Switching up the Viral Cottage Cheese Bowl

The cottage cheese bowl was created to provide a high protein and lower carb option for individuals looking to get loads of protein in their diet. As a registered dietitian, I don’t like to discriminate against food groups, so I like to create recipes that includes an adequate portion of each food group in order to create a balanced meal. Here is my version of the infamous cottage cheese bowl and different ways you can spice it up!

Photo Property of Healthy You by Maura

Step 1: Prepare your ingredients

The ingredients I specifically use for my version of this bowl is ground turkey meat, a lower sodium taco seasoning packet, low fat cottage cheese, sweet potato, hot honey, lettuce, tomato, avocado, and rice.

For a single serving, these are the following measurements:

• 1/2 C of white rice

• 2 oz of ground turkey meat

• 2 teaspoons of a Taco Seasoning Packet (my preferred is Siete Mild Taco Seasoning)

• 1 Tablespoon of water

• 1/2 of a baked sweet potato (you can also use frozen sweet potato)

  • season with salt and pepper to your liking, however I love adding Garam Masala for extra flavor!

• 1/2 Tablespoon of olive oil

• 1/2 C of Low-Fat Cottage Cheese (my preferred is Good Culture Low-Fat Classic Cottage Cheese)

• 1/4 C of shredded iceberg lettuce

• 1/4 C of diced Roma tomato (seeds removed)

• 1/2 of an avocado, sliced

• 1 Tablespoon of hot honey (my preferred is Mike’s Hot Honey)

It’s so easy to add and remove ingredients to this bowl to your liking, so continue reading to see how you can switch it up!

Step 2: Cook Your Rice

I personally use a rice cooker when preparing my rice, however, there are so many ways to cook your rice now that doesn’t include a stove top. However, you choose to cook your rice, just ensure that you have enough. If you end up making more than enough, I always recommend saving it in the fridge and using it for a fried rice dish later in the week.

Cooking your rice may take the longest to do, so ensure this is one of the first steps that you follow so it’s cooking while you’re prepping the other ingredients.

Stock photos from Canva Pro

Step 3: Cook Your Sweet Potatoes

Go ahead and preheat oven to 450 degrees. You can also use an air fryer to make your sweet potatoes as well (usually taking 15-20 minutes). If you have frozen sweet potatoes, you may be able to get away with microwaving or frying them on the stove top too!

If you’re like me and want to make them from a fresh sweet potato, ensure you wash and peel the skin on your sweet potato and then dice them into small cubes. Place the cubed sweet potato into a bowl where you can toss it in olive oil, salt, and pepper.

I also love tossing my sweet potatoes in garam masala, which is a blend of Indian spices. You could also add paprika, garlic powder, or fresh herbs for additional flavors.

Once your sweet potatoes are covered in seasoning and oil, place them on a baking sheet that is lined with parchment paper or aluminum foil and bake them between 15-30 minutes. Cooking time may vary depending on how much you are making and the type of oven you have. I recommend checking them first at the 15-minute mark and adjusting from there.

Stock photos from Canva Pro

Step 4: Cook Your Ground Meat

Here is where most of your protein will come in!

You’ll want to heat a pan to medium on your stove top. You also may want to add a spray of oil if you are using a lean meat such as chicken or turkey. Once pan is heated, add meat and break apart into a crumble. Ensure your meat has no pink in it which should be a temperature of 165 degrees F.

Next you will want to add taco seasoning and water and mix until covered in seasoning. You may need to adjust your water amount depending on how easy it is to cover your meat. Once it’s cook, set aside until you start building your bowl.

Stock photos from Canva Pro

Step 5: Building Your Bowl

When building the bowl, you generally have two options depending on how you want to present your meal. You can either just pile it on top, or you can build it by compartmentalizing each ingredient (my preference because I’ enjoy showing off each ingredient that I used).

At this point you should have your ingredients prepared, such as sliced avocado and diced tomato. Everything should also be cooked at this time.

First, you want to take a serving of rice and add it to a bowl for serving. Then you will want to add a serving of ground meat, shredding lettuce, and add diced tomatoes on top of the shredded lettuce.

Next you will add a serving of your cooked sweet potato, add a serving of sliced avocado, and then add a serving of cottage cheese on top.

My personal favorite part is when I get to drizzle the hot honey on the very top of the bowl. I truly think this completes the whole meal. If you don’t have hot honey, regular honey is also fine as well!

When it’s all placed together, you can serve and enjoy while hot!

Stock photos from Canva Pro

Tips:

For Rice: Consider switching white rice to brown rice, quinoa, or lentils for additional fiber options.

