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Taco Bowls – High Protein, Low Carb

August 25, 2023 by Gina +

I’m on a high protein kick so any dish that’s easy and has a lot of protein is a win for me. This taco bowl, which is more of a skillet, (another option) is delicious, easy, and healthy. It also happens to be loaded with protein and low carb.

Jump to Recipe
a cast iron skillet on a table.  In the skillet is ground beef, cheese, and salsa topped with shredded lettuce and sour cream.  A wooden spoon is in the skillet to the side for serving.

This taco bowl is so easy and healthy and makes a great meal prep dish. It’s simple, first cook ground beef then layer a mix of salsa and cottage cheese on top. Bake it and add some more shredded cheese if you want. It’s perfect. You can make this into a taco salad, scoop it up with chips, or use it to fill a wrap. The filling itself is so tasty!

a cast iron skillet on a table.  In the skillet is ground beef, cheese, and salsa topped with shredded lettuce and sour cream.  A wooden spoon is in the skillet to the side for serving.  There are chips to the other side/
a cast iron skillet on a table.  In the skillet is ground beef, cheese, and salsa topped with shredded lettuce and sour cream.  A wooden spoon is in the skillet to the side for serving.
a cast iron skillet on a table.  In the skillet is ground beef, cheese, and salsa topped with shredded lettuce and sour cream.  A wooden spoon is in the skillet to the side for serving.  There are chips to the other side/

Ingredients needed for the Taco Bowls

  • Ground beef (or ground chicken or turkey)
  • Taco seasoning
  • Cottage cheese
  • Salsa
  • Shredded cheese optional for topping
  • Favorite toppings – shredded lettuce, sour cream, avocado, chips

How to make the Taco Bowls

  • Preheat oven to 350
  • Start by cooking the ground beef in a skillet. 
  • Add the taco seasoning and salt.  Cook for about 10 minutes. 
  • Top with cottage cheese and salsa. 
  • Bake at 350 for 20 minutes.
  • You can add some shredded cheese at the end.
  • When it’s done, add toppings, scoop with chips, add to a wrap, or enjoy as is!
a cast iron skillet on a table.  In the skillet is ground beef, cheese, and salsa topped with shredded lettuce and sour cream.   There are chips to the other side/
a cast iron skillet on a table.  In the skillet is ground beef, cheese, and salsa topped with shredded lettuce and sour cream.

Why we love this Taco Bowl recipe…

  • Loaded with protein and flavor.
  • Stores very well so it makes a great meal prep recipe.
  • Versatile, you can use ground beef, turkey, or chicken.
  • Easy to customize and add whatever toppings you like. Also, different ways to serve it.

More recipes you will like…

  • Sheet Pan Chicken Tacos
  • Beef Taco Skillet
  • Crispy Shrimp Tacos

Tips for the Taco Bowls

How do I store the taco bowls?

Store in the fridge, covered, then reheat by microwave, skillet, or oven.

How do I reheat these?

The microwave is fine or on the stovetop or oven. Easy!

Do I have to use cottage cheese?

No, but that’s what helps add a cheesy flavor and boost the protein.


High Protein Taco Bowl

Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 15 minutes mins
Servings: 0 4-6 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American, Mexican
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 1 16oz container of cottage cheese
  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 2 tbsp taco seasoning
  • 1 cup salsa
  • Shredded cheese and other favorite toppings

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 350.
  2. Start by cooking the ground beef in a skillet.  Add the taco seasoning and salt.  Cook for about 10 minutes. 
  3. Top with cottage cheese and salsa.  Bake at 350 for 20 minutes.
  4. Add shredded cheese if you want at the end. Add other toppings once it's done cooking.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
a cast iron skillet on a table.  In the skillet is ground beef, cheese, and salsa topped with shredded lettuce and sour cream.  There are chips on the bottom of the skillet to serve.

