This cheesy Easy Low Carb Ground Beef Recipe: Italian Keto Beef Skillet has a complex flavor profile. With hints of garlic, rich spaghetti sauce, and hearty ground beef, this recipe will have you making it again and again. It’s one of my favorite recipes on nights where I don’t have a lot of time to cook and clean a huge mess. Whether you are meal planning for the week or need a quick, easy dinner, this recipe is a fabulous quick low carb dinner idea.
Easy Low Carb Ground Beef Recipe
I love using cauliflower rice in my recipes because it combines the texture and flavors of rice without the carbs. However, without the right attention, cauliflower can take over the dish, making it mushy and gross. To combat this, I boil it in sauces and seasonings. This adds a rich flavor and balance to any keto meal, as the seasonings and textures work together in harmony providing the perfect keto meal. In simple terms, I don’t want to taste or smell the cauliflower.
Italian foods are one of my favorites, so I’m always trying to create new Italian low carb recipes. I made this recipe one day for lunch, and three out of four kids loved it, which is a win in my family. This recipe combines rich flavors, depth of texture with the cauliflower rice, and seasonings for the perfect Italian low carb meal.
I always keep browned ground beef in the freezer, so I don’t have to go through the hassle of cooking ground beef for every recipe. Browning ground beef in batches is a fantastic time-saver. I grab it out of the freezer, defrost, and it’s ready to go. You can read this tip and others in 5 easy keto/low carb meal prep ideas.
In my kitchen, I choose my battles, and marinara sauce is one of them. While I know that homemade is always best, I prefer to use the store bought lower-carb marinara sauces like Rao’s, and Mezzettas found at Walmart or the ALDI brand, for simplicity and time management. Along with using store-bought marinara, I also buy frozen riced cauliflower. Being a huge time saver, I love to use it in all recipes featuring cauliflower since it is keto-friendly.
For best results, grate your mozzarella before adding to the beef mixture, as it reduces the number of fillers in the cheese compared to pre-shredded cheese, which may add more carbs.
I love using my cast iron skillet cast because it can go from stove to oven without getting other dishes dirty. This provides simple cleanup and preparation. Cast iron skillets offer lifetime durability. I have cast iron skillets over fifty years old that my grandmother once used to prepare meals for my family.
If you don’t already have a cast-iron skillet, they are very affordable like this Lodge cast iron skillet that I use weekly.
Can I Eat Ground Beef on a Low Carb Diet?
Yes, it’s an easy, flavorful, and highly versatile way to get fat into your keto diet. Although grass-fed beef is best, it’s not necessary. I choose a fattier option in 80/20. If you would prefer ground turkey, it can be substituted in this low carb ground beef recipe.
How do I Keep this Recipe from Tasting Like Cauliflower?
When cooking with cauliflower, you have to give it extra seasoning, flavor, and attention to get it tasting just right. In this low carb ground beef recipe, I simmer everything for 15 minutes to infuse the cauliflower with all the spices and sauce. This is especially important when cooking with cauliflower.
This low carb ground beef recipe would go great with a nice leafy green salad or green veggies such as Southern Green Beans, or roasted broccoli. With only 5 net carbs per serving, this Italian Beef Skillet makes a delicious and filling keto dinner.
More Low Carb Ground Beef Casseroles Recipes:
- Keto Ground Beef Casserole: Perfect Comfort Dish
- Italian Meatball Casserole {Keto/Low Carb}
- Keto Cheesy Mexican Skillet
- Easy Low Carb Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls Skillet
- Cheesy Keto Philly Cheesesteak Casserole
Easy Low Carb Ground Beef Recipes for Dinner:
- Keto Low Carb Taco Cups
- Keto Queso Easy Taco Soup
- Easy Farmhouse BBQ Muffin Cups {Keto/Low Carb}
- Keto Mozzarella Stuffed BBQ Meatballs {Low Carb Friendly}
How to Store Italian Keto Beef Skillet
This Low Carb ground beef recipe for Italian beef skillet can be kept in the fridge for up to 5 days and rewarmed. It is one of those dishes that tastes better rewarmed as the extra time gives the flavors longer to infuse in the recipe. If you prefer to freeze for later make sure to use an airtight freezer container.
Don’t Miss Any New Recipes:
Don’t miss any recipes like this Low Carb Ground Beef Recipe. If you aren’t already following my Easy Keto/Low Carb Recipe Page on Facebook, where I post all my new recipes and content here. Follow me on Pinterest for inspiration, recipe ideas, and more low carb/keto recipes here. If you are just getting started following the keto/ low carb diet and would like more information, there are tons of fantastic resources and help available. Amazon also has several excellent books you may want to check out here.
