Description
These Cottage Cheese Ground Beef and Sweet Potato Bowls are a hearty and nutritious meal combining roasted spiced sweet potatoes, flavorful ground beef, and creamy cottage cheese. Enhanced with smoky spices and fresh toppings like avocado, jalapeños, and green onions, this dish balances protein, complex carbs, and healthy fats to create a satisfying bowl perfect for lunch or dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 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
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp chili powder
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt plus more to taste
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
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 the oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup and to prevent sticking.
- Prepare Sweet Potatoes: Toss the peeled and cubed sweet potatoes with olive oil, smoked paprika, ground cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, kosher salt, and black pepper until evenly coated. Spread them out in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
- Roast Sweet Potatoes: Place the baking sheet in the oven and roast the sweet potatoes for 20 to 25 minutes. Toss once halfway through roasting to ensure even caramelization on the edges and tender centers. Remove from oven and set aside.
- Cook Ground Beef: While the sweet potatoes roast, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the lean ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a spatula until browned and no longer pink.
- Season Ground Beef: Drain any excess fat from the skillet if needed. Season the beef with smoked paprika, cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, kosher salt, and black pepper. Stir well to coat the meat evenly with the spices.
- Simmer Beef: Pour in low sodium beef broth or water and let the mixture simmer for 2 to 3 minutes until slightly reduced. The sauce should be glossy and not soupy. Remove the skillet from heat.
- Prep Toppings: Slice the avocado, jalapeños, and green onions. Stir the cottage cheese to make it creamy and ready for serving.
- Assemble Bowls: Divide the roasted sweet potatoes evenly among 4 bowls. Top each bowl with a portion of the seasoned ground beef and add a generous scoop of cottage cheese to the side.
- Add Fresh Toppings: Arrange avocado slices over each bowl. Sprinkle with sliced green onions and jalapeños. Finish by squeezing fresh lime juice over the bowls if desired for a bright, acidic contrast.
- Serve: Serve the bowls immediately while the ground beef and sweet potatoes are warm, or cool and pack components separately for convenient meal prep.
Notes
- You can adjust the spiciness by using fewer jalapeños or omitting them altogether.
- Choose lean ground beef to reduce fat content and avoid excess grease while cooking.
- Sweet potatoes can be roasted a day ahead and reheated for faster meal assembly.
- For a dairy-free alternative, substitute cottage cheese with mashed avocado or a vegan cheese option.
- Lime juice adds a fresh burst of flavor but is optional based on preference.
