This viral Sweet Potato Cottage Cheese Beef Bowl is packed with sweet and savory flavors, delivers 42 grams of protein in just 30 minutes, and is topped with a hot honey drizzle!
The viral sweet potato cottage cheese beef bowl is proof that the cottage cheese craze isn’t slowing down anytime soon!
This bowl is a little sweet, a little savory, super delicious, and easily sneaks in tons of protein without feeling like a “protein meal”.
The sweet potatoes get nice and tender in the air fryer while the taco-seasoned beef cooks up on the stove. Then, just toss it all in a bowl, add a big spoonful of cottage cheese, and you’ve got a creamy, high in protein meal with barely any work.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Weeknight dinner: The perfect 30 minute meal for when you need something quick and delicious.
- Customizable: Switch up the toppings or protein to suit your mood.
- Meal prep made easy: Make ahead for a week of easy lunches or dinners.
- Hits every note: This cottage cheese bowl is sweet, savory, creamy, and spicy. Guaranteed to make its way into your weekly healthy dinner rotation.
Ingredients for Cottage Cheese Sweet Potato Beef Bowl
Just 4 main ingredients, simple spices, and a drizzle of hot honey.
- Sweet potatoes: To create a wholesome base. Cut into cubes and roast in air fryer or in the oven.
- Ground beef: I always go for extra lean ground beef. Drain the extra fat after cooking, if you wish.
- Cottage cheese: Creamy and high in protein. Use whatever you like, low fat or full fat, for a smooth contrast to the savory flavors.
- Avocado: Diced for buttery texture and healthy fats. Guacamole would be great as well!
- Olive oil: Extra virgin for the best flavor. Avocado oil works too.
- Salt and pepper: Essential for seasoning both the potatoes and beef.
- Taco seasoning: The sole seasoning that adds flavor to the meat. I use low sodium. If not, add less salt to the meat.
- Fresh herbs: Cilantro or parsley to increase the flavor without extra calories.
- Hot honey: Sweet, spicy, and the finishing touch that ties it all together.
How to Make Cottage Cheese Bowls
These bowls are super easy to make on the spot or for meal prep.
- Roast sweet potatoes: Preheat your air fryer to 400 F. Toss the cubed sweet potatoes with olive oil, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Air fry for 13 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Cook the beef: While the sweet potatoes cook, heat a skillet on medium-high. Add ground beef and cook for 5-8 minutes, breaking it up. Stir in taco seasoning and cook for another minute. Turn off the heat.
- Assemble the bowls: Divide the roasted sweet potatoes and cooked beef evenly into 4 bowls. Top each with avocado, 1/2 cup of cottage cheese, and cilantro. Drizzle with hot honey and enjoy!
Tips for Best Results
Here are a few tips for making these viral cottage cheese bowls.
- If you don’t love cottage cheese: Swap it with Greek yogurt for a similar creamy texture. It’ll still add that protein boost without altering the taste too much.
- Different protein: Use lean ground turkey or chicken instead of beef to reduce fat and calories.
- If you don’t have air fryer: Bake the sweet potatoes in the oven until golden and tender.
- Stir before enjoying: Give everything a good mix to blend the flavors into every bite. It changes everything!
Variations
Here are a few fun ways to mix things up and customize your bowls:
- Swap the sweet potatoes for roasted butternut squash or white potatoes.
- Serve the bowl over quinoa, brown rice, or cauliflower rice for a different base.
- Add leafy greens to the base or top with roasted broccoli or bell peppers for an extra veggie boost.
- Make it vegetarian by using taco-seasoned tofu instead of ground meat.
- Boost the fiber by stirring in a can of black beans or lentils into your taco meat.
- Add fresh toppings like diced tomatoes, jalapenos, red onions, or a squeeze of lime juice.
How to Store and Reheat
Store: Transfer any leftover beef and sweet potatoes to an airtight container and keep in the fridge. They’ll stay good for up to 5 days.
Freeze: Don’t freeze, just meal prep instead!
Reheat: Warm the meat and sweet potatoes in the microwave, then assemble the bowls before serving.
FAQs
Yes. Roasted sweet potatoes and cooked ground beef hold up really well in the fridge. Just store them in airtight containers for up to 5 days, and then assemble your bowl when you’re ready to eat.
Not at all! The combination of sweet potatoes, taco-seasoned beef, and creamy cottage cheese creates a delicious balance of flavors. It’s a crowd-pleaser.
Absolutely. Ground turkey is a great lighter alternative to beef and still adds lots of flavor.
More Recipes to Try
Sweet Potato Cottage Cheese Beef Bowls
Ingredients
For the Sweet Potatoes:
- 2 large sweet potatoes, cubed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil, extra virgin
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
For the Beef:
- 1 pound ground beef, extra lean
- 2 tablespoons taco seasoning, low sodium
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
For the Bowls:
- 2 cups cottage cheese
- 1 large avocado, diced
- 1/2 cup cilantro or parsley, finely chopped
- 4 tablespoons hot honey, more to taste
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 400 F. In a large bowl, add sweet potatoes, olive oil, salt and pepper. Toss to coat, transfer to air fryer and air fry for 13 minutes or until golden brown.
- Meanwhile, preheat large non-stick skillet on medium-high heat and add ground beef. Cook for 5-8 minutes, breaking into pieces and stirring often. Add taco seasoning and cook for another minute. Turn off heat.
- To assemble 4 bowls, divided sweet potatoes and ground beef evenly. Top each bowl with 1/4th of avocado, 1/2 cup cottage cheese and 2 tablespoons cilantro. Drizzle with hot honey and enjoy.
Notes
- Store: Refrigerate leftover beef and sweet potatoes in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Reheat in a microwave. Assemble bowls before serving.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
