Craving a juicy burger but want to skip the bun? Let me introduce you to these Easy Burger Bowls-a delicious, deconstructed take on the classic burger. This easy burger bowl takes under 30 minutes to make, is packed with flavorful ground beef, whole wheat orzo, crisp veggies, and melty cheddar cheese, all drizzled with a special burger sauce that tastes like a backyard cookout in a bowl.
A Quick Look at the Recipe
👩🏻🍳 Recipe Name: Easy Burger Bowls With Homemade Burger Sauce
⏱️ Ready In: 25 minutes
🧑🧑🧒 Serves: 6
🍴Calories: ~525 (estimated)
🥣 Main Ingredients: Ground beef, whole wheat orzo, burger toppings, sauce
🎯 Difficulty: Very Easy
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When I first heard of burger bowls, I'll admit I thought they sounded a bit....weird. I mean, I LOVE a good burger (see my sweet and spicy smash burger, my juicy ground chicken burgers and my mushroom burgers for proof!) but something about combining the pickles, ketchup, and all the toppings into a bowl felt funny to me. Until I tried it, and now I'm totally hooked. Turns out that that delicious burger flavor can shine through even in bowl form, and there are so many reasons to try this recipe:
- All the flavors of a burger, none of the bun drama. Say goodbye to soggy burger buns-this burger salad bowl is all about the good stuff. Plus, I love subbing the bun for a healthier whole wheat orzo, or sometimes even just extra lettuce to make this super low-carb. (Also see my Jimmy Buffett Cheeseburger Pasta Salad, Old Fashioned Lipton Onion Soup Meatloaf Recipe, Sweet Potato Shepherd's Pie, or this Cornbread Cowboy Casserole for a delicious meat-based meal!)
- Customizable for the whole family. Want a sweet potato burger bowl? Swap the orzo for roasted sweet potatoes. Prefer ground turkey or ground chicken? Go for it. Just like a normal burger, you can totally make this your own.
- Meal-prep friendly. Honestly, this may be the best reason to make these. You can easily prep the orzo, ground beef, sauce, and all the toppings ahead of time, heat up the orzo and beef in the microwave when you're ready to serve, and then just toss everything together. It makes a great quick weeknight meal. (See also my Ground Turkey Stuffed Peppers for an easy, lightened-up meal prep dinner!)
- The amazing burger sauce is next-level. This homemade burger sauce is what dreams are made of-pickle juice, dijon mustard, and a little bit of spice to tie everything together. Good on just about everything. (Seriously! Try it on these Sweet And Spicy Smash Burgers, drizzled over these Crispy Air Fryer Baby Potatoes, or as a dipping sauce for these Crispy Air Fryer Zucchini Fries or Air Fryer Blistered Shishito Peppers.) (Update! This burger sauce is good, but I've since refined my burger sauce recipe since making it here and it's next level. Give it a try!)
Key Ingredients
You'll find most of your traditional burger ingredients here, minus the bun. Here's what you'll need for this easy dinner:
- Juicy ground beef. I use lean ground beef to cut down on excess grease, or go all in with an 80/20 blend for maximum flavor.
- Whole wheat orzo. A hearty base that keeps you full-feel free to sub in extra lettuce if you're going low carb.
- Fresh veggies. Crisp romaine lettuce, juicy tomatoes (sliced in half), and chopped tangy dill pickles bring in those fresh, bright classic burger flavors.
- Cheddar cheese. Because what's a delicious burger bowl without cheddar cheese?
- Burger sauce. I always say the sauces make the dish, and that could not be truer with these burger bowls. This sauce is a creamy, zesty mix of mayo, Dijon mustard, ketchup, and pickle juice that brings the whole bowl together.
Variations and Substitutions
Lots of ways to switch things up here and make this your own unique bowl.
- Make it low-carb. I LOVE the whole wheat orzo here, but if you're going for low-carb, just use a very small amount or skip it altogether and serve with extra lettuce to make more of a burger salad bowl.
- Use your favorite toppings. We all have a position on what makes a burger the BEST, and that typically includes the toppings. Add some avocado, use sautéed onions and mushrooms, or swap out the cheese - you do you when deciding on how to load up your bowl.
- Make it a wrap. Try adding the ingredients to whole pieces of butter lettuce or iceberg lettuce for a lettuce wrap burger vibe.
- Swap the protein. Try ground turkey, ground chicken, or even a veggie burger patty. These are all great options if you're trying to cut down on red meat and also give you lots of great options for creating different flavors.
- Add some crunch. Toss in crispy bacon if you're feeling indulgent, toasted croutons, or even air-fried chickpeas.
- Spice it up. For all my spice fiends, try a drizzle of hot sauce, add some sliced jalapeños, or mix a little cayenne into the special sauce to give these bowls some kick!
How To Make These Easy, Loaded Burger Bowls
These delicious cheeseburger bowls are a cinch to make. Here's how to do it.
Step 1: Brown the ground beef. Add the ground beef and seasonings -Worcestershire sauce (also great to use when making burgers for a fun umami flavor), garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper to a bowl. Mix until just combined, then brown the beef in a skillet until cooked through, about 8 minutes.
Step 2: Cook the orzo. You can do this while you brown the ground beef. Just make everything according to your package instructions (I add a bit of salt to the boiling water for extra flavor), then drain, toss with olive oil, lemon juice, zest, and an extra pinch of salt.
Step 3: Assemble the bowls. Divide the orzo into small bowls. Add the ground beef, followed by fresh lettuce, halved cherry or grape tomatoes, pickles, red onion, and cheddar cheese.
Step 4: Drizzle with that delicious sauce & serve! Whisk together the burger bowl sauce ingredients, pour over the bowls, and serve. This is a complete meal on its own, but I won't judge you if you'd like to add some crispy fries or sweet potato fries on the side. 🙂
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes - this meal is actually GREAT for meal preppers. Store the burger bowl ingredients separately in airtight containers and just heat the ground beef and orzo when ready to eat, then assemble your bowls.
I typically just reheat the ground beef and orzo in the microwave for a couple of minutes. Easy.
Yep! Try quinoa, brown rice, cauliflower rice, or roasted sweet potatoes for a twist. Or substitute the orzo for extra lettuce or veggies to make this a low-carb burger bowl.
Skip the cheddar cheese or use a dairy-free alternative, and swap the mayo for a plant-based version in the house sauce.
More Easy Weeknight Dinners
There you have it-your favorite burger transformed into one delicious burger bowl. Whether you're keeping it low carb, piling on delicious toppings, or turning it into a deconstructed burger bowl with all the fixings, this is a great option for any meal.
If you try these loaded Burger Bowls, please let me know what you think in the comments below. And don't forget to tag me @frontrangefed on Instagram with a pic! I love seeing your photos!
Recipe
Easy Burger Bowls With Homemade Burger Sauce
Ingredients
For The Ground Beef
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 lb ground beef juiciness, or leaner if you prefer) (80/20 blend for
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- salt and black pepper to taste
For The Whole Wheat Orzo
- 2 cups whole wheat orzo
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- zest of 1 lemon
- salt and pepper to taste
Classic Burger Toppings
- 1 cup shredded iceberg lettuce can also use Romain
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
- ½ cup dill pickles chopped
- ¼ cup red onions thinly sliced
- ¼ cup cheddar cheese shredded
Burger Bowl Sauce
- ½ cup mayo
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon ketchup
- ½ teaspoon dill pickle brine (or jalapeno brine for some spice)
- 1 pinch cayenne pepper
- 1 pinch sugar
Instructions
- Brown the ground beef: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add 1 lb ground beef to the skillet. Break the beef apart with a wooden spoon or spatula as it cooks, ensuring it's evenly browned and crumbled, about 5-7 minutes. Add 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, salt, and pepper to taste. Stir to combine and cook for another 1-2 minutes until the flavors meld. Once cooked, set aside.
- Cook the wheat orzo: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and add 2 cups whole wheat orzo. Cook according to the package directions, about 7-9 minutes. Drain and toss with 1 tablespoon olive oil to prevent sticking. While the orzo is still warm, stir in 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, zest of 1 lemon, and salt and pepper to taste.
- Assemble the burger bowls: Divide the cooked orzo evenly among four bowls as the base. Spoon the browned ground beef on top. Layer with 1 cup shredded iceberg lettuce, 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes, ½ cup sliced dill pickles, and ¼ cup thinly sliced red onion (if using). Sprinkle ¼ cup sliced or crumbled cheddar cheese on top of the warm beef so it melts slightly.
- Make the amazing burger sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together ½ cup mayo, 1 tablespoon dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon ketchup, ½ teaspoon dill pickle brine, 1 pinch cayenne pepper, and 1 pinch sugar until smooth.
- Serve and enjoy: Drizzle the burger sauce over each bowl and serve immediately. For a complete meal, pair with crispy fries or a simple cucumber salad.
Notes
- Meal prep this dish by cooking the orzo and ground beef in advance and storing all prepped ingredients in airtight containers until ready to serve. When read to make the dish, simply reheat the orzo and ground beef, then assemble everything into bowls.
- Burger bowls can be stored for up to 3 days in the fridge.
- Bun alternative. If you'd like a "bun-like" crunch, add a few toasted whole wheat croutons or cubes of toasted whole wheat bread to the bowl.
- Vegan option. Use plant-based ground meat and dairy-free cheese for a vegan version.
- Customize your toppings. Feel free to add crispy bacon, sautéed mushrooms, or even a fried egg if you're looking to elevate the burger experience further.
- Get fancy. The beautiful thing about burgers is that you can completely change the taste and mood depending on what you're feeling. Get fancy by using turkey or chicken instead of ground beef and add arugula, roasted red pepper strips, goat cheese, caramelized onions, pesto - the skies the limit!
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