Healthy Burger Bowls With Amazing Special Sauce

loaded burger bowl with orzo, toppings and special sauce.

5 from 1 vote

Healthy Burger Bowls With Amazing Special Sauce

These Healthy Burger Bowls are a game-changing, deconstructed take on the classic burger. This easy burger bowl is packed with flavorful ground beef, crisp veggies, and melty cheddar cheese, all drizzled with a homemade special sauce that tastes like a backyard cookout in a bowl. Plus, with hearty whole wheat orzo as the base, this is a satisfying, nutrient-packed meal that works for burger night or meal prep.

Prep Time10

Cook Time15

Total Time25

Course: dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: American

Servings:

Calories: 525kcal

Author: Sarah Jenkins

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 House 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!

Nutrition