Italian Keto Ground Beef Skillet (One-Pan Low-Carb Dinner)
Need a quick, one-pan keto dinner? This Italian keto ground beef skillet is packed with savory ground beef, rich marinara, and gooey mozzarella, all tossed with low-carb cauliflower rice. It comes together on the stovetop in about 30 minutes, making it a hearty, flavorful low-carb dinner with minimal cleanup.
If you’re looking for more keto beef recipes like this, browse my full collection of beef recipes.
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If you love quick keto ground beef recipes, but don’t want the heaviness of a casserole, this low-carb Italian beef skillet is the perfect one-pan solution! It’s full of bold Italian flavors, melts in your mouth with gooey mozzarella, and is a must-try for any busy night.
If you’re looking for more easy low-carb dinners using ground beef, try my Keto Ground Beef Casserole for a comforting baked option or this hearty Cheeseburger Soup for a cozy, family-friendly meal.
Why You’ll Love This Italian Keto Beef Skillet
Some nights, you just need something quick, cheesy, and delicious—without spending hours in the kitchen. That’s why I love this Italian Keto Beef Skillet!
✔ One pan = minimal cleanup
✔ Bold Italian flavors without the carbs
✔ A sneaky way to add cauliflower rice (without it overpowering the dish!)
If you love comfort food without the heaviness, this low-carb beef skillet will be on repeat in your kitchen!
Ingredients for the Best Low-Carb Italian Skillet
One of my favorite things about this Italian Keto Beef Skillet is that it uses simple, everyday ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen. No weird or hard-to-find stuff—just real, wholesome food that comes together in the most delicious way.
- Ground Beef – 80/20 for the best flavor, but turkey or sausage work too!
- Onion – Adds a little sweetness; use onion powder if you want fewer carbs.
- Garlic Powder – Because everything tastes better with garlic! Fresh minced works too.
- Low-Carb Marinara Sauce – I love Rao’s or Mezzetta’s, but any no-sugar-added sauce works!
- Frozen Riced Cauliflower – Keeps it grain-free and hearty! Cooking it in the sauce means it absorbs all the flavor (without tasting too cauliflower-y!).
- Mozzarella Cheese – Freshly shredded melts better, but pre-shredded is fine!
- Beef Broth – Adds depth and keeps everything extra juicy.
- Oregano – Classic Italian seasoning for that signature taste!
Below is a step-by-step visual guide to help you through the recipe. For the full list of ingredients and detailed instructions, be sure to scroll to the bottom of this post for the printable recipe card!
How to Make This Italian Keto Beef Skillet
If you love easy, one-pan meals that come together in no time, you’re going to love this dish! The flavors build in layers, and the cheesy, hearty goodness makes it feel like a warm bowl of comfort—without the extra carbs. Plus, everything cooks in one skillet, which means less cleanup!
Step 1: Cook the Ground Beef
Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add 1 pound of ground beef. Cook until it’s browned and fully cooked, breaking it up as it cooks (about 5-7 minutes). Drain any excess grease.
Step 2: Add the Onion & Garlic
Toss in ½ chopped onions and stir them around until they soften and smell excellent (about 3 minutes). Then, mix in garlic powder and oregano—this is where the flavor really starts to come together!
Step 3: Mix in the Cauliflower Rice & Marinara then Simmer
Add the steamed, strained cauliflower rice and marinara sauce to the skillet. Stir everything together so the cauliflower absorbs all the delicious flavors!
Step 5: Melt the Cheese
Sprinkle 2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top. If you’re using a cast iron skillet, pop it under the broiler for 1-2 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden. No oven-safe skillet? Just cover it with a lid for a few minutes until the cheese melts.
Tips for the Best Skillet Meal
✔ Make It Even Creamier: Want extra richness? Stir in 3 ounces of softened cream cheese while the sauce simmers. It makes everything extra cheesy and delicious!
✔ Save Time: I like to brown ground beef in bulk and freeze it. That way, I can grab a bag and have dinner on the table even faster! If you’re looking for more time-saving kitchen hacks, check out my guide on 5 Easy Meal Prep for Beginners for simple tips to make weeknight dinners stress-free.
