Introduction
Do you ever have those nights where you’re craving something truly satisfying, a little bit sweet, a little bit savory, and just plain delicious, but the idea of spending hours in the kitchen feels… well, exhausting? I totally get it! That’s exactly how I felt when I first whipped up this Ground Beef Hot Honey Bowl. It’s become my absolute go-to when I need a quick, flavorful meal that feels like a hug in a bowl. Seriously, it’s so good, you’ll be making it again and again!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Fast: Dinner on the table in under 40 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights!
- Easy: Simple steps, minimal fuss, and nothing complicated.
- Giftable: Imagine a friend needing a meal – this is something you can easily whip up for them.
- Crowd-pleasing: It’s a flavor combination that everyone seems to adore, from kids to adults.
Ingredients
Let’s talk about what makes this bowl so special! You probably have most of these in your pantry already.
- 1 lb lean ground beef: The hearty base for our delicious bowl.
- 2 medium sweet potatoes: These bring a lovely sweetness and beautiful color.
- 1 yellow onion: For that essential savory foundation.
- 1 avocado: Creamy, dreamy goodness that balances everything out.
- 2 tbsp olive oil: Our trusty cooking fat for sautéing and roasting.
- 2 tbsp hot honey: This is the magic ingredient! A little sweet, a little spicy, it’s a game-changer.
- 1 cup low-fat or full-fat cottage cheese: Adds a cool, creamy contrast to the warm flavors.
- 1 tsp taco seasoning: For a quick burst of Tex-Mex flavor.
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder: Because, well, garlic is always a good idea!
- 1/2 tsp paprika: Adds a touch of warmth and color.
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon: This might sound surprising, but it adds such a lovely depth!
- Salt and pepper to taste: To make everything just perfect.
How to Make It
Alright, let’s get cooking! Gather your ingredients and let’s make some magic happen.
- Preheat your oven: Get that oven going at 400°F (200°C).
- Roast those sweet potatoes: Peel and chop your sweet potatoes into nice, bite-sized 1-inch cubes. Toss them in 1 tablespoon of olive oil with a good pinch of salt and pepper. Spread them out on a baking sheet and let them roast for about 20-25 minutes. You want them to be tender and have those lovely little browned edges.
- Chop your onion: While the sweet potatoes are doing their thing, dice up your yellow onion.
- Sauté the onions: Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add your diced onion and cook until they’re nice and soft, which should take about 5 minutes.
- Brown the beef: Now, add the ground beef to the skillet with the onions. Use your spoon to break up the meat and cook it until it’s nicely browned. If there’s any excess fat, just drain it away.
- Spice it up: Stir in the taco seasoning, garlic powder, paprika, cinnamon, salt, and pepper. Let it cook for another minute until everything smells amazing.
- Sweet heat! Pour in the hot honey and stir it all around. Let it cook for another minute, making sure all that gorgeous ground beef is coated in that sweet and spicy goodness.
- Prep the avocado: Peel and dice your avocado.
- Assemble your bowls: Time to build! Divide the roasted sweet potatoes among your serving bowls.
- Top it off: Spoon that flavorful ground beef mixture over the sweet potatoes.
- Add the finishing touches: Finish each bowl with a dollop of cottage cheese and your diced avocado. Ta-da! Dinner is served!
Substitutions & Additions
This recipe is fantastic as is, but it’s also a wonderful canvas for your creativity! Here are a few ideas to make it your own:
- For the beef: If you’re not a beef fan, ground turkey or even crumbled firm tofu would work well.
- For the sweet potatoes: Roasted butternut squash or even regular potatoes could be swapped in.
- Spice level: If you like it spicier, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the beef mixture or use a hotter hot honey. If you prefer less heat, you can use regular honey and just add a tiny pinch of cayenne pepper.
- Add some greens: A handful of spinach or kale wilted into the beef mixture at the end, or some fresh cilantro as a topping, would be delicious.
- Extra crunch: A sprinkle of toasted pumpkin seeds or chopped peanuts adds a lovely texture.
Tips for Success
A few little tricks can make this even better!
- Don’t overcrowd the sweet potatoes: When roasting them, make sure they have space on the baking sheet. This helps them get nice and caramelized instead of steaming.
- Prep ahead: You can roast the sweet potatoes and cook the ground beef mixture a day in advance. Just reheat them gently before assembling your bowls.
- Hot honey is key: If you can’t find hot honey, you can make your own by gently warming regular honey with a pinch of red pepper flakes.
How to Store It
Got leftovers? Lucky you! Store any assembled bowls or individual components in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The components (sweet potatoes, beef mixture) will stay fresh for about 3-4 days. The avocado is best added fresh, but if you have leftovers, store it separately and add it just before serving.
FAQs
Here are some quick answers to your burning questions!
- Can I make this vegetarian? Absolutely! You can substitute the ground beef with crumbled firm tofu or plant-based ground “meat.” You might want to add a bit more seasoning to compensate for the beef flavor.
- Is it really spicy? The heat level depends on your hot honey. If you’re sensitive to spice, start with a little less hot honey and add more to taste. You can also skip the cinnamon if you’re worried about flavor combinations, but I highly recommend trying it!
- Can I make this ahead for meal prep? Yes! Roast the sweet potatoes and cook the beef mixture ahead of time. Store them separately in the fridge. Assemble the bowls with fresh avocado and cottage cheese when you’re ready to eat.
Ground Beef Hot Honey Bowl
A quick, satisfying, and flavorful bowl with ground beef, sweet potatoes, and a sweet and spicy hot honey glaze.
Equipment
- Oven Preheat to 400°F (200°C)
- Baking Sheet For roasting sweet potatoes
- Large skillet For sautéing onions and browning beef
- Knife
- Cutting board
- Measuring spoons
- Measuring Cups
- Serving bowls
Ingredients
Main ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 2 medium sweet potatoes peeled and chopped into 1-inch cubes
- 1 yellow onion diced
- 1 avocado peeled and diced
- 2 tbsp olive oil divided
- 2 tbsp hot honey
- 1 cup cottage cheese low-fat or full-fat
- 1 tsp taco seasoning
- 0.5 tsp garlic powder
- 0.5 tsp paprika
- 0.25 tsp cinnamon
- to taste salt
- to taste pepper
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Peel and chop sweet potatoes into 1-inch cubes. Toss with 1 tbsp olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread on a baking sheet and roast for 20-25 minutes until tender and browned.1 lb lean ground beef
- While sweet potatoes roast, dice the yellow onion.1 lb lean ground beef
- Heat remaining 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add diced onion and cook for 5 minutes until soft.1 lb lean ground beef
- Add ground beef to the skillet with onions. Break up the meat and cook until browned. Drain excess fat.1 lb lean ground beef
- Stir in taco seasoning, garlic powder, paprika, cinnamon, salt, and pepper. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.1 lb lean ground beef
- Pour in hot honey and stir to coat the beef. Cook for another minute.1 lb lean ground beef
- Peel and dice the avocado.1 lb lean ground beef
- Divide roasted sweet potatoes among serving bowls.1 lb lean ground beef
- Spoon the ground beef mixture over the sweet potatoes.1 lb lean ground beef
- Top each bowl with a dollop of cottage cheese and diced avocado.1 lb lean ground beef
Notes
This recipe is a great canvas for creativity. Consider substitutions for beef, sweet potatoes, or adjust spice levels. Adding greens like spinach or kale, or toppings like toasted pumpkin seeds, can enhance the dish.