Low Carb Ground Beef Recipe: Italian Keto Beef Skillet

· · · · · · · ·

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.

A serving of keto Italian ground beef casserole on a plate #keto #lowcarb

 

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, cauliflower can take over the dish without the right attention, 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.

Browned ground beef in cast-iron skillet.

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 it, and it’s ready to go. You can read this tip and others in 5 easy keto/low carb meal prep ideas.

Ground beef, marinara, and cauliflower rice in cast iron skillet.

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.

Beef mixture with mozzarella cheese being sprinkled over the top.

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.

Italian Keto Beef Skillet finished in cast iron skillet, with wooden spoon off to the side.

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.

cast iron skillet
They are very affordable if you don’t already have a cast-iron skillet, 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.

 

Italian Ground Beef and Rice in skillet with cheese pull.

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:

Easy Low Carb Ground Beef Recipes for Dinner:

Italian Keto Beef Skillet plated with cast iron skillet in background.

 

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, tons of fantastic resources and help are available. Amazon also has several excellent books you may want to check out here.

 

 

Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate this Recipe
4.70 from 114 votes

Low Carb Ground Beef Recipe: Italian Keto Beef Skillet

This Low Carb Ground Beef Recipe is quick, easy, and uses only one pan, with bold flavors and easy cleanup this is the perfect one skillet low carb meal.
Prep Time3 minutes
Cook Time32 minutes
0 minutes
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, casual, Italian
Keyword: Low Carb Ground Beef Casserole
Servings: 6
Calories: 344kcal
Author: Kasey Trenum

Ingredients

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 the 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 the 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!

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 344kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 26g | Fat: 17g | Fiber: 2g
Tried this recipe?Mention @kaseytrenumblogger or tag #kaseytrenumblogger!

Collage of two pictures with Italian Keto Ground Beef Skillet.

98 Comments

    1. Sorry about that. It was an oversight. I have updated the instructions to include the broth now. Thank you!

  1. In the recipe list you mention 1/2 cup of broth but in the cooking instructions I don’t see it anywhere. Use it or not ?

    1. Sorry about that. It was an oversight. I have updated the instructions to include the broth now. Thank you!

    1. Sorry about that. It was an oversight. I have updated the instructions to include the broth now. Thank you!

    1. Sorry about that. It was an oversight. I have updated the instructions to include the broth now. Thank you!

    1. I use a 10.25 inch when I make this. A 12 inch was used by the person who made the video though. Hope you enjoy!

  2. 5 stars
    I LOVE all your large cast iron skillet recipes! I had my mom’s 9″ skillet and recently bought a 6″ second hand.

    I inherited the 10.25″ skillet when I married my new husband, and thought it was so big, when would I ever use it!

    We’re elderly and just the 2 of us to cook for, usually.

    I’ve used it much more than I ever thought I would. Now I get to use it even more!

    Thank you, and keep ’em coming! I’m so glad I found you finally! I’ve loved all I’ve made of your recipes.

  3. Very very yummy!!! Thank you so much for sharing. I ran out of mozzarella so I added some Parmesan along with it….LOVED IT! Honestly I wouldn’t be as far along on this Keto journey without your recipes and I LOVE that they are easy enough to do after a long days work! Last night I made your cheese crackers and chocolate almond clusters!

    1. You’re welcome, Natasha! I really try to keep my recipes simple because I am a busy mom and can’t spend all day in the kitchen! I need simple!

  4. 5 stars
    This is great! And sometimes I serve it over noodles for my non Keto peeps! Sometimes I just make them eat Keto. Lol

    1. It’s great to be able to eat keto even if your family isn’t. I serve noodles to my kids a lot of time while hubby and I eat keto.

  5. 5 stars
    I was actually skeptical that this would be anything other than average. Boy, was I wrong! My husband and I both loved it! I have gotten so tired of cauliflower anything that I was dreading putting them in this recipe, but was pleasantly surprised when I got no cauliflower taste (hooray!) I did make a few changes, using what was on hand: added fresh mushrooms & small amount of green pepper (cleaning out the fridge), added red pepper flakes for some punch and used Italian seasoning instead of oregano. What a great recipe, Kasey! We’ll be making this often.

  6. If I use a regular casserole pan, what size do you suggest? Could this be made ahead maybe the night before and cooked the next day?

  7. 5 stars
    i made this tonight and it was really good.. i let it sit on the stove for a few minutes while we ate a salad. could not tell there was cauliflower in it. i was thinking myself about adding mushrooms and also diced tomatoes. will make this again to try those out.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating