Introduction
Remember those chilly evenings when you just craved something warm, comforting, and incredibly satisfying? This Cottage Cheese Ground Beef & Sweet Potato Bowl is exactly that! It’s a recipe that instantly takes me back to cozy nights, and the best part? It’s so ridiculously easy, you’ll be whipping it up even on your busiest weeknights. Forget complicated steps and long ingredient lists; this is your new go-to for a delicious and wholesome meal that’s ready in a flash.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Fast: From start to finish, you’re looking at around 30-35 minutes. Perfect for when hunger strikes!
- Easy: Minimal chopping, simple cooking methods, and most of the work is done by your oven and stovetop.
- Giftable: While you might want to keep these all to yourself (and I wouldn’t blame you!), the components can be prepped ahead for easy assembly.
- Crowd-pleasing: The sweet and savory combination with a hint of spice is a winner for pretty much everyone.
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to create this delightful bowl of goodness. Don’t worry, it’s all pretty standard stuff!
- 2 small (or 1 large) sweet potatoes: These are the sweet, caramelized stars of our show. Peel them and chop them into bite-sized cubes.
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder: For that savory depth on our sweet potatoes.
- 1/2 tsp paprika: Adds a lovely warmth and color.
- 1/4 tsp salt: Just a touch to bring out all the flavors.
- Olive oil spray: For a light coating on the sweet potatoes so they roast up beautifully.
- 1/2 pound ground beef: Your protein powerhouse! I usually go for 80/20 for great flavor.
- 1 tsp onion powder: A flavor boost for the beef.
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder: Because you can never have too much garlic!
- 1 tsp paprika: More of that warm, inviting spice for the beef.
- 1/4 tsp chili flakes: For a little subtle kick. Adjust to your spice preference!
- 1/2 tsp salt: To season the ground beef perfectly.
- 1 cup cottage cheese: The creamy, tangy counterpoint to everything else. It’s surprisingly delicious here!
- 1 avocado, cubed: For that essential healthy fat and creamy texture.
- 1/2 tbsp hot honey: This is where the magic happens! It adds a sweet, spicy, and slightly sticky drizzle that ties it all together.
- Chili flakes, to taste: An extra sprinkle for those who like it a little spicier.
How to Make It
Alright, let’s get cooking! Grab your apron, and let’s make some magic happen.
- Preheat your oven: Get that oven to 400°F (200°C). We want it nice and hot for roasting those sweet potatoes.
- Prep the sweet potatoes: In a bowl, toss your cubed sweet potatoes with the garlic powder, paprika, and salt. Give them a good spray of olive oil and toss again to coat. Spread them out in a single layer on a baking sheet. This is important for even roasting!
- Roast ’em up: Pop that baking sheet into the preheated oven and let them roast for about 20-25 minutes. You’re looking for them to be tender and have those lovely little caramelized edges. Give them a flip halfway through to ensure they’re cooked on all sides.
- Brown the beef: While your sweet potatoes are doing their thing, grab a skillet and brown the ground beef over medium-high heat. Break it up with your spoon as it cooks. Once it’s nicely browned, drain off any excess fat.
- Season the beef: Now, sprinkle in the onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, chili flakes, and salt with the ground beef. Stir it all together and let it cook for just about a minute until everything is wonderfully fragrant. That aroma is just heavenly!
- Assemble the bowls: Divide the seasoned ground beef evenly between two bowls.
- Add the sweet potatoes: Spoon those beautiful, roasted sweet potato cubes over the ground beef in each bowl.
- Top it off: Dollop a generous amount of cottage cheese over the sweet potatoes and beef. Then, scatter your cubed avocado on top.
- The grand finale: Drizzle that amazing hot honey over everything. For an extra punch of heat and flavor, sprinkle with a few more chili flakes if you like!
Substitutions & Additions
Feeling creative? Or maybe you’re missing an ingredient? No worries! This recipe is super forgiving and open to your personal touch.
- Ground Turkey or Chicken: If beef isn’t your favorite, ground turkey or chicken works just as well!
- Other Veggies: Feel free to toss in some diced bell peppers or onions with the ground beef as it browns, or roast some broccoli florets alongside the sweet potatoes.
- Different Cheese: While cottage cheese is unique and delicious here, a dollop of plain Greek yogurt or even a sprinkle of shredded cheddar could be interesting twists.
- Spice Level: Adjust the chili flakes to your liking. For more heat, add more; for less, omit them entirely. You could also add a dash of your favorite hot sauce to the beef mixture.
- Herbs: A sprinkle of fresh cilantro or parsley at the end would add a burst of freshness.
Tips for Success
A few little tricks up my sleeve to make this recipe even better!
- Don’t Crowd the Pan: When roasting the sweet potatoes, make sure they’re in a single layer on the baking sheet. If they’re piled on top of each other, they’ll steam instead of roast, and you won’t get those delicious crispy edges.
- Drain the Beef Well: Getting rid of excess grease from the ground beef will make the final dish lighter and less oily.
- Prep Ahead: You can roast the sweet potatoes and cook the ground beef a day in advance. Store them separately in airtight containers in the fridge. Then, all you have to do is warm them up and assemble the bowls!
- Taste and Adjust: Always taste your food as you go! If the ground beef needs a little more salt or spice, add it in.
How to Store It
Leftovers are a good thing, especially with this bowl!
Store any leftover assembled bowls (without the fresh avocado or hot honey drizzle) in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. The sweet potatoes and ground beef will keep well. It’s best to add the fresh avocado and hot honey just before serving the leftovers to maintain their best texture and flavor.
FAQs
Can I use regular potatoes instead of sweet potatoes?
Yes, you absolutely can! Yukon Gold or red potatoes would also be delicious, just adjust the roasting time as needed for tenderness.
Is cottage cheese really good in this recipe?
It might sound a little unusual, but trust me, the creamy, tangy cottage cheese is the perfect cool contrast to the warm beef and sweet potatoes, and it balances the spice beautifully. Give it a try!
Can I make this vegetarian?
This recipe is easily adaptable! You could swap the ground beef for seasoned lentils, black beans, or even some crumbled firm tofu for a delicious vegetarian version.
Cottage Cheese Ground Beef & Sweet Potato Bowl
Equipment
- Baking Sheet
- Skillet
- bowl
Ingredients
Sweet Potatoes
- 2 small sweet potatoes or 1 large, peeled and chopped into bite-sized cubes
- 0.5 tsp garlic powder
- 0.5 tsp paprika
- 0.25 tsp salt
- olive oil spray
Ground Beef
- 0.5 pound ground beef 80/20 recommended
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 0.5 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 0.25 tsp chili flakes or to taste
- 0.5 tsp salt
Toppings
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 1 avocado cubed
- 0.5 tbsp hot honey
- chili flakes for garnish, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- In a bowl, toss cubed sweet potatoes with garlic powder, paprika, and salt. Spray with olive oil and toss again to coat. Spread in a single layer on a baking sheet.
- Roast sweet potatoes for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until tender and caramelized.
- While sweet potatoes roast, brown ground beef in a skillet over medium-high heat. Drain excess fat.
- Sprinkle onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, chili flakes, and salt over the ground beef. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Divide seasoned ground beef between two bowls.
- Spoon roasted sweet potatoes over the ground beef.
- Dollop cottage cheese over the sweet potatoes and beef. Scatter cubed avocado on top.
- Drizzle with hot honey and sprinkle with extra chili flakes, if desired.