How to Make Low Carb Ground Beef Recipe: Italian Keto Beef Skillet
Low Carb Ground Beef Recipe: Italian Keto Beef Skillet
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 3 cups Rao's marinara
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, grated
- 10 oz frozen steamed riced cauliflower
- ½ cup beef broth
- ½ onion, chopped
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp oregano
- ½ tsp pepper
- salt to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- In an oven-safe skillet brown ground beef with chopped onion, then drain.
- Follow the directions on the bag to steam the cauliflower in the microwave.
- Add steamed cauliflower, marinara sauce, broth, and spices to ground beef mixture.
- Bring to boil, then reduce heat to medium and simmer for 15 minutes uncovered while the sauce cooks down and thickens.
- Sprinkle Mozzarella cheese on top and place skillet in the oven for 5 minutes.
- Move to the top rack and broil for 1-2 minutes so that the cheese bubbles and begins to brown.
- Enjoy!
Prasad Narasimhan says
Thanks for the awesome recipe. Added some paprika and used Costco’s Mexican cheese blend instead. Came out pretty well. Quick and delicious!
.Kasey says
You’re welcome! Glad you enjoyed the dish!
Laura says
Absolutely delicious 😋! By far my favorite keto friendly recipe to date! My hubby gave it 2 thumbs up too!
.Kasey says
That’s awesome! Glad it’s your favorite!
JOCELYN PINHEIRO says
I can never leave recipes alone. Always have to modify and tweak, but that’s the beauty of home cooked meals! I’m a I saucy & seasoning kinda gal, so I always season well. I doubled the seasoned ground beef, increased beef broth to 8 oz (1 cup), and had a 12 oz back of riced cauliflower. Used plenty of Italian seasoning, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and a few dashes of cayenne pepper, just to kick it up a notch. Because we like a more sweet sauce, I added 6 packets of Pyure sweetener. Simmered, and then poured over Zoodles in a 9×13 casserole dish, topped with the mozarella cheese and baked til bubbly. IT WAS DELICIOUS & TEENAGER APPROVED!!!
Kasey says
Awesome! It sounds fantastic. I generally use a lot of seasonings when I cook for my family. I try to keep the carb count minimal for posted recipes, but people can always add a little more of their favorite seasonings to personalize the recipe for their family. I’m like you, even if I follow a recipe I always modify and tweak it to our liking. Thanks so much for taking the time to comment.
Heather says
Awesome recipe! The riced cauliflower gives it “substance” without the taste. I didn’t even miss the pasta. Great quick meal!
.Kasey says
Awesome! I love riced cauliflower in dishes.
Michelle says
This dish was amazing! Love your recipes.
.Kasey says
Thanks so much, Michelle! Glad you love the dish and my recipes.
Siena Van Brabant says
I used Simply Natural Organic Tomato and Basil Pasta Sauce (880ml). Didn’t have Rao’s. This was a great, easy and tasty recipe. My non-keto husband put it on a bun as a sloppy joe. I will make this again.
Kasey says
Awesome! So glad you enjoyed it.
Jan Carver says
It was wonderful!!!! Thank you so much!
.Kasey says
You’re very welcome! I’m glad you enjoyed it.
Karen says
Made this for dinner this evening and it was delicious 😋, It’s a keeper!,,,
Kasey says
Glad you enjoyed it!
Kellie Hornych says
This was really good! If it’s hot and you’re lazy like me and don’t want to turn the oven on you can add the cheese and a lid and it will melt on the stove.
Kasey says
So glad you enjoyed it.
Jen says
This was delicious and easy to make. Family approved. Thank you!
Kasey says
So glad you enjoyed it!
Joelle says
I’m wondering if you could layer it with like a lasagna with cottage cheese and Parmesan cheese then some carbnda noodles IMDb it basically to the recipe then realize I forgot the beef broth but luckily I had time to get it added any ideas for making it a lasagna type let me know
Kasey says
It’s worth a try, but I have only made this recipe as is so I can’t say from personal experience how it would work.
Jennifer says
Can I ask why we need to preheat the oven?
Jennifer says
Oops! Never mind. Step six was hidden by the video.
Katie says
My husband and I love everything about this!!
Kasey says
Fantastic! So glad you loved it.