Meal Prep Made Easy: High Protein Sweet & Spicy Taco Bowls
- Lauren
- Apr 28
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 29
One of the best habits you can build for better nutrition (and less weekday stress!) is meal prep. A great meal prep recipe should be simple, versatile, packed with nutrients, and—of course—delicious. My recipe for High Protein Sweet & Spicy Taco Bowls checks all the boxes and is perfect for your next meal prep day!
It’s one of my go-to meal prep recipes because it is:
✅ Versatile: Use ground turkey, chicken, beef, or even tempeh to suit your preference.
✅ Kid-Friendly: Add the taco meat to brown rice pasta, in a tortilla, or sprinkle it on tortilla chips for nachos.
✅ Health-Focused: Cottage cheese instead of sour cream for added protein, roasted sweet potatoes instead of white tortillas for fiber and sweetness, and leafy greens for a nutrient boost.
✅ Macro-Balanced: Includes protein, fiber-rich carbs, healthy fats, and tons of vegetables.
Even better? You can double the batch for lunches and quick dinners throughout the week!
Why This Recipe Works
When I design recipes for my clients, I make sure they hit all the macronutrient targets:
Protein: Ground meat or tempeh + cottage cheese
Complex Carbs: Black beans, corn, sweet potatoes
Healthy Fats: Avocado, olive oil
Veggies: Leafy greens, kale, peppers, tomatoes
Each bowl is colorful, filling, and can easily be adjusted based on what’s in your fridge.
Start With Homemade Taco Seasoning
Ditch the store-bought taco mixes loaded with sodium and preservatives. Making your own is simple, and you can customize the spice level to your liking:
Taco Seasoning (makes enough for a few recipes)
3 tbsp chili powder
3 tsp ground cumin
3 tsp garlic powder
3 tsp paprika
1½ tsp oregano
1½ tsp onion powder
1 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper
Mix and store in an airtight jar—ready for any taco night!
High Protein Sweet & Spicy Taco Bowls
Serves: 8
Ingredients:
900 grams ground turkey (or meat/tempeh of choice)
1 bell pepper, diced
1 yellow onion, diced
3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, divided
1 can of black beans, drained and rinsed
1 cup frozen corn
4 tbsp homemade Taco Seasoning
1 cup feta cheese, crumbled
2 large, sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
Toppings:
Cottage cheese (¼–½ cup per bowl)
Avocado, sliced
Cherry tomatoes, halved
Hot sauce
Fresh cilantro, chopped
Honey drizzle
Crispy Kale (optional - see below!)
Instructions:
Preheat the oven to 425°F (convection if possible). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Roast the sweet potatoes: Toss diced sweet potatoes with 1 tbsp olive oil, salt, and pepper. Bake for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Cook the taco meat:
In a large pan, heat 2 tbsp olive oil over medium heat.
Sauté diced onion and pepper for 3–4 minutes until softened.
Add the ground turkey and half the taco seasoning. Break up with a spatula and cook through (8–10 minutes).
Stir in the black beans, corn, and remaining taco seasoning.
Add crumbled feta cheese, stir, then reduce heat to low, cover, and keep warm.
Optional: While the sweet potatoes roast, make crispy kale chips! Massage torn kale leaves with a little olive oil and salt. Bake during the last 10 minutes of roasting time until crisp.
Assemble your bowls:
Start with a base of leafy greens (like spinach, kale, or arugula).
Layer on sweet potatoes, taco meat mixture, cherry tomatoes, avocado, and kale chips.
Top with a scoop of cottage cheese, fresh cilantro, and a drizzle of hot sauce and honey.
Finish with a drizzle of olive oil, salt, and pepper.
Meal Prep Tip
Store all components separately if you prefer fresher textures when reheating. Otherwise, pre-assemble your bowls (without the greens) and grab one straight from the fridge for a satisfying, nutrient-packed meal in minutes.
Ready to build better habits? Meal prepping just one or two recipes like this every week can set you up for easier, healthier meals—all while keeping things flexible and family-friendly.
If you need help building a meal prep plan that supports your goals, I’m here to help!
Book a FREE 15-Minute Discovery Call to learn more.
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