Loaded Baked Sweet Potato with Ground Beef and Cottage Cheese
This loaded baked sweet potato with ground beef and cottage cheese is an easy, high-protein meal that turns a simple sweet potato into something seriously satisfying. A baked sweet potato is topped with well-seasoned ground beef, creamy cottage cheese, fresh…
This loaded baked sweet potato with ground beef and cottage cheese is an easy, high-protein meal that turns a simple sweet potato into something seriously satisfying. A baked sweet potato is topped with well-seasoned ground beef, creamy cottage cheese, fresh avocado, and a little chili oil for heat. It’s hearty enough for dinner but simple enough to make for lunch or meal prep.
I love this combination because it feels much more indulgent than a typical “healthy” meal. The loaded baked sweet potato gives you that comfort-food feeling, while the ground beef and cottage cheese make it a protein-focused meal that actually keeps you satisfied. It’s a perfect after-gym meal.
If you love easy, high-protein meals made with lean ground beef, be sure to try my High Protein Ground Beef Bowl next. It’s one of my most popular ground beef recipes, with seasoned beef, fresh toppings, and a delicious combination of flavors that makes it perfect for an easy lunch or dinner.
Why This Loaded Sweet Potato Works
High in protein – The ground beef and cottage cheese make this much more filling than a plain baked sweet potato.
Incredibly easy – There’s no complicated sauce or long ingredient list. Bake the sweet potato, cook the beef, and pile everything on top.
Satisfying– You get a great combination of creamy, savoury, spicy, and slightly sweet in every bite.
Meal Prep– The sweet potato and ground beef can be prepared ahead of time, making this an easy option when you need a quick lunch or dinner.
Ingredients You’ll Need and Variations
Sweet Potatoes: Choose medium-sized sweet potatoes that are similar in size so they cook evenly. Halving them lengthwise gives you a larger surface for piling on the toppings.
Ground Beef: Use lean ground beef for a higher-protein, less greasy topping. Season it generously and cook until nicely browned for the best flavour.
Olive Oil: A small amount of olive oil helps the sweet potato roast beautifully and prevents the cut surface from drying out.
Garlic: Freshly minced garlic adds extra savoury flavour to the ground beef. Add it towards the end of cooking so it doesn’t burn.
Seasoning: Use a combination of spices to season the beef. Smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper work particularly well with the sweet potato.
Cottage Cheese: Use a creamy cottage cheese for the best texture. It adds a cool, creamy element to the warm beef and sweet potato while also boosting the protein.
Avocado: Use a ripe avocado that is soft enough to slice or dice easily but still holds its shape. Hass avocado works particularly well because of its creamy texture.
Chili Flakes: Optional, but a sprinkle of red chili flakes adds extra heat and gives the finished dish a little colour.
Salt & Black Pepper: Season the sweet potato and beef to taste to bring out all the flavours.
Hot Honey: Use your favourite hot honey for a sweet and spicy finish. Drizzle it over the loaded sweet potato just before serving to balance the savoury ground beef and creamy cottage cheese.
How to Make a Loaded Baked Sweet Potato
1. Bake the Sweet Potatoes
Preheat your oven and place the halved sweet potatoes on a baking tray, cut-side up. Drizzle with a little olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
Bake for 35-40 mins until the sweet potatoes are completely tender and the edges are lightly caramelised.
2. Cook the Ground Beef
While the sweet potatoes are baking, heat a pan over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon as it browns. Add the garlic and seasonings, then continue cooking until the beef is cooked through and nicely browned.
3. Make the Beef Saucy
Add the tomato paste to the beef and cook for about 1 minute, stirring it through the meat. Pour in the water or beef stock and stir well, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Reduce the heat and simmer for 3–5 minutes, or until the liquid has reduced slightly and the beef is coated in a rich, savoury tomato sauce.
4. Mash the Sweet Potato
Remove the sweet potatoes from the oven and, while they are still hot, use a fork to gently mash the flesh directly inside the skin. Don’t mash it completely smooth — leave a little texture so it stays fluffy.
5. Load the Sweet Potatoes
Once the sweet potatoes are tender, place each half onto a plate and spoon the seasoned ground beef generously over the top.
