Let’s face it, we all get lazy sometimes. Whether the week is throwing a million things at you, or you just don’t want to spend hours whipping up dinner, these lazy high protein meals will help.

For many people, that usually means calling up the closest takeout place and ordering the usual. But it doesn’t have to be the case for you. At least, not every time!

Eating a high-protein diet does require some dedication, but it also requires some contingency planning. For those days when cooking feels almost impossible, a lazy meal is necessary.

That’s why I’ve stocked this list full of delicious lazy high protein meals ready for the days when the takeout menus are calling your name.

1. Meatballs with Cheese and Marinara Sauce

Meatballs are my favorite dish to make when I’m craving something special and comforting. These cheesy oven-baked meatballs are just it.

I’ve made them with marinara sauce and different cheeses: parmesan and mozzarella. Packed with seasonings, it’s the best thing you’ll eat and soo easy to make.

Per Serving:

• Calories: 136
• Fats: 9.6g
• Protein: 9.1g
• Carbs: 2.9g
• Fiber: 0.4g
• Sugar: 1g

2. Prawn Orzo with Sun-Dried Tomatoes

If you love pasta but need protein, this prawn orzo is perfect. Why?

Orzo has a little more protein, prawns taste amazing and this is super easy to make.

More protein but all the comforts!

Per Serving:

• Calories: 676
• Fats: 35g
• Protein: 36g
• Carbs: 56g
• Fiber: 4.4g
• Sugar: 6.9g

3. Salsa Fresca Chicken Bake

If you love Mexican flavors but want the protein and not the carbs, this is it. This salsa fresca chicken is so delicious, bold, flavorful yet has only 377 kcal per serving and 58g of protein.

It’s super easy to make and absolutely packed with a ton of protein! If you want to hit those macros and feel fuller with fewer calories, this is the meal to make.

Per Serving:

• Calories: 377
• Fats: 11g
• Protein: 58g
• Carbs: 10g
• Fiber: 2.2g
• Sugar: 4g

4. Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos

Tacos are one of my favorite meals to make. It’s just so easy to assemble and share with the family.

These tacos are so yummy, flavorful, require minimal prep but also have a ton of protein – 21g per taco! All you need is a crockpot!

Per Serving:

• Calories: 201
• Fats: 9.4g
• Protein: 21g
• Carbs: 15.5g
• Sugar: 17g

5. Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken Orzo

If you’re a lover of pasta evenings, this chicken orzo dinner is truly something special. It’s creamy, intense with sun-dried tomato flavors and so filling.

You can make it in just one pan, with very little chopping or preparation. A bowl of this (around 13oz) has a whopping 40g of protein, so make sure you’re using those chicken breast tenderloins; that’s where the protein is.

Per Serving:

• Calories: 618
• Fats: 27g
• Protein: 40g
• Carbs: 54g
• Fiber: 4.6g
• Sugar: 9.4g

6. Baked Pesto Mozzarella Chicken

If there’s anything I know from years of seeking healthy, lazy meals, it’s that ovens are your friend. This simple mozzarella bake is a great way to prepare some lean chicken breasts!

Best of all, the pesto helps turn this into an Italian treasure.

Per Serving:

• Calories: 549
• Fats: 31g
• Protein: 57g
• Carbs: 9.1g
• Fiber: 2.2g
• Sugar: 3.7g

7. Cajun Chicken With Sweet Peppers

If you want something that’s very simple to make, we’re talking when you don’t even have the cooking skills, this is it. The one-pan meal punches with flavor yet requires minimal prep.

Made in one pan and simply requires an oven. Now, that’s the kind of dinner I can eat over and over again. Especially when I’m busy.

Per Serving:

• Calories: 521
• Fats: 30g
• Protein: 51g
• Carbs: 11g
• Fiber: 2.1g
• Sugar: 5.5g

8. Creamy Cottage Cheese Pasta

Did you know that you can easily introduce more protein into your pasta with cottage cheese? Yes, you can!

I’ve made this pasta to show just that. It’s slightly creamy, very filling, and high in protein despite the fact that it is indeed pasta.

Most importantly, it’s so simple to make. Anyone can do it.

Per Serving:

• Calories: 722
• Fats: 19g
• Protein: 40g
• Carbs: 97g
• Fiber: 7.7g
• Sugar: 14g

9. Baked Tuscan Chicken

Flavor flavor flavor, this is what this chicken is full of. The best thing about it is that any noob can make it.

