Sharing a round-up of the lazy protein-packed dinners I make when I don’t want to cook.
Hello friends! How are you doing? Hope you’re having a good morning so far. I’m here getting ready for a work trip to San Diego and I have coaching calls all morning today.
For today’s post, I wanted to share an overview of dinner options, particularly high-protein dinners that I always come back to when I don’t feel like cooking. The Pilot leaves quite often, which means I need nutritious, easy, realistic meals after school pickups, basketball games, and general end-of-day chaos.
These are the dinners that save me when I don’t want to think, cut a million things, or stay in the kitchen all night.
My must-haves
I keep them on hand almost all the time:
Roast chicken
Ground beef
Frozen wild salmon (always from ButcheryBox)
Frozen or roasted vegetables (I’ll roast a large pan once and use them all week)
Easy sauces (I love Kevin’s sauces Thriving market)
Gluten-free rice noodles
Salad kits (a lifesaver when you’re in a hurry)
And now… my top 10 lazy, high-protein dinners. Please steal them, then help a girl out by sharing your favorites in the comments.
Lazy Protein-Rich Dinners
1. Salmon bowls
I make rice in the Instant Pot (rinse rice, add equal parts rice and water, cook by hand for 12 minutes – perfect every time). While the rice cooks, I fry some frozen salmon with salt and pepper. I’ll chop a cucumber, microwave some edamame, and have some seaweed snacks. Top the rice with salmon, edamame, cucumber, seaweed and drizzle with tamari and sriracha.
2. Egg Roll in a Bowl
The kids love it and it makes excellent leftovers for lunch the next day. Easy, quick and rich in protein.
3. Easy Tofu + Noodle Stir-Fry
The kids love tofu, so I try to include it about once a week. I drain the tofu, wrap it in paper towels and put a heavy pan on top for 10-15 minutes. Then I stir-fry it with vegetables and toss it with cooked noodles and an easy sauce, like homemade peanut butter sauce or Kevin’s sauce.
4. Tacos with Barbacoa ButcherBox
ButcherBox barbacoa is elite. It’s fully cooked and frozen, so I just reheat it on the stove. I prepare fajita vegetables (onion, pepper, garlic, cumin) and serve it all with avocado and Coyota tortillas.
5. Teriyaki chicken, vegetables and rice
If I have time, I cook chicken in the Instant Pot; otherwise, shredded roast chicken works great. I sauté all the vegetables I have (onion, pepper, zucchini, carrots, broccoli), cook the rice in the Instant Pot, then heat everything with Kevin’s teriyaki sauce. Boom.
6. Spanish tortilla with hummus and vegetables
Probably my #1 comfort meal right now, especially after Spain, where we could get it every day at the market (the best ever). This takes about 30 minutes, but most of the time there is no need to intervene. I serve it with homemade hummus, sliced ​​vegetables and fruit.
7. Breakfast for dinner
When the Pilot is gone, breakfast for dinner is almost guaranteed.
Our essentials:
Breakfast Tacos with Salsa
Crustless quiche (I make it earlier in the day and keep it in the fridge)
8. Chicken Crust Pizza
Crust:
1 lb ground chicken
1 teaspoon of oregano
1 teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon of salt
¼ teaspoon pepper
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Mix the chicken and spices, then flatten it into a 12- to 14-inch disk (about ¾ to 1 inch thick – essentially a giant hamburger patty). Bake for 25 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F. Add the marinara and vegetables, cook for another 5 minutes and finish with fresh basil and feta.
9. Shrimp Pesto Pasta
Sauté the shrimp with garlic, salt and pepper while the pasta cooks. Add the lemon zest to the shrimp, mix with the pasta and the store-bought pesto. Serve with a salad kit or roasted vegetables.
10. Burger bowls
We love burger bowls. I cook the patties earlier in the day, then serve them over lettuce with red onion, tomatoes, pickles, fries (Alexia waffle fries are our favorite) and a little secret sauce.
For cooking we use Our place And Caraway– I like to have non-toxic cookware that also looks great on the stovetop.
If you are working on increasing protein, my favorite protein powder is find them I mix it with Daily nutritional support to make my daily protein pudding and top it with berries and hemp seeds.
And if you’re looking for more meal inspiration, Sculpture Society I just started nutrition – using it for new ideas. You can use GINAJAN if you want to check it out!
So tell me, friends: what’s your favorite lazy, high-protein dinner? Please share the goods in the comments.
xo,
Gina
PS If you’re eating “clean” but still feel stuck, this is something I explore closely with clients. You can learn more about 1:1 support here if you’re curious.
