Keto Ground Beef Casserole Recipe - Easy Low Carb Comfort Food (2024)

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Indulge in this easy, low-carb Keto Ground Beef Casserole Recipe! It’s the ultimate budget-friendly comfort food casserole made with tender ground beef, creamy cream cheese, and a decadent blend of cheddar and mozzarella cheeses.Keto Ground Beef Casserole Recipe - Easy Low Carb Comfort Food (1)

I’ve often made this family-friendly keto ground beef casserole, and it’s always a big hit. The veggies make it super simple to get even picky eaters to eat their vegetables!

Why Your Family Will Love This Casserole

Benefits of This Easy Keto Casserole

This casserole recipe offers many benefits that families will appreciate:

✔️ Super easy 30-min one-pan meal
✔️ Kid-approved and family-friendly
✔️ Saves time with simple prep
✔️ Helps you stick to your keto diet
✔️ Delicious cheesy comfort food

Keto Ground Beef Casserole Ingredients

Ground beef – pre-browned for extra flavor
Cream cheese – makes the casserole creamy and smooth
Beef broth – deepens flavor
Heavy whipping cream – rich, creamy base
Bragg’s Aminos – adds a bit of umami flavor
Garlic powder & Onion Powder – adds a wonderful flavor
Green beans – bring a fresh and healthy touch to the casserole.
Mozzarella & Cheddar cheese -cheesy, gooey goodness

Keto Ground Beef Casserole Recipe - Easy Low Carb Comfort Food (2)Step-By-Step Instructions for Making This Easy Keto Ground Beef Casserole

Follow this simple step-by-step abbreviated pictorial to prepare this quick and delicious keto ground beef skillet casserole your whole family will love. Make sure to scroll to the bottom of this post for the recipe card with the full list of ingredients and detailed instructions.

Step 1: Brown the Ground Beef

Preheat your oven to your oven to 350°F to make this simple yet satisfying, easy, low-carb ground beef casserole. In a large cast iron skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat until browned (draining any excess oil). Break the meat into small crumbles as you cook. Season with salt and pepper for added flair! (Tip: I keep pre-browned beef in the freezer for fast prep).

Keto Ground Beef Casserole Recipe - Easy Low Carb Comfort Food (3)

Step 2: Make Creamy Base & Simmer to Thicken

Add the softened cream cheese to the beef and melt over low heat. Pour the beef broth, heavy cream, Bragg’s Aminos, and seasonings. Let the mixture thicken slightly by reducing the heat and simmer for 5 minutes.

Tip: The cream cheese will mix best with the ground beef at room temperature.

Keto Ground Beef Casserole Recipe - Easy Low Carb Comfort Food (4)

Step 3: Add Green Beans, Cheese, and Bake

Mix in drained green beans. Top with generous amounts of both cheddar and mozzarella cheese. Pop in the oven and bake for 25 minutes until melted, hot, and bubbly.

Keto Ground Beef Casserole Recipe - Easy Low Carb Comfort Food (5)

Step 4: Finish and Serve

Allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with parsley or bacon crumbles (optional).

FAQ’s

Do I Need a Cast Iron Skillet for This Casserole?

You can prepare this in any oven-safe baking dish or skillet, but we love using cast iron skillets for even heating from stovetop to oven. For this recipe, I used a 10.25″ cast iron skillet.

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What’s the difference between 80/20 and lean ground beef?

The 80/20 refers to the meat’s fat-to-protein ratio. 80% lean ground beef contains 20% fat, creating juicier, more tender, and flavorful casserole recipes. Lean or 95% beef is lower in fat at 5%, making it healthier but drier. For keto recipes, fattier beef is preferred.

Can I make this casserole ahead of time?

Making the casserole ahead of time can be a great time-saving option. You can assemble the casserole, cover it tightly, and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking. This way, you can pop it in the oven when ready to enjoy it.

Is this Easy Low-Carb Ground Beef Casserole Gluten-Free?

Yes, it is naturally gluten-free. The main ingredients – ground beef, cream cheese, cheddar cheese, green beans, and seasonings – do not contain gluten.

