When embarking on a ketogenic lifestyle, many individuals fear they must relinquish their favorite comforting meals. However, this keto hamburger casserole proves that you can enjoy a hearty, cheesy, and flavorful dish while staying true to your low-carb goals. Whether you're seeking a simple weeknight dinner or a make-ahead meal prep option, this recipe is a must-try.
A Nostalgic Inspiration
Drawing inspiration from classic ground beef casseroles, this keto-friendly version swaps out high-carb ingredients like potatoes for a creamy, satisfying experience. The aroma of a traditional casserole evokes fond memories, and this low-carb adaptation captures that same comforting essence without the carb overload.
Key Ingredients for Keto Success
This keto ground beef casserole relies on simple ingredients that deliver a ton of flavor and create an irresistibly creamy and cheesy texture.
- Ground beef: The star of the dish, providing a hearty and savory base. Using 85/15 ground beef is ideal, but leaner options can also work.
- Cream cheese: This ingredient is the foundation of the creamy sauce, adding richness and depth to the casserole. Room-temperature cream cheese is recommended for the smoothest sauce. Dairy-free alternatives like coconut cream or almond-based cream cheese can be used.
- Heavy cream: This enhances the creaminess of the sauce, creating a luxurious texture.
- Cheddar cheese: Provides a sharp, cheesy flavor that complements the ground beef and other ingredients.
- Mozzarella cheese: Adds a mild, melty element to the cheese topping.
- Green beans: A low-carb vegetable that adds texture and nutrients to the casserole. Canned or frozen green beans can be used for convenience.
- Beef broth: Adds moisture and enhances the savory flavor of the sauce.
- Seasonings: Garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and other spices enhance the overall flavor profile. Taco seasoning can be used for a Tex-Mex twist.
- Optional additions: Bacon, mushrooms, onions, peppers, tomatoes, and pickles can add additional flavor and texture.
Step-by-Step Guide to Keto Hamburger Casserole
Follow these simple steps to create a comforting keto ground beef casserole:
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Brown the ground beef: Heat a skillet over medium heat and cook the ground beef until it's nicely browned. Drain off any excess grease using a strainer or paper towels. Avoid overcrowding the skillet to ensure proper browning, not steaming.
- Create the creamy sauce: Add the softened cream cheese to the skillet with the beef and stir until the cheese melts and mixes in smoothly. Pour in the beef broth, heavy cream, Bragg's Aminos (or soy sauce), garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Stir everything well. Increase the heat slightly to bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer until the sauce thickens a bit.
- Add the green beans: Stir in the drained green beans.
- Top with cheese: Sprinkle the cheddar and mozzarella cheese on top.
- Bake: Transfer the skillet or mixture to a casserole dish and bake for 25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Tips for Casserole Perfection
- Room-temperature cream cheese: Use room-temperature cream cheese for the smoothest, creamiest sauce. If you’re short on time, pop it in the microwave for a few seconds and cut it into small pieces.
- Thickening the sauce: If your sauce feels a bit runny, simmer it over low heat, stirring occasionally, to let some of the liquid evaporate. Still too thin? Stir in a little extra cream cheese or sprinkle some shredded cheese to thicken it. If your sauce is too thick, simply add a splash of beef broth or heavy cream.
- Choosing the right skillet: Any oven-safe dish or skillet will work, but if you’ve got a cast iron skillet, definitely use it! Cast iron heats evenly, giving your casserole that perfect texture and flavor boost.
- Make it ahead: Assemble the casserole, cover it, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking.
- Freezing leftovers: Let the casserole cool completely, then wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and a layer of foil. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
Variations and Customizations
This keto hamburger casserole is highly customizable to suit your preferences and dietary needs:
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- Meat options: Swap the ground beef for ground turkey, chicken, Italian sausage, or pork.
- Vegetables: Feel free to mix things up with your favorite low-carb veggies, such as mushrooms, onions, peppers, tomatoes, or cauliflower rice.
- Seasoning & toppings: Experiment with taco seasoning for a Tex-Mex twist. Add cooked bacon crumbles, hot sauce, or your favorite spices.
- Dairy-free: Swap the cream cheese and heavy cream for dairy-free alternatives like coconut cream or almond-based cream cheese.
- Cheese: Feel free to switch out the cheddar cheese for any type of cheese that you enjoy.
Serving Suggestions
I like to keep it simple by pairing it with a fresh, leafy garden salad for a light side.
Nutritional Information
This casserole is naturally gluten-free and has less than 4g net carbs per serving, making it a great option for those following a keto-friendly lifestyle.
Reheating and Storage
- Refrigeration: Let the casserole cool completely before putting it in an airtight container. Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Freezing: For longer storage, wrap the cooled casserole in plastic wrap and foil. It can be frozen for up to 3 months.
- Reheating: Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating. Microwave or bake until heated through.
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