3 Low-Carb, High-Protein Dinners to Meal Prep This Weekend

If you’ve been making a point to limit the carbs in your diet, meal prepping is one of the best tools to keep you on track. This is always true, but especially now, when we’re all cooking a whole lot more. I don’t know about you, but I am definitely experiencing cooking fatigue and when I’m tired, it’s easier and easier to rely on convenience foods. Prepping a couple dinners in advance means you have no excuses to order takeout or call popcorn dinner! It also means less cooking (and clean up) during the week, a meal that will fill you up and make you feel good.

If you need a little inspiration, these low-carb, high-protein dinners are ideal for prepping in advance.

You cannot go wrong with a big batch of chicken and veggies that takes 20 minutes from start to finish and is totally adaptable to whatever ingredients you have on hand. This recipe calls for boneless breasts, but also works with boneless thighs work. As for the vegetables, almost anything goes here. Broccoli, cauliflower, bell peppers, Brussels sprouts, baby carrots — they’re all fair game. When dinner rolls around, simply reheat, or stretch the chicken and roasted veggies further by using them as a topper for a green salad or cauliflower rice bowl.

Get the recipe: 20-Minute Sheet Pan Chicken and Veggies

If you’re still wondering what to do with those cans of salmon in your pantry, salmon cakes are one of the most delicious meals you can make. They’re also a great alternative if you’re used to cooking fresh fish but can’t readily buy it right now. Prep and cook the patties in advance, then reheat in a hot skillet at meal time. Serve them with some roasted vegetables or a simple side salad.

Get the recipe: Salmon Patties

While this low-carb play on spaghetti and meatballs doesn’t take a ton of work, it does require some time. Thankfully you can get a head start and save time during the week. During your meal prep session you’ll cook and shred the spaghetti squash; during the week you’ll mix in the sauce, meatballs, and cheese and heat it up in the oven for dinner. If you can’t find meatballs, try swapping in smoked chicken sausage.

Get the recipe: Easy Low-Carb Meatball-Stuffed Spaghetti Squash