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Filed Under: Dinners, Recipes

Trackbacks

  1. 15 high-protein meals to keep you fueled    - says:
    May 8, 2025 at 2:57 pm

    […] Taco bowls are a fantastic way to enjoy a delicious and nutritious meal that is both satisfying and easy to prepare. This protein-packed taco bowl combines flavorful ingredients that not only taste great but also provide a healthy dose of protein to keep you full and energized. Here’s how to make your own protein-packed taco bowl! Get the recipe from Protein-Packed Taco Bowl Recipe […]

  2. Cottage Cheese Taco Meat Bowl The Best Viral High Protein Bowl (2025) says:
    June 4, 2025 at 11:39 am

    […] This surprisingly delicious combination brings together creamy cottage cheese, seasoned ground beef, and a mix of fresh toppings, creating a flavorful, nutritious dish that’s quick to prepare and ideal for meal prep. Whether you’re chasing better macros, looking to cut carbs, or just tired of boring bowls, this viral recipe delivers. In this article, you’ll learn everything about how to make it, customize it, store it, and why it’s one of the best modern food hacks for busy, health-conscious eaters. Don’t miss our tips for creative variations and expert answers to the most searched questions. Looking for inspiration? Try this helpful guide on high-protein meal ideas […]

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large carb-balanced burrito-sized tortilla
1 egg
Shredded cheese
2 slices bacon
1/2 avocado, mashed
1 hash brown

Instructions:
Cook the bacon and chop it up. Mash the avocado and season with salt, mix in the bacon, and spread it on the tortilla. Cook the egg with a little shredded cheese, letting it cook mostly through, then fold it. Top the avocado with the hash brown, then add the folded egg. Fold the tortilla into a burrito and crisp it in a pan.
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serves 6
1 lb lean 93/7 ground beef
1 packet taco seasoning
1/2 onion
3.5 oz shredded cheddar + 2 tbsp for the meat mix
1/3 cup Greek yogurt (swap for sour cream if you want)
1 can fat-free refried beans
6 low-cal carb-balanced tortillas (70 cal each) @missionfoodsus 
Queso

How to make it:
Brown the beef, add taco seasoning, let it simmer
Stir in Greek yogurt + 2 tbsp shredded cheese
Cut a slit from center to edge of each tortilla
Layer beans on one section, meat on another, nacho cheese on the last
Fold into a triangle
Arrange in a ring in your cast iron skillet
Top with shredded cheese 
Bake at 375°F for 15 minutes

We top with sour cream, shredded lettuce, salsa, and guacamole 

Save this for your next easy weeknight dinner 🙌
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Here’s how I make it:

A big handful of cherry tomatoes
1 can white beans, drained and rinsed
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Salt + pepper
Squeeze of fresh lemon
Good Culture cottage cheese @good_culture 
Toasted sourdough for serving

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Add the white beans, season really well with salt and pepper and finish with a squeeze of lemon. Let everything warm together for a few minutes.

Spoon into a bowl, add plenty of cottage cheese on top and serve with toasted or crusty sourdough for scooping.

So simple. SO good.
Save this one for tomato season. 🍅🤍
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Comment “MUFFIN” and I’ll send you the recipe!
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This Skillet-Roasted Chicken with Garlicky Spinach and Beans recipe from @testkitchen is the kind of weeknight dinner you’ll want to keep. It’s simple, flavorful, and comes together in under 45 minutes, which is exactly what I need on busy evenings.
I love knowing the recipe has already been thoroughly tested, so I can make dinner without wondering if it’s going to turn out. It makes weeknight cooking feel so much easier.
If you’re looking for more dependable, family-friendly dinner ideas, this recipe is available on the America’s Test Kitchen app and website. I’ve linked everything in my bio so it’s easy to find.
Save this for your next busy weeknight, and let me know if you give it a try!

