Meal planning can be stressful, especially when trying to be conscious of one’s health and nutritional needs. And that’s just scratching the surface. Then, there are additional factors to consider, such as affordability, time, and taste, of course. Balancing all of these elements can feel like a never-ending hassle. So, to help combat that, I have a high-protein, filling, balanced, and affordable meal idea for you.
This ground beef and sweet potato bowl has taken social media by storm, and for good reason! You never know with viral recipes – it’s often a hit or miss. But this is packed with protein, keeping you fuller longer, and tastes absolutely delicious.
It’s also fairly affordable and can be made in large portions, making it the perfect addition to your meal prep rotation. I’ve found that it holds up very well in the fridge and heats up nicely in the microwave, even after a couple of days. The total cook and prep time for me, including cutting and baking/cooking, was approximately 35 minutes.
My bowl consists of cooked down and seasoned lean ground beef, cottage cheese, and oven roasted diced sweet potato and zucchini. Again, this meal is completely customizable, so if you prefer different vegetables, you can, of course, opt for those instead. Additionally, if you prefer ground chicken or turkey over ground beef, that can easily be swapped out as well.
Finally, and completely optional – drizzle honey over the top. For me, this step is necessary and really brings it all together. Many people opt for hot honey, which is also a delicious choice if you want a hint of spice.
Oftentimes, people struggle with eating the same meal day after day, myself included. However, I haven’t found that issue with this particular recipe. I’ve yet to tire of it and keep it handy any time I’m unsure of what to eat. I feel good knowing that it’s nutritious, as well as delicious.
And so… without further ado, the recipe:
Ground Beef & Sweet Potato Bowl Recipe:
Ingredients:
- 1 pound Lean Ground Beef (I like 80/20 for this recipe)
- 1 Cup Cottage Cheese
- 1 Sweet Potato
- 1 Zucchini
- 1 Tbsp Cooking Oil of Choice (I use vegetable oil, but there are several healthier options available)
- 1 Tbsp Garlic Powder*
- 1 Tbsp Onion Powder*
- 1 tsp Italian Seasoning*
- 1/2 Tbsp Smoked Paprika*
Instructions:
- Add oil to a skillet over medium heat.
- Once skillet is evenly heated and coated, add ground beef, thoroughly breaking apart any large pieces.
- Add 1/2 tbsp garlic powder and 1/2 tbsp onion powder and thoroughly mix.
- Once cooked completely, remove from heat and set aside.
- Preheat oven to 425F.
- Dice 1 sweet potato and 1 zucchini and add to a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Season the vegetables with 1/2 tbsp garlic powder, 1/2 tbsp onion powder, 1 tsp italian seasoning, and 1/2 tbsp smoked paprika.
- Bake for 30 minutes, stirring halfway.
- Assemble your bowl with approximately equal parts of ground beef, cottage cheese, and vegetables.
- Drizzle honey over top. (optional)
*Seasonings are completely customizable. These seasonings and amounts are my personal preference, however, they can easily be replaced based on your liking.
*This recipe makes approximately 4 servings.
I hope you find this recipe as delicious and useful as I have! Enjoy. 🙂
Life, as of Late 
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