When I saw there was a new cottage cheese combo going viral on TikTok, I was already halfway to the kitchen. I’ve been a fan of using cottage cheese as a base for high-protein meals for years—it’s versatile, filling, and plays surprisingly well with bold flavors. If you’re still convinced that it’s sad diet food that belongs back in the 90s, I think this recipe might just be the one that convinces you!

This is my take on the internet’s current obsession: a bowl loaded with crispy roasted sweet potatoes, savory ground beef, creamy avocado, and that all-important drizzle of hot honey to pull it all together. It’s the kind of meal that actually keeps you full, tastes amazing, and just so happens to look good in a bowl.

You can make it fresh or prep the components ahead for easy lunches all week—either way, this one lives up to the hype!

Ingredients

Sweet potato: Perfect bring natural sweetness and fiber to the bowl, plus they crisp up beautifully when roasted.
Garlic powder
Paprika
Salt
Olive oil spray
Ground beef: I like to use lean, but any variety that you prefer will work just fine. I’ve included notes further down in the post on potential substitutes you can use if you want to change things up a little
Onion powder
Chili flakes: We’ll be using these to season the beef, and also for garnishing at the end. Feel free to add extra if you like things spicy!
Cottage cheese: The star of the show for this dinner bowl! I use full-fat for extra creaminess and satisfaction, but you can easily swap for a low fat variety if you like.
Avocado
Hot honey: Super on trend right now, and really works wonderfully to tie everything together. The blend of sweet and spicy

cottage cheese bowl ingredients

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepare The Sweet Potatoes: Peel and cut the sweet potatoes into small cubes. Season with 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp paprika, and 1/4 tsp salt. Lightly spray with olive oil and cook in the air fryer at 375°F (190°C) for 15 minutes, or until golden and tender.

air fried sweet potatoes

Cook The Ground Beef: In a skillet over medium-high heat, add the ground beef along with 1 tsp onion powder, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp paprika, 1/4 tsp chili flakes, and 1/2 tsp salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the beef is fully cooked and slightly browned.

ground beef for cottage cheese bowls

Assemble The Bowls: Divide the cooked sweet potatoes and ground beef evenly between two bowls. Add half of the cubed avocado to each, and top each bowl with 1/2 cup of cottage cheese. Drizzle with hot honey and sprinkle chili flakes to taste.

tiktok cottage cheese bowls

Recipe Notes

Swap the protein – Not into ground beef? Ground turkey, chicken, or even a plant-based option like cooked lentils or soy crumbles all work here. Totally customizable.
No hot honey? No problem – Just stir a few drops of your favorite hot sauce into regular honey and boom—DIY hot honey in seconds.
No air fryer? Use the oven – Roast the sweet potato cubes at 390°F (200°C) for 25–30 minutes, flipping halfway. You’ll still get that golden, crispy edge.
Meal prep–friendly – This bowl is great for make-ahead lunches. Cook everything in advance and store the ingredients separately. Just hold off on adding the avocado and cottage cheese until you’re ready to eat so everything stays fresh.

viral cottage cheese bowls

Variations to Try

Make it vegetarian – Skip the beef and go with lentils, tofu crumbles, or your favorite plant-based meat alternative.
Change up the grain – Not into sweet potato? Try it with roasted butternut squash, cauliflower rice, or even brown rice or quinoa for a different base.
Add greens – Throw in a handful of spinach, arugula, or shredded kale to boost the freshness and fiber.
Spice it differently – Not a fan of hot honey? Try a smoky chipotle sauce, a drizzle of tahini, or even balsamic glaze for a different flavor profile.
Top it your way – Add extras like pickled onions, a fried egg, or crunchy pepitas for more texture and flavor.

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