✔ Add More Flavor: If you love spice, sprinkle in some red pepper flakes or hot sauce.
✔ More Veggies? Yes, Please! If you have bell peppers, mushrooms, or spinach, toss them in! They add extra nutrients without changing the flavor too much.
This cheesy, saucy Italian beef skillet is so good, so easy, and perfect for busy nights when you need something fast but still totally satisfying. Once you try it, I have a feeling it’ll be on repeat in your kitchen just like it is in mine!
Frequently Asked Questions
I love hearing from readers, and I totally get that you might have a few questions before making this Italian Keto Beef Skillet. Here are some of the most common ones!
Can I Use Fresh Cauliflower Instead of Frozen?
Yes! Just pulse fresh cauliflower in a food processor, steam for 3-4 minutes, and strain out excess water before adding it to the skillet.
What’s the Best Marinara Sauce for Keto?
I always reach for Rao’s, Mezzetta’s, or ALDI’s Simply Nature Marinara because they’re low in carbs. But if you have a favorite brand, just check the label to make sure there are no added sugars hiding in there!
Can I Make This in Advance?
Yes! This dish actually tastes even better the next day because the flavors have more time to blend. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
How Do I Reheat Leftovers?
Wondering how to store or reheat leftovers? Scroll down to the section below for the best ways to keep this dish fresh!”
Can I Make This Dairy-Free?
Yep! Just skip the cheese or swap it for a dairy-free mozzarella alternative. You can also stir in a little nutritional yeast for that cheesy flavor without the dairy.
What Can I Serve with This Skillet Meal?
This dish is already super hearty, but if you want a little something extra, try it with:
✔ A simple side salad with olive oil & vinegar
✔ Keto air-fried roasted green beans or asparagus
✔ Garlic mushrooms in the air-fryer (so good with the Italian flavors!)
✔ Keto Garlic Bread Chaffles – These crispy, cheesy chaffles are the perfect low-carb alternative to traditional garlic bread and pair perfectly with this skillet!
How to Store & Reheat This Keto Skillet Meal
Storing Leftovers
Fridge: Let the skillet cool completely, then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Freezer: Freeze in a sealed, freezer-safe container for up to 3 months (for best results, freeze without cheese and add fresh when reheating).
Reheating Instructions
Stovetop (Best Method): Warm leftovers in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of broth or marinara to keep it from drying out.
Microwave (Quickest Option): Heat in 30-second bursts, stirring in between until warmed through.
Oven (For Large Batches): Bake at 350°F for 15-20 minutes; if adding fresh cheese, leave uncovered for the last 5 minutes to get bubbly and golden.
This dish stores and reheats beautifully, making it perfect for meal prep!
For another comforting ground beef dinner, try my Keto Ground Beef Casserole.
Easy Variations
This Italian Keto Beef Skillet is super flexible, so feel free to tweak it to fit your taste!
- Swap the Protein: Use ground turkey, chicken, or Italian sausage for a different flavor twist.
- Make It Creamy: Stir in 2 oz of cream cheese while simmering for extra richness.
- Add More Veggies: Toss in spinach, mushrooms, or bell peppers for extra nutrients.
- Make It Spicy: Sprinkle in red pepper flakes or use spicy Italian sausage.
- Dairy-Free Option: Skip the cheese or use a dairy-free mozzarella alternative.
This dish is easy to customize, so have fun making it your own!
More Low-Carb Ground Beef Casserole Recipes
If you love this Italian Keto Beef Skillet, here are more hearty, low-carb casseroles to try!
- 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
Looking for other quick and easy low-carb dinner ideas? These recipes are all packed with flavor!
- 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}
One-Pan Italian Keto Beef Skillet – Easy & Cheesy Low-Carb Dinner
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 3 cups Rao's marinara
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, grated (freshly shredded melts best!)
- 10 oz frozen steamed riced cauliflower
- ½ cup beef broth
- ½ onion, chopped (or 1 tsp onion powder for fewer carbs)
- 1 tsp garlic powder (or 2 cloves fresh minced garlic!)
