For the kind of people who are always on the go (and let’s be honest, that seems to be all of us these days! ;) ), eating a balanced diet is key in keeping energy up.
If you tend to grab whatever is closest, like take out, you may be feeling a little fatigued or sapped for energy. And getting more healthy foods, like protein, into your diet can feel like a chore! After all, with so many options, which one is best?
But eating meals high in protein is a piece of cake when you have a few recipes at your fingertips! This blog post includes vegetarian meals high in protein, too.
8 meals high in protein
It’s important to get enough protein in your diet for breakfast, lunch, and dinner! The recipes below are perfect for warm OR cool temps and don’t skimp on flavor.
Proper Good split pea and kale soup
This delicious, plant-based recipe is a great vegetarian meal high in protein! Proper Good Split Pea and Kale soup provides the base, coming in at 13 grams of protein. Add in tasty potatoes and you’ve got yourself a meal that will leave you and the whole family satisfied all day or night!
Mediterranean rice bowl with rotisserie chicken
If you’re craving an exotic trip but are stuck at home, cook a tasty meal to transport yourself across the globe! This Mediterranean rice bowl is filled with heart-healthy vegetables like cucumber and tomatoes. Plus, protein-rich ingredients like chicken and feta cheese.
While you may not be able to physically go to the Greek Islands, with this refreshing rice bowl, you’ll almost be able to feel that sea breeze … we promise! ;)
Cheesy tomato soup spaghetti
Tomato soup is a personal favorite of ours. Perfect alongside grilled cheese or just about any veggie (including a side to salad!) tomato soup is incredibly comforting and cozy. With only 5 minutes of prep, this tomato soup spaghetti takes comfort food to the next level!
Ground beef gives this meal an extra serving of protein, while spaghetti noodles and mozzarella cheese provide a creamier-than-ever element. Not to mention fresh basil, which instantly transports you to summer or to a fancy restaurant (but from your own kitchen!)
Turkey burgers
This lean, low carb type of burger sometimes gets a bad rap for being a flavorless, less-appealing alternative to a beef burger. But the turkey burger is not a meal option to ignore! Turkey and beef burgers typically have the same levels of protein, but the difference is sodium and saturated fat content. In general, turkey burgers are a cleaner source of protein and a healthier alternative to beef.
A tip for achieving the juiciest turkey burger is to make sure you get ground turkey breast. Turkey burgers also provide a great base for a variety of toppings, such as chipotle mayo, tomatoes, bacon, avocado … and much more!
Proper Good chicken and rice casserole
Did you have a favorite casserole dish growing up? This high protein chicken and rice casserole is a nostalgic throwback to dinnertime with family.
Try whipping this 3 ingredients recipe up the next time your family gets together! Everyone will be so impressed but won’t know you only spent 5 minutes preparing the dish. ;) Consisting of just Proper Good Brown Rice and Quinoa, Proper Good Cream of Chicken soup, and 1 bag of frozen mixed vegetables, this recipe is a well balanced meal ready to show off!
Protein pancakes
Looking to throw together a breakfast vegetarian meal high in protein … that also tastes delicious?! AND that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways? Then look no further! Protein pancakes are a tasty option most often enjoyed for breakfast, but that can also serve as a healthy high in protein snack, too.
Most protein pancakes contain protein powder and can be enjoyed with sweet or savory toppings. A few sweet topping ideas could be strawberries, maple syrup, or cinnamon. Meanwhile, savory toppings like a poached egg, pesto, or curried chickpeas make for protein pancakes with a twist!
If you’re not sure if plant-based or whey protein powder is right for you, we wrote this helpful guide!
Creamy chicken spaghetti squash boats
Proper Good Cream of Chicken soup brings 19 grams of protein to this spaghetti squash boat recipe, which is also high in fiber! Thyme and sage give the dish an herb-y flavor, while mozzarella and parmesan cheese result in melt-in-your-mouth delicious-ness!
If you haven’t tried spaghetti squash before and are hesitant about preparing it, don’t be! Spaghetti squash is a versatile vegetable that can be cooked in a variety of ways. Plus, for those who are on a gluten-free diet, spaghetti squash is a noodle-copycat swap … like its namesake!
Red pepper and meatball baked ziti
While meatballs are a high-in-protein meal option, they’re awfully messy to make! Rolling the meatballs with your hands can be a tedious process that leaves your kitchen in shambles. So why not eliminate the meatball prep? Proper Good Red Pepper and Meatball soup is used in this filling, hearty ziti recipe.
Just add noodles, tomato sauce, and cheese to concoct this homey classic!
Proper Good Oatmeals
Looking for a no-prep, high protein meal option perfect for any time of day? Look no further than our many oatmeal options! With 8 grams of protein per pouch, Proper Good oatmeals are filling AND tasty, with delicious flavors like blueberry, peanut butter, and pumpkin pie.
And if you’re looking to sneak in an extra serving of protein, perhaps after a heart-pumping workout, you can easily mix in a scoop of whey or plant-based protein powder.
See? Meals high in protein don’t have to be made difficult, time consuming, or flavorless! There are so many high protein meals that can be made inexpensively. AND that are healthy for you, too!
