Keto Ground Beef Casserole Recipe – Easy Low Carb Comfort Food
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 yummy blend of cheddar and mozzarella cheeses.
As I have mentioned many times, I am a total Southern girl. I love casseroles, veggies, and easy homemade recipes. When I was a little girl, my best friend lived next door, and her mom made the best ground beef casserole with potatoes and green beans. I always wanted to eat dinner with them when she was making it.
When I was trying to brainstorm a new recipe idea, this came to mind. It’s funny how our minds work. I hadn’t thought of it in years, but suddenly, I started craving it.
I could easily make a low-carb version by omitting the potatoes and adjusting a few other ingredients in place of the cream of mushroom soup that she used in the sauce. Instead of canned soup, I used a mixture of heavy whipping cream and cream cheese to make a thick creamy sauce for the ground beef; then I topped it with green beans and cheese.
My little girls absolutely devoured it! Before I knew it, they had each put down two servings. I knew then it would be a hit!!
Ingredients
Ground beef – the protein for this casserole adds sso much yummy 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
Step-By-Step InstructionsHere is a step-by-step pictorial to help you make the recipe. For the complete list of ingredients and detailed instructions, scroll to the bottom of the post to the printable recipe card.
Step 1: Brown the Ground Beef
Preheat your oven to your oven to 350°F.
In a large skillet, cook your ground beef over medium heat until browned. Next, you’ll want to drain it unless you prefer to keep the extra fat.
Tip: One of my favorite time-saving meal prep tips is to brown ground beef in advance and keep it in the freezer. I usually buy several pounds at brown it all at once. It makes recipes like this so quick and easy!
Step 2: Make the Yummy Creamy Base
Add the cream cheese to the browned ground beef and melt over low heat. Next, add the beef broth, heavy cream, Bragg’s Aminos (or soy sauce), and seasonings. Reduce the heat and simmer for 5 minutes, letting the mixture thicken slightly. Keep the lid off for it to thicken properly.
Tip: Make sure your cream cheese is at room temperature. Otherwise, it doesn’t blend as smoothly.
Step 3: Add Green Beans, Cheese, and Bake
Drain the green beans and dump them in the skillet. I used canned because that’s what I had on hand, but feel free to use frozen if you prefer. Top with generous amounts of cheddar and mozzarella cheese. Pop in the oven and bake for 25 minutes until melted, hot, and bubbly.
Step 4: Serve
As hard as it will be to wait, allow it to rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with parsley or bacon crumbles. Bacon makes everything better, right?
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 I love using cast iron skillets for even heating from stovetop to oven. For this recipe, I used a 10.25″ cast iron skillet. Cast iron skillets last forever. I have several that were my grandmothers that are over 50 years old!
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! I always use 80/20 for the best flavor.
Can I make this casserole ahead of time?
Sure! It’s a great way to save time! Simply assemble the casserole, cover it tightly, and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking. Then, when ready to enjoy it, pop it in the oven.
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. Make sure, though, to check the ingredients you use in your kitchen. Sometimes, gluten can be sneaky.
Can I make this casserole keto-friendly?
It already is at less than 4g net carbs per serving.
What Can I Serve With It?
I keep it simple and serve 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:
There are so many options! Zucchini, broccoli, asparagus, squash, or mushrooms are all great low-carb options. You might also like my Cheesy Ground Beef and Cauliflower Casserole.
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.
- Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes for a spicier version when seasoning the ground beef mixture.
- Add a dash of Worcestershire sauce to enhance the umami taste and depth of the casserole.
Storing and Freezing This Low Carb Casserole
It stays fresh in the refrigerator 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. Dairy may cause a slight texture change upon thawing, but it won’t affect taste.
Thawing & Reheating:
Thaw overnight in the fridge before gently reheating in 325°F oven until heated through, about 30 minutes. You can also reheat it in the microwave.
While this low-carb version may be a bit different than my childhood friend’s mom’s original recipe with potatoes, it still has all the comforting flavors I remember. I hope your family enjoys this hearty, cheesy casserole as much as mine does!
Other Keto Casserole Recipes:
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, low-carb ground beef casserole on hectic weeknights or meal prep ahead on the weekends to always have a delicious low-carb dinner ready to enjoy!
Easy Keto Ground Beef Casserole with Green Beans
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 3 ounces cream cheese
- 1/2 cup beef broth
- 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
- 2 tsp Bragg's Aminos
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 2 cans green beans, drained
- 3/4 cup cheddar cheese
- 3/4 cup mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) degrees.
