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

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.

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

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!