Cheeseburger Protein Bowls (low carb dinner for 2)

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I’m back with another high protein dinner for two, and this time we’re making Cheeseburger Bowls! These have 39 grams of protein in each bowl and with all the toppings, you can eat it for 430 calories. No bun required (so it’s also low in carbs.

These Cheeseburger bowls have everything I love about a burger: lean beef, cheese, tangy pickles, and juicy tomato. But instead of a bun, it all goes on a big bed of crisp lettuce with roasted peppers and mushrooms.

It’s the perfect dinner for when you want a cheeseburger but also want to eat more protein and vegetables. And as an empty nest dinner for two, it doesn’t leave us eating leftovers all week.

Why You’ll Love This Cheeseburger Bowl Recipe

• 39 grams of protein per bowl, for just 430 calories.
• Low carb: only 15 grams of carbs, since the bun is swapped for lettuce.
• Extra veggies: roasted peppers and mushrooms add flavor and volume.
• Ready in about 20 minutes: brown the beef while the veggies roast.
• Made for two: dinner tonight, not leftovers all week.

Ingredients You’ll Need for Cheeseburger Bowls

Here is a summary of what you’ll need for this recipe. Jump to the recipe card below for the full recipe.

• 93% lean ground beef
• Chopped lettuce
• Tomato, diced
• Dill pickles, chopped or sliced
• Orange bell pepper, sliced
• Sliced mushrooms
• Shredded cheddar cheese
• Light ranch dressing (I used Bolthouse Ranch)
• Salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder

How to Make Cheeseburger Bowls

1. Roast the veggies. Slice the bell pepper and mushrooms, spread on a baking sheet, and season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Roast at 425°F for about 15 minutes, until tender.
2. Brown the beef. While the veggies roast, brown the ground beef in a skillet over medium-high heat, breaking it up as it cooks. Season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.
3. Start with lettuce. Divide the lettuce between two bowls.
4. Build your bowls. Top each with the beef, tomatoes, pickles, roasted vegetables, and shredded cheddar.
5. Finish. Drizzle with ranch dressing and enjoy!

Also, check out these low carb turkey burgers!

Estimated Nutrition Per Bowl

• Calories: 430
• Protein: 39 g
• Carbs: 15 g
• Fat: 24 g

Nutrition is estimated and will vary with the brands of beef, cheese, and dressing you use.

Tips and Variations

• Make a burger sauce: mix the ranch with a little ketchup and mustard, or stir pickle juice into plain Greek yogurt for a high-protein “special sauce.”
• Melt the cheese: sprinkle the cheddar over the hot beef in the skillet for a minute so it gets melty.
• Add more burger toppings: red onion, crumbled turkey bacon, or a sprinkle of sesame seeds for that bun flavor.
• Swap the protein: lean ground turkey or chicken works too.
• Meal prep tip: keep the lettuce and toppings separate from the beef until you’re ready to eat.

Save this one for the next time a cheeseburger craving hits!

More ideas for meals for 2

• 
  Cheeseburger Protein Bowls (low carb dinner for 2)
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  Rotisserie Chicken Taco Bowls for Two {35g Protein, No Cooking}
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  BBQ Chicken Baked Potatoes (High Protein Dinner for Two)
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  Hawaiian Haystacks Recipe for Two (49g Protein)
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  High Protein Chicken Fajitas for Two