6. Finish with Toppings
Add a large spoonful of cottage cheese and scatter over the diced avocado. Drizzle with hot honey and finish with a sprinkle of chili flakes if you like a little extra heat.
Serve immediately while the sweet potato and beef are warm.
Macros & Nutrition Breakdown Per Serving
Based on a single serving and approximate ingredient amounts shown.
Servings: 2
Calories: 904 kcal
Protein: 57g
Carbs: 78g
Fat: 45g
Fiber: 13g
Meal Prep and Storage Tips
Bake the sweet potatoes ahead: Sweet potatoes can be baked in advance and stored in the refrigerator, making this meal much quicker to assemble when you’re short on time.
Cook the ground beef ahead: Prepare the seasoned ground beef in advance and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reheat it before serving.
Store the toppings separately: Keep the cottage cheese, avocado, and hot honey separate until you’re ready to eat so the toppings stay fresh.
Add the avocado just before serving: Dice the avocado when you’re ready to eat to keep it fresh and prevent it from browning.
Reheat before assembling: Warm the sweet potato and ground beef, then add the cottage cheese, avocado, and hot honey just before serving for the best texture.
Meal prep for the week: Prepare the sweet potatoes and ground beef ahead and portion them into containers. Add the fresh toppings when you’re ready to eat.
More High- Protein Recipes You’ll Love
High-Protein Chicken Tortilla Quiche
Cottage Cheese Egg Bake (43g Protein)
Loaded Baked Sweet Potato with Ground Beef and Cottage Cheese
Ingredients
For the Sweet Potato
- 2 medium sweet potatoes, halved lengthwise
- ½ tbsp olive oil
- ½ tsp Salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
For the Ground Beef
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp onion powder
- ¾ tsp black pepper
- ¾ tsp salt
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- ½ cup water/beef stock
For the Toppings
- ½ cup cottage cheese
- 1 medium avocado, diced
- 2 tbsp hot honey
- Chili flakes
Instructions
1. Bake the Sweet Potatoes: Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F). Place the halved sweet potatoes on a baking tray, cut-side up. Drizzle with a little olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Bake until the sweet potatoes are completely tender and the edges are lightly caramelised for 35–45 minutes.
2. Cook the Ground Beef: While the sweet potatoes are baking, heat a pan over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon as it browns. Add the garlic and seasonings, then continue cooking until the beef is cooked through and nicely browned.
3. Make the Beef Saucy: Add the tomato paste and cook for about 1 minute, stirring it into the beef. Pour in the water or beef stock and stir well. Reduce the heat and simmer for 3–5 minutes, until the liquid has reduced and the beef is coated in a rich, savoury sauce.
4. Mash the Sweet Potato: Remove the sweet potatoes from the oven. While they're still hot, use a fork to gently mash the flesh directly inside the skin. Leave some texture rather than mashing it completely smooth.
5. Load the Sweet Potatoes: Once the sweet potatoes are tender, place each half onto a plate and spoon the seasoned ground beef generously over the top.
6. Add the Toppings: Add a large spoonful of cottage cheese and scatter over the diced avocado. Drizzle with hot honey and finish with chili flakes.
Serve immediately while the sweet potato and beef are warm.
Notes
Use a sweet potato that is similar in size to the others. This helps everything finish cooking at roughly the same time.
Don’t skip browning the beef. Letting the beef cook until it develops some colour gives it much more flavour.
Add the cottage cheese at the end. You want it cool and creamy against the warm sweet potato and beef.
Keep the avocado fresh. If you’re making this for meal prep, add the avocado just before eating rather than storing it with the cooked ingredients.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 2 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving:Calories: 904Total Fat: 45gSaturated Fat: 13gUnsaturated Fat: 32gCholesterol: 214mgSodium: 1978mgCarbohydrates: 78gFiber: 13gSugar: 25gProtein: 57g
Nutrition information on That Protein Life is estimated using online calculators and may vary based on ingredients, brands, and preparation methods. For the most accurate results, use a food scale and trusted calculator. This information is for general guidance only, please consult a professional for specific dietary needs. That Protein Life is not responsible for any discrepancies or outcomes.
