Burger Bowls with Cheesy Ground Beef and Crispy French Fries Recipe

Introduction

These Burger Bowls offer all the flavors of a classic cheeseburger without the bun. Packed with seasoned ground beef, crispy fries, fresh veggies, and a tangy burger sauce, they make a satisfying and fun meal for any day of the week.

Ingredients

• 14 oz. frozen French fries
• Kosher salt
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 3 tbsp. ketchup
• 1 tbsp. sweet pickle relish
• 1 tbsp. yellow mustard
• 1 tbsp. canola oil
• 1 lb. lean ground beef
• 1 1/2 tsp. Cajun seasoning
• 3 oz. shredded cheddar (about 1 cup)
• 8 cups chopped romaine
• 4 slices cooked bacon, crumbled (optional)
• 5 oz. cherry tomatoes, quartered (about 1 cup)
• 1 small red onion, thinly sliced (about 1 cup)
• 1/2 cup quartered dill pickle slices
• White sesame seeds, for topping

Instructions

1. Step 1: Bake the French fries according to the package directions. Once baked, season them lightly with a pinch of kosher salt and set aside.
2. Step 2: In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, ketchup, sweet pickle relish, and yellow mustard. Stir until smooth to create the burger sauce.
3. Step 3: Heat the canola oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Add the ground beef, Cajun seasoning, and ¾ teaspoon salt. Cook the beef, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until it is fully cooked and no longer pink, about 5 to 6 minutes.
4. Step 4: Push the cooked beef to one side of the skillet and spread it out evenly. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar over the beef. Cover the skillet with a lid or foil and let the cheese melt for 3 to 4 minutes.
5. Step 5: Divide the chopped romaine lettuce evenly among shallow bowls. Top each bowl with the cheesy ground beef, crumbled bacon if using, cherry tomatoes, red onion, dill pickle slices, French fries, burger sauce, and a sprinkle of white sesame seeds.

Tips & Variations

• For a spicier kick, add a dash of hot sauce to the burger sauce or increase the Cajun seasoning.
• Swap out the romaine for mixed greens or kale for different texture and flavor.
• Use turkey or plant-based ground meat as a leaner or vegetarian alternative.
• If you prefer crispy bacon, cook it separately and add it just before serving to maintain crunch.

Storage

Store any leftover components separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat the ground beef and fries in a skillet or oven until warmed through. Assemble fresh salad and toppings before serving to keep everything crisp.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes! Most of the ingredients are naturally gluten-free. Just ensure that your frozen fries and pickles do not contain any gluten additives.

What can I use instead of Cajun seasoning?

If you don’t have Cajun seasoning, you can use a mix of paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, and black pepper to achieve a similar flavor.

Burger Bowls with Cheesy Ground Beef and Crispy French Fries Recipe

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4.6 from 136 reviews

Burger Bowls offer a delicious and satisfying twist on classic burgers by serving all the flavors in a bowl, combining crispy baked fries, cheesy seasoned ground beef, fresh vegetables, and a tangy homemade burger sauce. This easy-to-make meal is perfect for a quick weekday dinner or casual gathering without the bun.

• Author: Clara
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Dish
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Fries

• 14 oz. frozen French fries
• Kosher salt, to taste

Burger Sauce

• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 3 tbsp. ketchup
• 1 tbsp. sweet pickle relish
• 1 tbsp. yellow mustard

Ground Beef Mixture

• 1 tbsp. canola oil
• 1 lb. lean ground beef
• 1 1/2 tsp. Cajun seasoning
• 3/4 tsp. kosher salt
• 3 oz. shredded cheddar cheese (about 1 cup)

Bowl Toppings

• 8 cups chopped romaine lettuce
• 4 slices cooked bacon, crumbled (optional)
• 5 oz. cherry tomatoes, quartered (about 1 cup)
• 1 small red onion, thinly sliced (about 1 cup)
• 1/2 cup quartered dill pickle slices
• White sesame seeds, for topping

Instructions

1. Bake Fries: Preheat your oven and bake the frozen French fries according to the package directions until golden and crispy. Once done, season with a pinch of kosher salt to taste.
2. Prepare Burger Sauce: While the fries bake, combine the mayonnaise, ketchup, sweet pickle relish, and yellow mustard in a small bowl. Stir well until the sauce is smooth and the ingredients are thoroughly blended.
3. Cook Ground Beef: Heat the canola oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Add the ground beef along with the Cajun seasoning and 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt. Cook the beef, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until fully cooked and no pink remains, about 5 to 6 minutes. Then, push the beef to one side of the skillet in an even layer and sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese on top. Cover the skillet with a lid or foil and allow the cheese to melt, approximately 3 to 4 minutes.
4. Assemble Bowls: Divide the chopped romaine lettuce evenly among shallow bowls. Top each bowl with the cheesy ground beef mixture, crumbled bacon if using, cherry tomatoes, sliced red onion, dill pickle slices, baked fries, a generous drizzle of the burger sauce, and finish with a sprinkle of white sesame seeds for added texture and flavor.

Notes

• For crispy fries, spread them out on the baking sheet so they don’t overlap during baking.
• Optional bacon adds a smoky flavor but can be omitted for a lighter dish.
• Feel free to swap romaine for your favorite greens like spinach or kale.
• Adjust Cajun seasoning amount to control the spice level according to your taste.
• For a lower-fat option, use lean ground turkey or chicken in place of beef.

Keywords: burger bowls, cheeseburger salad, ground beef recipe, easy dinner, baked fries, low-carb burger, homemade burger sauce