Introduction

These Quick Meal Prep Cottage Cheese Taco Bowls are a delicious and protein-packed option for easy lunches or dinners. Combining seasoned ground beef, creamy cottage cheese, and fresh pico de gallo, they offer vibrant flavors and satisfying textures. This recipe is perfect for meal prepping and enjoying throughout the week.

Two rectangular metal containers sit on a white marbled surface, each filled with layered food. The bottom layer is a creamy, white cottage cheese base, topped with a brown, seasoned ground meat layer. On one side, there is a heap of shredded orange and white cheese, next to finely chopped red onion. On the meat, there are small red tomato pieces and several green jalapeño slices. The top layer includes a dollop of green guacamole and several thin, curved slices of avocado arranged neatly on the meat and tomato. Nearby, a small white bowl holds extra jalapeño slices, and a wooden pepper grinder stands in the background. The containers rest on a white textured cloth. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

0.75 lb ground beef (preferably Laura’s Lean)
2.5 tbsp taco seasoning
4 tomatoes, seeded and diced into 1/4-inch pieces
1 onion, finely diced
3 jalapeños, finely diced (seeds removed for less heat)
1 lime, juiced
1/4 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper
2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped
3.5 cups cottage cheese (Good Culture recommended)
0.5 cup finely shredded cheddar cheese
1 avocado, sliced

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the pico de gallo by combining the seeded and diced tomatoes, finely diced onion, and jalapeños in a bowl. Add lime juice, salt, pepper, and fresh cilantro. Mix well and set aside to let the flavors meld while you cook the beef.
Step 2: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and break it up with a wooden spoon. Cook for 5-7 minutes until fully browned with no pink remaining. Drain any excess grease if necessary. Stir in taco seasoning and 2-3 tablespoons of water. Simmer for 1-2 minutes until the seasoning is absorbed, then remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.
Step 3: Divide the cottage cheese evenly among 3 meal prep containers or bowls, about 1.25 cups per bowl, creating a creamy base.
Step 4: Top each bowl with the cooked taco-seasoned beef, spreading it evenly over the cottage cheese layer. Sprinkle the finely shredded cheddar cheese evenly on top.
Step 5: Add the pico de gallo on top of each bowl, dividing it equally. Gently stir to combine the flavors without breaking up the cottage cheese too much. Cover and refrigerate.
Step 6: When ready to eat, slice the avocado and add to each bowl just before serving to keep it fresh and prevent browning.

Tips & Variations

Remove jalapeño seeds to reduce heat or add more for extra spice.
Using thicker cottage cheese, like Good Culture, helps maintain texture through the week.
Swap ground beef for ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
Add a squeeze of hot sauce or a dollop of sour cream for extra flavor.

Storage

Store the assembled bowls covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Keep the avocado sliced separately, wrapped tightly in plastic wrap, to prevent browning. When reheating, warm only the beef and cheese layer slightly or enjoy the bowl cold for a fresh meal.

How to Serve

Two rectangular metal containers sit on a white marbled surface, both filled with layers of food. Each container has a bottom layer of creamy white sauce, topped with browned ground meat, then sprinkled with shredded bright yellow cheddar cheese. On top of the cheese, there are diced red tomatoes with green cilantro leaves. One container has thin purple onion slices and two slices of light green avocado fanned out on one side, while the other container has similar onion slices, two green jalapeño slices and a fanned avocado. In the background, there is a small white bowl with extra green jalapeño slices and a wooden pepper grinder. A white cloth is placed near the containers. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different protein instead of ground beef?

Yes, ground turkey or chicken works well as a lean alternative. You can also try plant-based crumbles for a vegetarian option.

How can I prevent the bowls from getting watery?

Seed the tomatoes before dicing to remove excess moisture from the pico de gallo. Using thicker cottage cheese also helps keep the texture firm during storage.