Comment ‘recipe’ and I will send you the link to try out America’s Test Kitchen.
This breakfast burrito is one of my favorite ways This breakfast burrito is one of my favorite ways to start the day. Crispy bacon, mashed avocado, a folded cheesy egg, and a hash brown all wrapped up in a carb-balanced tortilla and crisped in the pan. It’s simple, it’s filling, and delish! 

large carb-balanced burrito-sized tortilla
1 egg
Shredded cheese
2 slices bacon
1/2 avocado, mashed
1 hash brown

Instructions:
Cook the bacon and chop it up. Mash the avocado and season with salt, mix in the bacon, and spread it on the tortilla. Cook the egg with a little shredded cheese, letting it cook mostly through, then fold it. Top the avocado with the hash brown, then add the folded egg. Fold the tortilla into a burrito and crisp it in a pan.
High-Protein Burrito Bake If you love taco night High-Protein Burrito Bake 

If you love taco night but want something a little lighter and higher protein, this one’s for you. Folded burritos baked in a ring in the cast iron — easy weeknight dinner and meal-prep friendly

serves 6
1 lb lean 93/7 ground beef
1 packet taco seasoning
1/2 onion
3.5 oz shredded cheddar + 2 tbsp for the meat mix
1/3 cup Greek yogurt (swap for sour cream if you want)
1 can fat-free refried beans
6 low-cal carb-balanced tortillas (70 cal each) @missionfoodsus 
Queso

How to make it:
Brown the beef, add taco seasoning, let it simmer
Stir in Greek yogurt + 2 tbsp shredded cheese
Cut a slit from center to edge of each tortilla
Layer beans on one section, meat on another, nacho cheese on the last
Fold into a triangle
Arrange in a ring in your cast iron skillet
Top with shredded cheese 
Bake at 375°F for 15 minutes

We top with sour cream, shredded lettuce, salsa, and guacamole 

Save this for your next easy weeknight dinner 🙌
One of my favorite ways to eat summer tomatoes 🍅 One of my favorite ways to eat summer tomatoes 🍅

Blistered cherry tomatoes, creamy white beans, cottage cheese and plenty of crusty sourdough. It’s simple, hearty, satisfying and has plenty of protein without feeling like a “high-protein” meal.

Here’s how I make it:

A big handful of cherry tomatoes
1 can white beans, drained and rinsed
Olive oil
Salt + pepper
Squeeze of fresh lemon
Good Culture cottage cheese @good_culture 
Toasted sourdough for serving

Heat a good drizzle of olive oil in a skillet and add the cherry tomatoes. Let them cook until blistered and starting to burst, then give them a light mash.

Add the white beans, season really well with salt and pepper and finish with a squeeze of lemon. Let everything warm together for a few minutes.

Spoon into a bowl, add plenty of cottage cheese on top and serve with toasted or crusty sourdough for scooping.

So simple. SO good.
Save this one for tomato season. 🍅🤍
Creamy Summer Squash Orzo with Steak Tips #ad Thi Creamy Summer Squash Orzo with Steak Tips  #ad
This Creamy Summer Squash Orzo with Steak Tips from @testkitchen is one of those dinners that feels a little special without taking all evening to make.

I love recipes that are simple enough for a weeknight but still feel like a meal everyone is excited to sit down for. This one comes together in under 45 minutes, and I know I can count on it because America’s Test Kitchen recipes are so well tested.

If you’re looking for new weeknight dinner ideas that actually work, this recipe is a great place to start. You can find it on the America’s Test Kitchen app and website—I’ve linked it in my bio to make it easy to find.

Save this one for the next time you’re wondering what to make for dinner!
Jumbo Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Muffins Tall go Jumbo Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Muffins

Tall golden tops, soft centers, melty chocolate, crunchy sugar on top—and the brown butter makes them SO good. Serve them warm. You can even freeze the rest for later.

Comment “MUFFIN” and I’ll send you the recipe!
Easy Skillet-Roasted Chicken with Garlicky Spinach Easy Skillet-Roasted Chicken with Garlicky Spinach & Beans  #ad
This Skillet-Roasted Chicken with Garlicky Spinach and Beans recipe from @testkitchen is the kind of weeknight dinner you’ll want to keep. It’s simple, flavorful, and comes together in under 45 minutes, which is exactly what I need on busy evenings.
I love knowing the recipe has already been thoroughly tested, so I can make dinner without wondering if it’s going to turn out. It makes weeknight cooking feel so much easier.
If you’re looking for more dependable, family-friendly dinner ideas, this recipe is available on the America’s Test Kitchen app and website. I’ve linked everything in my bio so it’s easy to find.
Save this for your next busy weeknight, and let me know if you give it a try!

