Easy High-Protein Cottage Cheese Beef Sweet Potato Bowls
This balanced meal takes the work out of weeknight dinners — and this delicious bowl all comes together thanks to one secret ingredient: cottage cheese.
Cottage cheese packs in nutrition with high-quality protein and gives the dish a subtle tang to round it out. Seasoned ground beef provides staying power thanks to protein, roasted sweet potatoes add fiber-rich carbs, and avocado provides healthy fats that help the meal feel complete.
It’s a great example of what a high-protein dinner can look like on busy weeknights or when you’re feeding a family. This bowl uses everyday ingredients that are easy to have on hand and are simple to adjust, so you have flexibility if you’re feeding different appetites — or someone at the table is emotionally opposed to sweet potatoes.
Delivering everyday nutrition you can feel good about, this dinner bowl deserves a spot in your weekly rotation.
HOW TO SERVE, STORE, AND CUSTOMIZE THIS RECIPE
Serving
- Adjust portions by appetite. Some family members may want more protein, others may want more carbs or veggies. This bowl makes it easy to balance plates without measuring
- Add freshness at the table. Finish bowls with herbs, tomatoes, or a squeeze of citrus to brighten flavors and add extra fruits and veggies
Storage
- If you have leftovers, store components separately. Keep cooked ground beef, roasted sweet potatoes, and cottage cheese in separate airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3–4 days
- Reheat gently. Warm the beef and sweet potatoes beforeserving,andthen add cottage cheeseand avocado fresh to keep the bowl creamy and balanced
- Prep once, eat twice. This recipe works well for meal prep — make a double batch and repurpose leftovers for quick lunches or dinners later in the week
Substitutions
- Swap the protein. Ground turkey or ground chicken are perfect if that’s what you prefer or have on hand
- Change up the dairy. If cottage cheese isn’t a hit in your house, try blending it smooth or swapping in plain Greek yogurt for a similar protein boost and creamy texture
- Switch out the veggies. Roasted squash, bell peppers, or broccoli can replace sweet potatoes for variety while keeping the meal balanced
Ingredients:
- 4 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 pounds lean ground beef (90% lean)
- 2–3 tablespoons taco seasoning or mild spice blend (optional)
- 2½–3 cups cottage cheese
- 3 avocados, sliced or diced
- Hot honey, optional
- Cilantro, chopped, optional
Method
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Step One:
Roast the sweet potatoes
Heat oven to 400 F. Toss cubed sweet potatoes with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread evenly across 1–2 baking sheets and roast 25–30 minutes, flipping once, until tender and lightly browned.
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Step Two:
Cook the ground beef
While the sweet potatoes roast, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned and fully cooked, breaking it up as it cooks. Season with salt and pepper to taste, and add taco seasoning or seasoning blend. Drain excess fat if needed.
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Step Three:
Set up the bowls and serve family style
Transfer servings of ground beef, sweet potatoes, and cottage cheese to individual bowls. Let everyone top their own with extras like avocado, hot honey, and cilantro.