- Grab a skillet and cook the ground beef. When it's done, use a strainer to remove any extra grease.
- Add the room temperature cream cheese to the cooked beef in the skillet. Stir it until the cheese melts and mixes with the beef. Yum!
- Pour in the beef broth, heavy whipping cream, Bragg's Aminos, garlic powder, onion powder, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Stir everything together well.
- Bring the mixture to a boil by turning up the heat a bit. Keep an eye on it and let it cook on medium heat until it starts to thicken up a little. This will make the casserole nice and creamy.
- Reduce the heat to low and let it simmer. That means keeping it gently bubbling but not boiling too hard.
- Drain the green beans and add them to the beef mixture.
- Sprinkle some cheddar cheese and mozzarella cheese on top of the green beans.
- Finally, pop the skillet into the preheated oven and bake it all together for 25 minutes. It will come out golden and bubbly.
Video
Notes
Meat Variations: Ground Turkey, Ground Chicken, Italian Sausage, Ground Pork, and Shredded Chicken
* (I swap the beef broth for chicken broth when using poultry) Vegetable Variations: zucchini, yellow squash, broccoli, cauliflower, asparagus, bell peppers, and 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.
- To store keto ground beef casserole, allow it to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container or freezer-safe bag.
- It can be stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
- If you want to freeze it, label the container with the date, and it can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- It contains dairy products, which sometimes break down when frozen. It shouldn't change the taste, but the sauce's texture might vary.
Nutrition
I don’t like green beans whst could I substitute
I’ve only made it as is but any other low carb veggie such as cauliflower, broccoli, asparagus, etc
I use canned spinach, it’s really good!
I’d bet broccoli or cauliflower rice would be good!
Broccoli 🥦
Delicious , I put some chopped cabbage as well ! Thanks
Yummmmmm!!!! I love chopped cabbage.
I have made this multiple times and every time it is loved! I recommend throwing in white american or swiss cheese for a bit of extra flavor. Wonderful no matter how you make it though. Thanks for the great recipe!
Sounds delish! Thanks for the tip. I’m so glad you love it.
Can I leave out the Amino’s or replace it with something else? I don’t want to buy it just for this recipe. Thanks
It’s a healthier version of soy sauce.
I’m guessing I could use frozen green beans if they are thawed first? I hate canned veges.
Yes, of course. You may want to cook them a bit first depending on the texture of green bean you prefer.
Made this for dinner tonight. This was easy and very filling. In addition to the 3 ounces of cream cheese, I added one whole package of Boursin cheese. A lot of flavor!
Fantastic! So glad you loved it. I’ll have to give that a try.
My husband and I loved this recipe. The only tweak I made was to add onion. This we will definitely make again. Thank you.
Awesome. So glad you loved it! Onions make a great addition to just about any recipe. Thanks so much for taking the time to rate the recipe and leave a comment.
I plan to add onion when I make tonight.
I have coconut aminos. Would that work??
Yes! It would work fine.
Loved it!! I put in a little red pepper when browning the meat for some ‘fun’.
Awesome! Glad you loved it! That sounds like a delicious addition.
Loved this! I did not add the Braggs Aminos but used all other ingredients. I used Colby/ Monterey Jack shredded cheese and topped it with Swiss. Delicious!
Hey, Elizabeth, so glad you loved it!!
I have been using a customized meal plan from vshred for months now and really needed a new low carb recipe. This was the first one I clicked on and I had all the ingredients except for the aminos. I made it without it and used up all the leftover vegetables I had in the fridge instead of green beans. We cut up leftover broccoli and asparagus and onions. I also had some ground turkey I needed to use up that i mixed in with the beef. This is an easy recipe to make adjustments with and even my teenagers loved it.
I’m so glad you were able to use the leftover veggies in your fridge and make the recipe work for you. When teenagers love a recipe it’s always a win.
My grandsons and husband loved this! I substituted soy sauce for the Bragg’s amino. Next time I’ll add the onion. Delicious and easy dish!
Yay! That’s a winner. So glad you all enjoyed it!
Fantastic recipe! Fantastic recommendations! Added some onion and garlic…yum!
Awesome! So glad you loved it! I love adding onion and garlic as well.
My husband and I have been making this recipe for over a year now. It’s a staple in our home. Something that is delicious and easy to make! Bonus. It’s only one pan! Thanks so much for sharing it.
Awesome! I am so glad you both enjoy it. One pan is definitely a bonus.:)
I didn’t think green beans were keto?
Yes, green beans are absolutely low-carb and keto friendly.