- ½ tsp oregano
- ½ tsp pepper
- salt to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Brown the ground beef in an oven-safe skillet over medium heat until fully cooked (about 5-7 minutes). Drain excess grease.
- Add the chopped onion and cook until soft and fragrant (about 3 minutes). Stir in garlic powder and oregano for extra flavor.
- Steam the riced cauliflower according to package instructions, then strain well to remove extra moisture. Stir it into the skillet.
- Pour in the marinara sauce and beef broth, stirring to combine. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook uncovered for 15 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken.
- Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over the top.
- Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake for 5 minutes until the cheese begins to melt.
- Move to the top oven rack and broil for 1-2 minutes until the cheese is golden and bubbly.
- Remove from the oven and serve immediately!
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Video
Notes
- Want it extra creamy? Stir in 2 oz cream cheese while simmering for a richer, creamier sauce.
- Need a dairy-free option? Swap mozzarella for a dairy-free cheese alternative or skip the cheese altogether.
- Make it spicier! Add ½ teaspoon of red pepper flakes or use spicy Italian sausage instead of ground beef.
- Meal Prep Tip: This dish stores well in the fridge for up to 4 days and freezes for up to 3 months—just reheat and enjoy!
Nutrition
I made this tonight. I mistakenly took ground pork out of the freezer, so I used that. I used Rao’s Arrabbiata sauce. It was so delicious and flavorful! I like spicy. Very filling too!
Just made this for dinner tonight for me and my husband. He said it’s the best meal I’ve ever made and we have plenty of leftovers. Looking forward to saving this in my recipe book and trying more of your meals! Thank you for sharing!
That’s so awesome! Glad it was a hit with your hubby!
Made this tonight and it was delish! Instead of using the beef broth, I used a can of diced tomatoes with the juice. I added a can of mushroom bits and pieces. Since I didn’t have 2 cups of mozzarella, I added parmesan cheese to the mozzarella I had. I served it with roasted broccoli. I wish I could have a crusty piece of garlic bread, but then it wouldn’t have been keto! Thanks for this simple but tasty recipe.
You’re welcome, Martha! Glad you enjoyed it.
Great recipe, I changed it slightly with using vodka sauce instead of marinara and added a little extra of the spices.
I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Hi Kasey!! I have not made the recipe, yet. Was wondering if you have ever added a layer of pepperoni, or any other meats to this dish. I looks mighty tasty as is, but was just wondering.
I have just fixed the recipe as is but I think adding other meats to the dish would work fine.
While my husband does not care for riced cauliflower, i LOVE it. I think it does absorb the flavor of the dishes its put in, so that’s not the problem, but the texture is the issue with my spouse. Do you have any recommendations on what i can potentially substitute the cauliflower for?
Hmmmm…you could try another veggie or make veggie noodles.
This recipe is great!
I used cauliflower with additional veggies and a spicy marinara sauce.
I am going to make it again using ground turkey.
I’m really glad you enjoyed it!
Can I use fresh cauliflower? Gonna make this this week! Looks very good!
I’ve only used cauliflower rice but you could make cauliflower rice out of fresh cauliflower.
We liked it. Will make again. Really important to drain ground beef after browning.
I’m really glad you liked this and are making it again! I agree with you…I always drain my ground beef after I brown it!!!!
This was so good!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Thanks for the awesome recipe. Added some paprika and used Costco’s Mexican cheese blend instead. Came out pretty well. Quick and delicious!
You’re welcome! Glad you enjoyed the dish!
Absolutely delicious 😋! By far my favorite keto friendly recipe to date! My hubby gave it 2 thumbs up too!
That’s awesome! Glad it’s your favorite!
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!!!
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.
Awesome recipe! The riced cauliflower gives it “substance” without the taste. I didn’t even miss the pasta. Great quick meal!
Awesome! I love riced cauliflower in dishes.
This dish was amazing! Love your recipes.
Thanks so much, Michelle! Glad you love the dish and my recipes.