It’s the sort of lazy dinner you’ll enjoy. It is full of flavor but requires effort.

Per Serving:

• Calories: 471
• Fats: 32g
• Protein: 32g
• Carbs: 17g
• Fiber: 3.3g
• Sugar: 1.8g

10. Creamy Ground Beef Orzo

If you want pasta, choose orzo. It’s one of the more high-protein pasta out there, and it’s so fun to cook with.

This creamy ground beef orzo is super easy to make and tastes like heaven. All made in one pot, so very little cleaning up just how we like it. Haha!

Per Serving:

• Calories: 723
• Fats: 38g
• Protein: 39g
• Carbs: 58g
• Fiber: 5g
• Sugar: 9g

11. Chicken Parmesan Casserole

Next up, the same thing goes for chicken parmesan! Delicious, but often fussy to make. That’s why this chicken parmesan casserole is the next best choice.

In fact, in my humble opinion, this might be even better than chicken parmesan. It’s easy to make, warm, and ringing with all the flavors of the classic dish.

Per Serving:

• Calories: 503
• Fats: 11g
• Protein: 37g
• Carbs: 61g
• Fiber: 4.6g
• Sugar: 7.7g

12. Keto Jalapeno Popper Casserole

Cheesy, spicy, and low carb – this is an easy and yummy dish. All you have to do is throw all the ingredients into a baking dish and the oven will do the rest.

Now, that’s as lazy as it gets! 15 minutes of work and let the magic happen by itself. The casserole is perfect for spicy food lovers. I know I loved making it!

Per Serving:

• Calories: 438
• Fats: 31g
• Protein: 34g
• Carbs: 5.4g
• Fiber: 0.6g
• Sugar: 2.1g

13. Pineapple BBQ Chicken with Bacon

This is a perfect recipe to make if you’re really not much of a cook or just feeling extra lazy. All made just in one pan with minimal prep time.

For me, personally, pineapple and meat is my favorite combination for a dish, so if you’re like me, you’re absolutely going to love this no matter how good or bad of a cook you are!

Per Serving:

• Calories: 465
• Fats: 15g
• Protein: 45g
• Carbs: 36g
• Fiber: 1.5g
• Sugar: 28g

14. Cheeseburger Soup

When I’m craving comfort food like cheeseburgers, this is the recipe I make. Extra filling, flavorful and comforting – just the way I like my dishes.

While most soups are not that high in protein, this is. With 27g of protein you can make this delicious comforting meal in just one pot.

Per Serving:

• Calories: 418
• Fats: 32g
• Protein: 27g
• Carbs: 4.8g
• Fiber: 0.5g
• Sugar: 2.2g

15. Broccoli Bacon Cheddar Chicken

If you love cheesy and easy, plus high protein – this is the dish. It’s very simple, flavorful, and packed with protein, thanks to all those chicken breasts.

If you love more flavor and spice, you can always add extra. That’s the beauty of this recipe. It uses just Italian seasoning but you can really spice it up if you just use some imagination. Enjoy!

Per Serving:

• Calories: 386
• Fats: 24g
• Protein: 37g
• Carbs: 5.5g
• Fiber: 1.8g
• Sugar: 1g

16. Buttered Cod

If you’re a lover of fish, this recipe is for you. There is nothing better than having fish when you want to increase your protein intake.

That’s in big part because it’s low calorie and packed with protein. I loved making this one – it’s zesty, buttery and so very filling with just 297 kcal in a serving.

It’s as lazy as is gets. You can make it in under 20 minutes. Enjoy!

Per Serving:

• Calories: 297
• Fats: 19g
• Protein: 31g
• Carbs: 1.2g
• Fiber: 0.3g
• Sugar: 0.3g

17. Chicken Mozzarella Bake

First thing’s first, let’s address one of the finer things in life: mozzarella. A good old-fashioned mozzarella and chicken bake is our first stop on the list. Why? Because it’s comfort in a dish.

Cheesy, rich with tomatoes, and packed with lean protein, there’s really nothing better than this on a lazy night in.

Per Serving:

• Calories: 395
• Fats: 18g
• Protein: 50g
• Carbs: 6.2g
• Fiber: 1.3g
• Sugar: 2.1g

18. Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole

If you’re anything like me, then the combination of chicken, bacon, and ranch makes your heart sing.

