These are the dinners I constantly go back to when my brain is fried and I need something high in protein, made with clean-ish ingredients, and that takes limited brain power to get on the table. They’re fast, filling, toddler-friendly(ish), and make me feel like I fed my family and myself something solid — without losing my mind.
1. Chickpea Cheeseburger Mac + Optional Roasted Parm Green Beans
Comfort food energy with better ingredients. It’s cozy, filling, and somehow everyone eats it without complaints.
Serves 2
Macros per serving (without green beans): 445 cal | 34g protein | 20g carbs | 26g fat | 4g fiber
Optional green bean side adds: ~80 cal | 4g protein | 8g carbs | 4g fat | 3g fiber
Ingredients:
- 10–12 oz grass-fed ground beef
- 4–5 oz chickpea macaroni
- 1 cup bone broth
- 1 cup milk or almond milk
- 2/3 cup shredded cheddar
- 1/4 white onion, diced
- 1/2 tbsp ketchup
- 1/2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt, black pepper, garlic powder, chili powder, paprika
Optional green beans:
- 2 cups green beans
- 1 tsp olive oil
- Garlic powder, salt, pepper
- 2 tbsp grated parmesan
Instructions:
- Brown ground beef and onion in olive oil. Add seasonings.
- Add pasta, broth, milk, and ketchup. Simmer 7–8 mins.
- Stir in cheese and let it thicken.
- For green beans: toss with oil, seasonings, and parm. Bake at 425°F for 10 mins, broil 2 mins at the end.
2. Crispy Beef Tacos + Refried Black Beans
Fast, flavorful, and zero overthinking. Tacos just never miss.
Serves 2 (2 tacos + ½ cup beans each)
Macros per serving: 470 cal | 34g protein | 20g carbs | 29g fat | 4g fiber
Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 packet Siete taco seasoning
- 4 Siete taco shells (2 per person)
- 1/2 cup shredded cheese
- 1 roma tomato, diced
- Shredded lettuce
- Optional: Greek yogurt or salsa
- 1 cup Siete refried black beans (½ cup per serving)
Instructions:
- Cook beef, add seasoning.
- Warm taco shells. Fill with beef, cheese, lettuce, tomato, and any extras.
- Heat beans and serve on the side.
3. Rao’s Lasagna + Side Dish Caesar with a Protein Boost
This one feels like cheating, but somehow still feels put together.
Serves 3
Macros per serving: 520 cal | 32g protein | 30g carbs | 30g fat | 3g fiber
Ingredients:
- 1 Rao’s Family Size Lasagna
- ½–1 cup cottage cheese (top each serving)
- 1 bag Side Dish Miso Caesar Salad (or use Primal Kitchen Caesar) — both are seed oil free
- Code “KEE” works on Side Dish for 15% off
Instructions:
- Bake lasagna according to package instructions.
- In the final 5 minutes of baking, spread cottage cheese over the top and return to the oven so it gets warm and melty.
- Toss salad with your seed oil free dressing of choice.
4. Salmon Burger + Mexican Street Corn Salad
Quick, satisfying, and low-fuss — but it feels elevated.
Serves 2
Macros per serving (with rice): 580 cal | 32g protein | 38g carbs | 34g fat | 5g fiber
Without rice: ~490 cal | 30g protein | 22g carbs | 32g fat | 4g fiber
Ingredients:
- 2 HEB or Costco Fiesta-flavored salmon burgers (340 cal each)
- Optional: ½ cup cooked Spanish rice (Somos or Grain Trust), divided
- 1 bag Taylor Farms Mexican Street Corn Salad Kit
- 2 tbsp Chosen Foods Chipotle Ranch (swap for the dressing in the kit — it’s seed oil free)
Instructions:
- Cook salmon burgers. Heat rice if using.
- Toss salad without the packet dressing — use Chipotle Ranch instead.
- Plate everything up.
5. Thai Coconut Curry Chicken Bowl with Chili Crunch Edamame
My forever freezer dinner — zero effort but full flavor.
Serves 2
Macros per serving: 390 cal | 33g protein | 38g carbs | 14g fat | 5g fiber
Ingredients:
- 1 pouch Kevin’s Thai Coconut Chicken
- 1 cup frozen jasmine rice (Trader Joe’s or Grain Trust), divided
- 1 cup shelled edamame
- 1–2 tsp chili crunch (for edamame only)
Instructions:
- Heat chicken and rice.
- Steam edamame and toss in chili crunch.
- Divide and serve — you’re done.
When Dinner Just Needs to Work
These are my no-think, no-stress meals that I can pull off even when the day’s been chaos. They’re filling, high-protein, toddler-friendly, and actually taste good — without a ton of prep, cleanup, or mental energy. Save this list, screenshot it, or pin it for later… because we all have those nights.
