This high-protein cottage cheese beef bowl combines seasoned lean ground beef, roasted sweet potatoes, creamy cottage cheese, avocado, and a drizzle of hot honey. It is a colorful, satisfying bowl that works especially well for a quick lunch, easy dinner, or meal prep.
Why This Beef Bowl Works
- High in protein from lean beef and cottage cheese
- Sweet, savory, creamy, and spicy flavors in one bowl
- Simple ingredients that are easy to meal prep
- Flexible toppings and heat level
- Ready in about 30 minutes when the sweet potatoes are cut small
Quick Recipe Facts
- Prep: 10 minutes
- Cook: 20 minutes
- Total: 30 minutes
- Servings: 4
- Estimated nutrition: about 38–42 g protein and roughly 480–540 calories per serving
Ingredients
- 1 lb (454 g) 93% lean ground beef
- 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
- 1 tablespoon olive oil, divided
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup 2% cottage cheese
- 1 large avocado, diced
- 2 tablespoons hot honey, or to taste
- 2 tablespoons sliced green onions
- Red pepper flakes, optional
How to Make a High-Protein Cottage Cheese Beef Bowl
1. Roast the sweet potatoes
Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Toss the sweet potato cubes with half the olive oil, half the paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Roast for 18–22 minutes, turning once, until browned and tender.
2. Cook the beef
Heat the remaining oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef, remaining paprika, cumin, and a pinch of salt. Cook for 6–8 minutes, breaking the beef into small pieces, until fully cooked.
3. Assemble the bowls
Divide the roasted sweet potatoes and beef among 4 bowls. Add cottage cheese and avocado to each bowl.
4. Finish with hot honey
Drizzle each bowl with hot honey. Top with green onions and red pepper flakes if you want extra heat.
Meal Prep Tips
- Store the cooked beef and sweet potatoes together for up to 4 days.
- Keep cottage cheese, avocado, and hot honey separate until serving.
- Reheat the beef and sweet potato mixture, then add the cold toppings.
Easy Variations
- Use ground turkey instead of beef.
- Swap sweet potatoes for roasted potatoes or cooked rice.
- Add cucumber, corn, or pico de gallo for extra freshness.
- Use regular honey plus chili flakes if you do not have hot honey.
More High-Protein Lunch Ideas
Explore our High Protein Lunch and High Protein Meal Prep recipes for more easy options.
Nutrition is an estimate and varies by brands, portions, and substitutions.
Recipe Card
High-Protein Cottage Cheese Beef Bowl
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Toss the sweet potato cubes with half the olive oil, half the paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Roast for 18–22 minutes, turning once, until browned and tender.
- Heat the remaining oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef, remaining paprika, cumin, and a pinch of salt. Cook for 6–8 minutes, breaking the beef into small pieces, until fully cooked.
- Divide the roasted sweet potatoes and beef among 4 bowls. Add cottage cheese and avocado to each bowl.
- Drizzle each bowl with hot honey. Top with green onions and red pepper flakes if desired.