Cheeseburger Bowls

Why Cheeseburger Bowls Deserve a Spot in Your Dinner Rotation

• Big burger flavor: Everything you love about a cheeseburger—savory beef, melty cheese, crisp lettuce, pickles, and sauce—all in one bowl.
• Quick, low-effort prep: Aside from a little chopping, this recipe comes together fast. No patties to shape, no grill to clean.
• Great texture in every bite: Juicy beef, crunchy veggies, creamy sauce. It’s the kind of meal that keeps you interested until the last forkful.
• Totally customizable: Use what you have, skip what you don’t, and make it your own with whatever toppings or add-ins you’re craving.
• Filling: It’s also great because it takes all the tasty toppings of your favorite burger and puts it over lettuce. That means more volume (to fill you up), more micronutrients, and more balance (so you finish feeling satisfied but not stuffed). 

Ingredient Notes

Let’s take a quick look at the ingredients for this recipe. Don’t forget to scroll down to the recipe card for a printable list.

• Romaine: Crisp, sturdy, and perfect for holding up to warm toppings without getting soggy. Chop it into bite-sized pieces for easy layering.
• Dill pickles: Go for sandwich slices or spears chopped small so you get a little tang in every bite. Bread and butter pickles work too if you prefer sweeter.
• Tomatoes: Cherry or grape tomatoes are easy to halve and won’t make the bowl too watery, but any fresh tomato will work.
• White or red onion: Red onion adds a sharper bite and nice color, while white is a little milder. Use what you like.
• Banana peppers: Adds a little zing and a pop of acid that cuts through the richness. Optional, but highly recommended.
• Sharp cheddar: Shredded or chopped into small cubes. Sharp cheddar gives you that classic cheeseburger flavor, but use what you’ve got.
• Frozen fries: Any cut works—crinkle, shoestring, waffle—just bake them until crispy.
• Oil or cooking spray: For crisping up the fries or cooking the beef. Use what you have on hand.
• Lean ground beef: I usually go with 90/10, but anything works. Just drain off any extra fat if needed.
• Salt and pepper: Simple but essential for seasoning the beef.

If you’re making the mustard vinaigrette (which I highly recommend), you’ll also need mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, dijon mustard, honey, garlic, and a few basic seasonings like salt, pepper, and paprika.

How to Make Cheeseburger Bowls

Here’s a quick look at how to make this recipe:

• Prep your ingredients: Prepare romaine, pickles, tomatoes, onion, banana peppers, and shredded cheese. Set aside.
• Make the creamy vinaigrette: Add all ingredients for mustard vinaigrette to a small bowl or jar and gently whisk until smooth. Set aside.
• Cook frozen fries. According to package directions and set aside.
• While your fries are cooking, prepare beef. Heat a large skillet with olive oil or cooking spray to medium heat. Add beef. Use a spatula or wooden spoon to break up beef into small, uniform crumbles throughout the cooking process. Cook beef until no pink remains and some crumbles begin to brown. Season with salt and pepper to taste and set aside.
• Assemble the salad layers. You can use four separate bowls or meal prep containers. Add romaine, pickles, tomatoes, onion, banana peppers and shredded cheese evenly amongst the bowls.
• Drizzle the dressing on top. Spoon 2 tbsp of mustard vinaigrette or dressing of choice over each bowl, and if desired, toss each salad to coat ingredients.
• Finish the bowls. Add ground beef and fries and serve immediately.

Want To Meal-Prep This Recipe?

This recipe is great for meal prep and comes together fast once everything’s cooked. Here’s how to do it:

Cook the beef and fries as directed, then let them cool completely. Assemble four bowls with romaine, veggies, cheese, and pickles in individual containers. Add the cooled beef and fries on top, or store them separately if you prefer to reheat before serving. Portion the vinaigrette into small containers and keep it separate until you’re ready to eat. Just heat, toss, and enjoy.

Helpful tools

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• Salad containers
• Condiment containers

Additional Topping Ideas

• Pickled jalapeños: For a tangy kick and just the right amount of heat.
• Bacon crumbles: Adds salty crunch and smoky flavor.
• Sauerkraut: Tangy and briny with a little texture. A fun twist if you’re into more classic deli flavors.
• Fried egg: Makes it feel like a diner-style breakfast burger.
• Kimchi: Adds bold, funky heat and crunch.
• Sautéed mushrooms: Earthy and savory, they add a little umami depth.
• Caramelized onion: Sweet, soft, and golden brown. A little effort, but worth it for next-level flavor.
• Pickled red onion: Bright, tangy, and great for cutting through rich toppings. They also add a pop of color.
• BBQ sauce: Sweet, smoky, and a fun way to mix up the flavor profile. Especially good with bacon or cheddar.

Variation Ideas

One of the best things about these cheeseburger bowls is how easy they are to customize. You can switch things up based on what you have, what you’re craving, or whatever needs using in the fridge. Here are a few easy swaps to try:

• Change up the crunch: Instead of frozen fries, try crushed Doritos for something bold and salty, hash browns or tater tots for a diner-style vibe, or air-fried potato wedges if you want something crispier. Sweet potato fries add a little sweetness, roasted chickpeas bring extra crunch, and croutons are great if you’re leaning more salad-y.
• Switch the protein: Ground beef is classic, but ground turkey, chicken, or a plant-based crumble all work just as well. You can also chop up a veggie burger, use a frozen burger patty, or slice up cooked chicken tenders for something quick and easy.
• Play with sauces: The mustard vinaigrette is great, but ranch, BBQ sauce, garlic aioli, chipotle mayo, Caesar dressing, or even a homemade Big Mac-style sauce all bring a totally different flavor. Use what you love.
• Try a new cheese: Sharp cheddar keeps things traditional, but feta adds a salty bite, fried halloumi gives you that golden, chewy texture. I also like using shredded Mexican cheese.