10+ High Protein Low Carb Recipes for a Healthy Lifestyle
High protein low carb recipes are a great way to enjoy flavorful meals while sticking to your dietary goals. These recipes provide satisfying options that keep you energized and help maintain a healthy weight.
Whether you’re looking to boost your protein intake or cut down on carbs, there are plenty of delicious meals to try.
You can create a variety of dishes that suit your taste and lifestyle. From savory meats to tasty vegetarian options, finding the right recipes can make healthy eating enjoyable and easy.
Get ready to explore some satisfying meals that fit perfectly into your high protein, low carb plan.
1) Cottage Cheese Baked Ziti
Cottage cheese baked ziti is a tasty dish that combines protein and flavor. It’s perfect for a family dinner or meal prep. You’ll love how creamy it turns out with a lightly browned cheesy topping.
To make this recipe, you start by boiling your pasta. You then mix it with cottage cheese and marinara sauce for a rich flavor. Baking it helps all the ingredients blend together perfectly.
Ingredients
- 8 oz ziti pasta
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 1 cup shredded cheese
- 1 lb ground beef or turkey
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Boil the ziti pasta according to package instructions.
- In a skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat and drain excess fat.
- In a baking dish, combine pasta, cottage cheese, marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, and cooked meat.
- Top with shredded cheese.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
2) High-Protein Marry Me Chicken
High-Protein Marry Me Chicken is a delicious and satisfying meal. It’s perfect for anyone looking to enjoy a tasty dish while keeping the carbs low. This recipe is quick to prepare and packed with protein.
The main ingredients include chicken breast, sun-dried tomatoes, and a creamy sauce. These flavors blend together beautifully, making this dish a favorite. You’ll love serving it with veggies or a salad.
Ingredients
- 1 pound chicken breast
- 3/4 cup chicken bone broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup whole milk cottage cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped sun-dried tomatoes
Cooking Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add chicken and cook until browned on both sides.
- Pour in the chicken broth, cream, and cottage cheese.
- Stir in sun-dried tomatoes and simmer until chicken is cooked through.
- Serve warm with your choice of sides.
3) White Bean & Smoked Sausage Skillet
This dish is a tasty and simple option for a high-protein, low-carb meal. You can whip it up in about 30 minutes. The combination of smoked sausage and white beans makes it hearty.
Start by browning the sausage in a skillet. Then, add garlic and shallots for flavor. Finally, mix in kale and white beans to complete the meal. It’s filling and savory.
Serve this skillet dish warm. It pairs well with a side salad or crusty bread. Enjoy the creamy texture and smoky taste!
Ingredients
- 1 pound smoked sausage, sliced
- 1 can (15 oz) white beans, drained
- 2 cups kale, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 shallot, chopped
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat (375°F or 190°C).
- Add the smoked sausage and cook until browned (about 4-5 minutes).
- Stir in garlic and shallot, cooking until soft.
- Add kale and white beans, mixing well.
- Cook for another 5-7 minutes until heated through. Season with salt and pepper. Enjoy!
4) Sweet & Sour Tofu
Sweet and sour tofu is a delicious option that fits well into a high-protein, low-carb diet. It combines crispy tofu with a tangy sauce, making it both flavorful and satisfying. This dish is also quick to prepare, perfect for busy weeknights.
To make this dish, start by frying your tofu until it’s golden brown. Next, create the sweet and sour sauce using ingredients like vinegar, soy sauce, and a touch of sugar or a sugar substitute.
You can add colorful veggies like bell peppers and pineapple for extra taste and nutrition. Serve it hot over a bed of cauliflower rice for a complete meal.
Ingredients
- 1 block firm tofu
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons sweetener (like agave or a sugar substitute)
- 1 cup bell peppers, chopped
- 1 cup pineapple chunks
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch (optional for thickening)
Cooking Instructions
- Press and cube the tofu.
- Fry tofu in a pan until golden brown.
- In a bowl, mix soy sauce, vinegar, and sweetener.
- Add veggies to the pan with tofu.
- Stir in the sauce and cook for a few minutes.
- Serve with cauliflower rice.
5) Lemon-Brown Butter Salmon
Lemon-brown butter salmon is a tasty and easy dish that’s perfect for any weeknight. With just a few ingredients, you can make a flavorful meal in about 15 minutes.
To start, you’ll season salmon fillets with salt and cook them in browned butter. The addition of lemon zest and juice adds a fresh flavor that really brings the dish together.
This recipe pairs well with low-carb sides like cauliflower rice or roasted vegetables.
Ingredients
- 2 salmon fillets
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 lemon (zest and juice)
- Salt to taste
Cooking Instructions
- Heat a skillet over medium heat.
- Add butter and let it brown slightly.
