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High Protein Dinners for a Family on a Budget

Megan140 views

After years of nutrition consulting, I have discovered that most people eating the stereotypical American diet are not eating enough protein to maintain lean muscle mass. Sometimes the food industry manipulates this fact in marketing expensive protein powders. Protein supplements have their place in a balanced diet. They are convenient, hold a long shelf-life, and require little time to prepare. But–they are expensive!

Dinner is a key meal where I can influence the nutrition my family and I are getting. I am currently in a season of feeding 3 teenagers (2 of which are trying to gain muscle mass), 2 tweens, and one very hungry 6-year-old. Satisfying our family’s protein needs is getting expensive! It is easy to get caught up in complicated meal plans with aspirations of cooking from scratch.

Here is a collection of FIVE relatively quick and budget-friendly high-protein dinners (and TWO bonus side dishes) I have been making lately to provide adequate protein for my growing family:

Ham and Cheese Quinoa Bites (Gluten-Free)- 48 grams of protein in 3 Cakes and 2 T Greek Sauce
Chili Cheese Baked Potato- 26 grams protein (meatless) or 38 grams protein (2 T ground beef added)
Hearty Tuna Melt- 30 grams of protein
Slow Cooker Thai Peanut Chicken-40 grams protein per serving
Breakfast Burritos- 15 grams of protein per burrito, or 23 grams of protein when served with 1 cup of milk
Fiesta Vegetable Bowl with Rotisserie Chicken, Lime Rice, and Tomatillo Dressing- 30 grams of protein
Four-Ingredient High Protein Raspberry Fluff- 10 Grams of Protein per Serving
Sweet Pea and Bacon Ranch Salad- 9 Grams of Protein per serving

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