These recipes are some of my favorites from The High-Protein Plate, and I’ve been obsessed with them ever since I developed them during my postpartum era with Hayes. Having a tiny human to take care of completely changes the way you approach cooking and meal prep—I needed meals that were simple, balanced, satisfying and actually worth the effort. From easy weeknight dinners to hearty seasonal staples, these all fit the bill. Packed with protein and so much flavor because no matter how nutritious something is, it still has to be SO good.
As a registered dietitian, nutrition has always been incredibly important to me, but I also believe healthy eating needs to feel realistic for everyday life. I wrote this cookbook specifically to make it easier to prepare balanced, protein-packed meals and snacks using wholesome, high-quality ingredients. Every recipe is approachable enough for busy weeks, satisfying enough to keep you fueled and delicious enough for the whole family to love.
Recipes From The High-Protein Plate
Mexican Meatballs in Creamy Enchilada Sauce
This is one of the few recipes from The High-Protein Plate that I’ve shared on the blog, so even if you don’t have the book yet, you can make it right here. It’s easily one of my favorite dinners in the entire book, mostly because of the homemade enchilada sauce. You need this sauce in your life. It’s rich, cozy and packed with flavor—the kind of dinner you finish and immediately think, “Okay yeah, I’m making that again next week.”
Cinnamon Apple Protein Pancakes
I’m very serious about a pancake that actually keeps me full, and these absolutely deliver. Each serving has 25 grams of protein, plus a warm cinnamon-apple topping that makes them feel extra special without turning breakfast into a whole production. They’re ready in 20 minutes, naturally sweetened and even kid- and picky-eater-approved. You can find this recipe on page 49 in The High-Protein Plate.
Roasty Breakfast Potato Hash
This is my answer to a restaurant-style breakfast hash that actually keeps you full. It has golden, crispy potatoes, seasoned ground chicken, sweet peppers and caramelized onions, with 30 grams of protein per serving. The potatoes roast separately for those perfectly crisp edges—absolutely worth the extra pan. Eat it as-is, add a fried egg or wrap everything in a warm tortilla for the best breakfast burrito. You can find this recipe on page 53 in The High-Protein Plate.
Pumpkin Pie Smoothie
I’ll take any excuse to work pumpkin into breakfast, and this smoothie does it without leaving me hungry an hour later. It’s thick, creamy and perfectly spiced, with 38 grams of protein and no added sugar. The best part? It takes five minutes to make, so you get all the fall flavor with basically zero effort. This one has been a longtime favorite on the blog, too, so you can make it even if you don’t have the book.
Seasoned Crispy Drumsticks
These drumsticks started with a recipe from my sister and have been on weekly rotation in my house ever since. They’re crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside and ridiculously easy to make—the wire rack is the secret, so don’t skip it! This has also been one of the most searched and loved recipes on the blog, so you can make it even if you don’t have the book.
Saucy Coconut-Curry Turkey Meatballs
These saucy coconut-curry turkey meatballs are tender, flavorful, and coated in a creamy coconut curry sauce that makes every bite so good. With 30 grams of protein per serving and just 25 minutes from start to finish, they’re an easy weeknight dinner the whole family will love. Serve over rice with your favorite veggies for a satisfying meal. You can find this recipe on page 122 in The High-Protein Plate.
Oven-Baked Beefy Burritos
These baked beef burritos are crispy on the edges and packed with juicy beef, refried beans, and melty cheese. They’re perfect for meal prep, freeze beautifully, and make an easy, satisfying lunch or dinner whenever you need something quick and filling. I made these recently (coming to my reels soon) and I was blown away all over again – they are so quick and so easy! You can find this recipe on page 126 in The High-Protein Plate.
Sesame-Ginger Pot Roast
This sesame-ginger pot roast is the kind of dinner that makes the whole house smell incredible while it cooks away with barely any effort from you. The beef turns fall-apart tender, soaking up all that savory, gingery flavor, and it’s just as good for a Sunday family dinner as it is for a busy weeknight. Serve it over rice with your favorite veggies, and don’t be surprised if everyone goes back for seconds. You can find this recipe on page 151 in The High-Protein Plate.
Sloppy Joe Bowls
If you grew up loving sloppy joes, this is the adult version of the dinner you loved! So saucy and satisfying but far more nutritious (and no added sugar!). The rich, tangy, smoky sauce coats perfectly seasoned ground beef, making for a high-protein, feel-good meal. You can find this recipe on page 176 in The High-Protein Plate.