- Season the salmon with salt.
- Place salmon in the skillet, cooking for 3-4 minutes per side.
- Add lemon zest and juice before serving.
6) Keto Pizza with Cloud Bread
Making keto pizza with cloud bread is a fun and tasty way to enjoy your favorite dish while staying low carb. Cloud bread is light and fluffy, making it a great base for your pizza toppings.
For the crust, you will need eggs, cream cheese, and a pinch of salt. These simple ingredients create a delicious alternative to traditional pizza dough.
Once your crust is ready, add your favorite low-carb toppings. You can use mozzarella cheese, pepperoni, or veggies. Bake at 300°F (150°C) until golden and bubbly.
This pizza is satisfying and packs a protein punch. Enjoy it for a quick meal or a fun family dinner!
Ingredients
- 3 large eggs
- 6 oz cream cheese
- 1/4 tsp salt
- Toppings of your choice (e.g., mozzarella, pepperoni, vegetables)
Cooking Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C).
- In a bowl, mix eggs, cream cheese, and salt until smooth.
- Spread the mixture onto a baking sheet to form a crust.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes or until golden.
- Add your toppings and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes.
7) Tarragon, Mushroom & Sausage Frittata
This tasty frittata is packed with protein and is perfect for a low-carb meal. The combination of tarragon, mushrooms, and sausages adds great flavor and nutrition.
You can make it in just 20 minutes. It’s a simple dish that’s great for breakfast, lunch, or a light dinner. Plus, it’s easy to customize with your favorite veggies.
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 200g chestnut mushrooms, sliced
- 2 pork sausages, sliced
- 1 garlic clove, crushed
- 100g fine asparagus, chopped
- 3 large eggs
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh tarragon for garnish
Cooking Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat.
- Add mushrooms and cook until soft, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in the sausage and garlic, and cook until the sausage is browned.
- Add asparagus and cook for another 2 minutes.
- Whisk the eggs and pour over the mixture. Season with salt and pepper.
- Cook until edges set, then transfer to the oven and bake for 10 minutes.
- Let cool slightly, garnish with tarragon, and serve.
8) Peanut Butter Energy Balls
Peanut Butter Energy Balls are a tasty and nutritious snack. They are perfect when you need a quick energy boost. With high protein and low carbs, these bites are ideal for your diet.
To make them, combine natural peanut butter and protein powder. You can also add rolled oats and some honey for sweetness. Mini chocolate chips can be mixed in for an extra treat.
Once you mix everything, roll the mixture into small balls. Chill them in the fridge before eating. This makes them firm and delicious!
Ingredients
- 1 cup natural peanut butter
- 1 cup protein powder
- 1 cup rolled oats
- ½ cup honey
- ¼ cup mini chocolate chips
Cooking Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix peanut butter, protein powder, and rolled oats.
- Add honey and mini chocolate chips to the mixture.
- Roll the mixture into small balls.
- Chill in the fridge for 30 minutes.
- Enjoy your energy balls!
9) Avocado Crab Boats
Avocado Crab Boats are a delicious and healthy option for a meal or snack. They combine the creaminess of avocado with tasty crab meat. This dish is also low in carbs and high in protein.
To make these boats, you cut an avocado in half and remove the pit. Then, mix lump crab meat with spices and fill the avocado halves with the mixture. You can add spicy mayo for extra flavor.
Baking these boats for a few minutes can enhance their taste. You’ll enjoy the warm, melted crab with the cool avocado. It’s a quick recipe that is sure to please everyone.
Ingredients
- 2 ripe avocados
- 12 oz. lump crab meat
- 2 tbsp. mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp. lemon juice
- 1 tsp. garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper
Cooking Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Cut the avocados in half and remove the pit.
- In a bowl, mix crab meat, mayonnaise, lemon juice, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper.
- Fill the avocado halves with the crab mixture.
- Bake for 10-15 minutes until heated through. Enjoy!
10) Kabobless Chicken and Vegetables
Kabobless Chicken and Vegetables is a tasty, high-protein dish that is easy to make. You can enjoy all the flavors of kabobs without the hassle of skewers. This recipe uses chicken and a variety of colorful vegetables.
To start, gather fresh vegetables like zucchini, squash, and carrots. You will also need chicken breasts marinated to add flavor.
Arrange them in a single layer on a baking pan, making it simple to cook.
You can bake this dish at 400°F (200°C) until the chicken is fully cooked. The result is a healthy meal packed with protein and nutrients.
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts
- 1 zucchini
- 1 squash
- 1 carrot
- Cherry tomatoes
- Marinade of your choice
Cooking Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Slice the vegetables and place them in a pan.
- Lay the chicken on top.
- Pour marinade over the chicken and vegetables.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes. Make sure the chicken is cooked through.