Looking for high protein meal prep ideas that go beyond plain chicken and rice? Think colorful salmon bowls, saucy meatballs and little egg bites for breakfast.
These pictures give you plenty of combos to build on, whether you prefer a packed salad or a cheesy pasta dish.
You can keep things simple or add a few extra toppings.
Meal prep ideas worth saving
cheesy chicken and broccoli
We’re starting off strong with this chicken and broccoli combination. The shredded chicken, green florets and melted orange cheese look so good together.
I especially love the little herbs scattered over the top.
For your own lunch boxes, try pairing a similar chicken mixture with a side of rice.
meatballs and penne
Who doesn’t love a big pan of pasta? These meatballs sit between penne coated in red sauce, with plenty of sauce left around the edges.
Choose a chicken, turkey or beef meatball recipe for your version. You don’t need lots of toppings to follow this idea.
salmon bites and green toppings
This bowl may just be one of my favorites here. I love the browned salmon pieces next to the avocado slices, cucumber and bright green edamame.
The orange sauce drizzle brings a little color across the rice too.
Read also: 20 Casserole Ideas With Cheesy Tops, Golden Crusts and More
Keep the cucumber and avocado separate if you plan to reheat your salmon and rice.
salmon and quinoa boxes
If you are looking for a simple combination to build on, this one is for you. Each box has a salmon fillet, quinoa and a salad with cucumber, tomatoes and red onion.
I’d pack the salad in its own compartment so you can enjoy it cold without reheating the greens.
chunky chicken soup
Don’t want another rice bowl? No problem!
This soup has visible chicken pieces, peas, carrots, corn and lentils beneath a scattering of chopped herbs. There’s plenty going on without adding a pile of toppings.
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A piece of bread on the side would be a lovely way to serve your own version.
golden egg bites
How cute are these little egg bites? The browned edges and chopped green garnish make them look especially inviting.
You can also see pink pieces dotted through the centers.
For a similar breakfast, choose an egg-bite recipe with ham and chives. Pair yours with fruit if you want something sweet alongside.
loaded taco bowl
If you love lots of toppings, then this one is for you. There’s browned ground meat, black beans, corn, chopped tomatoes and shredded cheese, plus guacamole in the middle.
The tortilla strips are my favorite extra touch. Pack yours separately and add them when you’re ready to eat.
berry breakfast jar
I love this breakfast jar with its layers of berries, oats and a white yogurt-like base. The raspberries and blueberries look so pretty piled on top.
To make your own protein-focused version, use Greek yogurt or skyr. Save some granola for the top just before serving if you like a little crunch.
tuna and chickpeas
Don’t want to go all out with lunch prep? This tuna and chickpea combination is a lovely starting point.
The chopped red onion and capers give you a couple of small extras without a long list of toppings.
I’d add lemon juice and chopped parsley to my version before tossing everything together.
saucy noodles and sesame
The noodle fans are going to love this! Long noodles wind around browned cubes, carrot strips and green-edged vegetable slices.
The black and white sesame seeds are such a pretty finishing touch.
For a plant-based version of your own, try tempeh with noodles and vegetables. Add sliced green onions to follow the topping shown here.
chicken and colorful peppers
This is another chicken idea, but it’s a little different from the cheesy bowl above. Browned chicken strips sit over red and yellow peppers with curved onion slices.
I love how much color fits into one container.
You could use rice or couscous as the base for your own box.
shrimp rice and lemon
If you’re looking for something without lots of sauce or toppings, go with this shrimp and rice idea. The pink shrimp, chopped herbs and lemon wedges keep the bowl simple.
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I’d keep the lemon on the side and squeeze it over the bowl just before eating.
quinoa salad and eggs
How pretty is this salad? The little red pomegranate seeds stand out between the quinoa, chickpeas and cucumber.
Halved eggs sit right on top with their golden centers showing.
This is a lovely starting point if you want a lunch that doesn’t revolve around meat. Keep the chickpeas and eggs when building your own combination.
white bean turkey chili
This white bean turkey chili has so many toppings to choose from. I love the avocado slices along the edge, with chopped red onion, shredded cheese and a white dollop in the center.
Read also: 20 Crockpot Dinner Recipes and Ideas for Your Next Meal
For meal prep, portion your chili separately from the toppings. You can add those after reheating instead of mixing everything in at once.
scramble breakfast boxes
Breakfast doesn’t have to come in a jar! These divided boxes pair a yellow scramble with leafy greens and red pepper pieces, plus browned potatoes and red and green grapes.
Try a tofu scramble or an egg scramble for your own version. I’d keep the fruit in a removable container if the rest needs reheating.
broccoli pasta bake
I am obsessed with that golden cheese topping. The penne, broccoli and leafy greens peek out around the edges of the red sauce, so you can still see a little of everything.
To turn this idea into a higher-protein meal, you could use lentil pasta or add cooked chicken. Neither needs to replace the vegetables.
white beans and tuna
This is a similar idea to the chickpea bowl above, but with white beans this time. Flaked tuna, red onion, capers and feathery green herbs sit ready to be mixed together.
If you’d like a change from rice-based lunches, save this combination. I’d serve my version with crackers or a slice of toast.
burger bowl with potato wedges
Don’t want a bun with your burger? No problem there!
This browned patty sits beside potato wedges, leafy greens, cucumber, tomatoes and a pale dip.
Choose a turkey, chicken or bean patty recipe for your own bowl. The red onion and crumbled white topping are lovely details to keep.
saucy cubes and yellow rice
The bright yellow rice is the first thing that caught my eye here. Beside it are golden cubes and peas in a red-orange sauce, with cauliflower along the edge.
For your own protein-focused take, try paneer or tofu in a sauce you enjoy. Keep the peas and cauliflower if you want to follow this plate.
chicken lentils and pistachios
Last but definitely not least, we have this chicken and lentil bowl. I love the chopped pistachios over the shredded chicken!
Rice, leafy greens and a crumbled white topping fill the rest of the bowl.
The dressing is served on the side here. That’s a detail worth keeping when you pack your own lunch.