Plenty of lifters train hard, but if you really want to know how to build muscle - it's all in your diet! Lifting weights gives your body the stimulus to grow bigger and stronger, but it can't do so without the right building blocks. Thankfully, muscle building nutrition doesn't have to be complicated, time-consuming, or bland. Here are three great-tasting, easy meals you can make to improve your gains.

1. Fully-Loaded Frittata

Most people love a good omelet, but the French-style dish is notoriously tough to prepare. If you want a great-tasting alternative that can last you for several meals, try the Italian frittata. You'll need a big nonstick or cast iron skillet, along with your favorite meat and veggies. If you're really trying to get the protein in, make sure to use a pound or so of ground beef, diced chicken, or other meat.

To begin, simply cook off your meat and vegetables in olive oil or butter. Once they're ready to go, turn the heat off and add a dozen beaten eggs. Stir the mixture around, and let the heat of the skillet start to cook them. Once everything looks nice and uniform, pop the whole thing in a 400-degree oven for ten to twelve minutes. If you can afford the extra calories, top the finished product with some grated cheese. This gigantic egg pie should provide you with several protein-packed meals.

2. Slow-Cooker Stew

If you want to build muscle, but you're short on time - the crock pot might just be your best friend. If you don't already have one, it'll be well worth the thirty or forty dollar investment. Along with the slow-cooker, you'll need roughly five pounds of chuck roast, a couple of pounds of potatoes, and whatever vegetables you like. Most people use carrots and onions, but you can add anything that'll stand up to a few hours of heat.

Once you've assembled all the ingredients, all you need to do is place everything in the crock pot, cover with broth or water, and set to low. If you use big vegetables, you'll want to cut them into smaller chunks. Also, make sure you add salt, pepper, and whatever other herbs and spices you've got on hand.

The best part of this meal is that you don't even have to be there while it cooks! Just come back six to eight hours later, and you'll have a delicious stew that will last you for days. In fact, you might have so much that you'll need to freeze some.

3. Super-cheap Chicken Thighs

Most people try to build muscle with skinless chicken breasts, and while they're alright - they're not nearly as awesome as the thighs. Chicken thighs have just as much protein, along with some extra fat that you do NOT need to be afraid of. Remember, you need those calories to build muscle! They're usually cheaper than white meat, anyway.

The thighs also have more flavor than the breasts, and they won't get so tough and dry if you overcook them. This is good news for lifters who aren't quite as skilled in the kitchen as they are in the weight room. To get tasty chicken every time, just lay the meat out on a large sheet pan. Drizzle with olive oil, salt, and pepper, and pop the tray into a 400-degree oven. Cook for twenty minutes, flip, and cook for another twenty minutes. With a recipe that easy, you can't use poor cooking skills as an excuse for not building muscle!