High-Protein Viral Cottage Cheese Beef & Sweet Potato Bowl

Get ready to fuel up with this High-Protein Cottage Cheese Beef & Sweet Potato Bowl! Packed with lean ground beef, creamy cottage cheese, and roasted sweet potatoes, this protein bowl delivers a perfect balance of savory and sweet in every bite.

With 40 grams of protein per serving, it’s the ultimate comfort food meets clean eating — perfect for meal prep, post-workout refuels, or a quick weeknight dinner that actually keeps you full. Topped with avocado and pickled red onions is my favorite way to eat it!

I kept hearing about these viral sweet potato bowls all over TikTok and other social media channels, and you know I had to jump on the train and create one my family would love. The components all seemed so odd to eat together, but let me tell you, it works! The flavors and textures all together in one bowl are like a party in your mouth.

Here’s the nutritional breakdown on the Oh Sweet Basil version of the viral Cottage Cheese Sweet Potato Beef Bowl: 36g carbohydrates, 40g protein, 32g fat, and 11g fiber.

Ingredients for a Sweet Potato Bowl

Keep in mind that this protein bowl is highly customizable, but this version is my absolute favorite. I’ll include a section below with ideas for creating your own customized bowl. Here are all the ingredients you’ll need for this high protein meal:

• Sweet Potatoes: Peeled and cut into similar sized cubes.
• Olive Oil: Helps roast and caramelize the sweet potatoes to give them crispy texture.
• Smoked Paprika: Adds bold smoky flavor.
• Kosher Salt: Adds flavor.
• Lean Ground Beef: I recommend going with 93/7 or 90/10 if you can find it.
• Kinder’s Carne Asada Seasoning: We are huge fans of Kinder’s seasonings, but if you don’t have it on hand, taco seasoning will work just great. We have found Kinder’s seasonings at Walmart, Kroger stores, Costco and on Amazon.
• Water: Used to keep the meat juicy and flavorful.
• Cottage Cheese: I use low fat cottage cheese and it tastes great!
  • PRO TIP: If the texture of cottage cheese is a hang up for you, give it a pulse in the blender before adding it to the bowl! Then you get all the protein and creaminess without the curds.
• Avocados: Adds creaminess and healthy fat.
• Cilantro: Adds fresh herbaceous flavor.
• Black Pepper: Adds flavor and a little heat.
• Cherry Tomatoes: Grape tomatoes will also work great.
• Pickled Red Onions: This is totally optional but I love the acidity and tang it adds to the bowl.
• Lime: Can be used for garnish and a little extra acidity squeezed on top.

The details and measurements for all the ingredients can be found in the recipe card at the end of the post.

How to Make a Ground Beef and Sweet Potato Bowl

Quick and easy, healthy and fulfilling, this ground beef sweet potato cottage cheese bowl is ready in less than 30 minutes. Here are the steps:

1. Roast the Sweet Potatoes: This can be done in either the oven or in an air fryer. Toss the peeled and cubed sweet potatoes with olive oil and smoked paprika in a mixing bowl.
   • Air Fryer: Preheat the air fryer to 400℉ and cook in a single layer for 12-16 minutes flipping halfway through.
   • Oven: Preheat the oven to 425℉ and place on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper in a single large and roast for 25-35 minutes.
2. Cook the Ground Beef: While the potatoes are roasting, cook the ground beef in a skillet on the stovetop over medium heat. Use a meat chopping to break it up and cook until almost browned.
3. Season the Ground Beef: Add the carne asada seasoning and water and finishing cooking the ground beef until it’s cooked through.
4. Assemble the Bowls: Once the sweet potatoes and ground beef are ready, add a scoop of cottage cheese to a bowl along with a scoop of ground beef, a serving of sweet potatoes, some avocado, tomatoes, and salt and pepper.
5. Garnish: Sprinkle with chopped cilantro, pickled red onions and a wedge of lime.

Keep scrolling to the end of the post for the complete recipe card where you can also print or save the recipe.

Substitutions and Variations

I realize that cottage cheese is a divisive food. You either love it or you hate it. I used to be a hater, so I totally get it! If cottage cheese is an absolute no-go for you, swap it with plain Greek yogurt instead.

You can substitute the sweet potatoes with regular potatoes, but keep in mind you’ll be reducing the fiber in the recipe.

If you want to go even more lean, ground chicken or turkey can be used instead of ground beef. Be sure to season the meat well as chicken and turkey tend to have much less flavor.

For a vegetarian version of the bowl, swap the ground beef for black beans!

Looking for low carb too? No problem! Switch out the sweet potatoes for roasted zucchini or cauliflower.

Now for all the possible additions…greens such as spinach or arugula would be so tasty. Top the bowl with a drizzle of hot honey, a fried egg, roasted chickpeas, pepitas or pickled jalapeños. Let us know what your creation includes!

Storing a Reheating

Leftovers should be stored in the fridge in an airtight container. They will keep for up to 4 days. Once all the components have been added together in one bowl, I wouldn’t recommend reheating it. Warm cottage cheese and avocado are a no thank you from me! To be honest, I love eating the leftovers cold!

If you know you’re going to have leftovers, I suggest storing all the components separately. This is where meal prep comes in! You can roast the sweet potatoes and cook the meat ahead of time and store everything separately. Then you reheat just the potatoes and meat in the microwave or on the stovetop and assemble your bowl just the way you like it.

The sweet potatoes and ground beef also both freeze very well. They will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw, reheat and add the fresh ingredients right before serving.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Healthy and Filling: These protein bowls are loaded with clean and fresh ingredients. It is loaded with protein, healthy fats, fiber and other nutrients. As long as your taco seasoning doesn’t contain gluten, this recipe is also gluten-free.
• Flavorful and Comforting:
• Quick and Easy: From start to finish, you’ll have this recipe on the table in about 30 minutes and it’s so easy my kids help me with all the steps.
• Meal Prep: You can prep the potatoes and ground beef ahead of time and simply reheat when you’re ready to assemble the bowls. This makes it great for a busy weeknight or for taking to work.

Enjoy a delicious and nutritious meal with this high-protein viral cottage cheese beef and sweet potato bowl recipe. Packed with protein, vitamins, and flavor, it’s a perfect option for a satisfying dinner.

More High-Protein Dinner Ideas:

Watch How to Make High Protein Cottage Cheese and Ground Beef Bowl Video