As one of the most well-loved flavor combos in the world, this is at home in a casserole dish. This is a dump-and-go meal that saves you time and stress effortlessly.

Per Serving:

• Calories: 315
• Fats: 22g
• Protein: 25g
• Carbs: 4.2g
• Fiber: 0.9g
• Sugar: 1.8g

19. Lazy Lasagna Casserole

Lasagna is one of the more complex dishes on planet Earth, but those flavors are not to be missed. So, what’s a lazy cook to do? Get creative, of course.

This lazy lasagna casserole has the ease baked right into it. Instead of layered lasagna, just enjoy all the flavors mixed together and baked beneath a coating of mozzarella.

Per Serving:

• Calories: 449
• Fats: 22g
• Protein: 32g
• Carbs: 28g
• Fiber: 3.9g
• Sugar: 9.2g

20. Air Fryer Salmon

Next up, your best friend when preparing lazy meals is your air fryer! This countertop appliance opens so many doors. Like, for example, this delicious salmon dish.

Crisped to perfection with a side of salted greens, this dish is healthy without taking hours to prepare.

Per Serving:

• Calories: 287
• Fats: 17g
• Protein: 26g
• Carbs: 7.2g
• Fiber: 0.6g
• Sugar: 4.5g

21. Cast Iron Skillet Chicken Breast

Next up, let’s give a little love to some cast iron. This delicious dish spotlights the humble chicken breast. Frying your chicken in cast iron is one of the easiest ways to prepare it.

Luckily, it’s also one of the tastiest! Serve with a side of salad or greens. This is your next easy dinner waiting to happen.

Per Serving:

• Calories: 185
• Fats: 9.8g
• Protein: 22g
• Carbs: 1.5g
• Fiber: 0.4g
• Sugar: 0.1g

22. 3-Ingredient Breakfast Skillet

Next up, another 3-ingredient winner! This is a high-protein breakfast skillet the whole family will love.

This calls back to an old rule in my house: on nights when dinner isn’t on the cards, then it’s time to have breakfast for dinner.

Per Serving:

• Calories: 274
• Fats: 20g
• Protein: 19g
• Carbs: 3.2g
• Fiber: 0.8g
• Sugar: 1.9g

23. Sheet Pan Pork Chops and Vegetables

Calling all lazy home cooks, here’s the answer to your prayers! The humble sheet pan opens so many doors for quick and easy recipes.

Case in point: these tasty pork chops. This is one of my go-to recipes for nights when cooking something complicated is nigh-on impossible.

Per Serving:

• Calories: 390
• Fats: 28g
• Protein: 22g
• Carbs: 15g
• Fiber: 4.3g
• Sugar: 7.9g

24. Chocolate Protein Overnight Oats

Who says breakfasts can’t be lazy, too? Whether you need something simple for a busy morning or just want a quiet start to the day, these chocolate overnight oats will do the trick.

Kick things off the night before by mixing everything together, then leave it to sit ready for you the next morning.

Per Serving:

• Calories: 389
• Fats: 5.6g
• Protein: 33g
• Carbs: 54g
• Fiber: 8.1g
• Sugar: 14g

25. Salami Egg Cups

Next up, here’s another breakfast option for you to consider (although this would work just as well for lunch or dinner). These are super simple and take almost no time to make.

Plus, you only need five ingredients to make ‘em happen!

Per Serving:

• Calories: 260
• Fats: 20g
• Protein: 17g
• Carbs: 1.2g
• Fiber: 0.2g
• Sugar: 0.3g

26. Chicken Avocado Wrap

Need something easy to enjoy on the go? Whip up this lazy wrap recipe to enjoy something healthy no matter the time of day.

These wraps are easy to customize based on whatever you might have on hand. Just make sure to include plenty of protein to ensure they’re nice and filling.

Per Serving:

• Calories: 314
• Fats: 16g
• Protein: 17g
• Carbs: 28g
• Fiber: 6.4g
• Sugar: 1.3g

27. Air Fryer Ribeye Steak

Source: laraclevenger.com

Next up, steak! Steak can be a great lazy high-protein meal because it takes just a few minutes to come together. The secret lies in what you dress your steak with.

Serve it alongside some garlic asparagus spears, and you’re golden.

Per Serving:

• Calories: 472
• Fats: 32g
• Protein: 46g
• Carbs: 0.1g
• Fiber: 0.03g