Description
A viral, protein-packed bowl that balances sweet, spicy, and savory: seasoned ground beef, caramel-roasted sweet potatoes, creamy cottage cheese, ripe avocado, and a sticky hot-honey finish. Fast to pull together, great for leftovers, and endlessly customizable.
Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground beef (93% lean recommended)
- 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into small cubes
- 1 ripe avocado, thinly sliced
- 1 cup cottage cheese (use low-fat or full-fat as preferred)
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
- 2 tbsp olive oil, divided
- 1 packet taco seasoning (or about 2 tbsp homemade taco mix)
- 2 tbsp hot honey (store-bought or whisked up at home)
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
1. Roast the sweet potatoes
Heat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Toss the cubed sweet potatoes with 1 tablespoon olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, cinnamon, a pinch of salt and pepper. Spread them in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet and roast until the edges caramelize and the centers are tender, about 40–45 minutes, flipping once halfway through.
2. Brown the beef
While the potatoes roast, warm the remaining tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté the chopped onion until soft and translucent, about 5–7 minutes. Add the ground beef, breaking it into small pieces as it cooks. Sprinkle in the taco seasoning and a splash of water if needed; simmer until the beef is well-browned and the seasoning clings to the meat. Taste and adjust salt and pepper.
3. Build the bowls
Divide the roasted sweet potatoes and seasoned beef between bowls. Add sliced avocado and spoonfuls of cottage cheese alongside the warm components.
4. Finish with hot honey
Drizzle each bowl with hot honey to taste. Garnish with chopped cilantro, a squeeze of lime, red pepper flakes, or sliced scallions if you like extra brightness or heat.
Notes
- Creamier cottage cheese: If the curds bother you, pulse the cottage cheese in a blender for 10–15 seconds until smooth and silky.
- Control the heat: Mix hot honey with regular honey if you want milder spice. Add more chili flakes for extra kick.
- Meal prep pro tip: Store the beef and roasted sweet potatoes in separate airtight containers; keep avocado and cottage cheese aside and add fresh when serving to avoid sogginess.
- Substitutions: Use ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version, or swap sweet potatoes for roasted cauliflower or brown rice for different macros.
- Reheating: Warm the beef and potatoes together in a skillet or microwave, then top with cold avocado and cottage cheese. Don’t reheat avocado.