Keto Cheeseburger Casserole

Are you craving the mouthwatering flavors of the classic cheeseburger but without the guilt? This Keto Cheeseburger Casserole is a low-carb, high-flavor recipe that offers all the savory satisfaction!

Cheeseburgers have long been a guilty indulgence of mine. However, this Keto Cheeseburger Casserole recipe significantly transformed my low-carb diet landscape. This comforting casserole combines the rich, creamy texture of cheese, the tangy zest flavor of pickles, and the succulent goodness of ground beef.

Not only is it keto-friendly, but it’s also incredibly tasty and perfect for family dinners or meal prep.

Why You’ll Like this Recipe

• This cheeseburger keto casserole is hearty, filling, and a perfect substitute for a classic cheeseburger for those that are on keto.
• Making casseroles is really simple. You put just a few ingredients in a casserole dish, put it in the oven, and your dinner will be ready in 30-60 minutes!
• This easy keto cheeseburger casserole with pickles tastes great in a way that is deliciously non-gourmet.
• Both kids and adults like it.
• This recipe, like most casseroles, is adaptable and forgiving, so feel free to try other spices and mix-ins. 

Is it Really Keto-Friendly and Low-Carb?

This Keto Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole is a perfect low-carb alternative to the classic cheeseburger, eliminating the unneeded carbs! This recipe has less than 5 grams of net carbs per serving. Rather, it’s loaded with premium ground beef and cheese protein and maintains a low carb count by excluding bread and sweet condiments. It’s a great choice for keto diets because the fats in cheese give you energy and keep you full and satisfied. 

Ingredients for Keto Cheeseburger Casserole

• Ground beef: Use 93% lean ground beef to cut down on fat because you’ll be adding some rich ingredients like cream and cheese. To make this even healthier, use grass-fed ground beef.
• Onion and garlic: I suggest using fresh ones for greater flavor. When I’m feeling lazy, I occasionally substitute two tablespoons of onion and garlic powders. However, it does not taste as good.
• Oil: I love cooking using avocado oil, but you can use any cooking oil.
• Condiments: Use keto ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and yellow mustard to reduce the carb content while preserving the flavors of an authentic cheeseburger. I also used minimal seasoning, just sea salt and black pepper.
• Pickles: Dill pickles give it a crunchy, tangy taste. Make sure they don’t contain any added sugar. 
• Cheese: Cheddar cheese, especially sharp or extra-sharp, brings out the added taste. To avoid the additional starches present in pre-shredded cheeses, it is suggested to shred your own. Cream cheese is also used in this casserole to add a rich, creamy texture and a mild, tangy flavor.
• Sauce: A creamy, slightly tangy sauce is incorporated into this keto bacon cheeseburger casserole, which is prepared with sugar-free pickle juice, yellow mustard, and mayonnaise.
• Toppings: You can use your favorite toppings like shredded lettuce, tomato, pickles, chopped red onion, or bacon.

Substitutes & Variations

This recipe’s best feature is how easy it is to prepare. However, here are some options for you if you want to try something different:

• Change the meat: You can make this keto cheeseburger casserole recipe with turkey thighs or ground chicken. It’s still good even if it won’t be the same. Instead of using too-lean chicken breast, I suggest using ground chicken thighs.
• Add the cooked bacon crumbles. I love the taste it brings.
• Add your preferred spices, even if they are not traditional cheeseburger seasonings. This dish is great with chili powder and smoked paprika. Add one teaspoon of each.
• Add pickled jalapenos: I occasionally add sliced pickled jalapenos to the beef mixture before baking.
• Dairy-Free Choice: To make this meal dairy-free, use plant-based cheese substitutes in place of dairy cheese.
• Cheese Variety: To create a distinctive flavor twist, try experimenting with different cheeses, such as mozzarella or pepper jack.
• Add veggies: If you want to make this casserole a full dinner, sauté the ground beef and onion mixture with one or two cups of uncooked riced cauliflower. If so, add 1-2 teaspoons more olive oil when baking it. Try adding my Oven Dried Tomatoes or Pickled Radishes as garnishes. 

How to Make Keto Cheeseburger Casserole

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. 
2. Heat the oil in a large nonstick pan or skillet over medium heat. Sauté the onions, stirring often, until fragrant and semi-translucent, about 5 minutes.
3. Increase the heat to medium-high and add the ground beef, salt, and pepper. Cook for 7 to 10 minutes, breaking up the meat as it cooks, or until browned. Stir in garlic and cook 1 minute more.
4. Drain excess oil, reduce heat to medium, and add the cream cheese. Cook and stir just until the cream cheese is melted and well-mixed. Stir in the pickle, ketchup, and mustard.
5. Remove from heat and transfer the mixture to a greased 9×9 casserole dish. Top with the shredded cheese and bake at 350 for 30-35 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and browned. Remove from the oven.
6. To make the sauce, mix the mayo, mustard, and pickle juice.
7. Drizzle the sauce over the cheeseburger casserole and top with desired toppings.

Tips to Keep it Keto:

Here are some key ingredient swaps to make sure your casserole is completely keto-compliant:

• Grass-Fed Ground Beef: Complementing keto’s emphasis on high-quality protein sources, it’s also higher in nutrients and healthy fats.
• Full-Fat Dairy: Steer clear of low-fat cheeses and heavy creams, which frequently have additional carbs.
• Use Sugar-Free Ketchup: To reduce the amount of carbs, choose a sugar-free ketchup instead of many other kinds that include added sugar.
• Sugar-Free Mayo: While regular mayonnaise is suitable for keto, always read the label to look for any unwelcome additives or hidden sugars. 
• Sugar-Free Pickle Juice: Certain pickles and their accompanying liquids may contain hidden sugars. Choose “no sugar added” alternatives to keep the tangy taste without adding more carbs.

