5 Easy, Weight-Gain-Friendly Recipes for Busy Weeknights

Gaining weight can be a challenge, especially if you're short on time and looking for convenient meal options however easy weight gain is still possible. If you're trying to increase your calorie and protein intake, these five easy, weight-gain-friendly recipes are a great place to start. Whether you're looking for a satisfying dinner, a nourishing breakfast, or a tasty snack, these recipes have you covered.

5 Easy, Weight-Gain Friendly Recipes for Busy Weeknights

Most people are too busy to cook for themselves and prefer using affordable meal delivery services but nevertheless, we put together a list of recipes that are easy to follow if you want to eat healthy.

Grilled Chicken and Veggie Skewers

Ingredients 

• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces

• 1 cup cherry tomatoes

• 1 cup diced bell peppers

• 1 cup sliced mushrooms

• 1 medium onion, cut into wedges

• Olive oil

• Salt and pepper

Directions 

• Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. 

• Thread the chicken and vegetables onto skewers. 

• Brush with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. 

• Grill the skewers for 8-10 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are tender. 

• Serve the skewers with your choice of sides, such as rice or quinoa. You could also take them off the skewers and add them to a wrap. 

Black Bean and Sweet Potato Burritos

Ingredients 

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• 1 medium sweet potato, peeled and diced

• 1 cup diced onions

• 1 cup diced bell peppers

• 1 can black beans, rinsed and drained

• 4 whole wheat tortillas

• 1 cup shredded cheese

• Salsa, for serving

Directions 

• Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. 

• Add the sweet potato, onions, and bell peppers. 

• Cook until the vegetables are tender, about 5-7 minutes. 

• Stir in the black beans and cook until they are heated through. 

• Divide the vegetable and bean mixture evenly among the tortillas. 

• Top with shredded cheese and roll up the burritos. 

• Place the burritos in a baking dish and bake at 350°F for 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the burritos are heated through. 

• Serve the burritos with salsa on the side.

Slow Cooker Beef Stew

Ingredients 

• 1 pound beef stew meat

• 1 cup diced carrots

• 1 cup diced potatoes

• 1 cup diced onions

• 1 cup sliced mushrooms

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 cup beef broth

• 1 tablespoon tomato paste

• 1 teaspoon dried thyme

• 1 teaspoon dried rosemary

• Salt and pepper

Directions 

• Place the beef, carrots, potatoes, onions, mushrooms, and garlic in a slow cooker. 

• In a small bowl, whisk together the beef broth, tomato paste, thyme, and rosemary. 

• Pour the broth mixture over the beef and vegetables in the slow cooker. 

• Season with salt and pepper. 

• Cover the slow cooker and cook on low heat for 6-8 hours, or until the beef is tender. 

• Serve the beef stew with your choice of sides, such as bread or rice.

Baked Salmon and Roasted Vegetables

Ingredients 

• 4 salmon filets

• 2 cups mixed vegetables, such as broccoli, carrots, and bell peppers

• Olive oil

• Salt and pepper

Directions 

• Preheat your oven to 400°F. 

• Place the salmon filets in a baking dish and brush with olive oil. 

• Season with salt and pepper. 

• Place the vegetables in a separate baking dish and drizzle with olive oil. 

• Season with salt and pepper. 

• Place the salmon and vegetables in the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the salmon is cooked through and the vegetables are tender. 

• Serve the salmon and vegetables with your choice of sides, such as quinoa or brown rice.

Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal

Ingredients 

• 1 cup old-fashioned oats

• 2 cups water

• 1 banana, sliced

• 2 tablespoons peanut butter

• 1 tablespoon honey

• 1 scoop protein powder (optional)

Directions 

• Bring the water to a boil in a saucepan. 

• Stir in the oats and cook for 1-2 minutes, or until the oats are tender. 

• Stir in the banana slices, peanut butter, honey, and protein powder (if using). 

• Serve the oatmeal warm, topped with additional peanut butter and honey if desired.

From these options, you can see that easy weight gain is very possible to achieve. Just put together a quick high-calorie meal that supports your weight gain meal. If this is still not possible for you, you may want to consider subscribing to a prepared meal kit delivery service however this can be costly, however Clean Eatz Kitchen meals are only $7.99.

FAQs

What foods make you gain weight?

Some of the foods that can make you gain weight include oils like coconut oil and olive oil, smoothies, high-calorie protein bars, meat, avocado, and peanut butter. A Keto meal delivery service can help gain weight healthily.

How can I gain weight in 5 days naturally? 

It’s impossible to put on significant weight in a healthy way in 5 days. Instead, you should focus on including high-calorie foods such as healthy fats and enough protein in your diet to help your body put on some fat and muscle. You can also pair this diet with strength training to boost weight gain efforts. 

Which protein is best for weight gain?

Animal protein such as eggs, meat, and chicken is the best for weight gain. However, you can still achieve your weight gain goals with plant proteins like beans, nuts, peas, and tofu.