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. I love this recipe so much that I included it in my new cookbook Simple Dinners Every Day.
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 ½ 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
If you enjoyed Loaded Burger Bowls, I think you’ll love:
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.
Prep 10 minutesmins
Cook 40 minutesmins
Total 50 minutesmins
Servings: 4
Ingredients
POTATOES
1.2kg(2¾lb)washed potatoes (any variety), peeled or unpeeled, cut into cubes (approximately 2 cm/¾ inch)
2tspsea salt flakes
¼tspfreshly cracked black pepper
4tbspolive oil
BEEF
1tbspolive oil
1onion, finely diced
500g(1lb)lean minced (ground) beef (see note 1 for turkey and chicken)
1tspsea salt flakes
1tspsweet paprika
½tsponion powder
½tspgarlic powder
¼tspfreshly cracked black pepper
BURGER SAUCE
250g(1cup)whole-egg mayonnaise
2tbspfinely chopped gherkins (dill pickles)
1tspdijon mustard
1tbspketchup
1tspsweet paprika
1tsponion powder
1tspgarlic powder
1tbsp water, or more if needed
TO SERVE
1large cos (romaine) lettuce, cut into strips
60g(½cup)shredded cheddar or any other burger cheese
Preheat the oven to 220°C (425°F) (200°C/400°F fan-forced).
Bake the potatoes – 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.
Cook the 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.
Make the 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 and serve – 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.
Nutrition information
Nutrition Facts
Loaded Burger Bowls
Amount per Serving
Calories
1191
% Daily Value*
Fat
89
g
137
%
Saturated Fat
19
g
119
%
Trans Fat
1
g
Polyunsaturated Fat
31
g
Monounsaturated Fat
34
g
Cholesterol
123
mg
41
%
Sodium
2689
mg
117
%
Potassium
1954
mg
56
%
Carbohydrates
63
g
21
%
Fiber
9
g
38
%
Sugar
7
g
8
%
Protein
37
g
74
%
Vitamin A
1792
IU
36
%
Vitamin C
70
mg
85
%
Calcium
189
mg
19
%
Iron
6
mg
33
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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.
Been following for a while but went all out this week, with this recipe being the first of 3 that I tried. Definitely one that will be repeated in our household. Kids AND Dad loved it!!!
Hi Meraia, I’m beyond thrilled that you tried a recipe and loved it! 🥰 So happy it’s on rotation. I hope the other two recipes go well … let me know. 🙌🏻 Thanks for the rating. Nic x
Hi Vanessa, so glad you enjoyed these. This is exactly what I hope people feel about the recipe … to have all the flavours of a cheeseburger, but in a bread-free bowl form that’s much easier to handle! Nic x
I NEVER do reviews, but this was too good not to! So freaking good! It seems pretty basic, nothing new but burger ingredients, but the potatoes with the toppings and dressing is AMAZING! This is for sure going in the rotation. I had leftovers for lunch, equally as amazing! I added crispy onions to the top instead of red onion.
Wow, Meg, I am so touched that you chose to leave a review on a SHE recipe. But I’m even happier that you enjoyed the burger bowls so much. Thanks for the rating, too! Nic x
This was so good. Nice, easy meal. Will definitely be in our meal rotation. Shoot, it’s so easy that maybe I’ll give the recipe to my Hubby and he can make it. 😀
For recipes labelled ‘gluten-free’ or ‘dairy-free’, the ingredients included in the recipe are typically gluten- or dairy-free. However, it is the user’s responsibility to carefully check the ingredient panels on the specific brands of products purchased and used. Simple Home Edit cannot be held responsible for any adverse reactions.
Bec says:
My son loved this and said it needs to be repeat meal. Thanks Nicole!
Nicole says:
Love to hear this, Bec!! 🙌🏻 Thanks for the rating. Nic x
Meraia says:
Been following for a while but went all out this week, with this recipe being the first of 3 that I tried. Definitely one that will be repeated in our household. Kids AND Dad loved it!!!
Nicole says:
Hi Meraia, I’m beyond thrilled that you tried a recipe and loved it! 🥰 So happy it’s on rotation. I hope the other two recipes go well … let me know. 🙌🏻 Thanks for the rating. Nic x
Danielle says:
These were tasty and a bit hit with the family. Will definately have this on repeat its easy weeknight dinner.
Nicole says:
Hi Danielle, love to hear this … so happy it’s going on repeat! 🙌🏻 Thanks for the rating too. Nic x
Carolyn says:
Hi, I made this tonight and instead of potatoes I cooked sweet potatoes. It was a great recipe. Thanks!
Nicole says:
Hi Carolyn, that sounds divine! So glad you enjoy the recipe. Nic x
Georgia says:
This was so yum. My daughters loved it. Will definitely make again.
Nicole says:
So great to hear it was a hit with the family! Nic x
Erin says:
We have eaten a lot of different versions of the burger bowl. This one was a fast favourite!! Thank you 😊
Nicole says:
So brilliant to hear, Erin! Thanks for the rating. Nic x
Kelly says:
This is absolutely delicious 😋
Nicole says:
This is so great to hear, Kelly! Thanks very much for the rating. Nic x
Vanessa says:
Delicious, kid approved too. Felt like we were eating cheeseburgers but it was so clean and fresh.
Nicole says:
Hi Vanessa, so glad you enjoyed these. This is exactly what I hope people feel about the recipe … to have all the flavours of a cheeseburger, but in a bread-free bowl form that’s much easier to handle! Nic x
Meg says:
I NEVER do reviews, but this was too good not to! So freaking good! It seems pretty basic, nothing new but burger ingredients, but the potatoes with the toppings and dressing is AMAZING! This is for sure going in the rotation. I had leftovers for lunch, equally as amazing! I added crispy onions to the top instead of red onion.
Nicole says:
Wow, Meg, I am so touched that you chose to leave a review on a SHE recipe. But I’m even happier that you enjoyed the burger bowls so much. Thanks for the rating, too! Nic x
Danielle says:
I felt like I was eating at In and Out only better! The easiest and most delicious recipe – this will for sure be part of our go to meals!
Nicole says:
Wow, Danielle, so happy to hear this! Thanks so much for the rating, too. Nic x
Geneviève says:
Absolutly delicious and easy to make
Nicole says:
So happy you enjoyed this, Geneviève! Nic x
Anita says:
This was so good. Nice, easy meal. Will definitely be in our meal rotation. Shoot, it’s so easy that maybe I’ll give the recipe to my Hubby and he can make it. 😀
Nicole says:
Wonderful to hear! Hubby can let me know if he gives it a go! 😊 Nic x