Keto Cheeseburger Casserole in the Instant Pot

If you’re short on time or want to speed up the cooking process, making this Keto Cheeseburger Casserole in an Instant Pot is an excellent option. Begin by browning the ground beef with garlic and onions using the sauté function. Before closing the lid, add approximately ¼ cup of water or beef broth because the Instant Pot needs moisture to produce steam.

The flavors can then develop by slow cooking on low for 4 to 5 hours or by using a pressure cooker set for 5 minutes with a quick release. Once done, add cheese and stir to combine. Sprinkle additional cheese on top and melt it using the “Keep Warm” mode before serving. 

Serving Suggestions

You can serve it with keto buns for a unique keto cheeseburger. You can serve this casserole with a side of veggies to counterbalance its richness, or you can add vegetables like spinach or cauliflower rice to make it a complete meal.

Leftovers Storage Tips

The leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days in an airtight container. Gently reheat them in the microwave at 50% power. You can also freeze it for up to a month. I recommend you freeze individual portions of this cheeseburger casserole, just add sauce and topping later. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Cheeseburgers Keto Friendly?

Without the bun, a cheeseburger can be keto-friendly as long as the cheese, meat, and toppings don’t exceed your daily carb limit. Choose low-carb, high-fat toppings; steer clear of sugary sauces. This keeps you in ketosis and lets you savor a filling dinner.

Can I Make this Casserole Ahead of Time?

Yes! You can assemble this casserole the night before and keep it in the refrigerator …then bake it when you’re ready. When baking from cold, give the baking time an extra five to ten minutes. 

Is Ketchup Keto-Friendly?

As most ketchup contains a lot of sugar, you should make sure to carefully read the labels. I like Heinz Ketchup with no added sugar. It has a low-carb content and is sweetened with sucralose. For a healthier option, you may be able to find a monkfruit or stevia sweetened low-carb ketchup.

How to Make it Healthier

Although this recipe is already keto-friendly, a few simple tweaks can make it even healthier:

• Use Grass-Fed Lean Ground Beef: Use 90% lean, grass-fed ground beef to reduce saturated fat without sacrificing flavor.
• Drain Excess Fat: To avoid the casserole from being overly greasy, drain off any extra fat after browning the beef.
• Reduce the Cheese: While cheese does enhance flavor, it’s best to limit your consumption if you’re trying to maintain a healthy weight.
• Add More Veggies: To increase the fiber and micronutrients, add bell peppers, mushrooms, riced cauliflower, or spinach.
• Reduce the Salt: As cheese and sauces already contain sodium, you may use less salt or substitute herbs and spices for flavor.

These minor changes preserve the dish’s flavorful, cheesy, and filling properties while still keeping it well-balanced! 

Try it with these Keto Sides 

• Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes
• Keto Cauliflower Mac and Cheese
• Baked Parmesan Crisps
• BLT Coleslaw Salad
• Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms

Keto Cheeseburger Casserole

Written by Matt | Plating Pixels

This comforting Keto Cheeseburger Casserole combines the rich, creamy texture of cheese, the tangy zest flavor of pickles, and the succulent goodness of ground beef.

5 from 6 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 40 minutes mins

Course Cake, Dinner, Entree

Cuisine American

Servings 8

Calories 535 kcal

Equipment

• Non-Stick Pan
• Small Bowl
• Casserole dish 8x10 or 9x9

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

Keto Cheeseburger Casserole

• 1 medium onion diced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil or cooking oil
• 2 pounds lean ground beef
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
• 3 cloves minced garlic
• 8 ounces cream cheese
• 3 dill pickle spears sliced
• ¼ cup keto ketchup
• 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 12 ounces sliced cheddar cheese

Sauce

• 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
• ½ tablespoon pickle juice sugar-free

Toppings

• Shredded lettuce tomato, pickles, chopped red onion, or bacon

Instructions

 

• Preheat the oven to 350 ℉. Heat the oil in a large non-stick pan or skillet over medium heat. Sautee the onions, stirring often, until frangrand and semi-translucent, about 5 minutes.
• Increase the heat to medium-high and add the ground beef, salt, and pepper. Cook for 7 to 10 minutes, breaking up the meat as it cooks, or until browned. Stir in garlic and cook 1 minute more.
• Drain excess oil, then reduce heat to medium and add the cream cheese. Cook and stir just until the cream cheese is melted and well mixed. Stir in the pickles, ketchup, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce.
• Remove from heat and transfer the mixture to a greased 8x10 casserole dish. Top with the shredded cheese and bake uncovered at 350 for 30-35 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and browned. Remove from the oven.
• To make the sauce: Mix the mayo, mustard, and pickle juice.
• Drizzle the sauce over the cheeseburger casserole and top with shredded lettuce and desired toppings.

Nutrition Facts

Keto Cheeseburger Casserole

Serving Size

 

1 square

Amount per Serving

Calories

535

% Daily Value*

Fat

 

41

g

63

%

Saturated Fat

 

19

g

119

%

Trans Fat

 

1

g

Polyunsaturated Fat

 

4

g

Monounsaturated Fat

 

13

g

Cholesterol

 

147

mg

49

%

Sodium

 

850

mg

37

%

Potassium

 

484

mg

14

%

Carbohydrates

 

5

g

2

%

Fiber

 

0.4

g

2

%

Sugar

 

2

g

2

%

Protein

 

35

g

70

%

Vitamin A

 

816

IU

16

%

Vitamin C

 

2

mg

2

%

Calcium

 

353

mg

35

%

Iron

 

3

mg

17

%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Keyword cheeseburger keto casserole, easy keto cheeseburger casserole, Keto Cheeseburger Casserole, keto cheeseburger casserole recipe

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!