This pesto sandwich pairs the bright green herby sauce with fresh mozzarella, artichokes, and roasted red peppers. Toast it until golden for an easy lunch or dinner!
I’ve been making loads of pesto with all the basil I have in my garden, and I have my newest favorite idea of what to do with it: this pesto sandwich! Obviously making a sandwich isn’t rocket science, but the combination of these ingredients here is spot on so I had to share.
There’s a generous slather of basil pesto along with creamy buffalo mozzarella, marinated artichokes, roasted red pepper and briny olives. The veggies happen to be on an antipasto platter, so I like to call it a pesto antipasto sandwich. It takes just 10 minutes to whip up and is a fast lunch or easy dinner that’s so satisfying! Even Alex was a huge believer on this one (after being skeptical when I pitched him the idea).
Ingredients For This Pesto Sandwich
Here’s what you’ll need to recreate this next-level sandwich:
Good bread: When I say good bread, I mean artisan-style crusty bread like a square of focaccia, sourdough, or any sturdy artisan loaf (like my no knead bread).
Basil pesto: The best way to eat this is with my homemade basil pesto: it takes 10 minutes and tastes incredible. It also has a beautiful bright green color.
Fresh mozzarella, buffalo mozzarella, or burrata: I had this first with buffalo mozzarella and it was incredible! You can also use fresh mozzarella sold in a large ball or burrata, which is the richest option.
Marinated artichoke hearts: You can also use canned artichokes without the marinade: both taste great!
Roasted red pepper: I use jarred; simply slice it into strips before assembling.
Green olives: I love Castelvetrano olives because they have a nice mild flavor, but you can use any type.
Baby arugula: This adds a nice peppery fresh element. Make sure to use baby greens and not mature arugula sold in bunches.
Tips for the Best Pesto Sandwich
Here are a few things to note about this sandwich:
Make the pesto in advance. Have a big batch of pesto on hand so all you have to do is put everything together. I like to freeze pesto in an ice cube tray and then defrost just what I need.
Dry everything. This helps to keep the sandwich from getting soggy. Mozzarella, peppers, artichokes need a quick dry with a paper towel.
Press gently while cooking. Press down the sandwich when cooking so that it holds together.
This pesto sandwich pairs the bright green herby sauce with fresh mozzarella, artichokes, and roasted red peppers. Toast it until golden for an easy lunch or dinner!
Prep the fillings: Tear the mozzarella into bite-sized pieces and pat it dry with a paper towel. Drain and quarter the artichoke hearts, slice the roasted red pepper, and roughly chop the olives. Pat the vegetable fillings dry.
Make the sandwich: Spread the pesto evenly over the cut sides of both slices of bread, going all the way to the edges. Layer the mozzarella, roasted red pepper, artichoke hearts, olives, and arugula onto one slice, then drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with a pinch of kosher salt. Top with the other slice of bread and press gently.
Toast the sandwich: Coat the bottom of a skillet with olive oil and heat over medium heat. Add the sandwich and cook until golden and toasted, about 2 minutes per side, pressing occasionally with a spatula. Slice in half and enjoy warm.
Skip toasting it and eat it cold: It’s actually also delicious without the toasting portion, as long as you have good bread.
from A Couple Cooks https://ift.tt/eSnlmGu
These delicious high protein meals are made from healthy whole food protein sources! My guide has you covered with ideas for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks.
You might think that “high protein” meals have to be plain chicken breast or protein shakes. But I couldn’t disagree more: my go-to high protein meals are things like silky masoor dal with warming spices, a shrimp Caesar salad that comes together faster than takeout, and the baked chicken meatballs that my kids request by name.
After reviewing the hundreds of recipes on this website, I’ve found my top go-to recipes for high protein meals that will fuel your day that my entire family loves: including breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks. I’ve also included some information from the Mayo Clinic that may change the way you think about protein!
What Is a High Protein Meal?
The Mayo Clinic recommends to consume 15–30 grams of protein at each meal. Interestingly, more is not better. Studies show eating more than 40 grams in one sitting is no more beneficial than consuming 15-30 grams in a meal. So, there’s no benefit in eating more protein than you need!
What Are the Healthiest Protein Sources?
