Putting on weight isn’t always as easy as just eating more.

Maybe you’ve been loading up on the right foods… but still aren’t seeing the changes you want. Or maybe gaining weight has always felt like an uphill battle. If any of that sounds familiar, it might be worth taking control in your own kitchen.

Below, you’ll find five easy recipes built for anyone trying to add mass. Not only are these dishes simple to make at home, but they’re also packed with calories and protein – the stuff you need if you’re looking to bulk up.

What Is a Healthy Way to Gain Mass?

When you’re trying to put on a healthy weight, it’s all about fueling your body with quality food and sticking to a solid exercise routine. There’s no point rushing things – steady progress is what pays off in the long run. You might start with the healthy meal delivery Ideal Nutrition or get hands-on in the kitchen, which can make a big difference. If you’re serious about building muscle the right way, check out these recipes – they’ll help you hit your nutrition goals.

5 High-Calorie Recipes to Build Mass

1. Breakfast Burritos

You’ll need:

• 12 eggs
• ½ cup of shredded cheese
• ¼ teaspoon of salt
• ¼ teaspoon of black pepper
• ½ cup of salsa
• 12 whole wheat tortillas

Instructions:

Start by scrambling a few eggs in a big skillet. Once they’re almost cooked, toss in your favorite shredded cheese, plus some salt and pepper. Keep cooking until the eggs are firm. After that… mix in about ½ cup of salsa and combine everything well. Time to build your burritos: scoop some of the egg mix onto each tortilla and roll them up tight so nothing falls out. You can dig in right away or stash them in the fridge for later – totally up to you.

2. Vegetable and Tuna Pasta Salad

You’ll need:

• ½ pound of pasta
• ½ cup of diced tomatoes
• ¼ cup of diced cucumber
• ¼ cup of diced red onion
• ¾ cup of cooked tuna
• ¼ cup of olive oil
• ¼ cup of white vinegar
• salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

For the pasta salad, cook your go-to pasta like you usually would, then drain it and dump it in a big bowl. Add chopped tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and a can of tuna. In a smaller bowl, whisk olive oil and white vinegar together, then season it with salt and pepper until it tastes just right. Pour that dressing over the salad, give everything a good toss, and you’re set.

3. Oven-Fried Chicken

You’ll need:

• chicken breasts (skinless, boneless)
• ½ cup of all-purpose flour
• ¼ teaspoon of paprika
• ⅛ teaspoon of cayenne pepper
• ½ teaspoon of garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon of salt
• ¼ teaspoon of black pepper

Instructions:

Set the oven to 400°F and then line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a shallow bowl, mix up the flour, paprika, garlic powder, cayenne, salt, and black pepper. Dip each chicken breast into the seasoning mix so they’re completely coated, then lay them out on your baking sheet. Bake for about 25 minutes.

4. Mac and Cheese

You’ll need:

• 16 oz of elbow macaroni
• ¼ cup of all-purpose flour
• ¼ teaspoon of salt
• ⅛ teaspoon of black pepper
• ½ cup of butter
• ½ of an onion, diced
• one cup of milk
• 12 oz sharp cheddar cheese, shredded

Instructions:

For the macaroni, just cook it like the box says. Meanwhile, melt butter in a big pot over medium heat. Toss in chopped onion and cook until it’s soft – about five minutes. Stir in salt, flour, and more black pepper. Gradually pour a cup of milk, stirring all the time until the macaroni starts to boil. Add the cooked macaroni and cheese, mixing well. Dish everything up and dig in while it’s hot.

5. Casserole Cups

You’ll need:

• 24 oz of frozen tater tots
• 16 oz of ground beef, cooked and crumbled
• ½ cup of BBQ sauce
• ½ cup of ranch dressing

Instructions:

Set your oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, stir together ground beef… the tater tots… BBQ sauce… and ranch dressing. Split the mixture evenly into 12 greased muffin tins. Bake for about 20 minutes, or until they’re golden brown on top. Serve these little casserole cups while they’re hot.

Eating Right While Weight Lifting for Mass Gain

These mass-gain recipes aren’t complicated – you won’t need any fancy ingredients, just staples you probably already have at home. For anyone focused on fitness, it’s important to engage in regular physical activity alongside bulking up with heavy weight lifting. A balanced fitness routine includes cardiovascular exercises, strength training, flexibility workouts, and proper rest.