However, it’s always important to use trusted gluten-free brands of ingredients and double-check the labels to ensure they are certified gluten-free. Some product packaging varies.

Can I make this casserole keto-friendly?

It fits a keto lifestyle at under 4g net carbs per serving.

What Can I Serve With It?

This ground beef casserole is a meal in itself. I typically pair it with a leafy garden salad. It would also be yummy with Keto Cheddar Bay Biscuits or Creamy Keto Cauliflower Mash.

Keto Ground Beef Casserole Recipe - Easy Low Carb Comfort Food (7)

Variations to this Healthy Ground Beef Casserole Recipe:

Meat Variations:

  • Ground Turkey
  • Ground Chicken
  • Italian Sausage
  • Ground Pork
  • Shredded Chicken

(Consider swapping chicken broth for beef broth if using poultry)

Vegetable Variations:

  • zucchini
  • broccoli
  • cauliflower
  • asparagus
  • bell peppers
  • yellow squash
  • mushrooms

Seasoning/ Toppings Variations:

  • Taco Seasoning: Add a fun Tex-Mex twist.
  • Cajun Spice: Use Cajun seasoning for a bold and spicy flavor profile.
  • Lemon Pepper: Sprinkle with lemon pepper seasoning for a zesty twist.
  • For a spicier version, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes when seasoning the ground beef mixture.
  • Add a dash of Worcestershire sauce to enhance the umami taste and depth of the casserole.
  • Everything Bagel Seasoning: Top the soup with this trendy seasoning for a flavorful crunch.
  • Get creative with toppings like crispy bacon bits, chopped fresh herbs, sour cream, sliced avocado, or crushed pork rinds for added texture and taste.

Storing and Freezing This Low Carb Casserole

This hearty keto ground beef casserole maintains its delicious flavor and texture beautifully, whether refrigerating or freezing for future enjoyment! Allow the hot dish to cool first before storing.

Refrigerator:

This cheesy casserole refrigerates well in an airtight container for 3-4 days.

Freezer:

For longer-term freezing, up to 3 months, wrap the cooled casserole tightly in plastic wrap, then foil. This prevents freezer burn. The dairy may cause a slight texture change upon thawing but won’t affect taste.

Thawing & Reheating:

Thaw overnight in the fridge before gently reheating in 325°F oven until heated through, about 30 minutes. Or rewarm in the microwave.

Enjoy this hearty casserole fresh, or freeze it for a night when time is extra tight.

What Can I Serve With It?

This ground beef casserole is a meal in itself. I typically pair it with a leafy garden salad. It would also be yummy with Creamy Cauliflower Mash and Keto Cheddar Bay Biscuits

Other Keto Casserole Recipes:

  • Cheesy Mexican Skillet
  • Low Carb Chicken Casserole
  • Keto Pizza Casserole

More Easy Keto Ground Beef Recipes:

  • Low-Carb Ground Beef Recipe: Italian Keto Beef Skillet
  • Keto Ground Beef Stir-Fry
  • 20 Delicious Keto Beef Recipes

Whip up this easy, quick keto ground beef skillet casserole on hectic weeknights or meal prep ahead on the weekends to always have a delicious low-carb dinner ready to enjoy!

Keto Ground Beef Casserole Recipe - Easy Low Carb Comfort Food (8)

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Easy Keto Ground Beef Casserole with Green Beans

This Keto Ground Beef Casserole Recipe is the ultimate low-carb comfort food with tender ground beef, creamy cream cheese, and a blend of cheddar and mozzarella cheeses.

Prep Time15 minutes mins

Cook Time25 minutes mins

Total Time40 minutes mins

Course: Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: American, casual

Keyword: Keto Ground Beef Casserole, Keto Ground Beef Recipes, Low Carb Ground Beef Casserole

Servings: 8

Calories: 281kcal

Author: Kasey Trenum

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) degrees.

  • Grab a cast-iron skillet (a sturdy pan) and cook the ground beef. When it's done, use a strainer to remove any extra grease.