The Mayo Clinic, the best ways to get protein are eating whole foods (not protein powder or supplements), like the following:
Fish or seafood
Lean meats, such as skinless, white-meat chicken or turkey
Egg whites
Low-fat dairy
Plant based protein like soy, nuts, seeds, beans and lentils
How Much Protein Do You Actually Need?
This article from the Mayo Clinic says you need 60 grams per day for an average adult. Once you’re 40 to 50 years old, you can start to lose muscle mass as you age, so you can target 70 to 90 grams.
The article also states that most Americans meet or exceed their protein needs. So it’s actually likely you’re already consuming enough protein, even if you’re not explicitly tracking it!
My Top High Protein Meals
Here are my top high protein meals, including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free dinner ideas. (You can find more meatless ideas in my vegetarian high protein meals.)
High Protein Dinner Ideas
Dinner is one of the easiest places to hit your protein goals: chicken, salmon and shrimp are simple to cook and high in protein. My masoor dal and red lentil soup are also great options for plant-based. Here are my 30 favorite dinners:
This juicy chicken meatballs recipe makes a deliciously healthy comfort food meal, served up in a tangy marinara sauce. It’s a hearty meal everyone will love!
Chicken: 28 g protein per serving Vegan: 15 g protein per serving
This oven baked salmon recipe perfectly seasoned, bursting with flavor, and ready in just 20 minutes! It’s ideal for busy weeknights or a quick meal to impress.
Our enchilada casserole recipe combines layers of tortillas, beans, cheese, and zesty sauce for an easy dinner idea! It’s faster than traditional enchiladas and makes a versatile easy meal with minimal effort—and you can make it with chicken or vegetarian.
26 g protein per piece vegetarian 41 g protein per piece chicken
This easy Mediterranean shrimp recipe comes together in minutes in one skillet with garlic, feta, lemon and fresh dill. It’s a flavorful dinner that fits perfectly into a Mediterranean diet lifestyle!
Masoor dal is a spiced Indian lentil dish that’s equal parts flavorful and cozy! This high protein meal is fully plant based and vegan; serve with rice for a tasty meal.
This Mediterranean chicken recipe stars tender chicken breasts baked with cherry tomatoes, olives, capers, lemon, and feta for a healthy one-pan dinner. Cooked in just 30 minutes!
This easy slow cooker crockpot shredded chicken recipe is the ultimate meal prep staple! You’ll love this simple method that makes juicy, well-seasoned chicken for healthy weeknight meals like tacos, salads, sandwiches, and more. We’ve made it more times than we can count!
This delicious black bean tacos recipe takes just 15 minutes, a fast and easy dinner idea that pleases everyone! Customize your toppings for loads of variations. Works for gluten-free, vegan, dairy-free, and vegetarian diets.
This creamy shrimp and orzo recipe is a simple and tasty one pot meal! Juicy shrimp, tender orzo, salty feta and bright lemon come together into a satisfying dinner everyone will love.
This Mediterranean rice bowl is ready in just 30 minutes, packed with colorful vegetables and bright flavors! With fluffy turmeric rice, seasoned chickpeas, and creamy tzatziki: it’s a weeknight dinner homerun.
This stuffed salmon recipe is a simple weeknight dinner ready in 30 minutes that’s impressive every single time! Flaky, pan-seared salmon pockets are filled with a creamy, savory spinach artichoke filling.
This tuna rice bowl recipe is an easy dinner idea that’s ready in 20 minutes! A mashup of savory tuna, fresh cucumber, and spicy mayo makes a satisfying weeknight dinner that’s budget-friendly and high protein. Less than $5 per serving!
This chicken and rice soup recipe is a cozy, easy soup everyone will love! It’s our family favorite, with tender shredded chicken and fluffy rice that swim in a savory broth infused with smoky paprika.
This baked tilapia recipe is bursting with flavor! Pair the fish with lemon, tomatoes and feta for an impressive yet easy dinner. This recipe has become a fan-favorite with many 5 star reviews!
These Greek chicken bowls are a 30-minute weeknight dinner packed with turmeric rice, seasoned chicken, crunchy veggies, and creamy tzatziki. Fresh, healthy, and totally satisfying!
This perfectly seared tuna steak is ideal as an easy weeknight dinner: it’s one of my favorite protein-packed seafood recipes! Here are my expert tips for cooking this tasty fish and top ideas for ways to serve it.
This one pot chicken and rice is the perfect easy dinner that’s bursting with flavor! Tender chicken thighs and fluffy rice simmer in a cozy broth, with a burst of freshness from the zesty parsley and lemon gremolata topping.
