Description
This Loaded Potato Big Mac Bowl is a hearty and flavorful dish inspired by the classic Big Mac but served in a comforting bowl form. It features crispy oven-baked or air-fried diced potatoes topped with seasoned minced beef, a tangy homemade burger sauce, melted cheese, fresh lettuce, pickles, and onions, making it a perfect easy-to-prepare family meal with the iconic taste of a Big Mac.
Ingredients
Scale
Potatoes and Seasoning
- 700 g (1 lb 9 oz) potatoes, diced into 2 cm (¾ inch) cubes
- 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp sweet paprika
- 1 tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp sea salt flakes
- ¼ tsp freshly cracked black pepper
Beef Mixture
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 onion, finely diced (reserve 1 tbsp for garnish)
- 500 g (1 lb 2 oz) lean minced (ground) beef
- 1 tsp sea salt flakes
- 1 tsp sweet paprika
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp freshly cracked black pepper
Burger Sauce
- 1 cup (250 g) whole-egg mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp finely chopped gherkins (dill pickles)
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp ketchup
- 1 tsp sweet paprika
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1–2 tbsp water
Assembly
- 2 cups (250 g) grated melting cheese (blend of mozzarella, red cheddar and colby recommended)
- 1 cos (romaine) lettuce, finely shredded
- ½ cup sliced gherkins (dill pickles)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven or Air Fryer: For oven-baked potatoes, preheat your oven to 220°C (425°F) or 200°C (400°F) fan-forced for at least 20 minutes. For air frying, preheat the air fryer to 200°C (400°F).
- Prepare Potatoes: Toss diced potatoes with olive oil, sweet paprika, onion powder, sea salt, and freshly cracked black pepper on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Spread them evenly without overlapping. If air frying, arrange them in a single layer in the air fryer basket, cooking in batches if necessary.
- Cook Potatoes: In the oven, bake for 40–45 minutes until crisp and golden, turning and swapping trays halfway. In the air fryer, cook for 20–25 minutes, shaking the basket halfway, until golden and crispy on edges.
- Cook Beef Mixture: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large, deep frying pan over medium-high heat. Add finely diced onion and cook for 1–2 minutes until softened. Add the minced beef, cooking for 4–5 minutes until it starts browning, breaking it up as it cooks. Stir in seasoned salt, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, and pepper, and cook for an additional minute. Remove from heat.
- Make Burger Sauce: In a medium bowl, combine mayonnaise, chopped gherkins, Dijon mustard, ketchup, sweet paprika, onion powder, and garlic powder. Add 1 tablespoon of water at a time until reaching the desired consistency for drizzling.
- Assemble Bowls: Divide the crispy potatoes evenly among four bowls. Top each with a portion of cooked beef mixture, sprinkle grated cheese over the hot beef to melt slightly. Garnish with shredded lettuce, sliced gherkins, reserved diced onion, and drizzle generously with the prepared burger sauce. Serve immediately for the best taste and texture.
Notes
- You can substitute the lean ground beef with turkey, chicken, or plant-based mince depending on your preference.
- The mayonnaise and Dijon mustard used are gluten-free, but always check labels if sensitive to gluten.
- For extra melty cheese, grate the cheese fresh or use a blend that melts well, such as mozzarella combined with cheddar.
- Cooking times may vary slightly depending on your oven or air fryer model.
- This recipe serves 4 people comfortably as a main dish.
