Healthy Recipes Healthy Mealtime Recipes Healthy Dinner Recipes Healthy Budget Dinner Recipes 17 High-Protein Dinners That Are Budget-Friendly By Alex Loh Alex Loh Alex Loh is EatingWell's associate food editor. As part of the food team, she creates healthy, delicious recipes for the EatingWell audience. Alex also writes informative food and cooking articles that range from how to store ground beef to the best picks from Trader Joe's. Alex conducts product and taste tests to find the best options, from salad spinners to salsas. EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines Updated on May 5, 2023 Reviewed by Dietitian Jessica Ball, M.S., RD Reviewed by Dietitian Jessica Ball, M.S., RD Instagram Jessica Ball, M.S., RD, has been with EatingWell for three years and works as the associate nutrition editor for the brand. She is a registered dietitian with a master's in food, nutrition and sustainability. In addition to EatingWell, her work has appeared in Food & Wine, Real Simple, Parents, Better Homes and Gardens and MyRecipes. EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Enjoy a hearty and affordable dinner with these cheap high-protein meals. These recipes use budget-friendly proteins like ground beef and chicken to create a filling dinner with at least 15 grams of protein per serving. To get more bang for your buck, delicious recipes like Creamy Lemon Chicken Parmesan and Black Bean Tacos utilize pantry staples like pasta and beans. 01 of 17 Sheet-Pan Chicken Fajitas View Recipe One sheet pan is all you'll need to whip up these zesty chicken fajitas. They're quick and easy to make and cleanup is even faster! 02 of 17 Philly Cheese Steak Sloppy Joes View Recipe Two of our favorite comfort-food sandwiches join forces in these family-friendly dinner sandwiches. We found that softer buns make this easier to eat, and it's all the better when wrapped takeout-style in a sheet of foil. 03 of 17 American Goulash View Recipe American goulash, also known as old-fashioned goulash, is the perfect economical family meal. The pasta cooks right in the sauce, so this satisfying dish can cook in just one pot. 04 of 17 Creamy Lemon Chicken Parmesan View Recipe This riff on classic chicken Parmesan replaces the usual marinara with a luscious lemony cream sauce. We've lightened it up by using half-and-half instead of cream, with just-as-delicious results. Serve this lemony chicken dinner with whole-wheat pasta or brown rice. 05 of 17 Mini Meatloaves with Green Beans & Potatoes View Recipe This healthy meatloaf recipe and side dishes are all made in the oven on two sheet pans so that everything's ready for the dinner table at the same time. The potatoes go into the oven first to start roasting while the mini meatloaves and green beans are prepped and added to the oven partway through. 06 of 17 Black Bean Tacos View Recipe Mixing mashed canned beans with whole beans and seasonings makes an incredibly simple taco filling from your pantry. Top these speedy 5-ingredient tacos with lettuce, tomato and salsa or any of your favorite taco toppings. 07 of 17 Ham-&-Cheese-Stuffed Chicken Breasts View Recipe Making a pocket in the chicken breast to hold the stuffing is easy with a good, sharp, thin-bladed knife. Browning the chicken in a skillet before baking gives it a beautiful golden color, and finishing in the oven ensures that it cooks evenly throughout. 08 of 17 Roast Chicken & Sweet Potato View Recipe Healthy chicken and sweet potato recipes are always a delicious and reliable choice for dinner. This low-calorie sheet-pan meal combines chicken thighs and sweet potatoes and cooks up fast in a very hot oven. Serve with a fall salad of mixed greens, sliced apples and blue cheese. 09 of 17 Build-Your-Own Chicken Tacos View Recipe This kid-friendly recipe keeps every element of tacos separate so your child can decide to eat them separately or have fun building their own mini tacos with their favorite toppings. Plus, it's perfect for packing into a bento box for a healthy lunch for school. 10 of 17 Spaghetti with Quick Meat Sauce View Recipe Instead of opening a jar of sauce, try this easy spaghetti with meat sauce on a weeknight. Serve with steamed broccoli and garlic bread. The recipe makes enough for 8 servings. If you're serving only four for dinner, cook 8 ounces of spaghetti and freeze the leftover sauce. 11 of 17 Roasted Chicken Tenders with Peppers & Onions View Recipe Call this one an update of that favorite combo, sausage and peppers. Our healthy version can be served over rice or on a roll with a little shredded cheese for a new take on a Philly cheese steak sandwich. 12 of 17 Spinach & Sausage Gnocchi View Recipe Some like it hot—but if you don't, sweet Italian turkey sausage is also delicious in this healthy gnocchi recipe. Serve with a mixed green salad with sherry vinaigrette. 13 of 17 Bacon-Wrapped Chicken with Roasted Zucchini View Recipe We wrap tender chicken with strips of bacon that crisp up when placed under the broiler. It's a fast recipe for a satisfying, healthy meal. 14 of 17 Chicken Gyros View Recipe Skip the takeout and make these easy, healthy gyros at home. Lean chicken breast is flavored with classic gyro seasonings and tucked into a whole-wheat pita with veggies and a cool tzatziki sauce. 15 of 17 Beef & Black Bean Nacho Casserole View Recipe Sara Haas Hominy adds a chewy texture in this healthy casserole, which draws flavor inspiration from nachos. Crushed corn tortilla chips add a crunchy layer to complete the dish. Mild, medium and hot green chiles all work well, so choose what you like best depending on your heat preference. 16 of 17 Chicken & Spinach Skillet Pasta with Lemon & Parmesan View Recipe This one-pan chicken pasta combines lean chicken breast and sautéed spinach for a one-bowl meal that's garlicky, lemony and best served with a little Parm on top. It's a simple dinner the whole family will love. 17 of 17 Cheese Quesadillas with Peppers & Onions View Recipe These 15-minute quesadillas are a notch above basic with the addition of sautéed peppers and onions. Let the kiddos load them up with the toppings at the table. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit