Easy Cheeseburger Bowl (With Smashburger Sauce)

This easy Cheeseburger Bowl recipe brings all your favorite burger flavors—beef, cheese, pickles, and that signature burger sauce—into one low-carb, high-protein meal that’s ready in 30 minutes!

I’ve been a certified nutrition coach for years, and one of the main reasons clients struggled to stay on track was the idea that they had to give up their favorite foods—like cheeseburgers. But that’s not true!  If you love burgers but want something a little lighter and more exciting, this cheeseburger in a bowl is the perfect dish for you! 

This simple yet satisfying recipe takes all the classic burger flavors and transforms them into a delicious, easy-to-make meal. With simple high-quality ingredients like seasoned ground beef, cheddar cheese, and fresh veggies, and topped with my Easy Smashburger Sauce, this cheeseburger bowl is a game-changer. Plus, it’s great for meal prep or a quick weeknight dinner.

If you are looking for more easy and delicious salad recipes, check out my Lobster Caesar Salad, Tuna Caesar Salad, or Dill Pickle Egg Salad. 

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• Low Carb Option: If you’re watching your carbs, this bowl is a great way to enjoy all the flavors of a cheeseburger without the bun.
• Customizable: You can switch up the toppings and ingredients to fit your taste preferences—add extra cheese, swap out the veggies, or make it spicy with jalapeños.
• Meal Prep Friendly: Make a big batch ahead of time and store it in the fridge for easy lunches or dinners throughout the week.
• Quick and Easy: Ready in under 30 minutes, this recipe is perfect for busy nights when you want a hearty, delicious meal without spending hours in the kitchen.

Ingredients

• Yellow Onion: I highly recommend sauteeing a little bit of sweet yellow onion, as it adds a depth of flavor to the beef mixture.
• Ground Beef: This is the most important ingredient in this burger bowl recipe. I recommend Choosing grass-fed organic ground beef for the best quality. I prefer using 85% lean, and 15% fat for optimal flavor and texture, but if you’re aiming for a leaner option, you can opt for 90% lean.
• Sea Salt, Black Pepper, Garlic Powder & Paprika: Seasonings are the key to a flavorful meal! I use this combination in my Juicy Traeger Smoked Hamburgers recipe. You could also add onion powder and Kosher salt if you like.
• Romaine Lettuce: Romaine is the base of this delicious bowl. It provides a crisp base that adds crunch and balances out the richness.
• Sharp Cheddar Cheese: I love using raw grass-fed cheddar for optimal taste and flavor. Be sure to grate your own cheese instead of buying the pre-grated stuff. It is usually coated in cellulose. 
• Cherry Tomatoes: The tomatoes are juicy and refreshing, and complement the beef and cheese perfectly. If you don't have cherry tomatoes you can chop up any type of tomato you have on hand.
• Pickles: Dill pickles add a tangy, briny flavor that gives the bowl that signature cheeseburger flavor.
• Red Onion: I know raw red onions are not everyone's thing, so you can leave them out if you like. I think they add a nice subtle kick to this dish.
• Smashburger Sauce: I use my own homemade 5-minute Smashburger sauce, but you could also use Primal Kitchen's Special Sauce.

See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

Substitutions And Variations

• Meat: If you want to make a lighter version, you can use ground turkey or ground chicken instead of ground beef.
• Cheese: While I love using sharp cheddar, feel free to use whatever cheese you like. Swiss, Colby jack, provolone, or American cheese would work well.
• Toppings: For loaded cheeseburger bowls, add your favorite burger toppings like avocado slices, smoked bacon, pickled red onions, carmelized onions, sautéed mushrooms, banana peppers or pickled jalapenos. You can also swap out the Smashburger sauce for Big Mac sauce.
• Sauces: You can turn this into a BBQ burger bowl, by swapping the burger sauce for BBQ sauce. You could also use a ranch dressing or Caesar salad dressing.
• Turn Up The Heat: For some extra heat, throw in some jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce in your cheeseburger bowl.

Expert Tips And Notes

• Use High Quality Ingredients: Don't skimp on quality! Use grass-fed organic beef, grass-fed cheese, and fresh organic veggies for best quality.
• Melty Cheese: If you want melty cheese like you'd find on a cheeseburger, add your shredded cheese right on top of the warm ground beef.
• Toppings Are Key: Don’t be shy with the toppings! Fresh tomatoes, crunchy pickles, and crispy lettuce make all the difference in bringing the cheeseburger flavor to life.
• Customization: This recipe is super flexible, so feel free to add or omit ingredients based on what you have at home or what you’re in the mood for.

What To Serve With Cheeseburger Bowls

• Side Dishes: Serve alongside baked sweet potato truffle fries, potato wedges, or a warm bowl of Vitamix tomato soup, as they pair perfectly with this deconstructed burger. 
• Veggies: For extra veggies serve with smoked asparagus, hot honey Brussels sprouts, or a side of green beans.
• Beverages: This bowl pairs well with a refreshing iced tea, lemonade, or an Aperol Soda.

Storage And Reheating

• Storage: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Keep the toppings separate until you're ready to serve to keep everything fresh.
• Reheating: To reheat, warm the beef on the stovetop or in the oven. Add the cheese on top toward the end of heating so it melts nicely. Avoid reheating lettuce or tomatoes as they lose their freshness.