This coconut lentil curry is a fast and easy dinner idea that’s both healthy and full of flavor. It’s perfect for weeknight meals! Over the years, it’s become a fan favorite recipe that’s highly-rated by readers.
Hold onto your hats—here’s quite possibly one of the fastest easy shrimp recipes around! This Old Bay shrimp takes less than 10 minutes and results in juicy, perfectly seasoned shrimp. Add rice or pasta for a quick meal!
It’s surprisingly simple to make chicken paillard that tastes like it’s straight out of a French bistro! It comes out tender and bathed in a tangy pan sauce—a perfect dish for easy weeknight dinners or impressing friends. Everyone always wants seconds!
This shrimp Caesar salad is our answer to, “What’s for dinner?” The shrimp cook in just 5 minutes and come out seasoned and juicy, making this a fast and easy high protein dinner dinner idea for weeknights or a simple lunch. Try it with our homemade Caesar dressing, or use purchased in a pinch!
This tofu fried rice recipe is bursting with flavor! Tender tofu takes center stage with fluffy rice, colorful veggies, and a savory sauce in this hearty vegan dinner.
This chimichurri salmon pairs moist flaky salmon with the tangy, garlicky punch of this herby sauce—these flavors were made for each other! It's so quick and easy to make broiled, or you can try it baked or grilled.
25 g protein per serving
High Protein Breakfast Ideas
Breakfast is simple to make high-protein when you have yogurt or cottage cheese. Yogurt bowls and cottage cheese pancakes are two of my favorites here, as well as my smoked salmon toast. Here are my top 10 high protein breakfast recipes for mornings, or see my full guide to High Protein Breakfast Ideas.
Need a quick and healthy high protein breakfast or snack idea? This satisfying yogurt bowl is packed with protein, fiber, and flavor—and easy to customize with your favorite toppings. It’s especially fun to make a DIY yogurt bowl bar as a low-stress way to serve guests!
This genius breakfast burrito recipe is irresistibly satisfying and so easy to whip up! It’s got massive savory flavor and a good amount of protein to boot.
Want a protein-packed, fluffy pancake recipe? This cottage cheese pancakes recipe is a deliciously healthy twist on the breakfast classic, perfect for satisfying your morning cravings.
Need a 5 minute high protein breakfast or lunch? Cottage cheese on toast is an easy lunch idea or snack using this high protein cheese!
14.5 g protein per serving
High Protein Snack and Lunch Ideas
Lunch can be hard to plan especially at an office, but Mediterranean tuna salad and smoked salmon salad are two of my favorite ideas that go big on protein and are easy to transport. Here are my top 10 high protein snack and lunch recipes, or see my High Protein Lunch Recipes for more ideas.
This no bake peanut butter energy balls recipe tastes like healthy brownie bites! It’s an easy naturally sweet treat made with dates. Adding protein powder is optional, but adds a bit of protein and sweetness. Our family gobbles these up!
These homemade protein bars are a family and fan favorite! They’re full of big peanut butter and chocolate flavor, using your favorite protein powder and a few extra ingredients. It’s a plant-based treat you can feel good about.
13 g protein per serving
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the highest protein meal on this list?
My one pot chicken and rice has 49 grams per serving. Greek chicken bowls have 44 grams, and my spinach stuffed salmon, Mediterranean chicken, and chicken enchilada casserole all are 41 grams per serving. Remember that per the guidance from Mayo Clinic above, you only need 15 to 30 grams per sitting so it’s not about having the highest protein but consistently consuming high protein meals.
What does 100 grams of protein look like across a day?
This could look like yogurt bowls for breakfast (31 grams), Mediterranean tuna salad for lunch (35 grams), and shrimp and orzo for dinner (37 grams).
What foods have the most protein per serving?
Some high protein animal sources are chicken breast, turkey, tuna, salmon, and shrimp. Plant based food the highest are tofu, tempeh, lentils, and edamame. For dairy, Greek yogurt and cottage cheese are very high in protein per serving.
What’s the easiest high protein dinner to make on a weeknight?
Most of them will last 3 to 4 days refrigerated. Cooked chicken, cooked beans and lentils, and cooked whole grains are the best bets here. Fish is best eaten within a few days, but tuna cakes save very well too.
Pin Recipe
