Description
These Cottage Cheese Ground Beef and Sweet Potato Bowls combine roasted spiced sweet potatoes with juicy, seasoned ground beef and creamy cottage cheese. Enhanced with fresh avocado, jalapeños, green onions, and an optional squeeze of lime, this balanced meal is packed with protein, fiber, and vibrant flavors. Perfect for a wholesome weeknight dinner or meal prep, it offers a satisfying blend of textures and spices while being quick and easy to prepare.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat
- 1 lb lean ground beef
Vegetables
- 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2 inch cubes
- 1 large avocado, sliced
- 1 to 2 fresh jalapeños, thinly sliced
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced
- 1 lime, cut into wedges (optional)
Spices and Seasonings
- 1 tsp smoked paprika (divided)
- 1 tsp ground cumin (divided)
- 1/2 tsp chili powder (divided)
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder (divided)
- 1/2 tsp onion powder (divided)
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt plus more to taste (divided)
- 1/4 tsp black pepper (divided)
Other Ingredients
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 cup low sodium beef broth or water
- 1 1/2 cups cottage cheese
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. This prepares you for roasting the sweet potatoes evenly.
- Prepare Sweet Potatoes: Toss the sweet potato cubes with olive oil, smoked paprika, ground cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper until well coated. Spread them out in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet to ensure even roasting.
- Roast Sweet Potatoes: Place the baking sheet in the oven and roast the sweet potatoes for 20 to 25 minutes, tossing them once halfway through. Roast until they are caramelized at the edges and tender in the center, then set them aside.
- Cook Ground Beef: While the potatoes roast, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spatula, until it is browned and no longer pink.
- Season Beef: Drain excess fat if necessary. Then season the beef with smoked paprika, ground cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper, stirring to evenly coat all the meat.
- Simmer Beef: Pour in the beef broth or water and simmer the seasoned beef mixture for 2 to 3 minutes. Allow it to reduce slightly until the beef appears glossy and saucy but not soupy. Remove from heat.
- Prepare Toppings: While the beef finishes, slice the avocado, jalapeños, and green onions. Stir the cottage cheese gently to make it creamy and ready to scoop.
- Assemble Bowls: Divide the roasted sweet potatoes evenly among four bowls. Top each bowl with a portion of the seasoned ground beef and add a generous scoop of cottage cheese on the side.
- Add Fresh Toppings: Fan the avocado slices over each bowl, then sprinkle with green onions and jalapeño slices. Finish with a squeeze of fresh lime juice if desired for an extra burst of flavor.
- Serve: Serve the bowls immediately while the beef and sweet potatoes are warm. Alternatively, let the components cool and pack them separately for convenient meal prep bowls.
Notes
- You can substitute beef broth with water for a lighter sauce or to reduce sodium.
- Adjust the amount of jalapeños based on your heat preference or omit for a milder dish.
- For a vegetarian version, swap ground beef with cooked lentils or plant-based crumbles and use vegetable broth.
- Leftover components store well separately in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- To reduce fat, choose extra lean ground beef or drain fat thoroughly after cooking.
