Frozen dinners are fast, easy, and convenient, but they haven’t always been the most nutritionally-dense meal options, and aren’t always the greatest source of protein, so they’ll leave you feeling hungry soon after. Protein is important to include in your diet because it helps to build muscles and helps to curb hunger. From calorie-laden fried meals to fat-filled, greasy dinner choices, there are plenty of frozen dinner options that leave you feeling lethargic and unsatisfied afterward. But you don’t have to cook up a whole meal in order to have a nutritious dinner. Thankfully, these high-protein frozen dinners are healthy and great sources of this needed macronutrient.
When it comes to finding high-protein frozen dinners, you should look for one that has 15 grams of protein in it or more. It can’t hurt to also come across some that have a good dietary fiber content or are low in carbohydrates as well. Some companies have put an active effort into making sure that they’re offering high-protein frozen dinners that are nutritious and won’t leave customers feeling hungry later on.
Here are some or our favorite high-protein frozen dinners to stock up on that will leave you feeling satisfied and full.
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1. Luvo Roasted Vegetable Lasagna
Vegetarians are regularly fielding questions about where the protein in their diet comes from. With this lasagna, there’s an easy and proven answer, as it contains 15 grams of protein in each serving. The protein-packed pasta is filled with vegetables like butternut squash and kale and is served with Parmesan and mozzarella cheeses, which help add protein to the dish.
In addition to being high in protein, lasagna is also a great source of vitamin C and vitamin A, while remaining low in calories, with only 330 per serving.
2. Smart Made Mediterranean-Style Chicken Bowl
Just because a meal is frozen, doesn’t mean it can’t contain healthy, delicious ingredients, like the Smart Made Mediterranean-Style Chicken Bowl. The centerpiece of this frozen dinner is a grilled, white meat chicken breast, served with a mix of vegetables, and covered with a tomato sauce. Beyond the chicken itself, this dinner adds extra protein with Mediterranean-inspired ingredients like chickpeas and feta cheese.
This bowl has a whopping 20 grams of protein in one serving, and only contains 250 calories as well. But be sure to eat the high-protein frozen dinner in moderation, as it also packs in a lot of salt, with 620 milligrams of sodium.
3. Lean Cuisine Protein Kick Four Cheese Pizza
Pizza is rarely thought of as a nutritious option for dinner, but the Lean Cuisine Protein Kick Four Cheese Pizza is another story. The frozen pizza, which is baked in the oven, packs in a large amount of protein, and calcium, in just one serving.
Thanks to its blend of mozzarella, Parmesan, asiago, and Romano cheeses, the pizza contains 20 grams of protein — all of that without any meat on top. Its high protein content isn’t the only thing this pizza has going for it; it’s also pretty low in calories and cholesterol.
Related: We Ate a Lot of Frozen Pizza — and Found the Healthiest, Tastiest Ones
4. Healthy Choice Power Bowls Adobo Chicken
One of the best things about chicken — besides the fact that it’s a great source of protein — is that it’s so versatile. The easily adaptable meat can be transformed into a wide variety of dishes and cuisines based on what else is being cooked with it. In this frozen dinner, the chicken takes on a Southwestern flavor profile, as it’s served with Guajillo chili, roasted corn, poblano peppers, and tomatoes.
The frozen dinner contains a whopping 26 grams of protein in just one serving, while also maintaining a relatively low-calorie count. Not only is the dish great for adding protein to your diet, but it also has plenty of iron in it as well, which helps to maintain healthy blood.
5. Protein Lover’s Frozen Breakfast Burrito
Who says you can’t have breakfast for dinner? Sure, this protein-filled burrito, which contains eggs, sharp cheddar cheese, and quinoa, is typically eaten in the morning, but it’s just as good later in the day.
The burrito, which has 20 grams of protein in one serving, gets a lot of its protein from its traditional breakfast burrito ingredients; eggs and cheese. It also gets a good helping of protein from the addition of seitan — a meat substitute made of wheat gluten.
6. Trader Joe’s Chicken Burrito Bowl
There’s a true and tested method to ensure that you have a protein-heavy dinner — have some chicken, a grain like rice or quinoa, and some veggies and spices. There’s a reason that this combination is repeated, not only does it add more protein to your diet, but it’s also tasty, like this chicken burrito bowl. This frozen dinner steps up its flavor profile by adding black beans, corn, and a Chipotle Southwest-style sauce.
Each bowl contains 22 grams of protein, as well as 9 grams of dietary fiber. Another plus? There’s only 370 calories per serving.
7. Healthy Choice Chicken Tikka Masala
Sure, chicken tikka masala is inspired by Indian ingredients and recipes, but the dish itself is all British. In fact, in 2001, Britain’s Foreign Secretary Robin Cook said in a speech that it’s one of Britain’s national dishes. But you don’t have to fly over to London to try a bite of the beloved British staple. This frozen dinner by Healthy Choice captures the flavors and spices of chicken tikka masala and comes packed with protein.
The frozen dinner is also low in carbs and has a good amount of dietary fiber, helped by the fact that it’s made with cauliflower rice rather than rice in a twist on the traditional recipe.
8. Cali’foods Lasagna with Meat Sauce
On the surface, this frozen lasagna doesn’t seem like it’s overflowing with vegetables. But secretly, rather than flour-based noodles, this lasagna uses cauliflower noodles. The frozen meal also has antibiotic-free beef, spinach, ricotta, and like any good Italian dish, basil. Not only is it packed with veggies, but the frozen dinner is also high in protein, at an impressive 19 grams per serving.
Another perk? This gluten-free frozen lasagna is Keto-friendly and low on carbs.
Read next: 17 Best Healthy Freezer Essentials To Have On Hand
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