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High protein cheeseburger bowl with ground beef, cheddar cheese, cherry tomatoes, red onion, lettuce and creamy burger sauce

High-Protein Cheeseburger Bowls (Low-Carb Meal Prep)

A smiling woman in a modern kitchen, wearing a brown apron, preparing a delicious dish with fresh ingredients.Sorrel Calver
These high-protein cheeseburger bowls deliver classic burger flavor without the bun. Made with seasoned ground beef, fresh toppings, shredded cheddar, and a creamy burger sauce, they’re perfect for low-carb meal prep lunches and healthy high-protein dinners.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Course Dinner, Lunch
Cuisine American
Servings 4 bowls
Calories 575 kcal

Equipment

  • Large Skillet
  • Spatula
  • Mixing Bowl
  • Whisk
  • Cutting board
  • Knife
  • Measuring Cups and Spoons
  • Meal Prep Containers (optional)

Ingredients
  

Seasoned Ground Beef

  • 1 lb ground beef 85/15 recommended (use 90/10 for leaner)
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt adjust to taste
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper

Bowl Base & Toppings

  • 2 cups chopped romaine lettuce
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
  • 1/2 cup red onion diced
  • 1/2 cup pickles sliced or diced
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • avocado optional, sliced

Creamy Burger Sauce

  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise or Greek yogurt for higher protein
  • 2 tbsp ketchup use low-sugar ketchup if desired
  • 1 tbsp mustard
  • 1 tsp pickle juice adds tang like classic burger sauce
  • 1/2 tsp paprika

Instructions
 

  • Cook ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat until browned, breaking it up as it cooks. Drain excess grease if needed.
  • Season the beef with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Stir well and cook 1 to 2 minutes so the seasoning blooms.
  • Make the burger sauce: whisk mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, pickle juice, and paprika until smooth. Taste and adjust (more pickle juice for tang, more paprika for warmth).
  • Assemble the bowls: add chopped romaine to each bowl, then top with warm ground beef, shredded cheddar, tomatoes, onion, and pickles. Add avocado if using.
  • Drizzle with burger sauce and serve right away. For meal prep, store sauce separately and assemble just before eating.

Notes

Meal prep tip: Keep lettuce and sauce separate so the bowls stay crisp. Reheat only the beef, then assemble fresh.
Low-carb base option: Use cauliflower rice instead of lettuce for a warm bowl.
Higher protein sauce: Swap mayo for Greek yogurt (or do half mayo, half Greek yogurt).
Storage: Cooked beef keeps 4 days refrigerated. Sauce keeps 5 days refrigerated. Freeze cooked beef up to 2 months.
Keyword cheeseburger bowl, health dinner recipes, healthy bowls, healthy bowls recipes, healthy high protein meals, high protein dinner, low carb meal prep, lunch meal prep, minced meat, protein dinner