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Loaded Bacon Cheeseburger Bowls - All the Flavor, No Bun

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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • Ground beef: 1 to 1.25 pounds, 80/20 or 85/15 for flavor.
  • Bacon: 6–8 slices, cooked until crisp.
  • Cheddar cheese: 1 to 1.5 cups shredded (or slices, chopped).
  • Romaine or iceberg lettuce: 1 large head, chopped.
  • Cherry tomatoes: 1 cup, halved (or 2 medium tomatoes, diced).
  • Red onion: 1/2 small, thinly sliced.
  • Pickles: 1/2 cup, chopped or sliced (dill works best).
  • Avocado: 1 large, diced (optional but recommended).
  • Sesame seeds: 1 tablespoon for garnish (optional).
  • Special sauce: 1/3 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
  • 1 tablespoon pickle juice or relish
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Seasoning for the beef: 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (or regular paprika)
  • Olive oil or bacon fat: 1 tablespoon if needed for cooking.

Method
 

  1. Cook the bacon: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon until crisp. Transfer to a paper towel–lined plate. Reserve 1 tablespoon of the bacon fat in the pan and discard the rest.
  2. Brown the beef: Add the ground beef to the same skillet over medium-high heat. Break it up with a spatula and cook until browned and no longer pink, about 6–8 minutes.
  3. Season the meat: Sprinkle the salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and paprika over the beef. Stir and cook 1–2 minutes more to bloom the spices. If the pan is very greasy, drain a little—leave some for flavor.
  4. Melt the cheese: Reduce the heat to low. Sprinkle half the cheese over the beef and let it melt slightly. This helps the meat stick together in the bowl and amps up the cheeseburger taste.
  5. Mix the sauce: In a small bowl, whisk the mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, pickle juice, Worcestershire, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Adjust to taste—more mustard for tang, more ketchup for sweetness.
  6. Prep the veggies: Chop the lettuce, slice the onion, halve the tomatoes, dice the avocado, and slice or chop the pickles.
  7. Assemble the bowls: Divide the lettuce among 4 bowls. Spoon the cheesy beef on top. Crumble the bacon over the meat. Add tomatoes, onion, pickles, and avocado.
  8. Finish and serve: Drizzle with the special sauce. Sprinkle on the remaining cheese and sesame seeds. Serve warm with extra pickles and sauce on the side.