Easy Keto Ground Beef Casserole Recipe – Low Carb Comfort Food

When I started keto, I was worried I’d miss out on low-carb comfort foods—the kind that fill your house with a warm, cozy smell. But this easy keto ground beef casserole quickly became a favorite. It’s packed with tender beef, creamy cheese, and a rich sauce that’s so good, you’ll forget it’s low-carb!

As a Southern girl who loves casseroles and homemade recipes, I fondly remember my best friend’s mom making a delicious ground beef casserole with potatoes and green beans. The smell filled the house, and it was always my favorite meal. Those dinners always felt so cozy.

This dish came to mind recently, and I could not wait to make it. I wanted to create a low-carb version that still captures all the flavor. By omitting the potatoes and tweaking a few ingredients, I managed to whip up this easy keto hamburger casserole that my family absolutely devoured.

I could easily make a low-carb version by omitting the potatoes and adjusting a few other ingredients instead of the cream of mushroom soup 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 packs in tons of 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

How to make Keto Ground Beef Casserole with Green Beans

Here 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: Preheat your oven to your oven to 350°F. Start by grabbing your favorite skillet—mine’s a cast iron that’s been in the family for years! There’s just something about it that makes everything taste better.

Brown the ground beef over medium heat, and don’t rush this step! Let it cook until nicely browned, and you see those little crispy bits forming. Trust me, those bits are pure flavor gold. After that, go ahead and drain off the extra fat unless you like a little extra richness in your dish—totally your call!

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: Once your ground beef is browned and smelling, add the softened cream cheese. Toss it in and stir until it melts into the beef! Then, pour in your beef broth, heavy cream, and a splash of Bragg’s Aminos (or soy sauce if that’s what you have). Don’t forget the seasonings—they’re the secret to all that flavor!

Let it simmer on low for about 5 minutes, uncovered, so it thickens up just right.

Tip: Make sure your cream cheese is at room temperature. Otherwise, it doesn’t blend as smoothly. 

Step 3: 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: I know it’s tough, but trust me—you’ll want to let this casserole rest for about 5 minutes before diving in. This little break helps all those amazing flavors combine and lets the casserole set. While waiting (and trying not to sneak a bite), why not get creative with some toppings? A sprinkle of fresh parsley adds color, or go all out with crispy bacon crumbles—because, let’s be real, bacon makes everything better!

Top Tips for making this recipe

Browning the Ground Beef

When you’re cooking the ground beef, don’t crowd it in a small skillet. If it’s packed in too tight, it won’t brown properly—it’ll steam instead, and that’s not what we want. Let it get a nice brown crust before you flip it.

Melt Your Cream Cheese

For a smooth, creamy sauce without lumps, make sure the cream cheese is at room temperature before tossing it in the pan. Cold cream cheese doesn’t melt well and can make your sauce lumpy. If you’re in a hurry, pop it in the microwave first and cut it into small pieces to help it melt faster and more evenly.

How to Check if Your Sauce is Perfectly Thickened

To check if your sauce is thickened perfectly, dip the back of a spoon into it and run your finger through the sauce on the spoon. If the line stays clear and doesn’t fill in quickly, it’s ready! The sauce should be creamy and coat the spoon nicely.

What to Do if the Sauce is Too Thin

If your sauce seems a bit too thin, don’t worry—it’s an easy fix! Keep simmering it on low heat for a few more minutes, stirring occasionally. This will help some of the liquid evaporate, making the sauce thicker. If it’s still not thickening up, you can mix a tiny bit of extra cream cheese into the sauce or even sprinkle in a small amount of shredded cheese. Both will add thickness and extra creaminess.

What to Do if the Sauce is Too Thick

If your sauce looks too thick and you’re having trouble stirring it, just add a splash of beef broth or heavy cream. Start with a little, stir it in, and see if it reaches the consistency you like. You can always add more liquid, but it’s harder to remove it, so go slow!

FAQ’s

 What’s the Best Pan for This Casserole??

Any oven-safe dish or skillet will do the trick. But if you’ve got a cast iron skillet lying around, definitely use it—it heats evenly and adds a little extra something to the dish. I used my trusty 10.25″ cast iron skillet for this recipe, and I swear by it.

Fun fact: Some of mine are over 50 years old and were passed down from my grandmother. They’re still going strong!

What’s the difference between 80/20 and lean ground beef?

What’s the difference between 80/20 and lean ground beef (such as 95% lean)? 80/20 refers to the meat’s fat-to-protein ratio. 80% lean ground beef contains 20% fat, creating juicier, more tender, and flavorful keto casserole recipes.

Can I make this casserole ahead of time?

