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For a flavorful and hearty dinner that's low carb but protein-packed, make this cheeseburger casserole recipe! It has just 5 carbs per serving and is so easy to make all in one pot. This recipe is always a hit - even if you aren't counting carbs!
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Hands down, this is the best hamburger casserole recipe you will ever try. It's low-carb and gluten-free, but doesn't skimp out on flavor at all. Honestly? I think it's even tastier than more carb-heavy casseroles, and I promise I'm not biased. Everyone I've served this casserole to agrees!
Even better - I have firsthand experience that this keto hamburger casserole is perfect for getting kids to eat a wholesome meal. Not only is this dish full of protein, but it's a great way to hide nutritious veggies so that even the pickiest eaters will gobble them up!
Featured Review
My family's new favorite recipe! I love to make it the night before and pop it in the oven when I get home from work. It is always a favorite. - Amy on Pinterest
See them all here→ or keep scrolling to the comments section below! I appreciate all of the amazing reviews on this recipe.
Ingredients in Keto Hamburger Casserole
- Ground beef: You can use any percentage ground beef for this recipe, or use a blend of beef and pork! Due to the importance of fat in keto ground beef recipes, I often use 80/20.
- Olive oil: You can use avocado or coconut oil as well. It's up to your preference!
- Onion powder: Onion powder is lower carb than fresh onions, and has a lovely sweet taste that works great in keto ground beef casserole.
- Garlic powder: Just like onion powder, garlic powder has a mild, sweet flavor that works out better than sharp and spicy fresh garlic.
- Sugar-free tomato paste: You can often find sugar-free tomato paste hidden among other tomato pastes. If you can't find it, try sugar-free ketchup.
- Ground pepper: Freshly cracked is always best!
- Eggs: Eggs will make up the "crust" of this casserole. As always, I recommend pasture-raised eggs; the yolk is so much richer and much better for a keto diet.
- Heavy cream: Heavy cream has tons of fat and an incredible flavor! It's perfect for keto, and you get to indulge in it guilt-free.
- Cheddar: Make sure to get whole block cheddar and grate it yourself! Packaged shredded cheese melts very poorly, so it's worth the effort.
- Green beans: Fresh or frozen green beans will add tons of nutrition to this meal without majorly impacting the flavor.
- Dijon mustard: You can use stoneground, smooth, or even Honeycup mustard for this recipe!
- Optional add-ins:
- Worcestershire sauce
- Cream cheese
- Bacon (Who can resist a low carb bacon cheeseburger casserole?)
Isabel's Top Tips for Making Cheeseburger Casserole
- Try adding ground pork to boost the flavor even more! You can also use ground turkey, but be careful mixing it, as it gets tough fast.
- Double-check your tomato paste! Make sure your tomato paste is sugar-free. You can substitute it with sugar-free ketchup, as well.
- No need to thaw the green beans. If you're using frozen green beans, you don't need to thaw them. They will cook completely as the casserole bakes.
- I highly recommend bringing this great hamburger casserole recipe to BBQs! It gives all your keto friends and family something delicious to dig into, so nobody feels left out.
- This is a perfect make-ahead dinner idea. Prepare everything in the baking dish, wrap it in foil or plastic wrap, and then save it to bake later. You don't need to change the baking time; it'll cook from cold perfectly!
Variations
For this easy keto hamburger recipe, I like to use green beans! They're low in carbs and so tasty. Frozen or canned green beans work perfectly. However, these are some other great veggie choices and options of how to mix things up.
- Cauliflower, including cauliflower rice
- Broccoli one of my favorites to use in cheeseburger casserole. It's just so delicious with the cheddar cheese!
- Turn this hamburger casserole into a Keto Taco Casserole by adding in taco seasoning, chili powder, and peppers! Or, check out my recipe for Keto Taco Bake!
- Peas
- Carrots
Storage Instructions
Store leftover cheeseburger casserole in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. Or, wrap the baking dish in foil or plastic wrap and store in the fridge in the dish.
You can also freeze keto cheeseburger casserole before or after baking. If freezing before baking, add an additional 15 to 20 minutes to the baking time when ready to bake. If freezing after baking, thaw it in the fridge overnight, then heat it back up in the oven for 15 to 20 minutes.
By far, my favorite thing about this keto hamburger casserole is the amazing taste all wrapped up in an easy-to-prepare dish that takes under an hour to make. You get to enjoy the flavors you love in a burger on a low-carb meal plan!
Keto Hamburger Casserole
Video
Equipment
- 13 x 9" baking dish
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs. ground beef - lean
- 2 Tbsp. olive oil - plus more for pan
- 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
- 1 tsp. onion powder
- 1 tsp. garlic powder
- 1 Tbsp. sugar-free tomato paste
- ½ tsp. ground pepper
- 2 cups green beans
- 3 eggs
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ¾ cups cheddar - grated
Instructions
- Grease an 13 x 9 ″ baking dish with olive oil and set aside. Preheat your oven to 360°F. In a bowl, add ground beef with onion powder, garlic powder, Dijon, tomato paste, pepper, and salt, and mix until combined.1.5 lbs. ground beef,2 Tbsp. olive oil,1 tsp. onion powder,1 tsp. garlic powder,1 Tbsp. sugar-free tomato paste,½ tsp. ground pepper,1 teaspoon dijon mustard
- Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet. Add the ground beef mixture and cook for about 10 minutes, breaking it up as it cooks, until it browns completely.
- Drain any grease from the ground beef. Add the cooked ground beef mixture to your prepared baking dish in an even layer.
- Spread 3 cups canned or frozen green beans over the beef. If opting for a lower-sodium dish, use fresh green beans.2 cups green beans
- In a medium bowl, beat 3 eggs. Add ½ cup heavy cream and a pinch of salt.3 eggs,½ cup heavy cream
- Evenly pour this mixture over the meat and green beans.
- Spread 1½ cups grated cheddar over the top of the beef and green bean mixture.¾ cups cheddar
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, until the cheese is golden brown. Serve, and enjoy!
Notes
- You can lower the sodium content in this dish by removing the salt and Dijon mustard, using low-sodium tomato paste, and cutting the cheese in half or using low-sodium cheese.
Diane says
When using an 8 X 8 pan (Cheeseburger Casserole), does that yield 8 portions, or when you use a 13 X 9? I think cutting an 8 X 8 into 8 portions seems like kind of small servings? Also, you forgot to list the Dijon in the ingredients list.
Em Beitel says
Hi Diane! Thank you for your comment (and for pointing out the missing ingredient in the list). An 8 x 8 pan will yield 9 portions, while the 13 x 9 will yield 12.
Christopher Keeley says
Can I use red onions or tomatoes instead of beans?
Isabel Laessig says
Hi Christopher! You could definitely use either or both if you'd prefer to instead of beans. It may change the texture to add tomatoes, but it should be delicious. Enjoy!
Michelle says
I love this recipe. I use it often with ground beef and sausage combined. I have to double the recipe because the family eats so much of it and I like to have some left-overs for lunch. Thank you!
Isabel Laessig says
So happy to hear this! Thank you, Michelle!