Outrageously easy, outrageously delicious! A cheeseburger in bowl form.
Our family loves a big, juicy burger and, although we could eat them every week, I love the variety that comes with mixing things up … within reason, as sometimes my kids require a little more convincing! These Loaded Burger Bowls are the perfect balance – they carry the same familiar, family-friendly cheeseburger flavours that we all know, but instead of being inside a drippy, juicy burger, everything is served in a bowl. It’s easy to eat, less messy for kids and you can pile it high with your favourite toppings.
The concept may sound weird but trust me when I say that freshly baked potatoes loaded with all of your favourite burger toppings and the most incredible homemade burger sauce is something that you NEED in your life. These bowls are so delicious and moreish and are a great meal to prepare in advance and throw together on those days that are extra busy, making them the perfect family weeknight dinner.
Aside from being delicious, this meal is outrageously easy to make. Not having to worry about sides is a big plus, not to mention it’s easy to customise if anyone in your family has dietary requirements. I am actually a big fan of playing with the concept of “bowl versions” of our favourite food, and below you’ll find links to a few of my other recipes on this theme.
Topping ideas
Here are some other fun topping ideas: canned beetroot (beets), roasted capsicum (bell pepper), corn, fried egg, avocado, black beans, sliced cucumbers, jalapeños, sautéed mushrooms, guacamole, pineapple or bacon. You can mix and match flavours and customise to suit your family’s tastes.
Can I swap the beef for turkey or chicken?
Yes, you could use either minced (ground) turkey or chicken instead of the beef. The cooking time stays the same.
Can I spice this recipe up?
Yes, you could add 1/2 teaspoon of chilli (red pepper) flakes to the beef mixture, or add some hot sauce or chilli oil to the finished serve.
Watch how to make Loaded Burger Bowls
What are some other “fakeaway” recipes made in bowl form?
Here are some other popular recipes with a “twist” that I’ve turned into nutritious bowl form:
Taco Bowl
Spring Roll Bowls
Beef Burrito Bowl
Chicken Burrito Bowls
Falafel Bowl
Loaded Burger Bowls
These Loaded Burger Bowls are perfect for nights when energy levels are low and you need dinner on the table fast! They are delicious, easily customisable and the whole family will love them as they are bursting with the familiar, delicious flavours of a juicy cheeseburger.
- Total Time: 50 mins
- Yield: 4 1x
Ingredients
POTATOES
- 1.2 kg (2 lb 10 oz) washed potatoes (any variety), peeled or unpeeled, cut into cubes (approximately 2 cm/¾ inch)
- 2 tsp sea salt flakes
- ¼ tsp cracked black pepper
- 4 tbsp olive oil
BEEF
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 onion, finely diced
- 500 g (1 lb 2 oz) lean minced (ground) beef (see note 1 for turkey and chicken)
- 1 tsp sea salt flakes
- 1 tsp sweet paprika
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp cracked black pepper
BURGER SAUCE
- 1 cup (250 g) whole-egg mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp finely chopped gherkins (dill pickles)
- 1 tsp dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp ketchup
- 1 tsp sweet paprika
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1–2 tbsp water
TO SERVE
- 1 large cos (romaine) lettuce, cut into strips
- ½ cup (60 g) shredded cheddar or any other burger cheese
- 200 g (7 oz) cherry tomatoes, halved
- ½ red onion, finely sliced
- ¼ cup (45 g) sliced gherkins (dill pickles)
Instructions
Potatoes
- Preheat the oven to 220°C (425°F) (200°C/400°F fan-forced).
- Place the potatoes in a large baking dish so that they are evenly spread out (use two baking dishes, if required, to ensure the potatoes are not overlapping). Sprinkle the potatoes with salt and pepper and drizzle with olive oil. Toss to coat.
- Bake for 40 minutes or until crisp and golden, turning once halfway through.
Beef
- Heat the olive oil in a large, deep, heavy-based frying pan over medium–high heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring, for 1–2 minutes until softened.
- Add the beef and cook for 4–5 minutes or until it’s starting to brown, breaking up the beef as you go.
- Add the remaining beef ingredients and cook for a further minute. Set aside.
Burger sauce
- Combine the burger sauce ingredients, except the water, in a medium bowl. Add 1 tablespoon of water at a time until your desired consistency is reached.
Assemble
- Divide the lettuce among four bowls. Top with the baked potatoes, beef and shredded cheese, followed by the cherry tomatoes, red onion and gherkin. Drizzle with the burger sauce and serve.
Notes
Note 1 – You could use either minced (ground) turkey or chicken instead of the beef.
Make ahead
Potatoes – Prepare the potatoes as per the recipe and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave (the potatoes will soften slightly but will be equally delicious) or reheat in a 200°C (400°F) (180°C/350°F fan-forced) oven until heated through and crisp.
Beef – Prepare the beef in advance and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave.
Burger sauce – Prepare the burger sauce and refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Salad ingredients – Prepare the lettuce by washing, chopping and drying (a salad spinner is great for this) before storing in reusable sandwich bags or airtight containers lined with paper towels (the paper towels help absorb excess moisture and will keep your lettuce fresh).
Leftovers
Once assembled, loaded burger bowls are best eaten immediately. Not suitable to freeze.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 40 mins
- Category: burgers, beef
Belinda says:
Family LOVED this! So simple and tasty. Winner winner, Burger Bowls for dinner!
Le-Anne says:
This sauce is absolutely delicious, it should be bottled and sold! Haha so simple but OMG!
Emily says:
This has become one of our all time favourite family meals – my husband is always thrilled when he sees this coming! My 2yo gets a deconstructed version with all the bits he likes so everyone’s happy! When evenings are chaotic I chuck the potatoes in the air fryer and cheat with a store bought sauce to save a bit of time and effort and they come together in no time! Love love love this, thank you!
Anne-Marie says:
Awesome family meal. I used air fryer for the roast potatoes, super quick meal. Thanks
Nicole says:
So fantastic to hear! We had these tonight too. Thanks so much for taking the time to comment! Nic x
tracyvoeller says:
What an awesome recipe! We needed something different in the mix. This was super easy, we made as written and the whole family loved it & we will definitely put on rotation – thank u.
traleegra says:
What a hit! My family loved this and the sauce just pulls it all together. So very delicious!
morgandoell says:
This was the most delicious dinner! It will be in our regular rotation by the request of my family. I can’t say enough. You won’t regret trying it.
morgandoell says:
This was the most delicious dinner! You will not regret giving it a try. So so so yummy and with simple ingredients you probably already have. Thanks for sharing. This will be in our regular rotation.
katekempthorne says:
Easy and delicious! The family loved it.