Absolutely! If you’re like me and love having dinner ready to go on those crazy, busy nights, this casserole is a lifesaver. Just put it all together, cover it up, and stash it in the fridge for up to a day. Then, when you’re ready for a cozy, no-fuss dinner, pop it in the oven. It’s like having a homemade meal on standby—perfect for those days when you’re running around like crazy!

Is this Easy Low-Carb Ground Beef Casserole Gluten-Free?

Yep, it sure is! This casserole is naturally gluten-free since we’re using simple ingredients like ground beef, cream cheese, cheddar, and green beans. Just double-check your ingredients, especially any seasonings or sauces, because gluten can sneak in where you least expect it.

Can I make this casserole keto-friendly?

Good news! It already has less than 4g net carbs per serving, so you can enjoy this delicious low-carb beef bake without worrying about going off plan.

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:  

Vegetable Variations: Feel free to mix it up with veggies like zucchini, broccoli, asparagus, squash, or mushrooms. All are great low-carb vegetable options! You might also like my Cheesy Ground Beef and Cauliflower Casserole.

Seasoning Variations:

• Taco Seasoning adds a fun Tex-Mex twist.
• Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes for a spicier version
• Add a dash of Worcestershire sauce to enhance the umami taste and depth of the casserole.

Storing and Freezing Your Low-Carb Casserole

Refrigeration:

After you’ve enjoyed your casserole, store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. It’ll stay fresh and tasty for about 3-4 days. Perfect for those quick meals later in the week!

Freezing:

If you want to keep your casserole for a bit longer, freezing is a great option. Once cooled, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then foil. This double-wrap helps prevent freezer burn. It should stay good in the freezer for up to 3 months. Just a heads-up—dairy might slightly alter the texture after thawing, but don’t worry, it won’t affect the flavor!

Thawing & Reheating:

When you’re ready to enjoy your frozen casserole, let it thaw overnight in the fridge. To reheat, pop it in a 325°F oven for about 30 minutes until it’s heated all the way through.

If you’re in a hurry, you can use the microwave too. Microwave cooking time will depend on how much you are warming. If I rewarm an individual serving, I always start in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, to make sure it warms up evenly.

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:

• Cheesy Mexican Skillet
• Low Carb Chicken Casserole
• Keto Pizza Casserole

More Keto Ground Beef Recipes:

• Low-Carb Ground Beef Recipe: Italian Keto Beef Skillet
• Keto Ground Beef Stir-Fry
• 20 Delicious Keto Beef Recipes

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Easy Keto Ground Beef Casserole with Green Beans

This Keto Ground Beef Casserole Recipe is the ultimate low-carb comfort food with tender ground beef, creamy cream cheese, and a blend of cheddar and mozzarella cheeses.

Prep Time15 minutes mins

Cook Time25 minutes mins

Total Time40 minutes mins

Course: Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: American, casual

Keyword: Keto Ground Beef Casserole, Keto Ground Beef Recipes, Low Carb Ground Beef Casserole

Servings: 8

Calories: 281kcal

Author: Kasey Trenum

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 (or soy sauce)
• 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

• Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Heat a skillet over medium heat and cook the ground beef until it’s nicely browned. Drain off any extra grease using a strainer.
• Next, 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. This will make your casserole creamy and delicious.
• Once the sauce has thickened, stir in the drained green beans. Sprinkle the cheddar and mozzarella cheese on top.
• Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake for 25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Let the casserole sit for about 5 minutes before serving to let the flavors meld together.

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Video

Notes

We use ground beef from ButcherBox Meat Subscription. All of the meat is excellent quality and delivered to your door! 

Storage Tips:

• Refrigeration: Let the casserole cool completely before putting it in an airtight container. It will stay fresh in the fridge for about 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. The texture might change slightly when you thaw it, but the taste will still be great!
• Reheating: Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating. For best results, reheat in a 325°F oven for about 30 minutes.
• Microwave cooking time will vary depending on the size of your serving. For individual servings, I reheat in 30-second intervals, stirring between.

Variations:

• Meat Options: You can swap the ground beef for ground turkey, chicken, Italian sausage, or pork. For poultry, use chicken broth instead of beef broth.
• Veggies: Try adding zucchini, broccoli, cauliflower, bell peppers, or mushrooms.
• Seasoning & Toppings: Experiment with taco seasoning for a Tex-Mex twist.  For extra flavor, top with crispy bacon crumbles. 

 

Nutrition

Calories: 281kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Cholesterol: 88mg | Sodium: 410mg | Potassium: 234mg | Fiber: 0.875g | Vitamin A: 540IU | Calcium: 156mg | Iron: 1.5mg

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