Keto Ground Beef Casserole: Creamy Comfort Without the Carbs
By Ethan Parker
Ready in under 40 minutes, this Keto Ground Beef Casserole brings comfort food to your table with creamy cheese and juicy beef in a single dish. The creamy sauce binds together all the flavors, ensuring every bite is hearty and satisfying.
This recipe uses lean ground beef, cream cheese, and chopped cauliflower for a low-carb twist. The cream cheese melts with heavy cream to create a rich sauce that keeps the beef juicy, while the cauliflower absorbs flavors without adding excess carbs.
Expect a bubbling, golden cheese crust when your casserole is ready. The most common mistake is not browning the beef enough, which can lead to a bland dish. Aim for a deep mahogany color to enhance the flavors before baking.
Serve this casserole warm, fresh from the oven, allowing it to rest for 5 minutes before scooping. Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 4 days or frozen for 3 months, making it perfect for meal prep.
Why you'll love this recipe
- Comes together in 40 minutes with only about 10 minutes of active prep, making it ideal for busy weeknights.
- Utilizes one skillet to cook the beef and cheese sauce, so you’ll only have one pan to clean afterward.
- Low-carb and hearty, this casserole satisfies cravings without the guilt, fitting perfectly into keto meal plans.
- Cauliflower absorbs the flavors beautifully, enhancing the texture while keeping this dish light and healthy.
- Easy to scale up or down, adjust your baking dish size and cook time to feed any crowd or for meal prep.
- Cheddar cheese gets golden and bubbly on top, providing a savory crust for the creamy filling underneath.
Ingredients
- •1 lb lean ground beef
- •1 tbsp olive oil
- •1 cup diced yellow onion
- •3 cloves garlic (minced)
- •1 tsp salt
- •1 2 black pepper (cracked)
- •4 oz cream cheese (softened)
- •1 4 heavy cream
- •1 tsp smoked paprika
- •1 2 onion powder
- •2 cups chopped cauliflower florets
- •1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Instructions
- 1
Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium high heat.
- 2
Add the ground beef, breaking it apart with a spatula, and cook until mahogany colored and no longer pink.
- 3
Stir in the diced onions and garlic, sautéing for another 3-5 minutes until the onions become translucent and fragrant.
- 4
Lower the heat to medium low.
- 5
Stir in the softened cream cheese, heavy cream, smoked paprika, and onion powder.
- 6
Stir constantly until the cream cheese has completely melted and the beef is coated in a smooth sauce.
- 7
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- 8
Stir the chopped cauliflower florets directly into the beef mixture.
- 9
Transfer the mixture into a 9x9 inch oven safe baking dish, smoothing the top with a spatula.
- 10
Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly across the surface.
- 11
Bake for 15-20 minutes until the edges bubble and the cheese develops golden brown spots.
- 12
Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving.
FAQ
Nutrition (per serving)
Calories
489
Protein
31g
Fat
36g
Carbs
6g
