IntermediateLunch
Pan-Seared Halibut with Charred Corn Polenta & Green Olive Tapenade
Creamed corn, summer vegetables, lemon beurre blanc
873 cal · 86g protein · 40 min
Cuisine & diet · 68 recipes
High-Protein Italian-Style Recipes
High-Protein dishes in the Italian idiom — real recipes with macros. Every recipe below is from the Delicious.com kitchen, with full method, macros and a one-tap grocery list.
Intermediate
IntermediateLunch
Turkey Meatball Marinara over Garlicky Polenta
Tender ground turkey balls in a bright tomato sauce, nestled in creamy polenta—a diner classic with real soul.
1091 cal · 83g protein · 45 min
EasyLunch
Saffron Risotto with Pan-Seared Scallops & Crispy Sage Brown Butter
Creamy saffron-infused Arborio rice crowned with golden scallops and nutty sage butter
1026 cal · 81g protein · 32 min
IntermediateDinner
Braised Lamb Neck with Soft Polenta & Gremolata
Tender braised meat with silky cornmeal and fresh herb brightness
1158 cal · 75g protein · 105 min
EasyDinner
Whole Roasted Branzino en Papillote with Saffron, Capers & Charred Lemon
Mediterranean sea bass steamed in parchment with saffron rice and olives
937 cal · 72g protein · 32 min
IntermediateAppetizer
Charred Octopus & Stone-Fruit Agrodolce with Whipped Burrata & Crispy Sage Oil
Tender tentacles, sweet-sour peaches, creamy cheese, herb oil
874 cal · 61g protein · 43 min
IntermediateLunch
Charred Branzino with Gochujang-Miso Emulsion, Charred Baby Bok Choy & Crispy Rice Cakes
Pan-seared whole fish, spiced emulsion, charred greens, crunchy rice cake base
998 cal · 61g protein · 32 min
SophisticatedLunch
Charred Octopus & Burrata with Warm Tomato Confit, Caramelized Garlic & Burnt Olive Oil
Tender, silky octopus meets creamy cheese in a pool of jammy, punchy tomato
1346 cal · 60g protein · 80 min
EasyLunch
Grilled Chicken & Stone Fruit Salad with Crispy Prosciutto
Charred peaches, arugula, balsamic, Parmesan shards
582 cal · 57g protein · 23 min
EasyLunch
Arroz de Marisco (Seafood Risotto Rice)
Saffron-bright broth absorbs into short rice with tender shrimp, clams, and white fish
656 cal · 54g protein · 30 min
IntermediateDinner
Braised Lamb Shoulder with Charred Fennel, Roasted Garlic Jus & Soft Polenta
Tender lamb, aromatic vegetables, silky grain bed
990 cal · 51g protein · 183 min
IntermediateDinner
Braised Lentil & Mushroom Ragù with Creamy Polenta
Rich, slow-cooked lentils and mushrooms in a wine-and-tomato sauce over soft polenta.
1108 cal · 46g protein · 53 min
SophisticatedDinner
Braised Beef Short Rib with Tomato, Garlic & Fresh Basil Over Creamy Polenta
Fall-apart tender beef braised in San Marzano tomato with Tuscan aromatics
899 cal · 45g protein · 105 min
IntermediateDinner
Doro Tibs with Roasted Beet, Caraway & Teff Risotto, Charred Broccolini
Pan-seared chicken with Ethiopian spice, earthy risotto, and bitter greens
701 cal · 45g protein · 53 min
EasyLunch
Pasta e Fagioli with Pancetta Crisps
Hearty tomato & white bean pasta with crispy pork
794 cal · 43g protein · 23 min
EasyBreakfast
Stracciatella e Ricotta Tartine with Charred Peach & Black Pepper Honey
Silken egg threads draped over whipped ricotta on grilled sourdough
1057 cal · 43g protein · 28 min
SophisticatedAppetizer
Arroz Preto com Choco Assado, Espuma de Arroz Toastado e Óleo de Alho Queimado
Black rice & charred squid with toasted rice foam and burnt garlic oil
1151 cal · 43g protein · 65 min
EasyDinner
Pan-Seared White Fish with Charred Corn Polenta & Green Goddess Drizzle
Crispy-skinned fish, creamy polenta, fresh herb oil
580 cal · 43g protein · 30 min
IntermediateLunch
Braised Lamb Shoulder with Tomato, Olives and Soft Polenta
Tender lamb leg with Tuscan sauce and creamy cornmeal
735 cal · 42g protein · 65 min
SophisticatedBreakfast
Uova in Camicia con Salsa di Pesto di Mandorle e Asparagi Tostati
Poached eggs with charred asparagus and almond-basil emulsion
924 cal · 39g protein · 40 min
SophisticatedLunch
Turkey Breast Saltimbocca with Lemon & Caper Sauce
Pounded turkey wrapped in sage and prosciutto, pan-seared until golden
589 cal · 38g protein · 33 min
EasyBreakfast
Burst Tomato & Burrata Scramble with Crispy Sage Oil
Silky eggs, charred heirloom tomatoes, creamy burrata, sage-infused oil
977 cal · 37g protein · 20 min
SophisticatedBreakfast
Uova in Camicia con Burrata, Pesche Grigliate e Olio di Basilico Nero
Poached eggs, grilled summer peaches, creamy burrata, charred basil oil
786 cal · 36g protein · 40 min
SophisticatedAppetizer
Charred Octopus Crostini with Green Olive Tapenade & Crispy Garlic
Tender grilled tentacle on toasted bread with briny spread
835 cal · 36g protein · 50 min
Good to know
How long do these take?
Half are done in about 30 minutes. The quickest is around 20 minutes and the longest about 65 minutes, so there is something here whether you have a spare hour or twenty minutes.
Are these authentic Italian recipes?
No, and we do not claim they are. These are dishes built on Italian ingredients and technique by the Delicious kitchen, which is why the pages say Italian-style rather than Italian. They are written to taste right and to work in a home kitchen, not to be a record of traditional cooking.
Is every recipe here high protein?
Every recipe in this collection is written without ingredients that break a high protein diet. We cannot vouch for the brands in your cupboard or for cross-contamination in your kitchen, so check labels as you normally would.
How many calories are in these?
Most land between 397 and 998 calories a serving. Every recipe shows its own calories plus protein, carbs and fat, calculated per serving rather than per batch.
