Description
This viral cottage cheese taco bowl is a high-protein meal that comes together in just 15 minutes. It’s the perfect solution for busy weeknights when you want something satisfying, healthy, and incredibly easy to assemble.
Ingredients
Scale
- For the Base & Protein:
- 1 cup (225g) full-fat or low-fat cottage cheese
- 1/2 lb (225g) lean ground beef (or ground turkey/chicken)
- 1 packet (about 2 tablespoons) taco seasoning
- 1/4 cup water
- For the Toppings (Mix & Match):
- 1 cup cooked rice (white, brown, or cauliflower rice for low-carb)
- 1 cup shredded lettuce (romaine or iceberg for crunch)
- 1/2 cup black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1/2 cup corn kernels (canned, frozen/thawed, or roasted)
- 1/2 cup diced tomatoes or pico de gallo
- 1/4 cup sliced black olives
- 1/4 cup shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
- 1/4 cup sliced jalapeños (pickled or fresh)
- 2 tablespoons sour cream or Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons salsa or hot sauce
- 1 avocado, sliced or diced
- Fresh cilantro, chopped
- Lime wedges for serving
Instructions
- Cook the Taco Meat: In a skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon until fully cooked. Drain any excess grease. Sprinkle the taco seasoning over the meat, pour in the 1/4 cup of water, and stir. Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Prepare Your Base: While the meat is cooking, add your cooked rice to the bottom of your bowl. This creates a hearty foundation for all the other ingredients.
- Assemble the Bowl: This is the fun part! Spoon the creamy cottage cheese right next to the rice. Then, artfully arrange your cooked taco meat and all your chosen toppings around the bowl. Think of it like creating a colorful, edible mosaic.
- The Final Touch: Don’t forget a generous squeeze of fresh lime juice over everything right before you eat. It brightens all the flavors and ties the whole dish together.
Notes
Pro Tip: For a truly restaurant-style presentation, use a small bowl or round cutter to create a neat circle of rice in the center of your plate or wide bowl before building the rest of your ingredients around it. Smart Swaps: Vegetarian? Skip the ground meat and use a plant-based crumble or double up on the black beans. Dairy-Free? Swap the cottage cheese for a dairy-free alternative or seasoned, mashed tofu, and use vegan cheese and sour cream.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 80mg