Description
Spicy Mexican-inspired “taco cottage cheese bowl” blends zesty flavors with protein-packed goodness. Layers of fresh ingredients create a quick, satisfying meal that delivers maximum taste with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein Base:
- 1/2 cup cottage cheese
- 1/2 cup seasoned ground beef (cooked with taco seasoning)
- 1/4 cup black beans (drained and rinsed)
Toppings and Mix-ins:
- 1/4 cup corn kernels (fresh, frozen, or canned)
- 1/4 cup salsa (mild or spicy, based on preference)
- 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 avocado, sliced
Garnish:
- 1 lime wedge
- Fresh cilantro, for garnish
Instructions
- Create a sturdy foundation in a wide serving bowl by spreading cottage cheese evenly across the bottom surface.
- Brown seasoned ground beef in a skillet until fully cooked and fragrant, ensuring no pink remains.
- Drain excess fat from the beef and distribute the meat uniformly over the cottage cheese layer.
- Sprinkle black beans and sweet corn kernels across the beef to add texture and balanced nutrition.
- Generously ladle fresh salsa over the beans and corn, allowing the vibrant sauce to cascade through the layers.
- Shower the bowl with shredded cheddar cheese, creating a melty, golden blanket over the ingredients.
- Artfully arrange creamy avocado slices around the bowl’s perimeter for visual appeal and rich flavor.
- Delicately scatter fresh cilantro leaves across the top, providing a bright herbal note.
- Just before serving, squeeze fresh lime juice in a zigzag pattern to awaken the dish’s flavors and add a tangy brightness.
- Serve immediately while ingredients are warm and cheese remains slightly melted, ensuring optimal taste and temperature.
Notes
- Swap cottage cheese with Greek yogurt for a tangier protein-packed base that adds extra creaminess.
- Make this dish vegetarian by replacing ground beef with seasoned plant-based crumbles or roasted black beans for added texture.
- Use low-fat cottage cheese and lean ground beef to create a healthier version without compromising flavor intensity.
- Prep ingredients ahead of time and store separately to quickly assemble a quick, nutritious meal during busy weeknights or for meal prep.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: None
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
- Calories: 495 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 680 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 8 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg