Can I meal prep these bowls in advance?

Absolutely! Prepare the components ahead of time and store them separately. When you’re ready to eat, just reheat the beef and sweet potatoes, then add the cold toppings. Everything keeps well, making lunches and busy dinners a breeze.

Is there a substitute for 7 spice if I can’t find it?

Yes, you can mix your own with equal parts allspice, cinnamon, cumin, coriander, nutmeg, black pepper, and cloves. Or, use a Middle Eastern-style spice blend like baharat or even a mild curry powder for a different spin.

How can I make these bowls vegetarian or vegan?

For a vegetarian version, use cooked lentils, chickpeas, or a plant-based ground meat in place of beef. Vegan? Swap the cottage cheese and feta for unsweetened plant-based alternatives or just a big dollop of hummus or tahini.

Can I use something besides sweet potatoes?

Roasted carrots, butternut squash, or even regular potatoes work beautifully. If you want to go grain-based, try brown rice, quinoa, or even farro as your hearty base.

Ground Beef Bowls Recipe

Name: Ground Beef Bowls Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: Mediterranean-inspired
Ingredients: 1 pound sweet potatoes, peeled and diced; 2 Tablespoons olive oil; ½ teaspoon sea salt; ¼ teaspoon black pepper; ½ teaspoon smoked paprika; 1 pound lean ground beef; 1 teaspoon 7 spice; 1 teaspoon sea salt; ½ teaspoon ground black pepper; 1 cup cottage cheese; 1 cup diced cucumber; 1 cup chopped tomatoes; ½ cup sliced radishes; 1/4 cup sliced red onions; ¼ cup feta cheese crumbles; ¼ cup olives (Kalamata or green); Hot honey (for drizzling); Hummus (for dolloping)

Description

These Ground Beef Bowls are a nutritious and vibrant meal, featuring roasted sweet potatoes, flavorful spiced ground beef, and fresh Mediterranean-inspired toppings like cucumbers, tomatoes, feta, olives, cottage cheese, and optional hummus or hot honey. Perfect for a quick dinner or hearty lunch, they are balanced, protein-packed, and customizable.

Ingredients

Units Scale

For the Roasted Sweet Potatoes

1 pound sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
2 Tablespoons olive oil
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika

For the Ground Beef

1 pound lean ground beef
1 teaspoon 7 spice
1 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

Fresh Toppings

1 cup cottage cheese
1 cup diced cucumber
1 cup chopped tomatoes
1/2 cup sliced radishes
1/4 cup sliced red onions
1/4 cup feta cheese crumbles
1/4 cup olives (Kalamata or green)

Optional Toppings

Hot honey (for drizzling)
Hummus (for dolloping)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Prepare and Roast the Sweet Potatoes – Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Toss the diced and peeled sweet potatoes in olive oil, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper until well coated. Spread them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Roast for 25–30 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and tender.
Cook the Ground Beef – While the sweet potatoes are roasting, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and break it up as it cooks. Once it starts to brown, add the 7 spice, sea salt, and black pepper. Continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until the beef is fully cooked and fragrant.
Prepare Fresh Toppings – While the beef cooks, dice the cucumbers, chop the tomatoes, slice the radishes, and red onions, and prepare the olives and feta cheese.
Assemble the Bowls – Start with a hearty base of roasted sweet potatoes in each bowl. Spoon the seasoned ground beef over the top. Arrange fresh toppings: cottage cheese, diced cucumber, chopped tomatoes, sliced radishes, crumbled feta, sliced red onion, and olives.
Finish and Serve – Finish with a dollop of hummus and a drizzle of hot honey if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy your nourishing ground beef bowls!

Notes

For a lower-carb version, substitute sweet potatoes with cauliflower florets.
Swap 7 spice for a blend of cumin, coriander, and allspice if not available.
Keep leftover components separate for easy meal prep throughout the week.
Can be served warm or at room temperature—ideal for meal prepping lunches.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 bowl
Calories: 575
Sugar: 14g
Sodium: 1800mg
Fat: 30g
Saturated Fat: 9g
Unsaturated Fat: 17g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 44g
Fiber: 8g
Protein: 35g
Cholesterol: 95mg