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Ground Beef and Cottage Cheese Skillet Bowl loaded with protein and flavor

Ground Beef and Cottage Cheese Skillet Bowl

A savory and creamy one-pan meal that's warm, filling, and high in protein, perfect for busy weeknights.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 450
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 pound ground beef (lean is easier, but any works) You can substitute with ground turkey, chicken, or lamb.
  • 1 large sweet potato, cut into small cubes Regular potatoes or butternut squash can work as substitutes.
  • 1 to 1.5 cups cottage cheese Plain Greek yogurt can be used as a dairy-free alternative.
  • 1 small onion, diced (optional) Provides added flavor but can be omitted.
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced Essential for flavor.
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil Use more if using very lean ground beef.
Spices
  • to taste salt Adjust based on preference.
  • to taste pepper Adjust based on preference.
  • to taste paprika or chili powder Spice to preference.
Optional Toppings
  • hot sauce, chopped cucumber, avocado, green onions Customize your bowl with any of these toppings.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet on medium heat.
  2. Add the cubed sweet potato and a pinch of salt. Cover and cook for about 6 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  3. If the sweet potato starts sticking, splash in a tablespoon or two of water and cover again.
Cooking
  1. Once the sweet potato is almost tender, scoot it to the side of the skillet and add the diced onion and minced garlic.
  2. Let them cook for 1 to 2 minutes until fragrant.
  3. Add the ground beef to the skillet. Break it up and cook until browned and no longer pink. Season with salt, pepper, and paprika or chili powder.
  4. Let it sit occasionally to brown instead of steaming.
Assembling the Bowl
  1. Turn the heat to low and spoon everything into bowls.
  2. Add cottage cheese on top or stir it into the skillet off the heat for a creamy texture.
Finishing Touches
  1. Top your bowls with optional toppings of your choice.

Notes

Store refrigerated for up to 4 days, separating cottage cheese to keep fresh. Reheat beef and sweet potato mixture, adding cottage cheese afterward to prevent watery texture.