Hearty High Protein Cheeseburger Bowls for Speedy Dinners (Print Version)

Craving a cheeseburger, but want more protein? These High Protein Cheeseburger Bowls are a quick, satisfying meal with classic flavors. Perfect for busy nights!

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 15 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 20 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 4 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: American
Dietary: High Protein

# Ingredients:

→ Main Bowl Base

01 - 1 lb lean ground beef (90/10 or 93/7)
02 - 1 yellow onion, chopped

→ Flavor Boosters & Seasonings

03 - 1 tsp garlic powder
04 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
05 - ½ tsp salt (or to taste)
06 - ¼ tsp black pepper (or to taste)

→ Cheesy Goodness

07 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

→ Fresh Toppings & Sauce

08 - 4 cups crisp lettuce, shredded
09 - ½ cup dill pickles, sliced
10 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
11 - Ketchup, for drizzling
12 - Mustard, for drizzling

# Instructions:

01 - Okay, first things first, grab your biggest skillet and get it hot over medium-high heat. Add your lean ground beef. Break it up with a spoon, you know the drill. While it’s browning, toss in those chopped yellow onions. Let them soften and get a little translucent. This is where the magic starts, honestly. I love the smell of the beef and onions cooking together; it always makes my kitchen feel so homey. Just make sure to drain any excess fat—I learned that the hard way, remember?
02 - Once the beef is nicely browned and the onions are soft, it’s seasoning time! Sprinkle in your garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Stir it all up really well, making sure every bit of that beef gets coated in those lovely spices. Let it cook for another minute or two, just to let those flavors meld together. You’ll smell that smoky paprika blooming, and it’s just fantastic. This is crucial for truly flavorful High Protein Cheeseburger Bowls.
03 - Now for the best part! Turn the heat down to low. Sprinkle your shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the beef and onion mixture. Cover the skillet with a lid and let it sit for about 2-3 minutes. This gentle heat will melt the cheese into a glorious, gooey blanket. Oh, the anticipation! Peeking under that lid to see the melted cheese is always a little thrill for me.
04 - While the cheese is melting, quickly get your fresh toppings ready. Shred your lettuce, halve your cherry tomatoes, and slice up those dill pickles if you haven't already. Having everything prepped and ready to go makes assembly a breeze. I usually do this step before I even start cooking the beef, because I'm a mess when things aren't organized, ha! It makes building your High Protein Cheeseburger Bowls so much smoother.
05 - Grab your favorite bowls! Start with a generous bed of shredded lettuce. Then, spoon a big helping of that warm, cheesy beef mixture right on top. This is where it really starts to look like a deconstructed burger. Pile on your fresh toppings: the juicy tomatoes, the tangy pickles. Don't be shy; load 'em up! It’s all about building those layers of flavor and texture.
06 - Finish off your High Protein Cheeseburger Bowls with a drizzle of ketchup and mustard, or whatever your favorite burger condiments are. Sometimes I add a dash of hot sauce or a dollop of a creamy burger sauce I've whipped up. Serve immediately and dig in! The combination of warm, savory beef and cool, crisp toppings is just *chef's kiss*. You’ll love how satisfying and flavorful these are.

# Notes:

01 - Don't overcrowd the pan when browning the beef; it steams instead of browns, and we want that good crust!
02 - You can cook the beef mixture a day or two ahead and store it in the fridge. Just reheat and assemble your High Protein Cheeseburger Bowls when ready.
03 - No cheddar? Monterey Jack or even a colby-jack blend works wonderfully. I once used pepper jack for a spicy kick, and it was surprisingly good.
04 - Layer the hot beef first, then the cheese to get it extra melty, and pile on the cold toppings right before serving for maximum freshness.

# Equipment Needed:

01 - Large skillet
02 - cutting board
03 - knife
04 - serving bowls

# Nutrition (Per Serving):

Calories: 450
Total Fat: 28g
Total Carbohydrate: 15g
Protein: 35g

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