Ingredients
SWEET POTATOES
- 2 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into ½-inch cubes (about 4 small or 2 large, skin optional)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon chili powder, or to taste
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin, or to taste
- 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
BEEF
- 1 pound lean ground beef (90 to 93% lean; ground turkey or chicken may be substituted, add olive oil if using)
- 1 packet taco seasoning (about 1 ounce)
- ¼ cup water, or as indicated on the seasoning packet
SEASONED COTTAGE CHEESE
- 1½ to 2 cups lowfat small curd cottage cheese
- ½ to 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt, optional and to taste
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper, optional and to taste
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
TOPPINGS
- Avocado, diced or sliced
- Jalapeños, sliced
- Hot honey
- Red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Roast Sweet Potatoes: Preheat oven to 425°F and line a baking sheet with foil for easy cleanup. Toss cubed sweet potatoes with olive oil, chili powder, cumin, salt, and black pepper until evenly coated. Spread them out on the sheet and roast for 20-25 minutes until tender, tossing halfway through.
- Cook Ground Beef: While sweet potatoes roast, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and crumble it as it cooks for about 5 minutes until browned. Drain excess grease if necessary. Stir in taco seasoning and ¼ cup water, simmering for another 5 minutes until sauce thickens.
- Prepare Seasoned Cottage Cheese: In a bowl or container, combine cottage cheese with garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and chopped fresh parsley. Stir well to integrate all seasonings.
- Assemble Bowls: Divide roasted sweet potatoes evenly into 4 bowls. Top each with cooked taco beef and a portion of seasoned cottage cheese.
- Add Toppings and Serve: Garnish each bowl with diced or sliced avocado, jalapeño slices, a drizzle of hot honey, and sprinkle of red pepper flakes. Optionally, add extra herbs or fresh vegetables as desired. Serve immediately.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for ground beef; if using lean poultry, add a bit of olive oil to the pan to prevent sticking.
- If you prefer, leave the sweet potato skins on for added texture and nutrients.
- Homemade taco seasoning can be used; adjust water accordingly to avoid thinning the sauce too much.
- For dairy alternatives, Greek yogurt or ricotta can replace cottage cheese.
- Customize toppings by adding fresh herbs like cilantro or extra vegetables like bell peppers, cucumbers, or tomatoes.
- Hot honey provides a sweet and spicy contrast; adjust amount based on preference.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Roasting and Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