  • Add the cream cheese to the cooked beef in the skillet. Stir it until the cheese melts and mixes with the beef. Yum!

  • Pour in the beef broth, heavy whipping cream, Bragg's Aminos, garlic powder, onion powder, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Stir everything together well.

  • Bring the mixture to a boil by turning up the heat a bit. Keep an eye on it and let it cook on medium heat until it starts to thicken up a little. This will make the casserole nice and creamy.

  • Reduce the heat to low and let it simmer. That means keeping it gently bubbling but not boiling too hard.

  • Great job! The ground beef mixture is thick and ready. Now, it's time to add those green beans! Open the cans and drain the water from them. Place the green beans on top of the beef mixture in the skillet.

  • Sprinkle some cheddar cheese and mozzarella cheese on top of the green beans. This will make the casserole extra cheesy and delicious!

  • Finally, pop the skillet into the preheated oven and bake it all together for 25 minutes. It will come out golden and bubbly.

Video

Notes

We use ground beef from ButcherBox Meat Subscription. All of the meat is excellent quality and delivered to your door!

Variations to this Healthy Ground Beef Casserole Recipe:
Meat Variations: Ground Turkey, Ground Chicken, Italian Sausage, Ground Pork, and Shredded Chicken
* (Consider swapping chicken broth for beef broth if using poultry)

Vegetable Variations: zucchini, yellow squash, broccoli, cauliflower, asparagus, bell peppers, and mushrooms

Seasoning/ Toppings Variations:

  • Taco Seasoning: Add a fun Tex-Mex twist.
  • Cajun Spice: Use Cajun seasoning for a bold and spicy flavor profile.
  • Lemon Pepper: Sprinkle with lemon pepper seasoning for a zesty twist.
  • For a spicier version, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes when seasoning the ground beef mixture.
  • Add a dash of Worcestershire sauce to enhance the umami taste and depth of the casserole.
  • Everything Bagel Seasoning: Top the soup with this trendy seasoning for a flavorful crunch.
  • Get creative with toppings like crispy bacon bits, chopped fresh herbs, sour cream, sliced avocado, or crushed pork rinds for added texture and taste.

How to store Low Carb Ground Beef Casserole

  • To store keto ground beef casserole, allow it to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container or freezer-safe bag.
  • It can be stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
  • If you want to freeze it, label the container with the date, and it can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.
  • It contains dairy products, which sometimes break down when frozen. It shouldn't change the taste, but the sauce's texture might vary.

Nutrition

Calories: 281kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Cholesterol: 88mg | Sodium: 410mg | Potassium: 234mg | Fiber: 0.875g | Vitamin A: 540IU | Calcium: 156mg | Iron: 1.5mg

Tried this recipe?Mention @kaseytrenumblogger or tag #kaseytrenumblogger!

Keto Ground Beef Casserole Recipe - Easy Low Carb Comfort Food (9)

Keto Ground Beef Casserole Recipe - Easy Low Carb Comfort Food (2024)

FAQs

What kind of ground beef is best for keto? ›

Ground chuck is often the most popular as it's tender and juicy, and has 80% protein and 20% fat. It's an excellent choice for those who want more fat in their keto diet. If you prefer less, choose 85/15 ground beef.

Is cream cheese good for keto? ›

Cream cheese: Cream cheese is very popular in the keto diet. At only 84 calories per 1 ounce serving, it has 1 gram of carbs and 2 grams of protein but packs 8 grams of fat per serving. It can be a keto-friendly snack or meal addition when more fat is needed.

Can you have hamburger on keto? ›

It's not too good to be true—ground beef is totally keto-approved! The low-budget meat you know and love can be incorporated into SO many keto recipes, whether you're in the mood for a hearty dinner, a light lunch, or just a snack (fat bombs, we love you).

Can you have green beans on keto? ›

Green beans and black soybeans are keto-friendly bean options, each containing only 2 grams of net carbs per 1/2-cup (60–90-gram) serving. Some promising keto substitutes for beans include mushrooms, eggplant, avocado, ground meat, and boiled peanuts.

