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BEYOND BREAKFAST

Cooking Light

Spring 2026 - High-Protein Recipes

Who says that breakfast is only for the morning? These omelets, smoothies, and grains are ideal ways to pack in protein any time of day.

EGGS BENEDICT

Cream Cheese Scrambled Eggs

HANDS-ON 10 MIN. TOTAL 16 MIN.

Adding cream cheese to scrambled eggs makes them rich and creamy, and also provides a bit more protein.

8 large eggs

¼ cup whole milk

½ tsp. salt

½ tsp. black pepper

2 Tbsp. butter

1 (3-oz.) pkg. cream cheese, cut into cubes

⅓ cup chopped fresh basil, plus leaves for garnish (optional)

1. Whisk eggs, milk, salt, and pepper in a large bowl.

2. Melt butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium; add egg mixture, and cook, without stirring, until eggs begin to set on bottom. Sprinkle cream cheese cubes evenly over egg mixture; draw a spatula across bottom of skillet to form large curds. Cook until eggs are thickened but still moist. (Do not stir constantly.) Remove from heat. Stir in chopped basil, if desired, and garnish with basil leaves, if desired.

+ Top each serving with 2 Tbsp. chopped lean ham to add 3g protein.

SERVES 4 (serving size: 2 eggs) CALORIES 278; FAT 23g (sat 11g, unsat 10g); PROTEIN 14g; CARB 3g; FIBER 0g; SUGARS 2g (added sugars 0g); SODIUM 556mg; CALC 10% DV; POTASSIUM 4% DV

Western Omelet

HANDS-ON 15 MIN. TOTAL 15 MIN.

This hearty omelet delivers the classic diner-style overstuffed package, brimming with bell peppers, ham, and cheese—perfect for breakfast or a light lunch.

1 Tbsp. water

⅛ tsp. salt

This story is from the Spring 2026 - High-Protein Recipes edition of Cooking Light.

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