a lime wedge being squeezed over the taco bowl, with tiny droplets of juice falling onto the ingredients

Cottage Cheese Taco Bowl

March 17, 2025

By Millie Pham

This cottage cheese taco bowl is a fresh, high-protein twist on taco night! Creamy cottage cheese takes the place of sour cream, adding richness while keeping it light and packed with protein. It’s super easy to make, totally customizable, and comes together in 10 minutes!

Let’s build this delicious bowl!

What You’ll Need

For the Taco Meat:

½ lb ground beef (or turkey)
½ tsp olive oil
1 tsp chili powder
½ tsp cumin
½ tsp garlic powder
¼ tsp salt
¼ tsp black pepper

For the Bowl:

1 cup shredded lettuce
½ cup cooked black beans
½ cup diced tomatoes
¼ cup shredded cheddar cheese
½ cup cottage cheese (small curd)
¼ cup sliced avocado
1 tbsp chopped cilantro
½ lime, sliced (for squeezing)

Pro Tips

⭐ Make it low-carb by skipping the beans and using extra veggies.
⭐ Want extra heat? Add diced jalapeños or a drizzle of hot sauce.
⭐ Use lean ground turkey for a lighter version.
⭐ Make it meal prep-friendly by storing ingredients separately and assembling fresh!

Tools You’ll Need

Skillet
Spatula
Cutting board
Knife
Measuring cups & spoons
Mixing bowl

Substitutions & Variations

✔️ No Cottage Cheese? Use Greek yogurt or sour cream instead.
✔️ Vegetarian? Swap the beef for seasoned tofu or extra black beans.
✔️ Dairy-Free? Use dairy-free cheese and a plant-based cottage cheese.
✔️ Crunchy Topping? Add crushed tortilla chips for extra texture!

How to Make a Cottage Cheese Taco Bowl

1. Cook the Taco Meat

Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef, breaking it up with a spatula. Cook for 5-7 minutes, then stir in chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Cook another 2 minutes, then remove from heat.

seasoned ground beef sizzling in a skillet, with spices evenly mixed in. The meat is browned and slightly crispy at the edges.

2. Prep the Bowl Ingredients

Chop lettuce, dice tomatoes, and slice avocado. Drain and rinse black beans.

freshly chopped lettuce, diced tomatoes, sliced avocado, and drained black beans arranged neatly on a wooden cutting board.

3. Assemble the Bowl

In a bowl, layer shredded lettuce, black beans, diced tomatoes, and seasoned ground beef.

a taco bowl being assembled with a base of crisp lettuce, black beans, juicy diced tomatoes, and a scoop of seasoned taco meat

4. Add Cottage Cheese & Toppings

Top with cottage cheese, shredded cheddar, sliced avocado, and chopped cilantro.

a dollop of creamy cottage cheese being added to the taco bowl, alongside shredded cheddar cheese and sliced avocado.

5. Squeeze Lime & Serve

Squeeze fresh lime juice over the bowl and enjoy!

Leftovers & Storage

Store ingredients separately in airtight containers for up to 3 days.
Reheat the meat in a skillet or microwave before serving.
Assemble fresh each time for the best texture!

Enjoy!

This cottage cheese taco bowl is fresh, creamy, and so satisfying. Perfect for a quick meal or meal prep! Let me know if you try it. 😊🌮✨