Cottage cheese has done it again with this viral cottage cheese sweet potato beef bowl. There’s good reason this one is making it’s rounds on social media- it’s easy, super flavorful, and packs 39 grams of protein per bowl. This flavor combination is unique but SO incredibly good!
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Why you’ll love these
There’s a reason cottage cheese is one of the most viral food trends on social media- it’s high protein, versatile, and has the most perfect creamy flavor that works well in so many recipes! As soon as I saw this making the rounds, I knew I had to make my own version of this bowl.
This viral ground beef sweet potato cottage cheese bowl combines taco-seasoned lean ground beef with roasted sweet potatoes, creamy avocado and cottage cheese. Then you’ll top with fresh cilantro and a drizzle of hot honey to bring it all together.
Hot honey, sweet potatoes, taco-seasoned beef and cottage cheese might not sound like a logical combination- I get it. But trust me, this flavor combination is SO flavorful.
And the best part about this meal is that it’s incredibly filling- one bowl has an impressive 38 grams of protein and 7 grams of fiber. If you’re trying to eat more high protein meals, this is the kind of meal you want!
This viral recipe is incredibly easy so let’s get into what you need.
Ingredients
- Lean ground beef: Taco-seasoned beef is one of the staple parts of this meal. You can also use lean ground beef, ground chicken or ground turkey. I’ve made it using all three and they’re all equally delicious!
- Sweet potatoes: Sweet potatoes are packed with fiber and antioxidants and they add a delicious sweet contrast to the savory taco flavors.
- Cottage cheese: Maybe an unconventional combination but cottage cheese goes amazingly well in these bowls. The creamy cottage cheese acts similarly to sour cream with a nice contrast from all of the salty and sweet flavors.
- Avocado: Avocado adds healthy fats, fiber and pairs well with all of the taco flavors in this bowl.
- Hot honey: Hot honey (my favorite one) might seem like an odd choice for taco bowls, but it works SO well and takes this sweet potato bowl to the next level. The slightly spicy and sweet combination pairs amazingly with the other flavors.
- Olive oil: You’ll need some olive oil to roast the sweet potatoes and brown the meat. You can also use avocado oil.
- Cilantro: Cilantro brings an herby bright flavor to these bowls that I personally think is a must! You can skip it if you don’t have any or you don’t love cilantro.
- Spices: You’ll need taco seasoning for the meat and garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt and pepper for the sweet potatoes. My favorite taco seasoning is Siete or you can make your own.
How to make cottage cheese sweet potato beef bowls
Step 1: Prepare sweet potatoes. Start by tossing the sweet potatoes in 1 tbsp olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder and paprika. Mix until potatoes are evenly coated with oil and spices.
Step 2: Cook sweet potatoes in air fryer or oven. Air fryer instructions: Air fry at 400 degrees for 12-15 minutes. Oven instructions: Roast at 425 degrees for 25-35 minutes. Potatoes should be easily pierced with a fork.
Step 3: While potatoes are cooking, heat 1 tbsp olive oil on medium heat. Add lean ground beef and taco seasoning. Break meat apart as it cooks and continue cooking on medium heat for about 7-10 minutes or completely cooked through (no pink).
Step 4: Assemble bowls: Add ¼ of the ground beef, ¼ of sweet potatoes, ½ cup of cottage cheese, ¼ – ½ avocado slices, and cilantro. Drizzle with hot honey and red pepper flakes to taste. Add a squeeze of fresh lime juice and jalapeño slices (fresh or pickled) if desired.
How to store
Store leftover sweet potato and meat in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. When you’re ready to eat, heat leftovers in the microwave and then top with cottage cheese, avocado, cilantro and hot honey. To meal prep these bowls, separate servings into individual containers before storing.
Variations
- Use plain Greek yogurt instead of cottage cheese for an equally high protein bowl! Plain yogurt is super similar to sour cream, so it’s another great swap!
- Instead of sweet potatoes try regular white potatoes or rice.
- Serve on a bed of leafy greens or add roasted broccoli or bell peppers for a veggie boost.
- Make it plant-based by using your favorite plant-based alternative like plant-based crumbles or taco-seasoned tofu instead of ground beef.
- Add even more fiber by adding a can of black beans or lentils to your taco meat.
- Add some heat with jalapeños, chili powder, or your favorite hot sauce.
- If you don’t love the texture of cottage cheese, blend it before using!
More cottage cheese recipes
- Cottage Cheese Chocolate Mousse
- High Protein Mac and Cheese
- Cottage Cheese Chicken Salad
- Cottage Cheese Pizza Crust
- Cottage Cheese Egg Salad
- Cottage Cheese Pasta Sauce
Viral Cottage Cheese Sweet Potato Ground Beef Bowls
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp olive oil divided
- 2 cups cottage cheese
- 1-2 avocados sliced
- 1 lb lean ground beef or ground chicken/turkey
- 1 packet taco seasoning ~3 tbsp, I prefer Siete
- 2 sweet potatoes peeled and diced
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- 1/2-1 cup cilantro chopped
- hot honey for drizzling
- optional: jalapeños, red pepper flakes, squeeze of lime juice
Instructions
- Prepare roasted sweet potatoes. You can use the air fryer or oven: -Air fryer: Preheat air fryer to 400 degrees. In a medium bowl, toss sweet potatoes in 1 tbsp olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder and paprika. Add sweet potatoes to the air fryer basket and air fry for about 12-15 minutes until potatoes are easily pierced with a fork.-Oven: Preheat oven to 425 degrees. In a medium bowl, toss sweet potatoes in 1 tbsp olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder and paprika. Add sweet potatoes to a parchment-lined or oiled baking sheet and roast for 25-35 minutes, until potatoes are easily pierced with a fork.
- While potatoes are cooking, heat 1 tbsp olive oil on medium heat. Add lean ground beef and taco seasoning. Break meat apart as it cooks and continue cooking on medium heat for about 7-10 minutes or completely cooked through (no pink).
- Assemble bowls: Add ¼ of the ground beef, ¼ of sweet potatoes, ½ cup of cottage cheese, ¼ – ½ avocado slices, and cilantro. Drizzle with hot honey and red pepper flakes to taste. Add a squeeze of fresh lime juice and jalapeño slices (fresh or pickled) if desired.
4 Responses
I’ve been seeing everyone making this viral bowl so had to try it. Simple tasty meal! The ingredients seem strange together but all the flavors play well with each other.
So glad you tried it and liked it! I totally agree- the flavors work so surprisingly well together!
I made this last night and it is amazingly delicious! This will be on the repeat at least once a week indefinitely.
So happy you liked it! Definitely a new staple meal for me too!