Protein Bowls
Chickpeas and peanut sauce are two of our current obsessions, so these peanut chickpea protein bowls are our idea of paradise for dinner. Crispy chickpeas, cabbage slaw, and brown rice are topped with more veggies and herbs and drizzled with creamy peanut sauce for a satisfying dinner that’s both hearty and healthy.
Get the Peanut Chickpea Protein Bowls recipe.
Cottage Cheese Baked Ziti
Gone are the days when cottage cheese was just a bland diet food, filling up the scooped-out well of a cantaloupe. It's now used in, well, everything—whisked into eggs, blended into dips, added to sweet treats, and, in this one-pan recipe, swapped for ricotta. Why? It has a tangier flavor and packs more protein, making it a great upgrade to classic recipes.
Get the Cottage Cheese Baked Ziti recipe.
High-Protein Marry Me Chicken
This one-pan wonder has it all: plenty of luscious creamy sauce, tender chicken, and flavor for days. Honestly, we get all starry-eyed just thinking about it. But what if we want a little extra protein with our Marry Me moment? Because this recipe is so good and the sauce is so magical, it’s easy to make protein-boosting adjustments.
Get the High-Protein Marry Me Chicken recipe.
White Bean & Smoked Sausage Skillet
This white bean and sausage skillet is guaranteed to have you scraping your bowl clean and coming back for seconds. Seared smoked sausage gets smothered in a creamy sauce made from shallot, garlic, chopped kale, and tender cannellini beans, then topped with crispy-crunchy homemade mini croutons to make this hearty skillet dinner.
Get the White Bean & Smoked Sausage Skillet recipe.
Sweet & Sour Tofu
Sweet and sour sauce is a staple across Chinese-American restaurant menus—and for good reason. The combination of savory, tangy, and sweet flavors pairs well with virtually every protein. That’s especially true when it comes to tofu—because it’s mild in flavor, the sweet and sour sauce truly shines (even the tofu haters in your household will ask for seconds).
Get the Sweet & Sour Tofu recipe.
Lemon-Brown Butter Salmon
Here, hearty salmon fillets are generously seasoned with salt and pan-seared in browned butter, then topped with a flurry of freshly chopped herbs. Pair it with an easy-to-assemble salad or our foolproof mashed cauliflower for a full meal that will rival your favorite restaurant.
Get the Lemon-Brown Butter Salmon recipe.
Miso Salmon & Farro Bowl
Take your Monday night dinner into a Tuesday afternoon grain bowl with this miso-glazed salmon and charred scallion farro bowl. Miso is a Japanese cooking staple that's got toasty, deeply savory, and slightly sweet notes that pair well with hearty fish like salmon or cod, but it can also amplify the flavor of roasted veggies or even baked goods.
Get the Miso Salmon & Farro Bowl recipe.
Indian Butter Chickpeas
Looking for your new favorite way to dress up canned chickpeas? You’re in the right place. Simmered in an aromatic tomato gravy, this vegetarian spin on classic butter chicken will forever change the way you look at a can of beans.
Get the Indian Butter Chickpeas recipe.
Beef & Rice Stuffed Poblano Peppers
Bell peppers tend to be a bit sweeter and fruitier than poblano peppers, but poblanos really hold up to big flavors and rich foods. So we updated the typical beef and rice stuffing a bit by using fire-roasted tomatoes and spicing the sauce with chipotle chiles, ground cumin, and oregano.
Salmon Quinoa Bowl
This recipe is not only a simple, quick dinner (ready in 20 minutes!), but it’s a texture lover’s paradise. Quinoa is the base for our bowl, setting the stage for fresh arugula, thin slices of cucumber, tender, buttery salmon, and a homemade creamy dill and yogurt dressing.
Get the Salmon Quinoa Bowls recipe.
White Chicken Chili
When we're craving something hearty and healthy, this chicken chili immediately jumps to mind. White beans make it heartier than your average chicken noodle soup, green chilis and jalapeño add just the right amount of spice, and a dollop of sour cream lends a tangy creaminess that will keep you coming back for more.
Get the White Chicken Chili recipe.
Peanut Chicken Protein Bowl
We've created countless bowls that we love , but when we're craving a chicken dinner, we turn to this one. With a homemade peanut dressing, sliced chicken, sweet potato, spinach, and avocado, this healthy dinner is one we love to prep at the beginning of the week, then assemble and feast on all week long.
Get the Peanut Chicken Protein Bowls recipe.
Greek Salad Cottage Cheese Bowls
It wouldn’t be a Mediterranean menu without a Greek salad in some form or another—these cottage cheese bowls fit the bill. Packed with protein, nutrient-rich vegetables, and healthy fats (not to mention a whole lot of flavor), they’re the perfect anytime vegetarian meal.
Get the Greek Salad Cottage Cheese Bowls recipe.
Chicken Stir Fry
A stir fry is our go-to weeknight dinner when we just don’t have the energy to spend a long time in the kitchen—this recipe is no exception. Make it as is for our best-ever version, then use it as a jumping-off point to create your own.
Get the Chicken Stir Fry recipe.
Sesame Tofu & Broccoli
In this vegetarian version of a Chinese-American favorite, oven-baked tofu gets tossed in a savory, sweet, and slightly spicy sauce along with crisp-tender broccoli, then topped with toasty sesame seeds and scallions. With a side of white rice, you’re on your way to a saucy, crowd-pleasing weeknight dinner.
Get the Sesame Tofu & Broccoli recipe.
Egg Roll Bowls
When we’re craving crispy egg rolls but need a more filling lunch option, we turn to these bowls. Whether you’re low-carb, are looking for a creative lunch, or simply want to spice up your weeknight with an easy, budget-friendly dinner, these egg roll bowls are the way to go.
Get the Egg Roll Bowls recipe.
Vegan Meatballs
Few comfort foods satisfy like a hearty bowl of spaghetti and meatballs. These chickpea-based meatballs pack tons of flavor, come together quickly, and provide a good amount of protein and fiber.
Get the Vegan Meatballs recipe.
Low-Carb Turkey Gyro Bowls
With tender spiced meat, crunchy fresh veggies, tzatziki, and chewy pita, it's not hard to see why gyros are so globally beloved. Inspired by this popular sandwich, we created this healthy but hearty bowl that's perfect for a light dinner.
Get the Low-Carb Turkey Gyro Bowls recipe.
Pizza Frittata
While there's no shame in devouring slices of leftover pizza, if you're craving pizza for breakfast but want a substantial meal, turn to this pizza frittata. We load this frittata up with marinara, shredded mozzarella, and sliced pepperoni for savory pizza flavor, with double the protein and a lot less effort.
Get the Pizza Frittata recipe.
Goddess Bowls
A good sauce changes everything, and this green goddess dressing is one of our favorites yet. The veggies here are interchangeable, but in the spirit of goddess dressing, we think green is the way to go. Roasted asparagus, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts are all good choices.
Get the Goddess Bowls recipe.