Comment ‘recipe’ and I will send you the link to try out America’s Test Kitchen.
This breakfast burrito is one of my favorite ways This breakfast burrito is one of my favorite ways to start the day. Crispy bacon, mashed avocado, a folded cheesy egg, and a hash brown all wrapped up in a carb-balanced tortilla and crisped in the pan. It’s simple, it’s filling, and delish! 

large carb-balanced burrito-sized tortilla
1 egg
Shredded cheese
2 slices bacon
1/2 avocado, mashed
1 hash brown

Instructions:
Cook the bacon and chop it up. Mash the avocado and season with salt, mix in the bacon, and spread it on the tortilla. Cook the egg with a little shredded cheese, letting it cook mostly through, then fold it. Top the avocado with the hash brown, then add the folded egg. Fold the tortilla into a burrito and crisp it in a pan.
High-Protein Burrito Bake If you love taco night High-Protein Burrito Bake 

If you love taco night but want something a little lighter and higher protein, this one’s for you. Folded burritos baked in a ring in the cast iron — easy weeknight dinner and meal-prep friendly

serves 6
1 lb lean 93/7 ground beef
1 packet taco seasoning
1/2 onion
3.5 oz shredded cheddar + 2 tbsp for the meat mix
1/3 cup Greek yogurt (swap for sour cream if you want)
1 can fat-free refried beans
6 low-cal carb-balanced tortillas (70 cal each) @missionfoodsus 
Queso

How to make it:
Brown the beef, add taco seasoning, let it simmer
Stir in Greek yogurt + 2 tbsp shredded cheese
Cut a slit from center to edge of each tortilla
Layer beans on one section, meat on another, nacho cheese on the last
Fold into a triangle
Arrange in a ring in your cast iron skillet
Top with shredded cheese 
Bake at 375°F for 15 minutes

We top with sour cream, shredded lettuce, salsa, and guacamole 

Save this for your next easy weeknight dinner 🙌
One of my favorite ways to eat summer tomatoes 🍅 One of my favorite ways to eat summer tomatoes 🍅

Blistered cherry tomatoes, creamy white beans, cottage cheese and plenty of crusty sourdough. It’s simple, hearty, satisfying and has plenty of protein without feeling like a “high-protein” meal.

Here’s how I make it:

A big handful of cherry tomatoes
1 can white beans, drained and rinsed
Olive oil
Salt + pepper
Squeeze of fresh lemon
Good Culture cottage cheese @good_culture 
Toasted sourdough for serving

Heat a good drizzle of olive oil in a skillet and add the cherry tomatoes. Let them cook until blistered and starting to burst, then give them a light mash.

Add the white beans, season really well with salt and pepper and finish with a squeeze of lemon. Let everything warm together for a few minutes.

Spoon into a bowl, add plenty of cottage cheese on top and serve with toasted or crusty sourdough for scooping.

So simple. SO good.
Save this one for tomato season. 🍅🤍
Creamy Summer Squash Orzo with Steak Tips #ad Thi Creamy Summer Squash Orzo with Steak Tips  #ad
This Creamy Summer Squash Orzo with Steak Tips from @testkitchen is one of those dinners that feels a little special without taking all evening to make.

I love recipes that are simple enough for a weeknight but still feel like a meal everyone is excited to sit down for. This one comes together in under 45 minutes, and I know I can count on it because America’s Test Kitchen recipes are so well tested.

If you’re looking for new weeknight dinner ideas that actually work, this recipe is a great place to start. You can find it on the America’s Test Kitchen app and website—I’ve linked it in my bio to make it easy to find.

Save this one for the next time you’re wondering what to make for dinner!

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