14 High-Protein Dinner Recipes for Weight Loss

Lemon-Tahini Couscous with Chicken & Vegetables

Warm up on cold winter nights with one of these delicious, nutritious dinner recipes. Not only are these dishes low in calories and high in fiber, but they also boast at least 15 grams of protein per serving to help you feel full and satisfied.

Why is protein important for weight loss? There are several reasons, First, protein helps keep you fuller longer than, say, just eating carbs by themselves. Eating protein with your carbs also helps balance blood sugar so you're less likely to get blood sugar spikes and the subsequent crash—and that "hangry" feeling.

Protein also helps maintain muscle mass (along with strength training). When you lose weight, it's not just fat that you're losing. You're losing excess water and muscle mass—and muscle mass is exactly what you want to keep.

Ready to try some delicious high-protein dinners that won't have you foraging through your fridge at bedtime?

From our Lemon-Tahini Couscous with Chicken & Vegetables to our Creamy Fettuccine with Brussels Sprouts & Mushrooms, here are 14 healthy, tasty dinners to help you meet your nutritional goals.

01 of 14

Split Pea Soup with Chorizo

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For this easy slow-cooker split pea soup, look for raw smoky, spicy chorizo. If you can't find raw chorizo, Italian sausage or merguez makes a fine substitute.

02 of 14

Creamy Fettuccine with Brussels Sprouts & Mushrooms

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Sliced Brussels sprouts and mushrooms cook quickly and cling to the pasta in this version of pasta primavera. Look for presliced mushrooms to cut prep time. Serve with a tossed salad.

03 of 14

Lemon-Tahini Couscous with Chicken & Vegetables

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When you want pasta in no time, couscous is your best friend! The tiny pasta balls cook up in just minutes and absorb all the water so you don't have to fuss with draining. Tossed with sautéed vegetables plus leftover chicken, it's a fast and tasty meal in a bowl that's perfect as an easy dinner recipe.

04 of 14

Garlic-Herb Roast Pork Tenderloin with Parsnip Puree & Kale

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Here we blitz parsnips with milk and butter for a flavorful alternative to mashed potatoes to go with the pork and greens.

05 of 14

Easy Vegetarian Chili

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Canned beans and tomatoes make this quick vegetarian chili recipe ready to go in just 30 minutes. Serve over rice or couscous, or with tortilla chips for added crunch, and add extra toppings as you see fit—sliced scallions, chopped fresh cilantro, diced avocado and sliced jalapeños are all tasty choices.

06 of 14

Pistachio-Crusted Chicken with Warm Barley Salad

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Barley and pistachios give this healthy chicken recipe a double dose of nutty flavor. For an easy change-up, swap in your favorite whole grain, such as brown rice, farro or quinoa.

07 of 14

Celeriac & Lentil Salad with Poached Eggs

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Gnarly and knotty, celeriac (aka celery root) is a staple on many French bistro menus, often shredded and tossed with rémoulade sauce. Here, it's diced and combined with lentils and plenty of other veggies, along with a poached egg on top, for a salad packed with staying power.

08 of 14

Easy Pea & Spinach Carbonara

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Fresh pasta cooks up faster than dried, making it a must-have for fast weeknight dinners like this luscious yet healthy meal. Eggs are the base of the creamy sauce. They don't get fully cooked, so use pasteurized-in-the-shell eggs if you prefer.

09 of 14

Black Bean & Chipotle Tostadas with Creme Fraiche

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If you love breakfast burritos or huevos rancheros, you'll love this tostada with seasoned black beans on crispy tortillas with scrambled eggs on top. Garnish with salsa or hot sauce for an extra kick.

10 of 14

White Turkey Chili

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This healthy white turkey chili recipe is gorgeous, with flecks of green from zucchini, oregano and green chiles. To keep the saturated fat low, we use one pound of ground turkey and add whole-grain bulgur to boost the volume and fiber in this chili recipe. After all the ingredients are added to the pot, we like to slowly simmer our chili for close to an hour to develop the best flavor, but if you're in a hurry, reduce the liquid by half and simmer for 20 to 25 minutes.

11 of 14

Slow-Cooker Pinto Bean Stew with Jalapeno-Corn Dumplings

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This healthy slow-cooker pinto bean stew recipe is bursting with veggies—onion, bell pepper, celery and corn—and topped with crunchy bits of radish and chile- and lime-flecked cornbread dumplings. If you're pressed for time, skip the dumplings and serve this pinto bean stew straight out of the crock pot, topped with crushed tortilla chips and a sprinkling of Monterey Jack cheese. Make sure to soak your dried beans before using them in the slow cooker to ensure even cooking.

12 of 14

Delicata Squash & Tofu Curry

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This easy tofu curry, made with pretty delicata squash and hearty greens, cooks up in one skillet. To speed up the prep, use bagged chopped kale. Delicata squash's thin skin is tender when it's cooked, so there's no need to peel—another time saver. Serve with quinoa or brown rice.

13 of 14

Sausage & Peppers Baked Ziti

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This healthy baked ziti recipe doesn't require any chopping and is made on the stovetop, so it is perfect for a busy weeknight dinner. Using whole-wheat pasta adds fiber—opt for penne if whole-wheat ziti is hard to find.

14 of 14

Florentine Lasagna Roll-Ups

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Think portion control with these individual lasagna roll-ups that have that traditional lasagna taste in handy little bundles. Leftovers are great for lunch the next day.

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