What cheese is good for keto? ›

Some cheeses suit the keto diet better than others. This mainly comes down to their carb and fat content and level of processing. The best keto cheeses include cheddar, Gouda, goat cheese, and blue cheese, while the worst are cottage cheese and low fat and processed varieties.

What are the best vegetables for keto? ›

Plenty of low-carb vegetable options include arugula, asparagus, bell peppers, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, kale, mushrooms, spinach, and tomatoes. Those vegetables provide other benefits like reducing the risk of certain chronic diseases, containing antioxidants, and providing filling fiber.

Is peanut butter OK on keto? ›

Peanut butter can definitely be part of a keto diet, but it's best to stick to plain options that are free of extra flavors and sweeteners. Almond butter is a good choice, too, and it's slightly lower in carbs. Additionally, you should be mindful of your portion size if you're trying to lose weight.

What salad dressing is keto-friendly? ›

These dressings could include: traditional vinaigrettes. creamy dressings, such as blue cheese, ranch, or thousand island. dressings that the manufacturers have specifically marketed as “keto” or “low carb”

What cheese has the lowest carbohydrates? ›

Goat cheese is an excellent choice for someone following the keto diet. It contains 0 carbs, making it a great way to hit your macros — 1 ounce (oz) of goat cheese also offers 103 calories, 8 g of fat, and 6 g of protein, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

What junk food can I eat on keto? ›

Here are 9 fast-food options that you can enjoy on a ketogenic diet.
  • Bunless Burgers. Share on Pinterest. ...
  • Low-Carb Burrito Bowls. ...
  • Egg-Based Breakfasts. ...
  • Bunless Chicken Sandwich. ...
  • Low-Carb Salads. ...
  • Keto-Friendly Beverages. ...
  • Lettuce-Wrapped Burgers. ...
  • “Unwiches”
May 29, 2018

What meat is not keto friendly? ›

Examples of meat products to avoid:
  • Breaded meats.
  • Bacon with added sugar.
  • Processed meat that could have hidden carbs.
  • Processed meats high in nitrates.
  • Plant-based proteins.

Can you eat unlimited meat on keto? ›

Meat and poultry are popular with people on the keto diet because they're high in fat and very low in carbs. However, scientists have found links between eating too much meat on a regular basis and health conditions like heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and excess weight.

Can I eat a pickle on keto? ›

Luckily, pickles are keto friendly, especially those that are of the dill pickle variety, as sugar is low. “Simply put, sweet pickles are made with sugar which will automatically push the carb count up,” says Hultin. “Dill or salt pickles don't have the added sugar and carbs, naturally,” she says.

What foods have no carbs? ›

Food and drinks allowed on a no-carb diet include meat, fish, eggs, cheese, butter, oils, water, and plain coffee or tea. If you're less stringent, you can also eat nuts, seeds, non-starchy vegetables, and high fat fruits like avocado and coconut since these foods are low in net carbs.

What is the healthiest ground beef option? ›

The leanest type of ground beef is called ground sirloin, with a lean point of 90% lean and 10% fat (90/10). Some ground beef blends can be as lean as 96% lean with 4% fat (96/4). If you are looking for an alternative to ground beef, some types of game meat like ground bison are also very lean.

Is ground chuck better than lean ground beef? ›

Flavour. Ground chuck has a richer, beefier flavor and juicier texture than ground beef made from leaner cuts, like ground round or ground sirloin. This is due to the higher marbling in the chuck roast, which adds more fat and flavour to the beef if you're looking for a beefier taste and juicer meat in your dishes.

What is the healthiest ground beef for weight loss? ›

T-Bone, Sirloin, 93% Lean Ground Beef, are all lean cuts and can provide us with key nutrients that we need. This means you can feel good about putting lean beef on the table. You're providing your family the benefits of heart health, muscle development and weight management in a meal they know and love.

What is the healthiest ground beef to buy? ›

Grass-fed, grass-finished beef offers a far better omega-3 to omega-6 fatty acid profile, as well as vitamin E and conjugated linoleic acid – all good for human health. Organic beef isn't necessarily grass-finished.

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