For Ground Meat: Consider switching turkey meat to other options such as ground chicken, shredded chicken or beef or lean ground beef.

For additional Flavor: Switch out the taco seasoning packet for a more Asian-Style flavor by adding ingredients such as soy sauce, gochujang, and chili-crisp oil. You can also keep it plain to avoid added sodium from seasonings.

For a vegetarian option: Replace ground meat with lentils, quinoa, crumbled tofu, or beans and mix with your seasoning packet.

If you don't like cottage cheese: Use feta-cheese as an alternative. Sour cream or plain Greek yogurt may also be used too!

I hope you enjoy this delicious meal and be sure to tag me on my socials if you create it!

Maura Fowler, MPH, RDN, CPH

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Healthy You by Maura's Version of the Viral Cottage Cheese Bowl

Yield: 1

Author: Maura Fowler

Prep time: 30 MinCook time: 30 MinTotal time: 1 Hour

The cottage cheese bowl was created to provide a high protein and lower carb option for individuals looking to get loads of protein in their diet. Here is my version of the infamous cottage cheese bowl and different ways you can spice it up!

Cook modePrevent screen from turning off

Ingredients

• 1/2 C of white rice
• 2 oz of ground turkey meat
• 2 teaspoons of a Taco Seasoning Packet (my preferred is Siete Mild Taco Seasoning)
• 1/2 Tablespoon of water
• 1/2 of a baked sweet potato (you can also use frozen sweet potato)
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1 teaspoon of Garam Masala *optional
• 1/2 Tablespoon of olive oil
• 1/2 C of Low-Fat Cottage Cheese (my preferred is Good Culture Low-Fat Classic Cottage Cheese)
• 1/4 C of shredded iceberg lettuce
• 1/4 C of diced Roma tomato (seeds removed)
• 1/2 of an avocado, sliced
• 1 Tablespoon of hot honey (my preferred is Mike’s Hot Honey)

Instructions

Prepare Rice

1. If you don't have rice already prepared, you can cook rice per rice cooker directions, bag directions, or microwave directions depending on the type of rice purchased. Note that this will make more than the serving you may need if you are only making this recipe for 1-2 individuals.
2. Note: if you are cooking rice fresh, ensure this is one of the first steps that you do so it cooks while you prepare your meal.

Prepare Sweet Potatoes

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees
2. Wash and peel skins on your sweet potato(s) and dice them into small cubes.
3. Place diced sweet potatoes in a bowl and toss them in olive oil, salt and pepper, and garam masala if used.
4. Place them on a baking sheet that is lined with parchment paper or aluminum foil and baked for 15-30 minutes. Check by 15 minutes for softness and adjust cooking times according.
5. Set aside once cooked.

Prepare Ground Meat

1. Heat a pan to medium. You may want to add a spray of oil if you are using a lean meat such as chicken or turkey.
2. Once pan is heated, add meat and break apart into a crumble. Ensure you meat has no pink in it (165 degrees F).
3. Add taco seasoning and water and mix until covered in seasoning. You may need to adjust your water amount depending on how easy it is to cover your meat.
4. Set aside once cooked.

Building Your Bowl

1. Note: When building the bowl, you can just pile it on top, or you can build it by compartmentalizing each ingredient.
2. Take a serving of rice and add it to a bowl for serving.
3. Add a serving of ground meat.
4. Add a serving of shredding lettuce. Add the diced tomatoes on top of the shredded lettuce.
5. Add a serving of sweet potato.
6. Add a serving of sliced avocado.
7. Add a serving of cottage cheese on top.
8. Lastly, drizzle the hot honey on the very top of the bowl.
9. Serve and enjoy!

Notes

For Rice: Consider switching white rice to brown rice, quinoa, or lentils for additional fiber options.

For Ground Meat: Consider switching turkey meat to other options such as ground chicken, shredded chicken or beef or lean ground beef.

For additional Flavor: Switch out the taco seasoning packet for a more Asian-Style flavor by adding ingredients such as soy sauce, gochujang, and chili-crisp oil. You can also keep it plain to avoid added sodium from seasonings.

For a vegetarian option: Replace ground meat with lentils, quinoa, crumbled tofu, or beans and mix with your seasoning packet.

If you don't like cottage cheese: Use feta-cheese as an alternative

Nutrition Facts

Calories

655

Fat

26.8 g

Sat. Fat

5.6 g

Carbs

72.3 g

Fiber

9.1 g

Protein

33.6 g

Sodium

767 mg

Calories for exact serving sizes and ingredients listed. Calories may change depending on ingredients/brands used.

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