17 Cheap and Lazy High-Protein Dinner Recipes
Dinner should be a satisfying and delicious meal, but that doesn’t mean it has to be complicated or expensive. These 17 cheap and lazy high-protein dinner recipes are perfect for busy weeknights, and they’ll help you meet your protein goals without spending hours in the kitchen.
The Recipes
1. The One-Pan Favorite: Sheet Pan Chicken Bacon Ranch
This recipe is a crowd-pleaser and a lifesaver on busy nights. Everything cooks on one pan, making cleanup a breeze.
- Ingredients: 1 lb chicken breast (cut into 1-inch pieces), 4 slices of bacon (chopped), 1 lb broccoli florets, 1 red bell pepper (chopped), 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 packet of ranch seasoning.
- Instructions: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Toss all ingredients on a sheet pan. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are tender.
- Estimated Protein: 35-40g
- Laziness Rating: 3/5 (Moderately Lazy)
2. The Sunday Special: Crock Pot Pork Roast
Let your slow cooker do the work with this incredibly tender and flavorful pork roast. It’s perfect for a Sunday dinner with leftovers for the week.
- Ingredients: 3-4 lb pork shoulder, 1 cup of your favorite BBQ sauce, 1/2 cup of water or broth.
- Instructions: Place the pork in a slow cooker. Pour the BBQ sauce and water over the top. Cook on low for 8 hours. Shred the pork with two forks.
- Estimated Protein: 35-40g per serving
- Laziness Rating: 2/5 (A Little Effort – for a week of easy meals)
3. The Cozy Classic: Ham and Bean Soup
This hearty and comforting soup is packed with protein and flavor. It’s a great way to use up leftover ham.
- Ingredients: 2 cups of diced cooked ham, 2 cans (15 oz each) of cannellini beans (rinsed), 1 onion (chopped), 2 carrots (chopped), 2 celery stalks (chopped), 4 cups of chicken broth.
- Instructions: Sauté the onion, carrots, and celery in a large pot until softened. Add the ham, beans, and broth. Bring to a simmer and cook for 20 minutes.
- Estimated Protein: 30-35g
- Laziness Rating: 3/5 (Moderately Lazy)
4. The 20-Minute Meal: Sausage and Gnocchi Skillet
This one-skillet meal is a true 20-minute wonder. It’s packed with flavor and is perfect for a busy weeknight.
- Ingredients: 1 lb Italian sausage, 1 package (16 oz) of gnocchi, 1 pint of cherry tomatoes (halved), 1/2 cup of chicken broth, 2 cups of spinach.
- Instructions: Cook the sausage in a large skillet. Add the gnocchi and tomatoes and cook for 5 minutes. Add the broth and spinach and cook until the spinach is wilted.
- Estimated Protein: 30-35g
- Laziness Rating: 3/5 (Moderately Lazy)
5. The Comfort Food King: Easy Beef Stroganoff
This simplified version of a classic comfort food is ready in under 30 minutes. It’s creamy, delicious, and packed with protein.
- Ingredients: 1 lb ground beef, 1 onion (chopped), 8 oz mushrooms (sliced), 1 can (10.5 oz) of cream of mushroom soup, 1/2 cup of sour cream, cooked egg noodles for serving.
- Instructions: Brown the ground beef with the onion and mushrooms. Stir in the soup and sour cream. Serve over egg noodles.
- Estimated Protein: 30-35g
- Laziness Rating: 3/5 (Moderately Lazy)
6. The Shepherd’s Pie Sibling: Cottage Pie
This cozy casserole is the ultimate comfort food. It’s a great way to sneak in extra veggies, and the mashed potato topping is irresistible.
- Ingredients: 1 lb ground beef, 1 onion (chopped), 1 cup of frozen mixed vegetables, 1 can (10.5 oz) of beef gravy, 2 cups of mashed potatoes.
- Instructions: Brown the ground beef with the onion. Stir in the vegetables and gravy. Pour into a baking dish and top with mashed potatoes. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20-25 minutes.
- Estimated Protein: 30-35g
- Laziness Rating: 3/5 (Moderately Lazy)
7. The Takeout Fakeout: Indian Butter Chicken
This slow cooker version of a takeout favorite is incredibly easy to make and is packed with flavor.
- Ingredients: 1.5 lbs chicken breast (cut into 1-inch pieces), 1 can (15 oz) of tomato sauce, 1 cup of plain yogurt, 2 tbsp of butter, 1 tbsp of garam masala.
- Instructions: Combine all ingredients in a slow cooker. Cook on low for 4-6 hours. Serve with rice.
- Estimated Protein: 35-40g
- Laziness Rating: 2/5 (A Little Effort – but mostly hands-off)
8. The Italian Classic: Crockpot Lasagna
Yes, you can make lasagna in a slow cooker! This recipe is much easier than the traditional layered version and is just as delicious.
- Ingredients: 1 lb ground beef (cooked), 1 jar (24 oz) of marinara sauce, 1 container (15 oz) of ricotta cheese, 2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese, 9 lasagna noodles (uncooked).
- Instructions: Layer the ingredients in a slow cooker in this order: sauce, noodles, ricotta, mozzarella, beef. Repeat the layers. Cook on low for 4-6 hours.
