Cottage Cheese Ground Beef Casserole (Printable)
Ground beef, cottage cheese and sweet potatoes layered and baked with mozzarella and Parmesan until golden.
# What You'll Need:
→ Meats
01 - 1 pound lean ground beef
→ Vegetables
02 - 2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
03 - 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 cup baby spinach (optional)
→ Dairy
06 - 1½ cups cottage cheese
07 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
08 - ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
→ Pantry Staples
09 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
10 - 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes, drained
11 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
12 - ½ teaspoon paprika
13 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
# Steps:
01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray or butter.
02 - Place the diced sweet potatoes in a medium pot and cover with salted water. Bring to a boil and cook until just tender, 8 to 10 minutes. Drain thoroughly and set aside.
03 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, sautéing until softened and fragrant, about 3 minutes.
04 - Add the ground beef to the skillet, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon. Cook until fully browned and no pink remains, 5 to 7 minutes. Drain off any excess fat.
05 - Stir in the drained diced tomatoes, dried oregano, paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. If using spinach, fold it in and cook until just wilted. Remove from heat.
06 - Spread half of the parboiled sweet potatoes in an even layer across the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
07 - Spoon the seasoned ground beef mixture evenly over the sweet potato layer, spreading it to the edges.
08 - Dollop the cottage cheese over the beef layer and gently spread it into an even coating using the back of a spoon.
09 - Arrange the remaining sweet potatoes over the cottage cheese. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan evenly across the top.
10 - Bake uncovered for 25 to 30 minutes, until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden on top.
11 - Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving. Garnish with fresh parsley or chives if desired.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The cottage cheese melts into the layers and creates a richness that feels indulgent without needing heavy cream or butter.
- It reheats beautifully the next day, making it ideal for meal prep or a no stress second dinner.
- Sweet potatoes bring a subtle sweetness that balances the savory beef in a way that surprises everyone at the table.
- One dish, one oven, and minimal cleanup mean you can actually relax while it bakes.
02 -
- Do not skip draining the diced tomatoes or your casserole will pool liquid at the bottom and the layers will slide apart.
- Undercooking the sweet potatoes slightly during boiling is better than overcooking them because they finish softening in the oven.
- Check cheese labels carefully if cooking for someone with gluten sensitivity because some grated cheeses use anti caking agents containing gluten.
03 -
- Pat the boiled sweet potatoes dry with a clean towel before layering to remove excess moisture that would make the dish watery.
- Letting the casserole rest the full five minutes is the difference between a beautiful slice and a pile of delicious but messy ingredients on a plate.