This article explores a delicious and easy-to-make keto beef and broccoli casserole recipe, perfect for busy weeknights. This family-friendly dish combines the savory flavors of ground beef and tender broccoli, all smothered in a rich and creamy cheese sauce. Whether you're following a ketogenic diet or simply looking for a comforting and satisfying meal, this casserole is sure to become a staple in your household.
Why This Casserole Works
Casseroles are a lifesaver when you're short on time and budget. This cheesy keto ground beef casserole with broccoli is incredibly easy to make and delivers amazing flavor. From the first bite, you'll taste the rich creamy sauce with the tender broccoli. Plus, it's a great way to sneak in those veggies!
Ingredients for a Single Meal
Here's what you'll need to create this delectable casserole:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 2 Tbsp minced onion
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 4 oz can sliced mushrooms
- 16 oz frozen broccoli florets
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- Side salad (optional)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Here's how to bring it all together:
- Brown the Beef: In a large skillet, brown the ground beef with the minced onion and garlic powder. Crumble the meat with a spoon or spatula until fully cooked. Drain any excess fat.
- Prepare the Broccoli: While the meat is browning, you can thaw the frozen broccoli florets. Toss them in the hot skillet until thawed.
- Combine Ingredients: Transfer the beef and broccoli to a greased 9x13-inch baking dish. Carefully toss in the heavy cream, mayonnaise, and half of the shredded cheese.
- Bake: Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheese on top and bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve: Prepare a side salad and serve alongside the cheesy hamburger and broccoli casserole.
Variations and Substitutions
- Meat: You don’t have to use ground beef. This casserole will taste just as good if you use ground turkey, ground chicken, or ground pork. Or, take this recipe up a notch, sear some steak strips, and use them instead of ground beef.
- Veggies: Feel free to switch out the broccoli with your favorite veggies. This casserole is a staple and you can love switching it up based on what you have on hand. If you don’t like broccoli you can replace it with cauliflower rice.
- Cheese: I used marbled cheddar when the images were taken, but I’ve also used sharp cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese, parmesan cheese, and Mexican cheese.
- Seasoning: Between the garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and cayenne you should have plenty of flavor, but of course, you can add anything you’d like (or choose to use combinations like garlic salt).
Tips for Success
- Don't have coconut aminos? Large Wok - I have cooked this recipe both in a wok, and in my cast iron skillet. Large Wok - I have cooked this recipe both in a wok, and in my cast iron skillet.
- Root Ginger - use only root ginger, this is not interchangeable with powdered ginger that you typically use in baking. You should be able to find ginger root at any grocery store so just ask if you are not sure.
- Coconut Aminos - Some coconut amino brands have a higher carb count than others depending on the ingredients so read the label. Nutritional information on Noshtastic is provided as a courtesy and is approximate only.
- Moisture Control: To avoid ending up with a watery casserole, cook the broccoli and let it steam out before adding it to the casserole dish. The same goes for the ground beef and tomato sauce; the meat sauce should be simmered until it’s nice and thick, and then cooled a bit to let the steam escape.
Make-Ahead and Freezer Instructions
Want to make this hamburger meat casserole ahead of time? Use a non-stick skillet to sauté the beef and assemble the ingredients in a 9×13 foil pan.
Read also: Easy Low-Carb Cheese Crackers
Freezeasy Meal Prep Directions
Brown 2 lbs ground beef with 4 Tbsp minced onion and 2 tsp garlic powder. Drain and set aside to cool.
Open and drain 2 cans of mushrooms.
To each disposable tray, add the following ingredients:
- Half of the browned ground beef
- Half of the mushrooms
- 16 oz frozen broccoli
- Salt and pepper
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese - half mixed in with beef, half sprinkled on top
Cover with foil or lid, add label and freeze.
Freeze & Thaw Instructions
Put baggie in the freezer and freeze up to 6 months in fridge freezer or 12 months in a deep freezer. Thaw in the fridge overnight, or a warm bowl of water for about 20 minutes, before baking as directed.
Read also: Keto Calorie Counting: A Detailed Guide
Serving Suggestions
Since the broccoli and beef bake together in the oven, this is an entire meal in one dish. If you really (and I mean, really) love cheese, then serve this creamy casserole with a side of cheesy cauliflower.
This beef and broccoli casserole also tastes delicious the next day as a lunch. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.
I usually serve this delicious casserole with both sour cream and hot sauce. In terms of a side dish, there are tons of options! If you have no diet restrictions, this delicious meal can be fleshed out easily with a few sides to feed the entire family. Make some red potatoes, tater tots, white rice, brown rice, or cauliflower rice while the casserole is cooking on the stove and make a quick salad.
Is this Recipe Keto-Friendly?
Yes! The Ketogenic diet is a high fat, low-medium protein and low carbohydrate diet. The beef and broccoli and sharp cheddar cheese are perfect combo for a ketogenic meal - and having it prepared in advance helps keep you on track with your way of eating!
Expert Opinions
My Hip sidekick Erica loves this keto ground beef casserole recipe, too! “This recipe was so simple and my whole family loved it! My kids did not originally want to eat it, but kept digging right in after they gave it a good ol’ taste! I couldn’t even tell I used frozen broccoli (it totally tasted fresh in the casserole). Such a great weeknight dinner."
Read also: Magnesium Supplements for Keto
Dairy-Free and Gluten-Free Modifications
- Dairy-Free Modifications: Unfortunately, there is not a great dairy-free option for this meal.
- Gluten-Free Modifications: Recipe is gluten-free when served with gluten-free sides.