- Estimated Protein: 30-35g
- Laziness Rating: 2/5 (A Little Effort – but worth it)
9. The Meatball Masterpiece: Baked Italian Meatballs
These meatballs are perfect for a weeknight dinner. Serve them over pasta, in a sub, or on their own.
- Ingredients: 1 lb ground beef, 1/2 cup of breadcrumbs, 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese, 1 egg, 1 tsp of Italian seasoning.
- Instructions: Combine all ingredients and form into meatballs. Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 15-20 minutes.
- Estimated Protein: 30-35g per serving
- Laziness Rating: 3/5 (Moderately Lazy)
10. The Stir-Fry Star: Orange Pork Stir-Fry
This quick and easy stir-fry is packed with flavor and is perfect for a busy weeknight.
- Ingredients: 1 lb pork tenderloin (thinly sliced), 1 bag (16 oz) of frozen stir-fry vegetables, 1/2 cup of orange sauce.
- Instructions: Stir-fry the pork until cooked through. Add the vegetables and sauce and cook until heated through.
- Estimated Protein: 35-40g
- Laziness Rating: 3/5 (Moderately Lazy)
11. The Enchilada Evolution: Beef Skillet Enchiladas
All the flavor of enchiladas without the rolling. This one-skillet meal is a weeknight winner.
- Ingredients: 1 lb ground beef, 1 can (15 oz) of black beans (rinsed), 1 can (15 oz) of corn (drained), 1 can (10 oz) of enchilada sauce, 1 cup of shredded cheese, tortilla chips for serving.
- Instructions: Brown the ground beef. Stir in the beans, corn, and enchilada sauce. Top with cheese and serve with tortilla chips.
- Estimated Protein: 30-35g
- Laziness Rating: 3/5 (Moderately Lazy)
12. The BBQ Beauty: BBQ Ranch Chicken Salad
A hearty and flavorful salad that’s perfect for a light dinner.
- Ingredients: 2 cups of chopped cooked chicken, 1/2 cup of BBQ sauce, 1/2 cup of ranch dressing, 4 cups of chopped romaine lettuce, 1 cup of corn, 1 cup of black beans.
- Instructions: Toss the chicken with the BBQ sauce. Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and toss with ranch dressing.
- Estimated Protein: 30-35g
- Laziness Rating: 4/5 (Very Lazy)
13. The Veggie-Packed Chili: Veggie Protein Chili
A hearty and flavorful chili that’s packed with plant-based protein.
- Ingredients: 2 cans (15 oz each) of beans (kidney, black, or pinto), 1 can (15 oz) of diced tomatoes, 1 onion (chopped), 1 bell pepper (chopped), 1 packet of chili seasoning.
- Instructions: Combine all ingredients in a large pot. Bring to a simmer and cook for 20 minutes.
- Estimated Protein: 20-25g
- Laziness Rating: 3/5 (Moderately Lazy)
14. The Mexican Mashup: Mexican Chicken Stew
A flavorful and hearty stew that’s perfect for a cold night.
- Ingredients: 1 lb chicken breast (cut into 1-inch pieces), 1 can (15 oz) of black beans (rinsed), 1 can (15 oz) of corn (drained), 1 can (15 oz) of diced tomatoes, 1 packet of taco seasoning.
- Instructions: Combine all ingredients in a large pot. Bring to a simmer and cook for 20 minutes.
- Estimated Protein: 30-35g
- Laziness Rating: 3/5 (Moderately Lazy)
15. The Jacket Potato Pro: Vegan Chickpea Curry Jacket Potatoes
A simple and satisfying meal that’s packed with plant-based protein.
- Ingredients: 2 large baking potatoes, 1 can (15 oz) of chickpeas (rinsed), 1/2 cup of coconut milk, 1 tbsp of curry powder.
- Instructions: Bake the potatoes until tender. While the potatoes are baking, combine the chickpeas, coconut milk, and curry powder in a small pot. Bring to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes. Serve the chickpea curry over the baked potatoes.
- Estimated Protein: 20-25g
- Laziness Rating: 3/5 (Moderately Lazy)
16. The Cajun Kick: Spicy Cajun Chicken Pasta
A spicy and flavorful pasta dish that’s ready in under 30 minutes.
- Ingredients: 1 lb chicken breast (cut into 1-inch pieces), 8 oz of pasta, 1 jar (15 oz) of Alfredo sauce, 2 tbsp of Cajun seasoning.
- Instructions: Cook the pasta according to package directions. While the pasta is cooking, cook the chicken in a large skillet. Stir in the Alfredo sauce and Cajun seasoning. Add the cooked pasta and toss to combine.
- Estimated Protein: 35-40g
- Laziness Rating: 3/5 (Moderately Lazy)
17. The Leftover Legend: Leftover Steak and Veggie Skillet
Don’t let leftover steak go to waste! This quick and easy skillet is a great way to use it up.
- Ingredients: 1 cup of chopped leftover steak, 2 cups of leftover roasted vegetables, 1/4 cup of beef broth.
- Instructions: Combine all ingredients in a skillet and cook until heated through.
- Estimated Protein: 30-35g
- Laziness Rating: 5/5 (Extremely Lazy)
Conclusion
These 17 cheap and lazy high-protein dinner recipes prove that you don’t have to sacrifice flavor or your budget to eat well. With a little bit of planning and a few simple ingredients, you can have a delicious and satisfying high-protein dinner on the table any night of the week.
