7 High-Protein Recipes for Dysphagia Diets

IDDSI Level 5 Pasta with beef marinara and a breadstick

For those on dysphagia diets, getting proper nutrition while also having a varied diet can be difficult. Add some flavor to your table at mealtime with 7 of our favorite dysphagia-friendly recipes that are both delicious and packed with protein.

When it comes to getting protein for those on dysphagia diets, many turn to protein-shakes or microwavable meals, but it doesn’t always have to be this way. These 7 recipes featured below will add some variety to your diet, and are rich in protein. They all have options for both single-serving sizes for those making dishes at home and larger quantities for those that will be preparing these meals in a foodservice environment.

IDDSI Level 5 Chili

A hearty meal that’s great on its own or as a topping or dip, our chili recipe uses both Thick & Easy® Minced Ground Beef and Herb-Ox® Beef Bouillon packets for a dish that’s packed with flavor and protein.

Meets IDDSI Levels 5-7

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Minced Meat Shepherd’s Pie

IDDSI Level 5 Shepherd's Pie

Our easy-to-swallow take on a classic dish. This high-protein meal is also filled with vegetables to create a nutrient-packed entree that’s also full of flavor.

Meets IDDSI Levels 5-7

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Chicken a la King

IDDSI Level 5 Chicken a la King

Spice up your rice with a delicious mushroom- and ground chicken-based sauce that carries 13g of protein, with several different variations to meet a range of IDDSI levels.

Meets IDDSI Levels 5-7, with a variation for IDDSI Level 4

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Beef Stroganoff

IDDSI Level 4/5 Beef Stroganoff

Our take on the popular noodle-based dish features a delicious sauce using our Thick & Easy® Minced Ground Beef. This dish can be used as an important source of calories, carbohydrates, and protein.

Meets IDDSI Levels 5-7, with a variation for Level 4

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Minced Turkey Tetrazzini

Minced Turkey Tetrazzini

A classic American entree, now suitable for those with swallowing difficulties! This dish uses our Thick & Easy® Pureed Pasta along with Thick & Easy® Minced Turkey to create a meal that offers 18g of protein, and most importantly, tons of flavor.

Meets IDDSI Levels 5-7

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Chicken Alfredo

Chicken alfredo

A dysphagia-friendly take on a crowd-favorite meal, you’ll be surprised to see that our Chicken Alfredo recipe uses just 4 ingredients, and keeps all the flavor of your favorite alfredo, while being suitable for those with swallowing difficulties.

Meets IDDSI Levels 5-7

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Beef Marinara Pasta

Pasta with beef marinara

Pureed pasta and a delicious meat sauce using Thick & Easy® Level 5 Meats will give you all the flavors of Italy in this dish. It’s not just flavorful, it’s all an important source of nutrients, with 17g of protein and 21g of carbohydrates in each serving.

Meets IDDSI Level 5

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